The Keepers of Eternity

XXXVI

Focusing on her stance and breathing pattern, Abreigelle summoned two discs. Just like you practiced. First was a shield, which she placed between her and Blaise, and the rushing guards. Second, on the outside of the shield, she ignited an explo—

Dazed slightly, Abreigelle suddenly became aware that she was flying. Cold, wet wind bit at her cheeks, and her ears rung. The shield-launch technique had been quicker and far more violent than she had expected, though she quickly tried to get her bearings. Below them, a column of smoke poured out of the highest room of the citadel as if a giant bolt of lightning had struck the side of the tree.

Blaise was soaring next to her, already in control of his fall. His back hair whipped upwards as his trajectory changed. It was strange not seeing some part of his face obscured.

Abreigelle released her shield and then readied a large non-gravity bubble. When her body collided with it, she felt herself slow, but continue to plummet as she dropped out the bottom. Closer to the ground, she created three more bubbles, each slowing her descent even further.

Her landing was less than eloquent. Abreigelle stumbled onto the very cobblestone courtyard outside of the citadel, where just an hour ago she had crossed to get to the barracks. Smoke curled off her scuffed boots as she came to an abrupt stop, readying herself once again. Blaise landed next to her, apparently using a different technique to arrive at the ground safely—a cushion of wind which expanded outward upon landing.

Nearby, a group of guards stood looking up in horror at the remnants of the explosion at the top of the citadel, though, their attention turned to Abreigelle and Blaise.

"Those are the thieves!" They yelled, "Don't let them get away!" More and more guards took notice, blowing whistles and filing out of the barracks.

"Shit!" Abreigelle said, bracing herself. This would be a tough fight, and her first against real people using discs. Thank god Blaise had taken the Passion Breastplate. She raised a shielding disc as the soldiers loosed a round of crossbow bolts.

I can do this. This is just like my training. Maybe I can draw them into a trap like with the utyra.

This was different, however. There were so, so many enemies, and they were quickly surrounding her.

"What's the plan again?" Abreigelle shouted to Blaise, who just blasted back some of the Alraians with a gust of wind.

"The plan is to get out, remember? You should--" He grunted, taking out a his pocket knife and burying it into a kink in another man's armor above the shoulder-plate. The Rvyni soldier dropped to the wet ground. "You shouldn't worry about sticking with me. Just get yourself out."

He wanted them to split up? Abreigelle swallowed hard, worried about Blaise. That knife wound looked like had been intended to kill, but for what reason? They were being attacked because she and Blaise had just committed a crime. Was she doing something really sinful for trying to defend herself, or hurting these innocent soldiers for just doing their jobs?

Feeling ill, Abreigelle expanded her shield into a small dome that covered her entire body. Seeing that she was stalled, the soldiers approached it cautiously, waiting, for at some point, Abreigelle would have to come out and let down her guard. I can't fight these people. She thought to herself. To them, I'm a villain. Blaise was already that. A small distance away now, he glanced back at her, an immeasurable look of dissatisfaction written across his face as he cut down another soldier. I can't let myself become like him.

As a child, Abreigelle often dreamt about doing heroic things. She'd been fascinated by discs, and often imagined herself as a Neurean, with the ability to use them and do fantastic things that defied logic and understanding. More than anything, she wanted to prove to herself that she wasn't like the other girls her age, and that she wouldn't just sit idly by and watch as such injustices occurred around her. She'd seen plenty of terrible things: from the way the Varners treated their servants, to how the bullies treated her friend Myr even despite the hardship he faced at home. To her, there was always hope. There was always a way to find justice.