The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 35

Reaching the main building took most of Cyan's strength. She opened the main doors with great effort and once she was inside they slammed behind her. Students were milling around in the front hallway watching the storm through the windows in excitement.

Stupid! Don't they realize what's happening?

Cyan pushed through them, ignoring the irritated protests. Reaching the stairs she tried to head up them as quickly as the gathering students and her physical fatigue would allow. She looked everywhere for Kael or Braeden, but couldn't see them anywhere. Masters were rushing around trying to get the students to assemble and get back to class. Cyan ducked behind students as Master Evan made his way up the stairs looking murderous. The last thing she wanted was to be stopped by him now. With no sign of Kael, Braeden, Greyton or Trey amongst any of the students, Cyan waited for the staff to be distracted and finally headed up to the indoor gym that had been damaged. Maybe some of them were still working on the repairs to prevent more damage from the storm. As she hit the top floor of the main building thunder fractured the night and lightning lit up the world outside, shining through every window. She could hear the shrieks and laughter of the students downstairs. But their noise became muffled as she walked down the long corridor that led to the gym. She walked towards the door trying to catch her breath. She wished she had her sword with her. At that thought she realized she was close to both Trey and Dakin's offices. She hesitated and decided on Dakin's office. She opened the door to grab one of the spare swords he kept behind his door. As her left hand closed over the hilt a voice stopped her in her tracks.

'Cyan?'

Dakin was sitting behind his desk with some scrolls.

'Master Dakin, sorry, I wanted to borrow a sword.'

'Why? What's happening?'

'Can't you hear the storm?' she asked in surprise.

'Well, yes, obviously. But we've had storms before – two weeks ago we had a bad one if I recall.'

'Yes, well, I felt nervous, and when I'm nervous, I want a sword close,' said Cyan, thinking quickly. 'Anyway, I need to go now.'

Dakin's eyes narrowed as he nodded. 'Is everything all right out there, Cyan? Is there anything I should know?'

Cyan hesitated. He could help, but explaining would waste time she wasn't sure they had. 'No, sir, nothing.' She thanked him for the sword again and headed back on her path towards the gym. She fastened the sword to her belt as she ran, realizing the futility of the weapon. Even with increased mobility in her stiff left hand, her right hand was useless. Thinking about Shyla lying helpless in the infirmary strengthened her resolve to try, regardless.

The ground rumbled beneath her – flashbacks hit her hard and strong of her last night in New York, stopping her in her tracks as she clutched her head to stop herself from screaming. Only when the ground settled again did she continue shakily to the gym. It was taking all her resolve to continue and not flee the building. The doors were much closer now. She pushed them open to see Trey holding his arms out around him. The opening where the roof had caved in allowed her to see the fury of the swirling storm above them. The sound was deafening and she could hear a roar that was getting louder and louder.

'Cyan!' Trey gasped. She was surprised to see fear in his eyes.

'I've come –' she faltered, '– I've come to stop you.'

'You?' he said, disquiet overriding the fear. 'How? You have no power?'

'I have this.' Cyan drew the sword trying to mask the wince of pain as she did so. How long would she be able to stop Trey? His sword, as usual, was hanging off his belt. Cyan had no hope of defeating him, but maybe she could distract him long enough for Braeden or Kael to come.