Burning Sun

Branches snapped. Blades were swung. Boots pounded over the forest floor. Harsh breathing was followed by angry shouts.

We can’t be caught.

Meralda’s lips moved. No words were audible. A blue orb formed in the girl’s palm. With one wide movement the spell engulfed the running feet like fog.

“Woah!”

Polina shot her a smile. The other just grunted. Pushed by the spell, they sped up. Meralda ignored the branches slapping her arms and legs. The shouts following them grew fainter. Polina and Sila slowed down slightly.

“Push on!”

Ingrid’s voice made everyone flinch. Meralda pulled a face at their leader. Polina sped up again. Sila’s movement dragged. The girl’s face was covered in sweat. Her blond hair clung dark to her forehead. She turned her head. Meralda opened her mouth. The younger girl copied her motion. With a flick, a red orb landed in the younger girl’s mouth. There was a cough, followed by a crunch. Both girls caught up to the rest of the group.

“No more antics. Sila! Meralda!”

“Yes, Mistress!”

Sila’s answered immediately. Ingrid looked in Meralda’s direction, but the leader only got a grunt as an answer.

“Meralda!”

“Yes, hall monitor.”

Ingrid turned around again, her back straight and her shoulders pulled back. Despite her order the whole group slowed down. Sweaty red faces competed with the sinking sun, faintly visible between the trees.

We won’t make it today either.

“Polina, Ronda!”

“Yes, Mistress!”

“We’ll set camp soon.”

“Yes, Mistress!”

Ingrid’s steps grew faster again. The group followed but now heavy breathing accompanied the snapping of branches. Meralda brought up the rear, checking for their pursuers. She couldn’t hear them anymore. But before relief could spread through her, she saw the glint of the fading sun reflected on metal.

They can’t already have caught up.

Sweat pearling down her forehead, stinging her eyes, she cast the spell again. There was another surprised outcry by one of the other girls, but Ingrid didn’t even bother to turn around.

“Check on them! Support them if necessary.”

Ingrid’s voice wasn’t loud, but this time Meralda didn’t dare to show any signs of disagreement. They weren’t at the academy anymore. If they wanted to have a chance to succeed, they needed to work together. Even more than under the strict rule of Principal Penia. Ingrid turned toward the center where the remaining five girls were huddled together in a circle, enforcing the protection spell Ingrid had cast.

Before heading to Polina and Ronda, Meralda checked on the empty positions. Her steps were careful. The small orb of light in her palm dimmed to only show enough of the forest floor to not stumble. The East rune left by Ingrid glowed faintly when the other girl approached it. Despite the pending headache, she crouched and pushed more of her power in the rune.

Swallowing down the sour taste in her mouth, she continued around the edge of the circle, to finally reach Ronda. The girl’s eyes were closed but she straightened her back when she heard Meralda’s footsteps. A light touch on her shoulder made the guard relax slightly. Her eyes stayed closed. More power was transferred while the barrier around them rippled.

I need a break.

This time, she spit on the ground. Not having to fear a reprimand for her weakness, she managed to smile. After wiping her mouth, her legs carried her around the edge of the circle. The Western rune was fortified as well. Polina was struggling but there was only a little power left in Meralda.

Ingrid should have done it.

But she knew that Ingrid held the illusion together. Weakening the leader would mean their downfall. The academy had drilled this lesson into their heads. With a last push Meralda gave what she had before dragging herself into the circle.

Sila was already dozing, but Zaira moved slightly to make room for her. The moment she leaned on her fellow girls, the melody started. A sigh rippled through the group. Soon after, the humming of seven voices filled the air.

The Ridge!

Meralda heard a Nena sigh next to her and even Olha showed a faint smile on her lips.

“But where’s the bridge?”

Liliah’s light voice was almost carried away by the strong winds around the cliff. The relaxed poses immediately tensed again. Heads turned toward Ingrid. The oldest girl looked grim, her gaze fixed at the edge of the cliff. Meralda followed her gaze.

There’s nothing! Nothing. It was all for …

“There!”

Meralda could hear the relief in their leader’s voice. A smile stretched Ingrid’s face, reminding her that blond girl had not only been favored by their trainers due to her abilities.

But she’s here with us.

“Argh!”

Olha next to Meralda was thrown backwards. Something wet splatted on Meralda’s face. For a quick moment, a white feather fletching entered her view. Followed by a black shaft. The thud of a lifeless body hitting the ground made Meralda snap out of her stupor.

“To the bridge! RUN!”

Ingrid’s voice toppled. Rather a screech than a shout. Meralda moved. There was no time to check on Olha. There was no time to cast a spell. Her gaze was focused on the back in front of her. Maybe it was Zaira. Maybe it was Liliah.

The swishing of arrows filled the air. But there were no shouts. None of the arrows found their target.

Speed. We need speed!

Mobilizing the tiny drop of power left in her, she cast the spell. The sounds of their pursuers grew fainter. But it didn’t disappear.

I need to …

But no matter how much she concentrated her power was depleted. The shouts grew louder again.

We can’t fail now.

“The bridge!”

Zaira’s cry was almost as powerful as Meralda’s last spell. The group pushed further and Meralda saw Polina step on the bridge. There was no hesitation in the girl’s step. Nena followed and finally also Meralda reached the wooden swaying construct. Before stepping onto the bridge she looked up. Ingrid’s pale face was shining in the morning sun. Meralda’s mouth opened.

“You … don’t do it.”

But the smile had turned to a hard line.

“Go!”

“No! We go together.”

“There’s no time for this.”

Like a push from a strong gust of air, Meralda was pushed onto the bridge. The construct made of wood and rope swayed. The girls still on the bridge grabbed the ropes. A sharp pain at the side of her head made Meralda stumble. One knee hit a wooden plank.

“Ingrid!”

But the other girl had turned her back to the group. Meralda pulled herself up. Blood dripped off her ear. It vanished in the depths underneath.

“Ingrid!”

“Leave now!”

Meralda stared at the straight back. The hair pulled to a strict knot, just like the academy had forced them to. Throughout their journey none of them had thought of opening it.

“No. I can’t leave.”

It was a whisper. Then another arrow hit Meralda’s arm. The girl whipped around. Tears streaming down her face she followed her leader’s orders. A few steps before reaching the other side she turned around again.

Ingrid stood tall and proud. Their pursuers in their white uniforms surrounded her. Meralda thought to recognize Principal Penia. The silver hair reflected the light of the rising sun.

Meralda and the other girls stared at the back of their senior. Then there was a shout. Ingrid turned around. Her arms stretched over her head as if she was embracing the sun.

Graceful as always.

The morning sun engulfed the blond girl.

With a shout, the bridge went up in flames.