The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 34

It was a day before Gerjo allowed Cyan to leave the infirmary. Shyla still hadn't woken up. When Cyan asked, the healing Master said she wasn't overly concerned yet, but if she didn't wake in the next day they may need to reduce the medication keeping her pain-free.

Cyan was now able to use her left hand, but its wrist was still stiff and swollen from Greyton's binding. Her right arm wouldn't be usable for a couple of weeks. She was now determined to find Trey. But he was too busy with the reconstruction of the gym to see her privately. She knew he was avoiding her. Her guilt over protecting him while her friend lay injured at his hand was growing and she went back to the infirmary to keep her own vigil over Shyla. After Gerjo admonished her to go and rest in her room, Cyan hid in the bushes near the infirmary entrance to ensure no one – she couldn't bring herself to say Trey – would come near Shyla again. If anything happened to Shyla because she had kept what she knew secret, she would never forgive herself. Cyan had almost dozed off under the bushes, when she heard footsteps on the pathway and saw Trey coming up the path from the main building to the infirmary. She sat up and was about to leave her hiding place to confront him when Greyton stepped out from the other side of the path. She hadn't even known he was there! Cyan shrank back down again.

'What do you want?' growled Trey.

'I don't plan to come to the lesson today,' said Greyton haughtily.

'Fine with me.'

'Or tomorrow.'

'Fine.'

'Do you really think no one will find out?' said Greyton.

'It would be easier for me if they didn't – but even if they do – what of it?'

'You mean to say that you think they'd allow you to stay here if they knew you were really a Skotonian?' laughed Greyton. Cyan just managed to stifle a gasp. Trey is from Skotonia? Cyan knew immediately that Kael, Braeden and Jesse would have a problem as I'tes with a Master who hailed from their enemy land. A land that had her blue eyes bringing her endless issues as they marked her as originating from there too. How could Trey have pursued me knowing I am a Rubia and he's a Skotonian?

'You're wasting my time, Greyton – I have business to attend to.'

Greyton looked up at the sky before smirking. 'You are right, Grand Master, it is time.'

Trey appraised him.

'I think I will just come back later,' said Trey, finally, before turning around and striding back to the main building. Greyton headed up to the infirmary. Cyan was about to jump up to stop him going anywhere near Shyla when Xai rushed out of the infirmary doors.

'Greyton? What are you doing here? Surely you should be in the dining room for dinner? Look at the time.'

'I came to see Shyla,' he said looking contrite.

Xai hesitated. 'I'm sorry – I didn't realize you two were friends.'

'For a while now,' he said with the most charming smile he could manage. Cyan wished she could smash it from his face. If he made a move into the infirmary she was going to attack him.

'I was actually going to get Cyan. Maybe you could find her and come back with her to see Shyla?'

'Cyan?' Greyton pursed his lips. 'I actually have been looking for her. I figured she would be here. I'll see what I can do.' He bowed slightly before heading back along the path Trey had just taken. Cyan gave Xai time to get back inside and Greyton to reach the main building before she headed up the infirmary steps.

'Cyan,' said Xai. 'Gerjo sent me to find you. Shyla is awake and is asking for you.'

Cyan's knees shook as waves of relief washed through her. Shyla was going to live! She was beside Shyla before Xai could say another word. The young medic laughed and left them alone in the large room.

'Cyan,' said Shyla weakly. Cyan grabbed her hand as firmly as her stiffness would allow.

'Shyla, you scared me.'

'I scared you?'

'I'm so glad you're all right.'

'And you? Where were you? I was so worried.'

Without hesitation, Cyan told Shyla everything.

'Greyton! That Natlin!' Shyla's anger was hampered only by her weakness.

'Shyla,' said Cyan, shocked and a little impressed. Her friend smiled, but her fatigue was closing in and she started to drift off again. 'And Trey? Did you know he was Skotonian? Is he here after you?'

'I just found out now - he never told me,' Cyan tried to keep the quiver from her voice. Even now she didn't want to believe Trey had anything to do with what had happened to Shyla.

'You have to tell Kael and Braeden,' said Shyla faintly. 'We're all in danger now. Tell them who injured you. Tell them Trey is Skotonian.'

'You need to go now,' said Gerjo sternly. Cyan jumped. She hadn't realized the Master was there. How much had she heard?

'Wait,' mumbled Shyla finding Cyan's hand. 'Please find Brae, tell him I woke up.'

Cyan frowned at her friend before nodding. Relieved, Shyla closed her eyes.

'I didn't hear much of what you told her,' said Gerjo, 'but I did hear that you know who injured you. You must tell me.'

'I can't.' Cyan was surprised that Gerjo was more interested in that than the origins of one of the Grand Masters. Trey being Skotonian was serious. Especially given Cyan was considered a Rubia in Tebel. No one needed to tell Cyan that he would be considered a traitor to his home country for not revealing her status and location. All these thoughts whirred through her head as the healing Master asked again. Cyan just shook her head. She was sure if Gerjo's face became more pinched her precarious hair binding would pop releasing her wild golden curls.

'We cannot have a rogue student who goes around attacking other students,' said Gerjo unevenly in her anger. And at that moment, Cyan knew. Her stomach dropped beneath her and the walls seemed to close in on her. The Master in the stable and library had spoken about taking care of the fire-maker before he released his plan to destroy Noring. He had also told Greyton he could start with her – he could try and get information first. Cyan was the her and Shyla was the fire-maker. It suddenly seemed so obvious and Cyan felt stupid that she hadn't seen it all before. She knew the plan was now properly in motion – she only hoped she wasn't too late. Gerjo had stopped trying to interrogate Cyan as she watched the young student's face go whiter and whiter in front of her.

'What is it?' the Master asked.

'I need to go.'

'You will not leave until you have told me which student attacked you. I won't have you protecting anyone who may be a danger to our –'

Cyan turned to leave. Ignoring Gerjo's angry commands to stay in the infirmary, she headed towards the door. She needed to get to Kael and Braeden. Cyan staggered as she got to the door. She was surprised that she was still so shaky. But as she opened it to leave, she realized it wasn't her making the walls shake. A rumble from over one of the sentry-mountains announced the oncoming storm. A blast of thundery weather assaulted her as she left the infirmary. Cyan's heart sank as she realized Trey's plan was in motion. Trey? Yes, she knew it now – Braeden had been right all along. Tears streamed from her eyes from a mixture of wind and sorrow. Cyan fought against both as she made her way to the main building as quickly as the whipping wind would allow.