(Day 14 Threzday)
LaTao pauses, stopping mid-chew. She distinctly remembers someone telling her to wake up, and now has to look for clues. Her fork levels, carrying the perfect percentage of each ingredient in her shepherd's pie. She looks to her left. No eyes on her. To her right is the shaved side of Kami’ka’s head. The top is braided briefly at her hairline as if only to keep her hair out of her face. The rest of her hair twists and rises into a mohawk resembling a bright purple flame. She’s looking straight ahead, not at LaTao… though LaTao is sure it was her voice she heard.
LaTao swallows, shrugs, then brings her fork closer to her lips to–
“Seriously?” Kami’ka says. “He’s looking right at you!”
LaTao sighs, once again lowering her fork to the plate, delaying her next taste. I just wanna eat my food. What is this girl talkin’ about? She looks up from her plate. This time, LaTao notices that beside Kami’ka, Ethur wears a rather goofy smile on her face. She keeps looking at LaTao, then looking in the same direction as Kami’ka’s stare. “Hmm?”
Finally, LaTao looks forward, beyond the coven’s table. Twenty feet away, a tall, green-eyed boy stands. His blonde hair is quiffed back and to his right. It shines with multiple notes of honey, caramel, and gold. When he smiles, a pair of dimples appear to each side of his pearly whites. He looks down and away for a moment, intensifying his sharp, strong jawline as he pulls a chair from under his table. Though his broad chest is visible through his black and red uniform, his arm is usually covered. Today, however, his sleeve is rolled up and secured by the shoulder strap to show off his muscular arms. He closes his pursed lips and raises his gaze once again.
LaTao looks back at Ethur and confirms that this is, indeed, the cause of her blushing cheeks. Three peas fall from LaTao’s fork. She sighs, then scoops up the runaway veggies to ensure the balance of tastes she’s aiming for. She finally gets a mouthful of food and is fully enjoying it. This isn’t half bad! I was going to go for the steak, but I had high hopes for this shepherd's pie… probably because of the melty cheese shredded on top. It’s obviously well-seasoned. Looks just like the kind Sage’s mom makes!
“Hello?” Meeka says, elbowing LaTao’s left arm. “There’s no way you don’t see him over there.”
LaTao swallows her first bite and groans. “Ugh… what’s his name? Maximilian? Zachary? Archibald?”
“It’s Carmichael.”
“Even worse,” she replies, preparing her next forkful. “He just has ‘Rich, Pretty Boy’ written all over him. I bet one of the buildings here is dedicated to his dad or something,” she guesses with accidental acuracy. Before taking her next bite, she adds, “Plus his ewer is tiny as Heck. I got more magic in my left buttcheek than he has in his whole body.” LaTao chews, immediately noticing that this bite is cheesier than the last. “Mmmm,” Mashed potatoes are creamy and seasoned just right. They used a lot of butter on this… and I’m not mad about it.
Eventually, LaTao feels the eyes of the coven. She looks around with one lowered eyebrow and wonders did I say something weird? Was it the ‘buttcheek’ line? Yeah… it was probably the ‘buttcheek’ line. Ugh… are these girls really upset about that? Bunch of snobby prudes. I want to sigh so hard right now. As she swallows, she reminds herself not to say anything else that might be seen as ‘lowbrow humor.’
This is bunk.
“Seriously?!” Kami’ka repeats with added emphasis.
LaTao looks back up at the boy, now seated and eating his meal with his friends. Occasionally, he glances her way with a charming smile. LaTao looks at Kami’ka and says, “Is it because he’s good-looking or something?”
Ethur looks at LaTao as if she’d grown another head. With obvious confusion and a hint of frustration, she repeats LaTao’s words, “‘Or something?!’”
LaTao looks around to find that, according to most of the coven’s faces, the feeling is mutual amongst them. “What?”
April taps Meeka’s shoulder and pretends to whisper, “Is your little friend a lesbian?”
Meeka chuckles. “No. I mean… not that I know of.”
Oh Heck… they think he’s hot or something. I guess I’m the only person not gawking at this kid. LaTao looks Carmichael up and down. I mean, I get it. He’s rich. He’s obviously no stranger to the gym. Gold necklace. Gold bracelet. Even his shoes are expensive and new-looking. Okay. I guess I wasn’t even thinking like that. “I mean, he’s cute and all, but I’m pretty sure he’s looking at Meeka, not me.”
“No,” Ethur says. “No. He was definitely looking at you.”
Kami’ka shakes her head and finally looks LaTao in the eyes. “Oh, so he’s not good enough for you? You can do better than ‘smart, rich, and sexy’?”
“I mean… he’s–”
“Yeah,” Ninnifer interjects. “I’m starting to get lesbian vibes from her, too. You like girls, LaTao?” When LaTao smiles back at her, she can’t quite get a good read. She can’t tell if LaTao is upset or not, but she hopes so.
LaTao thinks, who doesn’t like women? The thought remains unspoken, as do multiple ‘smartass’ retorts that would’ve started a verbal battle between them.
Before LaTao can choose a safe response, Meeka chuckles and says, “Tao kinda already has a guy… or two.”
“Two?!” Kami’ka loudly asks.
“Yup,” Meeka answers despite the trepidation written on LaTao’s face. “One of them makes Carmichael look like a shrimp in comparison.”
The coven choir sings “Who?” in unison.
LaTao shakes her head and stares at Meeka with wide eyes… it doesn’t work.
Meeka looks Kami’ka in the eyes and smirks. “Kain.”
Ethur winks repeatedly while saying, “Uh oh! What kind of adventures have you been on?”
Kami’ka slowly looks at LaTao, who is now burying her face in her hands. “You got two boyfriends… and one of them is Kain!?! THE Kain?!”
“No,” LaTao replies to Kami’ka. She puts her pointer finger to her lips and shushes Ethur before repeating a more firm “No!” She targets her bestie with a glare. “Meeka is messing with you.” She looks at the others and continues. “Kain, Sage, and Meeka are my three best friends. I’m not dating either of them. We’re just good friends goin’ way back. The guys are just perfect for an adventuring party: fighter, healer, attack magic… perfect trio.” She looks back to Kami’ka and adds, “Besides, you’re more Kain’s type.”
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Oh yeah. That definitely worked. Kami’ka is so intrigued by that, she’s completely sidetracked, now. Deflection, successful. LaTao shoves in another forkful of comfort food. I hope that rich boy stops looking at me, though. It’s kinda creepy. I never gave him even the slightest hint that I find him attractive or anything.
“So,” Kami’ka begins. “What makes you think I’m Kain’s type?”
LaTao looks up to find Kami’ka uncharacteristically bashful. “Well… he likes them thicker than me. You know, with curves and stuff. Plus, you got a really pretty face. You’ve got the combination of cute and womanly that he’s totally into.”
“Really?” she asks with a smile.
“Sure! Especially if he can tell you’re goal-oriented.”
“Goal-oriented?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure he would wanna ‘hook up’ with you, but if you wanted something more, you’d probably have to give him the impression that your goals are set as high as his. If not, he’ll just get bored with you.”
Meeka pokes at what’s left of her salad. “It’s too bad you didn’t invite him to the party on the seventeenth.”
“Party?” LaTao asks. She looks at Meeka as if she’d spoken some foreign language.
April droops in her chair. Her forehead rests heavily on her palms. She groans, dreading the words she’s now being forced to say. “Oh my goddess,” she says in an unconvincing, monotone voice. “Dear me. I could have sworn I told you.” She continues with a delivery entirely devoid of enthusiasm. “I totally forgot to tell you about it, LaTao. I totally meant to invite you. I am simply mortified by this forgetful faux pas.”
Yeah… and I totally believe you, LaTao thinks, keeping her sarcasm internal.
April smiles. “Consider yourself cordially invited. I’ll give you all a tour of our estate. After hors d'oeuvres, dinner will be served, followed by a brief tour where I’ll show you all my family’s prized possessions!” Her smile seems more devious than LaTao expected. “Come dressed for dinner. Everything else you could possibly need will be provided for you, of course.”
LaTao nods. “Okay. So I don’t need to bring anything, like… food or… ?”
April flinches, repulsed by the thought. “Of course not,” she replies incredulously. She chuckles and asks, “What could I possibly lack that you would need to provide?”
I should’ve known better. That’s a question NORMAL people ask other NORMAL people. I guess rich people don’t do potlucks. They do ‘Look how rich I am’ shows where they flaunt material things and brag about how wonderful their life is. I can’t say no. I’m just gonna have to smile while she points at things and says how expensive they are, points at other things and say how rare they are. I just know she’s gonna do that thing where she casually pretends ridiculously expensive things are normal. Somehow, LaTao manages to go through that entire inner monologue without making a face… her greatest feat to date.
The coven rises before the melody plays and makes their way back to class. LaTao manages to fade into the background for the rest of the day. As her peers struggle to answer questions, she wonders which of her fancy dresses she’d packed for special occasions. I’m glad I have Monique as my aunt. If it was up to Pops, I’d only have leather armor and childish dresses. If it was up to my mom alone, I’d be stuck with only the skimpiest of outfits… and I do NOT have the boobs and booty to wear the kinds of things she likes.
Aunt Monie, on the other hand… now THAT woman knows how to shop! She’s always making sure I have something fancy to wear to any event. I may not be rich… but I sure as Heck can dress like it.
***
Kiara stands with her left hand on her hip. “Galfrey, the Black Royal”
“Correct,” Ms. Lyttle says. “Galfrey is the leader of The Banner-less Brigade. The last question– you may be seated– is…” As Kiara takes her seat, the teacher taps at her lectern. “... inducted just one year ago, who is the youngest member of The Nine?”
Kiara raises her hand.
“Let someone else answer. You there, Meeka…”
Meeka stands and confidently says, “Cynda.”
“Correct! Cynda the Duel-lock. And why is she called that… Emz?”
As Meeka takes her seat, a boy near the front of class stands. He moves the long dark brown hair from his face and says, “Because she uses all those swords.”
“Right.” She motions for him to sit back down. Cynda began as a Red Mage, but spent a lot of her life mastering the sword. Not only can she hold her own with many of the world’s greatest swordsmen, but each of her blades is enchanted. Rather than use incantations in combat, she pulls out the sword enchanted with the spell she wants to cast. Pretty brilliant if you ask me.”
The melody plays, signaling the end of the school day. “Before you all leave!” the teacher says loudly to her promptly packing pupils. “Don’t forget that the contest is on tomorrow, Forsday. I hope you were paying attention last week because it covers what Professor Grunimull and I focused on these last two weeks. Oh, and don’t come here on Fivesday… because nobody will be here.” She chuckles at her one corny ‘joke’ and waves the class away. “Good luck and enjoy yet another long weekend.”
LaTao looks around and sees a few competitive faces. Most of these looks are coming from outside of the coven. Most of Meeka’s friends seem indifferent. I doubt they’re taking part in the contest. She looks back at Meeka and sees her making a familiar face. They both share a cocky grin.
“I’ll take first,” Meeka declares. “You take second.”
“Oh! Is that a challenge?”
“Oh no,” Meeka says, followed by a confident wink. “It’s a prediction.”
LaTao rubs her hands together. “Oh, it’s on!”
They both thump themselves in their chests with their right fists, then reach out and bump each other’s fists.
***
(Day 15 Forsday)
Near the end of a long line of teens dressed in black and red stands LaTao. In her hand is a brochure explaining the day’s events. She reads it over as more hopeful apprentices line up to take a shot at the prize… whatever it may be. Meeka, Ethur, Kami’ka, and Deska finally arrive and head her way.
“Thanks for holding our spot!” Meeka says. The others thank LaTao as well.
“No big deal.”
“So… what’s on the agenda?”
LaTao hands her the brochure, but decides to explain to the other two ladies anyway. “In short, we’re going to some building called ‘The Hall of Ordeals.’ There will be, like, four or five tests. Each one will be different. Each time, whoever fails goes home, and the rest move on. It doesn’t say what the prizes are, but it does list the total value of them. My guess is they’re giving out good loot.”
The line suddenly begins to move, and one by one they all file into a large cafeteria. Their faces range from ‘I’m optimistic’ to ‘what did I get myself into?’ as they see the Mage Testers standing about. Each Tester is wearing a red cloak with a large collar. Their wide-brimmed hats rise at the crown into a tall cone. Some are over one foot tall, while others reach beyond two feet in height. Most of them stop halfway and flop over. Several Mage Testers move about, ushering the students down rows of lunch tables. The door closes, shut by the tallest Tester. The cone of his hat is obscenely long. It rises up a foot before flopping over and dangling over the left side of the brim, reaching beyond his shoulder. He strokes his long beard, looking every bit like the magician one would read about in storybooks. As the students are still getting seated, the Tester decides to speak.
“I hope everyone’s having a fine Forsday. My name is Grand. I’d say for you to refer to me as High Mage Grand, but you will have no reason to. Just do as you’re told and complete whatever task is given. If anyone asks a question that I already answered, my answer will be this….”
Everyone watches as he dramatically points to the exit.
“Children hate me… and I don’t mind. I don’t like them either. I neither want nor care to be liked by children. One thing I loathe even more than babysitting you lot is repeating myself. I’m only here because I’m mildly curious if any of you lot have potential to be more than just the average Level One Mage. Today’s first– YOU!”
LaTao’s heart stops. Her wide amber eyes stare blankly at Grand’s long finger, raised and pointing her way. She can’t even gasp, but eventually manages a hard swallow. What did I do? Did I mess up already!?! The sound of someone behind her stammering up gives her hope.
“I was just going to ask if…” the boy voices. She can hear the optimism fade before his voice trails off. “But…?” LaTao looks back and sees the boy’s hand still up. “But..?”
LaTao looks back to find High Mage Grand pointing to the exit. His emotionless face is unaffected by the boy’s begging. He simply remains silent until the pleading young fool slowly trudges away. Once the door closes, Grand continues his speech.
Dang… this old man is not playing! I bet he’s grumpy because he never became a Wizard. Yeah… I bet he made it as far as a Mage can go and spent his life waiting for Coliculous to retire so that he could take that spot in The Nine. I bet he was REAL mad when the last spot finally opened just for Cynda to take it from under him. She’s probably thirty years younger than him, too. Bet that stings. The corner of LaTao’s lip rises. Bad news, Grandy… that next open spot is mine!
Who takes first place in the Hall of Ordeals?
