Wizardly

Chapter Seventeen: Answers

"What - What is this for?" Amber asked.

"Exactly what it says. It's a consent form. We wanted to ask you if you will stay and fight with us once all the citizens are safe. You would be of great help to us, but we won't ask you to lay down your lives if you do not want to. The decision is yours and just know we have not okayed this with your Guild Masters. This is a private matter," Captain said before I could speak up, " Think it over, we won't ask for a decision right now."

"And what are you going to do if we say no, Tyrian?" Nash asked and I took in a surprised breath. Crap shoulda known they'd figure me out. "Idiot, of course I'll stay and help. Those bastards might be behind the death of my brother and Ray," He said. I was glad he changed the subject instead of making me answer.

"Sorry, I'll stay with the evacuees in case the tunnels don't hold up," Amber said and I nodded. I had planned on making at least two of them stay behind with the citizens anyways. The others said they'd sleep on it for the night and we all left the training room.

"At least now I understand the weight you carry with you. I never expected it'd be heavier than my own," Dustin said to me once everyone else was gone.

"No ones weight is more than another's, for everyone is different," I replied, "I may have lost a lot, but I was never alone. You're not alone anymore either okay?" His breath caught only for a split second, but he bounced back quickly.

"Yeah, whatever. I didn't ask for your input," he muttered and left as well. I sighed and headed to get dinner. That discussion took a few hours and that was the short version. Had I not skipped how I had been training between meeting each of them it might've taken all night.

Before I even made it out of the basement Master Faraday stopped me and said he wanted to fight with me at full strength. He basically just challenged me to a duel, which means Captain approved this fight.

"When and where?" I asked knowing he was serious about this. I'm a little nervous about it though. Does he mean to go all out too? If so I doubt even as strong as I am I could last in that kind of battle.

"Tomorrow morning, on the field, at our normal training time," he said, "if you're late you forfeit the duel and you don't get to fight with us when the time comes," he said. So that's what this was about. I agreed to the terms and said I'd be there.

Thorough out Dinner everyone was quiet. It was a lot to process I get that, but I really hope this doesn't effect our friendship. They all mean a lot to me. Max sighed and pulled the consent form out of his back pocket.

"Okay, I've decided. Nala and I will do it," he said and asked one of the girls for a pen. He signed it. Stella said she'd stay behind with the Evacuees as well just so they're protected. The rest, Candice and Theo, said they'd fight too.

Now I really can't let them down, I will fight along side my friends. They're willing to do this for me so I'll have their backs. I planned to fight no matter what their answers were, but I am more comfortable knowing they'll be there with me.

I didn't tell them about my fight with Master tomorrow, nor that I was gonna fight with them. I'll let them all see what I can do.

Not that I'll be able to keep it from them for long. Which was evident later that night when Lillyana came to my room. She asked me if the rumors were true that Master Faraday and I were having a duel tomorrow. I told her the truth and she called me an idiot and asked what I'll do of I get seriously injured. Of course she asked me not to do it and I told her I couldn't do that.

"I'm sorry, Lillyana, I know you're worried about me," I mumbled and hugged her to me as she cried. "He feels, as a fighter, that he's been mocked and cheated. I have to prove myself to him or he will most likely never teach me again and all my training will have been for nothing. I'm doing this for the guild, I want to be able to protect what's dear to me and fight along side my friends as an equal. That has always been my goal, so I don't have to lose anyone else," I said. She hugged me tightly and nodded in understanding.

"Can I - Can I at least stay with you tonight? I don't think I'll sleep well away from you tonight," she said. I nodded and kissed her forehead.

We laid on my bed, her cuddled against my chest as I held her and she fell to sleep. I smiled and kissed her cheek. Sighing I stared up at the ceiling. Even after what I told her I'm worried what tomorrow will bring. That man is unpredictable so this fight could go any direction. I'll just have to bring my all and hope he doesn't kill me.

I managed to fall asleep for a few hours and my alarm woke us up. Lillyana shot up startled and I threw my arm over my eyes with a groan.

"Morning," I mumbled then also sat up. "Oh yeah, how did you find out about my fight with Master anyways?" I asked curious.

"Dustin over heard your conversation and Max and I over heard him talking about it after dinner," she said. I see. I stood and stretched my arms.

"Well no matter lets go get breakfast," I said and headed for my door. When she didn't move I looked over at her and asked what was wrong. She looked down at her clothes and her face got all red.

"Um, if we go down together like this, this early in the morning, won't people get the wrong idea?" She asked. Now who's acting shy about our relationship? I laughed and turned towards her.

"So? Nothing happened and we are dating now, so let them say whatever they want. Or are you the one trying to hide it?" I asked and she turned even more red. I sighed and asked if she wanted to go change and meet me downstairs. She stood and seemed to relax a bit.

"No, it's - it's fine. Your right, nothing happened so whatever they say they can shove it," she said and I chuckled. She really is amazing. "By the way, have you told Captain about us dating yet?" She asked.

"Shit," I muttered and stopped walking. Damn, with everything going on I haven't had time to talk to him about it. He's gonna kill me, after all he is Lillyana's Uncle. She laughed softly.

"It's okay, I mean, a lot of stuff has happened lately," she said, "We can both tell him when everything else calms down. Anyways lets go eat I'm sure the others are waiting." I nodded and we headed down for breakfast.