Chapter 6, Capitol City Of Laurentia

(Apprentice Trisha)

The slap of wood on flesh reverberated throughout the courtyard. Trisha grimaced, her eyes watering from the pain. She forced herself to remain standing. Trishas wooden sword slick in her grip as she eyed her opponent through blurry eyes. Trishas heart fell as she let the pain wash over her body. The pain, harsh pins and needles, only momentarily catching her attention.

Trisha slashed at her friend, who blocked the strike. As Trisha stare into the face of her friend, she could only see her betrayal. Would it be Eliya next? Would she kill Eliya like she had Reskeme? Her heart raced. How could she even call herself his friend after what she had done? Eliya paused, her staff raised, Trisha braced, ready for the strike.

Eliya lowered her weapon, cocking her head at Trisha.

" What is with you lately, Trisha?" asked Eliya, circling her stern gaze hard as stone. Trisha could see her friend's concern as Eliya hesitated.

" Its nothing. I'm just wondering how much longer until we reach the capitol?" said Trisha, unable to meet Eliya's stern gaze.

" Dont lie to me. I have known you long enough to tell when you are lying." said Eliya, scowling.

Face flushing, Trisha glanced around the courtyard. Was she really that obvious? Trisha turned from her friend, gazing into the light blue sky. Trisha didn't want Eliya to see the tears flowing down her cheeks. A sob ripped from her, as she could no longer hold it back. Eliya might smack her for such sentiments. Rough hands wrapped around her shoulders as Eliya wrapped her arms around Trisha.

Unable to hold it in any longer, tears fell from her cheeks. Chest spasming, Trisha leans into her friend, letting it all out.

" It makes no sense, Eliya. I barely knew him for a few days. He was a Demon of all things." said Trisha, the sky blurry through tears.

"He did not betray us Eliya, he wasn't the enemy." said Trisha.

"Was he in the fire? Maybe he escaped." asked Eliya.

"I saw the body burning, the body was large, tall and-"

"Enough! you dont know if he is dead." said Eliya, her voice scathing.

"But I watched his body burn." said Trisha.

" No! you watched a body burning. For all you know it was that inquisitor." said Eliya.

Trisha breathed deeply, the scent of Eliya's floral soap drifting to her nose, overshadowed by the sweet smell of sweat. Maybe Eliya was right, now that she thought about it, the body had been rather large? Trishas heart skipped a beat. She wiped away her tears, Eliya's rough embrace for once gentle.

" I should have talked to you sooner. Its been eating away at me." said Trisha, clenching her fists.

" What am I going to do with you? We are joining the church and you are friends with a demon," asked Eliya.

" Well, once we find him then I guess we will find out." said Trisha.

"Soo, you think he could actually be alive?" asked Eliya.

"I didn't want to consider it until you pointed out the obvious. Kelvin didn't leave the building, and now that I think on it, that body was large. It could be Reskeme, but I don't want to believe it was." said Trisha, a spark of hope welling in her chest.

" I can't believe you. First you get him arrested and now you want to find him. What for? We arrested him, he will not be happy with us." said Eliya softly.

" You have a point, whatever is the case. We need to get stronger. We wouldn't stand a chance against those demons. A young demon injured the High Priest. It was as small as a puppy." said Trisha, shuddering.

Eliya stepped away, her warmth and floral perfume leaving with her. Feeling oddly refreshed, Trisha whirled back towards Eliya.

"Well then, lets get back to work, enough slacking off." said Eliya, her kind expression vanishing into the familiar stony gaze.

How did Eliya do that? She always looked like a blank piece of cobblestone, while Trisha couldn't stop herself from expressing what she felt.

Heart much lighter than it had been in a week, Trisha raised her practice swords. Her mind focused on her goal. She attacked her friend. The intense flurry of blows glanced off Eliya's staff, rattling Trisha's hands and arms with each blow.

Trisha grinned, her wooden sword slapping off Eliya's arm in a satisfying smack. Eliya grimaced, but a slight smirk graced her lips. The hard exterior vanishing for another moment.

Drenched in sweat and gasping, Trisha dunked a wooden bowl into a barrel full of water.

" Enough playing for the morning!" said a calm voice.

Trisha swiveled her head. The High Priest Stood in the door to the inn.

"We were sparring, not playing." snapped Trisha, the retort leaving her lips.

" Your performance this week has been lacking. I expect you two to pass the initiation. It may bring dishonor to my name if a recommendation of mine fails." said The Priest sternly.

" Hush, Trisha." Eliya whispered, stomping none too gently on her foot.

" Yes, High Priest!" Trisha said, gritting her teeth.

Trisha breathed deeply, gritting her teeth as she glared into the eyes of the High priest. Gauging if he had lied to her. Did he tell her Reskeme was dead? No, he had not told her now that she thought about it. As far as she could remember, she hadn't even asked about Reskeme.

" Gather the Horses and gear we are leaving. We do not have time to waste in this small town. We should reach the Capitol by nightfall." Ordered the High Priest.

Packing the horses for another day on the road went smoothly. After a week of riding, she was getting efficient at packing and unpacking the horses. Trisha angrily tightened her cinch. Her mare snorted, rolling its eyes and flicking its ear at her.

" Sorry girl, I did not mean to take out my frustration on you." Trisha said.

The horse shook its head, its bridle shaking.

" I know, I'm sorry. Its just the High Priest, I think he lied to me." said Trisha.

The Mare pawed at the ground, snorting. It's not like the horse could speak, but Trisha felt better bouncing her thoughts off the animal.

"Thats what I though said Trisha, he did not lie. He has just been misdirecting." said Trisha, running her hand through the horse's long hair.

Boots on gravel and the creak of leather preceded her friend. Trisha glanced up at Eliya before mounting her mare.

"You really shouldn't talk to your horse. I could hear you from two stalls over." said Eliya stone faced..

" What? It helps process information when I think out loud. And my horse gives the best advice." said Trisha, patting her mare's neck.

Trisha held the lead rope in her left hand, showing Eliya. Trailing behind Eliya was a packhorse. Behind Trisha was the High Priest's horse, standing tall and proud.

" Besides, he always makes us do the work." said Trisha.

" Eliya is right, luckily for you I am your body guards not the High Priests." said Greg, as the cloaked man rode up beside Eliya.

"Its not like I'm going behind his back." snapped Trisha.

"Just be careful when you confront him." said Eliya.

" Yeah, I might get paid less if I'm only protecting one mage." said Greg.

" Thanks Greg, your concern is heart warming." said Trisha rolling her eyes.

Halting in front of the High Priest, Trisha passed him the lead rope to his grey gelding. Before they followed rode out of the town.

Trisha waited until the afternoon sun was pressing down on them. Maybe if the High Priest was tired from a long day's ride, he wouldn't want to waste the energy it took to yell at her? Trisha urged her horse forward. Her bones ached at the mere thought of challenging him. If training taught her anything, it was that she didn't stand a chance at fighting the Priest.

Trisha rode beside the Priest, fidgeting with her reins. She swiveled her head, looking everywhere other than the High Priest.

" What is it, Trisha? Stop delaying." said The High Priest calmly.

"N- Nothing. I just wanted to ride beside you." said Trisha.

"Very well." said the High Priest, straitening his pristine black robe.

" Did you kill Reskeme?" asked Trisha, meeting the Priest's assessing gaze.

"You mean the Demon? Why do you care? It was you who captured him." said The Priest.

" He was a frien- comrade of mine." stammered Trisha, catching herself.

" I see, friends with a demon? You will not make friends in the capitol if you repeat that." said The Priest.

Trisha took a chance." I know the chained body wasn't Reskeme. It was Kelvin in the chains." said Trisha, staring confidently into the priest's eyes.

" You are poking your nose into matters far above your paygrade. I will tell you what, if you pass the initiations exam I will consider sharing this information with only you." said The High Priest.

" Thank you, it means a lot." said Trisha smiling for what felt like the first time in days.

" For now, you will not talk about this! Not in the stables, not on the road, not even in the privy. Noone can even suspect what you are suggesting." said the High priest. Trisha gasped, the man channeled mana, his pull causing of man stealing her breath away. Trisha felt like a cart was resting on her shoulders.

" Yes, High Priest, I will not let you down." said Trisha, her body shaking uncontrollably.

"Very good, it would be a shame to silence you." said The High Priest, his serious gaze enough to make her breath catch in her throat. She knew in her mind this man was a monster, weighing whether she was worth its trouble.

Trisha shuddered. She would do the stupid initiation. And learn where to find Reskeme.