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  Whipping my head around, I spied an advantage and jumped up, gripping a low tree branch with both hands. I swung back as far as I could manage and kicked forward as hard as I could. The soles of my feet planted hard in his chest, sending him off balance on the rocks. He uselessly grabbed the air in front of him before flailing his arms and tumbling backward, down the hill. As he hit the ground, he rolled, his body going limp as the consciousness was knocked from him.

  I jumped down, ready to run, but when I turned, my eyes were greeted by the gleam of my attacker’s katana, drawn and at the ready. He was standing in attack position, weapon unsheathed, a strange glint in his eye. “Remove your katana. Slide it over to me.”

  Examining my options, I slowly gave in, slipping the saya from my back and sliding it across the dirt toward him. When he bent to retrieve it, I hurried backward, but my escape attempt was thwarted by a rogue loose stone on the trail. My ankle wobbled and I fell back, my left wrist cracking as I landed on the trail. A cry escaped me and he dropped my katana to the ground, hurrying over to me. My knee had bent as I fell, taking much of the brunt of my body’s weight, but I knew that my wrist was injured. Sprained at the very least, broken at the very worst.

  Withdrawing a leather thong to bind me with, he knelt over me, clucking his tongue. “You left before I had a chance to kiss you.”

  My heart was slamming up against my ribs. He was so close, I could feel his heart beating as well. He bent forward, his breath on my cheeks, my lips, edging closer to me. Beneath me, my fingers curled around the rock I’d fallen on. Just as his lips brushed mine with a promise of more, I brought the rock around with all my might, my wrist screaming. I slammed the rock as hard as I was able into his jaw. A horrible cracking sound echoed into the night around us. Blood flew from his mouth, spattering my face in tiny crimson droplets. I drew my hand back, hitting him again and again. In the cheek. In the temple. He scrambled back and away from me, howling.

  His howls were enough to alert the other Barrons, so I grabbed my katana and hurried down the trail, dropping down, where the bottom trail dead-ended. Then I dropped to my knees and slid inside the small cave covered by thick bramblebushes. Part of my mind, even amidst the chaos, remembered that this is where Avery used to go to make out with the Bowery boys. Above me, on the second trail, I listened as the two remaining Barrons questioned my attacker.

  “What did she do to you, Careb?”

  Careb spit down the hill. To my horror, pride and wondered, bits of teeth landed on the trail just outside my small cave. “It doesn’t matter. We have to get her back.”

  The one Barron who hadn’t yet been referred to by name spoke, and he was all-business. Something told me that he was actually in charge of this mission, whether the others liked it or not. “We’re not doing anything until we get you and Locke checked out by a Master Healer.”

  Careb swore and Avan moved down the hill further to gather up Locke. I listened to them leave, and waited for as long as I could bear before sliding back onto the trail. Clutching my wounded wrist to me, I returned my saya to my back and climbed the hill to its crest before heading northwest, where I knew I could locate some hogsweed to reduce my wrist’s swelling.

  Despite the fear that was still gripping me, despite the terror that Careb had instilled in me, despite it all, really, a small smirk found my mouth. For a moment, I completely understood Darius's cocky attitude. He was strong. And despite anyone or anything’s efforts, that strength would ring through. As would mine.

  I wondered where he was now, and whether or not he'd be proud of me for escaping the way that I had. He'd have plenty of critiques, of course, and he wouldn't dare compliment my methods, but I liked to think that if he had been there, a small twinkle of approval might have shined in his eyes when he saw me make my grand escape. I realized, with some disgust, that I actually missed Darius's company. And I couldn't help but wonder if it had anything at all to do with the fact that we were Soulbound.

  After an hour's walk, my legs began to shake and goose pimples formed on my flesh from the deepening of night's chill. My wrist was throbbing with a strange heat and I knew that it was sprained. If I could roast some hogsweed leaves and wrap the wound, by morning it would be fine. Yards ahead, I could see that the tree line came to an end and opened up into some kind of field—the perfect place for locating hogsweed—so I strode forward to get a better look. What I found was a good sized glen, surrounded by forest, but on its own open and wide. Soft grasses and moss lined the ground, and when I tilted my head back to peer into the sky, I marveled at the stars that were twinkling down at me. They reminded me of the way the stars look from the hidden room above the library, and with that memory came the memory of Trayton sitting so close to me. The sound of his softly spoken words when we were all alone. It was bittersweet, this memory, and though I didn't want for it to, it made my heart feel heavy and alone. I missed Trayton. I missed the way that things had been before we'd become so divided. I missed the way he'd looked at me before he realized that I was determined to train, determined to fight. But I wouldn't have traded those experiences for all of Tril.

  At the far edge of the clearing, I saw what I was looking for. Clearing away what few rocks and sticks were there, I utilized one of the rocks and dug out a good-sized hole. Then I built a firepit before gathering some kindling and locating a decent flintrock. It didn't take long for me to get a spark, and once I had that, my fire was as good as built. I tossed in some larger sticks, and two small sections of log that I found at the forests edge, and stoked the flame until the glen glowed warmly. I knew I’d have to fight to keep the flame lit, but small. Any larger, and I might draw unwanted attention to myself. Gathering up some of the larger hogsweed leaves, I roasted them on a flat stone and wrapped my wrist carefully.

  After nabbing some Mealfish from the nearby river and cooking them up for a quick dinner, I curled up beside the fire with my katana in my hand. After some time, I allowed myself to doze, hoping that the Barrons who'd been sent to find me were still continuing their journey to find a Master Healer, and that it would take them nowhere near me.

  Chapter 11

  A popping sound jolted me into wakefulness. There were many sounds in the surrounding forest, and several more that I'd adapted to hearing in the glen, but the popping sound was new and jarring. It was followed by a heat that radiated over me. Pleasant. Warm. But I couldn't enjoy the warmth. I was frantically looking around to see where the popping sound had come from. Then, feeling only moderately stupid, I realized that my fire had roared back to life. How, I hadn't the faintest idea. That is, until a hand dropped another log on the fire, sending sparks and bits of ash flying. The coals glowed brightly beneath the flames. Without a sound, I gripped the handle of my katana and tried to get a look at the stranger who was stoking the flames of my campsite. It wasn't an easy task. The person was dressed in a hooded black cloak, and the combination of shadows cast by my fire and the cloak's hood, as well as the night made it virtually impossible to see a face.

  With a slow, deep breath, I sprang to my feet, sword in hand, ready for anything. "Who are you?"

  The figure half-turned toward me before grabbing another log and tossing it into the flames. Sparks hissed into the air. "You shouldn’t let your fire go out, y'know. It keeps wild animals at bay. I mean, sure, Hornbeasts and Woodstickers aren’t as nasty as Graplars, but they’re still dangerous. You should be more careful."

  Though my sword remained up and at the ready, my grip loosened slightly at his mention of Graplars. Who was this guy, anyway? And how did he know about Graplars? He wasn't dressed like a student, or in traditional Healer or Barron clothing.

  Satisfied with his work, he pushed the hood back from his face, revealing smooth, flawless skin, thin lips, a slender nose, and eyes of two dramatically different colors--one brown, one green. His honey blonde hair stuck up this way and that where it wasn't framing his face. He took a seat by the fire, crossing his legs underneath him, and looke
d up at me expectantly. "So...you're a Barron, I take it?"

  A small pain throbbed at my left temple. It was mostly from annoyance at this unexpected company, but also due to a bit on confusion as well. I lowered my weapon, but didn't sit. Nor did I return the blade to its saya. "Exactly who--and what--are you, if you don't mind my asking?"

  He looked me over, sizing me up maybe. Maybe he was debating whether or not I was truly capable of or willing to chop off his head right then and there. Regardless, it gave me a chance to get a good look at him. He looked to be about my age, but something in his eyes conveyed wisdom beyond his years. And the way he held himself. He seemed extremely comfortable in his form, and keenly aware of his surroundings, as if he were used to trouble finding him.

  Not to mention the fact that he was strikingly handsome.

  The firelight flickered, casting brief shadows in his eyes. He didn't smile, but he didn't exactly frown, either. His thin lips seemed to carry a constant smirk on them, as if he were privy to an inside joke that he refused to share with the world.

  After such a long silence, he wet his lips, and said, "My name is Gage. And you...certainly move like a Barron. Are you going to tell me whether or not you are one?"

  He cocked his head to the side slightly, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. It was difficult to tell if the suspicion was real, or if he was just playing with me. Something told me, though, that it was a mixture of both.

  I stood my ground, but wanted to make certain that I didn't reveal too much of myself or my motives too soon. After all, I didn't know him, didn't know if he was telling the truth about his name, or if he was actually one of the Barrons sent forth by the Zettai Council to find me. He could be anyone. And I was determined to trust no one. I tilted my head and narrowed my gaze as well, mirroring his actions. "What reason would I have to tell a stranger something like that?"

  Time expanded until it felt as if we'd been standing there for hours, examining one another. At long last, Gage made the first move, and returned his katana to its saya on his back. "Not much of one, I suppose. They don't care much for us spending time near the Unskilled."

  He was referring to Skilled society maybe. Or even, it occurred to me, the Zettai council themselves. I liked that he referred to them as "they". It set them apart from us. It signified that he and I were nothing like them. I hoped that that was true. My heart beat twice before I lowered my weapon. I wouldn't put it away--not yet. "I'm a Healer."

  His brow lifted in surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that you move like a Barron."

  "You mentioned that. But I've hardly moved at all since you've been here."

  His eyes moved past me, behind me, but not at anything in particular. It was as if he was searching for the right words to use. Ones, perhaps, that wouldn't upset me in any significant way. By the time his gaze found me again, he seemed full of tension. "I watched you set up camp."

  It happened quickly, in an almost instinctual way. Before I even had time to instruct my own movements, I'd brought my blade forward, its edge at his throat. "What do you want? Why have you been watching me?"

  A look of slight insult crossed his eyes then and he nudged the blade lightly away with the back of his hand. When I returned it to his throat, closer this time, he looked at me. Both green and brown urged me to trust him, if but for a moment. It occurred to me that if he was working for the Zettai council, he could have grabbed me by now. But he hadn't. Plus, he had referred to them as "they".

  After a moment's consideration, I sheathed my katana.

  Something passed between us then--an understanding, maybe--and the tension eased. He said, "I was wrong to watch you without your knowledge, but the fact is, you're an amazing fisher, and I can't catch a fish to save my life. I've been trying to fish something out of Kessler River for three days now, and can't manage to catch more than a Pickerfish. Yet you perch on the riverbank for merely minutes and come back with three Mealfish, ten times the size of my Pickerfish. I'm a hunter. Not a fisherman. And I would have introduced myself earlier, but I had a feeling that you might be the aggressive type."

  The smirk on his lips grew as he flicked a glance at the weapon on my back. "I wasn't wrong, was I?"

  "Kaya."

  He blinked in response.

  "My name is Kaya." At this, he nodded. I wasn't certain if I was doing the right thing or not. I only knew that he had referred to them as "they", and my gut said that was worth trusting. At least for the time being. "And odds are, you used the wrong bait."

  He sighed, frustrated, and shook his head. "I used Wormsmeal. A supplier in Howe said it would work to attract fish."

  "And it would--in Howe. In the Kessler River, you have to use Grubsmeal, or you won't catch anything bigger than a...well, a Pickerfish. My father taught me that." He'd taught me other things too, but those I didn't mention. Things like being kind to those in need, even if you weren't certain of their motives. With a deep breath, I said, "Would you care for some dinner?"

  It didn't take long to catch, clean, and cook some more Mealfish, and once we'd devoured the buttery soft meat, Gage sat back, lying his katana on the ground beside him, and used one of the fish's larger bones to pick bits of food from between his teeth. He looked me over as he did so, but not at all in the way that the Barron who'd grabbed me back in Kessler had. He looked me over simply out of curiosity. Then he said, "So what's a Healer your age doing outside Academy walls alone in a Barron's training uniform, carrying a katana?"

  It was all I could do not to choke on a mouthful of Mealfish. I chewed hastily and swallowed before answering. "You cut straight to the heart of things, eh? No beating around the bush?"

  "I find pretenses to be an incredibly dull waste of time, actually."

  Lifting another bit of fish to my mouth, I bit into it, chewing slowly, buying myself time enough to consider my options. On one hand, I wanted to trust him, and he hadn't shown me even a minor reason to suspect he intended me harm at all. On the other, I didn't know him. But did that make him my enemy?

  He shrugged, and his shoulders tightened with tension that hadn't been there before. I'd insulted him. "Fine. Don't tell me."

  I couldn't. Not without knowing at least something about him. Something other than his name and the fact that he knew nothing about fishing. I picked a small bone from my mouth and said, "What about you?"

  "She takes, but refuses to give." He was looking at me as he spoke, but it certainly didn't seem like he was speaking to me. I blinked a bit in confusion, partly at the way he was talking and partly at the fact that I’d just made a meal for him, and then he said--to me, "Metaphorically speaking, that is. I'm on my way to Shadow Academy. I'm meeting someone there."

  "Are you Maddox's new Healer, by chance?" It would be strange and odd and unbelievably funny if I got to meet Maddox's Healer first. Not to mention how bizarre it would be that he was travelling alone and armed with a katana. He couldn't be a Healer, could he? I was fairly certain that I was the only Healer that did such things, that broke that mold. But in way, I hoped that he was. Maddox might have had her heart set on a girl, but Gage promised to be mysterious and intriguing, if nothing else. He also struck me as stubborn, which I thought might make an interesting match for Maddox.

  Gage laughed. Warmly and bemused and not at all in a mean-spirited way. But it did kind of feel like he was enjoying a joke that I hadn't been told, and privy to its brilliant punch line. "Oh, I’d make a terrible Healer. Healers can glance at an herb and tell you its properties. I once made myself deathly ill by devouring a small patch of muckshrooms—one of the most obvious poisons in all of Tril. Now I stick to the easy stuff like swinging a blade around."

  His eyes found the sheathed katana that was lying on the ground beside him, never far out of reach.

  "So you're a Barron." My heart sunk a little for Maddox. Of course he was a Barron. What had I thought? That there were Healers wandering Tril just like me? Impossible. There was only me in this fight against the Zettai council's r
idiculous expectations.

  "Born and trained. I'd show you my Trace, but it's a bit cold out." He winked, as if I'd been considering exactly where his Trace might be located and hoping for somewhere scandalous. I hadn't. Not before he winked, anyway. "Don't worry. It's nowhere inappropriate. On my back, actually."

  Despite my reluctance to do so, I couldn't help but imagine his back to be smooth and lightly tan. When he stretched his arm out, I bet that the lean lines of his muscles were something to see. Feeling my cheeks flush slightly, I shook the image from my thoughts. "Who are you going to meet at Shadow Academy?"

  He tilted his head at me, ever curious. "That's not exactly fair, is it? You expect me to answer questions, but won't answer mine?"

  Holding up the skeleton on one of the Mealfish, I said, "I did feed you dinner. Without me, you'd be eating Pickerfish."

  "Fak, you've got me." The corner of his mouth lifted in an almost-smile, but then returned to its eternal smirk as he shook his head. "I'd rather not say who I'm going to meet. I'm a bit superstitious, and this meeting has been on-coming for several years now. I'd hate to jinx it. And I realize that's silly and rather stupid of me, but there it is. But it's certainly not this Maddox that you mentioned."

  "Maddox used to be my guard." I dropped the skeleton into the campfire, which caused several small sparks to float gently into the air. Bright spots against an otherwise dark sky. Like Maddox had been in my life. I missed her terribly and was totally rethinking my genius plan to leave her behind at the Academy. Why had it seemed like such a good idea at the time? I was having an increasingly difficult time recalling anymore. "I wish she were here now. This trip is turning out to be a bit more chaotic than I even thought it would."

  "She? Hmm. I would have thought Maddox to be male." At this, I smiled. At least I wasn't the only one. He nibbled the last bit of meat from the second Mealfish's spine and tossed it into the flames, causing the fire to sizzle a bit. "Something tells me you're not just on a journey home for the holidays, Kaya. Where are you headed?"