The Son of Thunder

Chapter Nineteen

Lightening was in the Playground with his quarterstaff, fighting an invisible partner. He needed to blow off steam after a treacherous day. Not an entire waste. He'd have to find this Mistress Magpie a position worthy of her regal stature and growing infamy. She could slander his Star Children if she liked, but he'd heard tales of her protectiveness of them. She was more sisterly to the Star Child she'd been partnered with than the girl standing in the Playground with her.

Lightening's legs were sore and he was ghastly aware that after more than an annum of war with the Acidonians that he was out of practice. All executions were postponed until the end, which Lightening agreed was a cautious but necessary measure. The Pit was gorged with criminals awaiting execution. If only the Acidonians would reply to his queries.

Rhysya appeared at the gate. "Lightening, it's late. Why haven't you come to bed?"

"I'm not nearly as agile as I used to be." He struck the air with one end of his staff, then with the other. His form was spotless. Jump, parry, riposte.

"Why don't you put your weapons aside for the night and come read to me?"

"Why don't you pick up a book and do it yourself?"

"I like it better when you read to me and I rest my cheek on your chest."

"Rhysya, I must practice. I'll come to bed soon."

"Do you promise?" she called, resting her cheek on the bars.

"Yes, I promise." He made a deep bow.

Rhysya lifted her head and skipped away. She was humming some Star Child folk tune.

Lightening lifted his staff and began to work again. Fighting was finely choreographed, lightly sprung on the toes, twirling about.

"I was afraid she was the one."

Lightening turned to the loge and put his staff at defense.

Warrior jumped into the cage with his own quarterstaff. "You know better than that." He struck Lightening in the center of his staff.

"No sparring."

"Shawna's asleep."

"And Fatelle?"

"The little witch is burning incense."

"If anyone could understand in Thundonia, it would be you."

"She's not just a Star Child. She is the Star Child. She's forbidden. That little stunt you played today—you're lucky your hide isn't stretched across a tanning frame. Listen to me, you insane child," Warrior said, grabbing Lightening by the arm. "If Shawna finds out—she will find out—how will you answer her? How will you tell her that you love Rhysya?"

"I don't know." Lightening spun around and struck Warrior. "It's her fault. She put us together. And to have the audacity to try to force me into marriage—"

Warrior took his staff over his head and brought it down. Lightening blocked the assault. "She trusts you."

"She ignored the prophecy."

"A prophecy that you spit at."

"That I'm cursed with," he said.

"Lightening, I'm imploring you. You are going to have to choose between them. I know how much you value Shawna. Break it off with Rhysya now."

"I can't."

Warrior struck Lightening. He put his staff up, but the force knocked Lightening off balance and he fell to the ground. Dust covered his black uniform.