Читать книгу Scars of Iron - Ivy G. Shadrick - Страница 6

As a species, we have advanced to our full potential. And perhaps, we are complete in all aspects and have been since we conquered all causes of natural death. Or maybe our existence is now meaningless in its perfection.

If all humanity knows is perfection, then no variation exists. And a life without variety becomes empty. It lacks the yearn for better, the genuine need to live.

Indeed, for years science had sought to find a way to create a perfect world—a world without disease. We had strived for a world without pollution, inequality, and poverty. But the search, the need for better, the need for more knowledge, it kept them going.

And that feeling is one that my people will never know.

-A.A public entry

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Elaric frowned as he grabbed my long dark hair and examined it. “This needs to go. If you want to stand any chance in hand-to-hand combat, you will have to get rid of it.”

“No, you stole me from my home, I don't even want to be here. I don't have to do anything you ask me to.”

He dropped my hair, and I stumbled backward. But I caught myself before I could hit the sparring mat beneath me.

“The length will only hinder you. And you’re already at a disadvantage considering your pathetic lack of strength.”

“At least tell me a little bit more about the mission,” I took a single step closer to him, once again fixing my expression into one of complete disinterest. “I’m not even sure I want to go through with it. Don’t I deserve to know a few more details?”

“You deserve nothing,” Elaric's words never faltered. His face, a mask of cruel disgust. “And as soon as you realize that you are not important, you will begin to progress.”

“Are you ever going to tell me anything without me having to beg for it?” I placed a hand on my hip and stepped closer to the man.

Then Elaric strode across the training room and picked up a blade. “No, I don’t think I will,” he flicked the small silver dagger in the air and caught it in the opposite hand. “And I need you to know that I did not choose you, your name is meant for this mission. It has been since the day the Queen rose to power. But if I had known you would be so fragile and weak, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

“Well, that’s just wonderful,” I whispered to myself, quiet enough to be sure he didn’t hear me.

Following him across the room, I observed the array of gleaming weapons. Blades and arrows sat perfectly organized, and pistols rested neatly in their holsters.

Lifting a bronze sword, I looked at my reflection. My small, almond eyes had become rimmed with red, and my pale skin was dull and lifeless. I quickly tore my gaze from the image.

The blade was heavy and didn’t fit my small hands. And I set it back down, stepping away from the weapons table.

“Am I going to learn to use all of these?”

“Each and everyone, Aria.” I could hear a smile in his voice after I flinched, but when I looked to Elaric, no grin appeared on his lips.

I shut my eyes and shook my head, clenching my teeth. “Please, just call me Lithiah. Aria isn't a part of me anymore.”

“Alright.” He flexed his fingers at his sides. “Time to begin your training.”

“Now?” I asked.

Then his foot connected with my chest, sending me backward. I quickly regained my balance and slipped into that mindless state. My thoughts went to a place where I allowed my body to react on instinct and old techniques. Each practiced movement buried deep within me.

I lunged forward, running my elbow into his side. But he had anticipated the move, and as I made contact, he grabbed my arm, pushing me aside, and throwing me to the ground.

I tried to force my body up, but Elaric was already on top of me. He pinned my knees to the floor and held my wrists above my head with one hand. The blade he had been admiring only moments before was placed at my neck, slowly pressing harder. And a warm trickle of blood slipped across my throat and dripped onto the floor. I gasped for air, gulping down as much as I could.

As I fought to loosen his grip on my wrists, his grasp grew tighter, and more of my blood spilled onto the mat. I let out a whimper and struggled to force words from my throat. But nothing escaped my lips.

“You have the agility of an elephant,” his pale grey eyes narrowed. “Which is quite impressive, considering your size.” He lifted the dagger from my throat and wiped my blood from the gleaming metal. Splattering it onto the ground beside my face.

I lifted my head off the floor, brushing my fingers across my neck, feeling the gash running from one side of my throat to the other. And when I looked back at my fingers dark blood covered them. Elaric finally stood, letting my legs free, and he walked away.

I scrambled to my feet and followed him, my head spinning as I stood. My legs ached with each step, bruises seeming to be already forming where he had pinned them. Elaric tossed his blade onto the weapons table and turned to me.

He eyed me again, “You have good instincts, and you didn’t become overwhelmed under the pressure. But,” he placed his hands on the table behind him and leaned back. Elaric closed his eyes and lowered his head, saying, “We’ll start with weapon familiarity and training first thing tomorrow morning. Then we'll continue with hand-to-hand combat and strategy.”

“I want to go home,” I said, pinning my arms across my chest.

“You will train to kill the Queen.” Elaric examined me from head to toe, taking in the entirety of my worthlessness in a few short moments.

“I want to go home,” I repeated.

Then he turned his back to me and left without another word, leaving me to my own devices.

I waited until the sound of his footsteps disappeared, then I exited the arena and made my way to my rooms. Pushing open the door, I sneered at the finery.

My living quarters were far grander than any building of the modern era. And the walls were almost entirely hidden under colorful tapestries. A simple crimson and silver carpet sat in the center of the room and the only plain pieces were the thin white curtains, billowing softly in the chilled night breeze.

Then I trudged into the bathing room, it was equally as grand as the sleeping quarters. My eyes trailing the room, I shook my head and cringed away from my reflection in the mirror.

I twisted my long dark hair in my hands, combing my fingers through the tangles. I grabbed an elastic from the counter and tied the dark mass into a loose braid down my back.

I stormed out of my bedroom and into the hall. Taking a deep breath when I closed the door, I relaxed my shoulders.

Not going back into my rooms, I floated through the halls. And as I wandered through the estate’s spacious corridors, I allowed my mind to relax as well. I lost track of all time and place and roamed without a destination in mind.

Hours passed, and I didn’t care, I allowed myself to rest in the quiet solitude. I found a small whisper of peace deep within myself, and I held onto it for dear life, not daring to let it go.

When I turned to head back to my living quarters, I heard footsteps coming from the corridor around the corner.

My blood froze.

My eyes darted around the wide-open hallway, searching for a place to hide. No alcoves, no pillars, and no connecting corridors were near enough, so I came up with an alibi to tell Elaric.

But Elaric did not turn the corner. It was a woman. She was tall and strong, and as she continued to stride toward me, a grin spread across her face. I hadn’t the faintest idea that anyone else lived in the house. But another woman in this lonely estate was a welcome surprise.

“You must be Aria,” she said, nodding her head, “the woman I’ve heard oh, so much about.”

I didn't respond, and as if she could sense my discomfort, her smile softened. The woman continued, saying, “I’m Aegiah,” warmth filled her voice. There was genuine kindness behind her words, unlike anything I’d known in years.

Aegiah was unlike me in every way possible. She was lanky and muscular and beautiful. Her cropped hair was the fiery orange of the setting sun and fell just below her jaw. She had a narrow, angular face that screamed of power. And her pale grey eyes were bright and clear.

Her compassionate, gentle smile never once wavered as she stepped toward me. Aegiah was a woman of calculated elegance. And I wouldn’t want her as an opponent, strategy, or otherwise.

“My name isn’t Aria anymore. I’m Lithiah Everette.” Half expecting her pleasant gait to disappear at the blunt tone of my voice, my eyes dropped to the floor.

But she only stepped closer, and in one swift motion, she grabbed both of my hands. Aegiah looked me in the eyes as if she could read my face like an open book.

She looked at me for a moment that lasted an eternity before she finally replied, “You are who you want to be. And you are who you feel you have evolved into,” she hesitated, the corners of her mouth lowering only a fraction of an inch. “But you can’t ignore the person you’re destined to be. And you can't push away the person the world desperately needs you to be.”

No words were needed in response. And as Aegiah dropped my hands, I realized that tears had started to stream down my face and onto my shirt.

Then I sank to my knees.

I grieved for the loss of my old life and the state of the world. I wept for the fate that I had been forced into against my will.

Humanity was meant to be broken. We were created to experience the extreme sorrow and misery of this life. And we were designed to survive it, to overcome the suffering. And become stronger.

And I grieved for all that humanity had lost.

I rose to my feet, wiping the tears from my face, and I offered a small smile to Aegiah before turning down the hall and heading back to my living quarters.

“Thank you,” my words came out a little too loud, and when I looked down the hall, Aegiah was smiling back at me.

“Of course.”