Chapter 33: Better at everything

10 years ago.

"Tomas, come on! We've been here all day," Mera pouted.

She was a tall girl for her age. Though only 14 she towered above the rest of the boys and she was proud of it. Her ebony arm was marked in the same white markings as Tomas. It was this same arm she placed around his neck as she inspected past his wild curly hair to the surface of the sand below.

"What are you even doing?" she inquired curiously.

Tomas had his hand just an inch or so above the sand in deep concentration. The grains of sand shifted ever so slightly and Tomas threw back his hand in agitation. Mera watched quietly before rising.

"How can Karos do it so well?" Tomas lamented.

"He's older and better at everything," Mera answered with shrug.

"Better at everything?" Tomas glared up at her from his seat upon the sand. "You must be joking," he sniffed.

"Well, he's better at archery than you. Better at reading. That's why even though he's the younger brother, he's going to inherit the throne instead of you,"

Tomas let out a derisive grunt. He rose and began to dust himself down, "If Karos is so great, then why are you out here with me, sister?"

Mera cast who had been scrutinising the green canopy crawling up the white city walls turned back with a grin. She cast a cursory glance at her brother who was still glaring at her expectantly. In most regards, people said they looked the same. Both with flaxen curls and slender figures. It was only Toma's bright blue eyes that differed from his sister. She met his gaze reflectingly.

"Because I like you better," she answered simply.

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Tomas's eyes fluttered open. He woke partly as though he was still under the hot and bright sun of Ascar. Blinded by the steady stream of light flooding the grand arched window in front of him, he almost believed he could taste the salt in the air. However, as the curtains passed his line of sight and shimmered with a soft spring wind, the rest of his senses awoke. His eyes came down to his surroundings with a start.

"Where am I?" he uttered inspecting the large room.

It was an elegantly furnished white room with dark blue trimmings. By the wall, sat a four-poster bed. Tomas found himself sitting on a chair across from it by the open windows. He quickly rose up and turned to the door behind him. He rushed towards it rattling the handle, but it was locked. Tomas stumbled back as his head ached. He swung around once more, this time in the direction of the open window. He braced himself against the frame and looked out.

He was at least a story up from the ground looking down upon a grand looking garden where a maid was quietly laundering.

"Hey, you!" Tomas cried out at once.

The woman looked up startled. She quickly retreated back inside the house as Tomas called out to her once more. He glanced back around the room apprehensively. Then with a burst, flew over the window ledge and landed on the ground beneath. From below, he could see the full figure of a stately manner. Tomas looked down the length of the garden which was on a slight slope. He could see a border of trees just below the horizon, but he had no clue as to where he was. Behind, he could see a little into the house. The kitchen was facing the back garden but there was no sign of the maid nor anyone else.

A sudden anxious compulsion made Tomas turn on his heels rapidly as he bolted down the slope toward the forest. He had made it halfway down when he slammed into an obstacle in his path. He flew back against the wet grass and stared up tempestuously.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ace stared down at him with cold black eyes.

Tomas gritted his teeth. He threw up his hand at once and released a blast of wind. However, the second it had passed, Tomas found himself staring at the empty forest below. A flicker of shadow made him turn his head. He found the general sitting right beside him staring with his usual impenetrable smile.

"Trigger-happy mages are a bit of a pet peeve of mine," Ace commented, "if you do it again, I think I'll break your arm. What do you say?"

Tomas swallowed uneasily under the intensity of Ace's black eyes. "Why have you brought me here?" he asked.

"Because your friend forced me to," Ace replied turning his eyes to the blue sky above. "Crafty little witch," he added with a smile.

"Veretta..." Tomas said slowly, "she...attacked me. Gave me to you?"

"Gave you?" Ace laughed, "you're not exactly a parcel she sent me. You are under my protection,"

"So then why can't I leave?" Tomas demanded.

"Because if you are out there, it rather makes it difficult to protect you, genius," Ace sighed.

"I don't want your fucking protection!" Tomas snapped. He threw himself up, "Who the hell told you or her that I need any damn protection?!"

"Oh really?" Ace murmured. Within a flash, he flew from the ground and had his sword at Tomas' throat. Tomas' eyes widened as he stared down apprehensively. His blue eyes flickered haplessly but he didn't dare move.

"What?" Ace grinned, "isn't this part where you start to protect yourself?"

"The only thing I need protection from," Tomas managed to blurt out, "is you,"

"That may be," Ace lowered his sword with a chuckle, "but apparently your friend saw fit to give you into my custody. Now, before you argue again, I'll tell you this. She and I have a deal. And us demons, we're real sticklers for deals. So whether you want protection or not, I really don't care. A deal is a deal. Which means you can't leave. Don't even try. Just go hang out with Yona and play in the gardens, whatever you kids do these days and stay out of my hair. Got it?"

"Fuck you," Tomas spat.

"Wrong answer," Ace shook his head.

Before Tomas could counter, Ace launched his fist into Tomas' gut. He fell to his knees with a gasp. Ace pulled back his fist with a disappointed sigh.

"Yona," he motioned.

At once, she appeared by his side, looking down at Tomas with her usual expressionless gaze.

"Take this brat back up to the house and keep him your watch," Ace instructed.

"Yes, master," Yona replied with a bow.

Ace brought his hand to cover his mouth as yawned sleepily, "it's far too early for this shit," he groaned.

He turned swiftly and left them both behind. Tomas was cradling his stomach as he forced his head up to meet Yona's gaze. Her cool red eyes inspected him for a moment, then she held out her hand.

Tomas at once slapped the hand away. He let out an unsteady breath and turned his eyes back to the ground.

"Can you rise?" Yona remained undeterred.

"Yes," Tomas muttered grievously. His hand trembled slightly as he pushed himself up from the ground and came to an uneasy stand, still nursing the blow.

"Then please return to the house," Yona gestured ahead stiffly.

Slowly, they retreated upwards in heavy silence.

Upon reaching the manner once more, Tomas was conducted into the kitchen. He glanced around begrudgingly. It was clearly a servant's kitchen only containing a simple wooden table, a pantry and cooking utensils. Yona disappeared into the pantry then brought a plate of food.

"Eat," she said in a low voice.

Tomas looked down at the plate then back to her. "I'm not hungry,"

"You told me you were always hungry," Yona answered.

Tomas crossed his arms with irritation, "Well, I've lost my appetite. Being held hostage must be the best diet ever,"

"Diet?" Yona stared at him uncomprehendingly. "Is there something wrong with the food?"

Tomas released a loud scoff.

"So you will not eat?" Yona set the plate down. "Do you wish to rest instead?"

"No, Yona," Tomas answered with an agitated smile. "I don't want to eat. I don't want to sleep. I want out of here! So unless you're going to show me the door, you and I have nothing more to say to each other,"

"Please do not run, Tomas," Yona said solemnly.

"Why?! Are you afraid your master will punish you if I escape?" Tomas threw out his hand accusatorily.

"No, I am afraid he will punish you," Yona answered softly.

Tomas shook his head once again and turned to look out the open door, "Why is he doing this? I don't understand."

"Your friend made a deal..."

"Yeah, I heard!" Tomas interjected angrily, "but I don't see what that has to do with me. I have to get back. I have to..."

"You have to do what?" Yona asked.

Tomas glanced back apprehensively and became subdued, "I just have to get back to the college,"

"The master won't allow that. Not while Silthus is in the midlands," Yona replied.

"Silthus is in the midlands?" Tomas spun around in surprise.

"Yes, he will reach the college in less than a week,"

"Oh no!" Tomas gasped. He threw his face into his palms and continued to mutter, "no, no, no,"

"What is it?" Yona enquired softly.

Tomas's blonde head came up with a start as he continued to shake his head slightly. He bit down on his lip anxiously but said nothing. He paced back and forth the length of the kitchen, before attempting to sit only to come to stand once more. Finally, he spoke.

"I...do feel tired. Yeah, I feel really tired. I mean, it's not that early, it's already midday, isn't it?" he rambled, " On second thought, can I go and rest, Yona?"

"Of course,"

With that Yona led him back through the house. They went back out into an imposing parlour which led up to a double staircase. It took them back up to the second level once again. Tomas was brought back to the room he had previously escaped. For a moment Yona stood across from the doorway, she looked as though she was about to speak but instead turned slowly and left. Tomas closed the door quickly.

After a cursory glance assured him he was alone, he dug into his trouser pocket and pulled out a hand full of dried herbs. He let out a breath of relief and took a seat on the bed. His eyes went back to the open window and his leg tapped the ground anxiously. The brilliant afternoon sun shun relentlessly bright in the vast blue sky.

He would have to wait until night.