[2016] The Bride Trials

  Copyright © 2012 Author Name

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 153706911X

  ISBN-13: 978-1537069111 To the love of my life. Thank you. I am grateful to everyone who helped me on this journey. Through ups and downs, tears and laughter. Thank you. I could not have done this without you.

  he grey wind blew past Keyla and the tree swayed

  under her boots. The smoke cloud from Cryssal City was larger than she expected, although the city didn’t shine the way she had heard it described. The great crystal tower, for which the city was known, spiraled towards the sky broken half way up. The jagged stump stood as a monument to former greatness, the glory before the war killed the King’s brother somewhere in this forest. Even miles away, the air was dirty. When the thin smoke blew past her again the leaves fluttered like dying butterfly wings.

  “Be careful,” Suzenita yelled from somewhere below. Keyla couldn’t see her through the tree limbs filled with leaves.

  “I’m not five, I can do this.” Keyla shook her head. That was Suzenita, always worrying about her, even if Keyla would be eighteen this next winter. Keyla took a deep breath and jumped to the next tree. Her hands grabbed the branch, but the tree bark flaked away and slipped through her fingers.

  Her back slammed into a branch below. Pain radiated from the impact, and she couldn’t take a breath before smashing into another branch, and another, and another. Each time she hit a limb, it slowed her fall, but did not stop it. The loud cracking rang through the forest. Finally, she stared up from the ground at the patch of grey-blue sky, visible only through the broken tree. Each inhale felt like the stabbing of a branding iron to her lungs.

  Suzenita’s face moved into view. Her cheeks, slightly hollowed from too many missed meals, were pale. But what usually drew Keyla’s attention were the lines creasing at the corner of her mouth, evidence of the years full of smiles and laughter in her youth. Now they were drawn down in concern.

  “What happened?” The phone in her pocket beeped twice, but she silenced it.

  “Gravity,” Keyla said. “Didn’t harm your sense of humor, I see. Stay put, let me heal what it did hurt.” Suzenita knelt down and placed her hands just above Keyla's ribs. Not touching, but hovering.

  A warm itchy feeling swept over Keyla’s body. It felt like a pair of invisible hands gently prodding each layer of tissue and bone. As the sensation went up her spine, it became gentler. When it reached her neck, her body jerked reflexively. For a moment it felt like a dagger had plunged just below her ear and jawbone.

  “I swear, they only kept you with me for so long because they knew you required daily healing,” Suzenita said and held out her hand. “Get up.”

  “It's not daily.” Keyla ignored the outstretched hand and pulled herself up. Her shirt and pants were covered in tree sap and leaves. She removed the debris from her boots and checked the small blade hidden in the heel of each shoe. Satisfied they hadn’t gotten lost in the fall, she stood up. “I didn’t get hurt once by the all those books you had me study over the winter.”

  They’d been living in the mountains to the far north of the kingdom when they’d received word of Keyla’s transfer to Cryssal in the south. The drive was long and while the mountains were still covered in snow, here the plants were preparing for summer.

  “Not for lack of trying.” Suzenita began pulling leaves out of Keyla’s long hair. “Those books will be useful someday.”

  “Even the ones about the pampered prince?”

  “Your words will haunt you one of these days. If you really want to join the cause, you’ll learn everything you can. Especially as you approach eighteen, you’ll no longer be with a caretaker and you need a plan.”

  “I have a plan. I’ll help you and the other rebels.” Keyla had lived with Suzenita the last several months learning about the upper class, everything from dance etiquette to which fork to use. But the worst part had been watching the reports and reading the articles about the preparations for the upcoming Bride Trials, as if marrying the Heir was the highest achievement a woman could attain.

  “I wish you would pick something else,” Suzenita said. “The rebels have done so much for me. And I have to do something to stop innocents like Victa and her family from being killed.”

  “You have a good heart, but you don't have powers, Keyla. You're dispensable to the rebel council.”

  Keyla dug the toe of her boot into the ground. She could fight, but there is only so much you can do unarmed against a fireball, or an ice shard to the heart. It wasn't the first time she'd thought about how much more she could do if she had powers.

  “I know, Suzenita. If I die, I'm alone, no family, no one to miss me. I’m dispensable. But why send me to so many teachers disguised as caretakers if I have no use?”

  “Do you think everything I’ve taught you is a lie? Like the Shards? They’d freeze you as soon as they saw you. Death is a kindness compared to what could happen. You’re not dispensable to me, and I can’t be with you all the time.”

  “If you care so much, why haven't you adopted me? Instead, you’ve watched for the last seventeen years as I’ve been passed around like a bowl of flavorless vegetables at dinner.”

  “You’re at risk enough with me. You’re safer with your caretakers. One more try before we have to get in the car.”

  “Remind me why I need to know how to jump between trees?” “Because you need to be prepared to take any escape route.” Suzenita pointed at the tree. “If you can do this without falling, as much as I hate that you want this, I have your first orders.”

  “Finally!” Keyla ran up to the tree and started climbing. She quickly worked her way back up. She considered her options on a different neighboring tree. There was a larger branch a little lower that might work.

  She launched into the air and reached for her new target. Her hands latched around the branch. The bark held and she pulled herself up and let out a whoop.

  “Good.” Suzenita said. “Get down here, we need to go. Your new caretakers await.”

  Keyla's smile faded. New caretakers. “Are they at least one of us?”

  Suzenita sighed. “No. They are the epitome of upstanding citizens.” “It's been a while since I've stayed with someone who supported the monarchy. Why them?” Keyla started climbing down the tree.

  “They were the only option, I'm afraid.” “What do you mean?” Keyla asked.

  “Just hurry down. We’re going to be late, and I hear they aren't patient.”

  Keyla hurried the rest of the way down. “Where are my orders?” Suzenita held up two small white cards. “You can back out now if you need some more time to think about it.”

  Keyla grabbed the first card. The paper lit up and a blue beam of light quickly scanned her face. Written in simple black ink was one word. Dark Rose

  “What?”

  “The scan uploaded your face into the program, notes assigned to you will now recognize you. They’ll be blank for anyone but you.”

  “And ‘Dark Rose?’”

  “Your code name. I hope you don’t mind I picked it because of your hair.” Suzenita said. Keyla grabbed a strand of hair, in the sunlight it was ruby red, but anywhere else it looked like ebony. She thought it was pretty, but it didn’t allow her to blend in like Suzenita’s chestnut colored hair. It seemed nearly everyone in the kingdom had brown or blond hair.

  Suzenita handed her the other card.

  Again, a blue light scanned Keyla. Then words appeared: Pick up, by star light.

  “Delivery? Really?”

  Suzenita grabbed the cards. “You’ll have to complete your mission by midnight, your instructions with your emergency contact will come later. Press the upper right corner
before throwing away. Like so.”

  Suzenita pressed the corner of each card and flung the cards away. There was a small pop, and the paper burst into flame. Nothing but ash hit the ground.

  “Nice.” Keyla said.

  “Time to go.” Suzenita headed to the car and grabbed a bag from the backseat. “On second thought, better clean up first.”

  She changed clothes and used a wet hand towel to get the dirt off. When Keyla got back to the car, Suzenita was reading a magazine. The picture on the front was of Heir Ditran, his back to the camera. He was facing his uncle, the King. A woman in the background looked on with a scowl. In bold letters the magazine declared the Heir heartbroken over her betrayal and asked if the Bride Trials would heal his heart.

  “I feel bad for whoever wins.” Keyla got into the car. “They have to deal with a string of angry past girlfriends.”

  “These articles are garbage.”

  “Yet you buy every single one.”

  Suzenita started the car. “I’m staying informed.”

  “It’s good to know what the enemy is up to. What’s new with the pampered prince?”

  “Just another of the King’s parties. In everything I’ve read he’s been—”

  “Kind, caring? You always say that.”

  “And you never bother reading any of it.” “Reading those things won’t tell me how to dethrone him.”

  “You know one of these days you’ll regret being so quick to judge him.”

  Keyla stopped talking and listened to the hum of the engine as they approached Cryssal. Her first view of the city wasn’t what she expected. The books and pictures always showed the glittering walls, sparkling tower, and buildings made of crystal, maintained by the earth elementals, but the earth elementals had moved out after the war, without their powers keeping the walls strong and beautiful, the walls had to be lined with dark, dull steel, which non elementals could easily maintain.

  As they approached the open gate with the thick metal doors, a female guard dressed in blue stopped them. Suzenita lowered her window as she retrieved cash from within her arm rest. The shard guard approached and Suzenita covertly handed over the money.

  “Name, business in the City?” The shard lifted her clipboard.

  “Miss Fallow. I’m transporting Keyla Stinton to her new caretakers, Mr. and Mrs. Plume.” The guard looked at Keyla. “Aren’t you a pretty young thing. You’re lucky it’s me in charge today or you’d be making a different kind of contribution. Now open the trunk.” The guard nodded to another one dressed in green.

  Suzenita pressed a button and the guard in green went to look inside the open trunk. After a few minutes the guard closed the trunk and nodded.

  The shard guard wrote something down on her clipboard. She pressed her finger to the bottom corner of the windshield. Ice formed as she drew a spiral just like one on the right shoulder of her uniform. “You have an hour to drop the girl off. If you aren’t checked out before that melts, you will be arrested and sent to the factory. Understood?”

  “Yes. Thank you,” Suzenita said. The smoke cloud cast a shadow on the entire city. Keyla felt it like a weight on her head as they drove under it and into the city. They passed warehouses, a bakery, and other business buildings. All run down. Some were empty and boarded up. Others crumbled and were marked with signs of danger. Thick layers of dirt or soot covered everything. Fences circled each of the buildings with spikes on the top, and in several places the wire of the fences was cut to make holes big enough for someone to crawl through. Once in a while the sun would break through the smoke and find a stone that still glittered.

  As they traveled further into the city, the buildings got nicer, cleaner. And while there was ash from the smoke, more and more buildings sparkled even without the sunlight. The fences decreased also, or were disguised into something beautiful. More heavily patrolled areas always meant less physical security like a fence.

  They pulled up to a large house. It was white with blue shutters. Flowers grew out of window boxes and carefully trimmed hedges lined the perimeter.

  “The rich get richer, while the rest of us starve. This is what I judge the monarchy by.” Keyla said. “Be nice.” Suzenita got out of the car.

  Keyla sighed but followed.

  They didn’t get a chance to knock. The door opened and a man in a silver colored suit spoke. “Lady Plume is expecting you,” he said. “I didn’t realize they were nobility.” Suzenita stepped through the door. “It’s very recent; the last family was disgraced, leaving an opening. Viscount Ashby selected the Plumes and promoted them to Lord and Lady.”

  The doorman led them to a sitting room, where a lady in a dark purple dress sat. Her face was long and thin, colored only by black globs clinging to her eyelashes and deep plum paint on her lips. Long pale hair streamed down to her waist.

  “Well who do we have here?” Her voice was high and shrill.

  The man spoke. “Lady Plume, the child and her escort are here.”

  Suzenita stepped forward. “I'm Miss Fallow; this is my charge, Keyla Stinton.” Lady Plume examined Keyla from head to foot. Her frown deepened, enough to be permanent by the time she finished her perusal.

  “Are those the best clothes she has?” Lady Plume asked Suzenita.

  “Yes.” Suzenita said. “The others were ruined on the way here.” Keyla looked at herself. Sure her boots were scuffed, but the jeans weren’t that bad, they only had one hole.

  The Lady addressed the doorman. “Mr. Nit, send immediately for something more presentable for her to wear. It needs to be perfect.” She turned to Suzenita. “Does she have any skills?”

  “She can manage basic kitchen tasks, but she's best with simple things.” Keyla stared at Suzenita, she couldn't be serious. I can do more than that, but now I’ll be stuck inside the house all the time.

  “Any powers?”

  “No.” “Pity. Compensation?” “Minimal.”

  “Pity. The palace representative will be coming soon to select candidates for the Bride Trials. I had hoped to have someone to present.”

  Keyla wanted to laugh. Her in that contest. No thank you.

  “I need to finish getting ready for the announcements. You can braid hair?”

  Keyla nodded. “Yes Ma’am.” “Say your goodbyes. Mr. Nit will show you were to go when you're done.” She left the room. A few moments later operatic music filled the house. It was familiar and haunting.

  Mr. Nit smiled at them. “Lady Plume used to perform on stage until Viscount Ashby promoted the Plumes to Lord and Lady. She sings whenever she gets a moment.”

  “How lovely,” Suzenita said. She turned and gave Keyla a hug while whispering “Be careful please. Stay prepared.” Loud enough for Mr. Nit to hear she said, “Be a good girl.”

  Keyla nodded. There was so much she wanted to say, not knowing when they would see each other again. “Travel safe.”

  wo thousand, one hundred and ninety-six hours

  counted down on each signal board hanging from the ceiling as Ditran walked down the long Palace hallway. As if the three foot long boards were needed to remind everyone what they were preparing for. Ninety-one and one half days left to the Bride Trials.

  He passed several rounds of guards in the gilded Palace halls on his way to the training room. They wore uniforms, symbolizing their elements. The first round wore brown, the earth elementals. Next the shards wore blue, followed by fire in red and air in grey. The energy elementals wore green, but everyone just called them healers, in a fight they were only good for keeping the others strong. The unifying military spiral was embroidered in black on

  each right arm, just beneath the shoulder. They saluted him as he passed.

  His uncle stood to the side of the arena yelling. The black crown made from Dovesti’s stone atop his head, the power simmering just below the surface. “The rebels throw bigger fireballs than that! Stop being so timid!”

  “Yes, King Sonovo,” two soldiers responded without breaking
their sparring match. One dressed in blue, the other red. Their movements were well rehearsed, a back and forth balance of power, with the one in red slowly gaining the advantage.

  “Uncle,” Ditran said. He gave a slight bow. “Have you come to show these toddlers how to fight?” Sonovo said.

  “No. Our session earlier was plenty. I wanted to discuss the trials.” “I just received a report from Captain Drake today. He reached Onyx City and will announce the first girl for the Bride Trials tomorrow. There will be a good media turn out as they are still flocking in after your last interview.”

  The disaster in print. It didn’t seem to matter how many times he tried to set the record straight, they always printed him in some love entanglement. The latest one had selected some woman he couldn’t remember the name of as his heartbroken date of the evening from the last palace dinner. She was engaged and her fiancé was threatening to break it off because of the article.

  “The selection has begun?” Ditran leaned against the cold metal wall. The cold seeped through his jacket and shirt. “I thought they were going to start next week.”

  “The Trials will be held in three months’ time. Everything is ready, I just need to finalize the girl,” Sonovo said.

  “You mean I pick the girl,” Ditran said. “Of course.” Sonovo shrugged and returned his attention to the fighting men. “Did Drake mention anything about this girl?” Drake was hardly the type of person Ditran wanted in charge of the selection. The man didn’t have a sentimental bone in his body. Also, as the King’s right hand man, he was more likely to pick someone who would make a better dressmaker's dummy than a princess.

  “Good bloodlines, Earth Elemental, a child from her would keep the royal line strong. Have you given any thought to what type of Elemental you want to marry?”

  “I’ve been thinking,” Ditran said. About if she’s kind, her interests, or if she could see me for more than a crown.

  “Good. Now, as your father was a strong shard and your mother was a healer, I think you should consider an air or earth Elemental. It really is a shame we can only pick one element as no one but us has the ability to control more than one. You are strong with water and healing. Not quite as strong as your mother since you don’t have the ability to heal the mind, but hopefully your children will be. Your air and fire are okay, but earth is where you are weak. It’s been a few generations since those were brought into the family gene pool,” Sonovo said.