Eje pummels the barrier at close range, each blow a ringing resonation in Ariel's head. She takes a breathe and reinforces her mind, and Eje yells in frustration as the barrier holds. She winds up until her body is shrouded in smoke that runs up her right arm in preparation for a knockout. Ariel yields before the impact until Eje's arm has bent the luminous shield inward a hand's length, then pushes. The reverberation throws Eje back until she comes to a rolling stop on her face. Eje groans but doesn't stir.

“Are you ok, Eje?” asks Salaya.

“Shit.” mumbles Eje into the grass. “I can't do this.” After several more groans, she rolls over onto her back, and stares up at the sky, massaging her right shoulder.

“Eje, what happened to your arm?”

“It doesn't matter. The test is tomorrow. I give up.”

“Don't just gaze at the clouds, Eje. Come on.” Ariel pulls Eje up to a sitting position and tends to her shoulder.

“Don't worry, Eje, it's a not a test.” says Salaya plunking down beside them.

“It's called the Value Challenge. Of course it's a test. It's always been a test.” says Eje. “And I haven't improved since we came to Lakeview. In fact, I've regressed.”

“It's not a test here though. We're all allies here.” insists Salaya. “It's more of a friendly competition. You don't have to participate if you really don't want to.”

“I have to. We as a team need to make a good showing.” says Eje, trying to get up. Ariel puts a hand on each shoulder and holds her down.

“Just hold on.” says Ariel. “You tore something in there, and I'm almost done patching it.”

“If I refuse to participate, or say I'm sick, or whatever other lame excuse,” winces Eje as Ariel's grip on her injured shoulder tightens, “everyone will know it. They'll laugh at me. I'm tired, Salaya. I'm so tired, and I don't like being laughed at. I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see the well again.”

“The well in the village?” asks Ariel as she stands up. “We're done, by the way. Just go easy on that arm for an hour or two.”

“Yes, the one with the dead bodies. Thanks for that.”

“They kept me up for a bit too.” says Salaya. “That was after it happened though. While we were tramping back through Gaskaback, I was worried every well or hole we saw would have a body in it. I think it's getting better though.”

“It's the other way around.” says Eje, leaning back on her palms.“I was fine at first. So long as we were on the mission, I was preoccupied. Once we got back, that village has been at the forefront of my mind. It's as though the relaxation of dinner time, and a warm bed to sleep in have given me the chance to revisit that scene. The bodies, the way the blood smelled and formed sticky little pools, the way the sunlight shone down onto their faces and reflected off their eyes. Or maybe it's that being in a safe place has made me aware of how vulnerable we are. This town is unprotected. Even the castle keeps its gates open at all hours. We're vulnerable, and a lingering fear lurks in the recesses of the mind, the fear that I'll open my eyes to flee the carnage of the past, and find it transposed to the present. Orcs and death and screams everywhere.”

“It's rough, isn't it?” says Salaya. “But at least you can function in a fight. You all saw me back there in the desolation. I flinched, and I'll no doubt flinch again. Maybe next time Ariel won't be there to save me. I'm in constant too. Fear of being a burden or a liability in fights.”

Ariel debates whether she should sit back down, stand politely, or slink away as Eje and Salaya continue to share their inner misgivings. Her carefully constructed images of her teammates are crumbling around her. The scene at the village well had been unsettling, but why would they relive it? So unpleasant an event should be left behind. Drawn on in discussion, perhaps, but remembered at night? Ariel shudders. Maybe she's the odd one, or maybe she isn't alone in this. Of course she has her own misgivings, but how can she bring them up now? To say that she's felt out of place, that watching other people succeed or triumph has only highlighted her own shortcomings? That she's looking forward to the upcoming event as a chance to prove her worth before everyone? To say that she's concerned about herself in the present, not events in the past. She says “Where's Octave? Isn't she training for this too?”

“Who knows.” says Eje. “I'm getting something to drink.”

Eje wanders off. Ariel and Salaya watch her go, Ariel unsure of how to break the silence. “Anyway,” Ariel finally says, “if it's a friendly competition, there won't be much pressure tomorrow. You'll do great.”

“I think so too.” says Salaya, her smile coming back. “I've been trying to enhance my spells, and I know this sounds a little grotesque, but those bodies in the well gave me the, I don't know, will to improve.”

“That makes sense.” says Ariel. “You love helping people. I'm sure you'll be a great protector someday. As for your flinching, I'm sure you'll overcome it. Worrying only makes things worse.” Salaya says nothing but gives Ariel's shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “Now, I need some help as well. I've been trying to develop a new spell. I think of it as sort of anti-life magic.”

Salaya gives her an inquisitive look. “Anti-life? You mean death magic? I've never heard of such a thing.”

“No, no. That's beyond even the best mages. But using life magic, I can tap into an opponent's body and sap it, deaden limbs, slow reflexes. That sort of thing.”

“You mean like a curse?” Salaya laughs as Ariel responds with a blank look. “Oh, I'm sorry, Ariel. I know independence in magic is important, but you should really consult a book from time to time. Come on, let's try it.”

By the time Eje wanders back to them, Salaya is hopping on one leg. “Ariel, I don't think this is quite right.” she insists.

“Does it hurt?” asks Ariel.

“No, my left leg feels numb. My right, on the other hand, feels stronger than ever.”

“Come closer.” says Ariel. “And hold still. It's hard to do when you're hopping everywhere like a squirrel.”

“Well that defeats the purpose, doesn't it?” says Salaya, stabilising herself on her one good leg. Ariel focuses until she can hear the beat of Salaya's heart, feel the beat of the femoral arteries pumping blood through her legs. One of them pulses slowly, blood seeping through the vessels like thick honey, while the other beats stronger than ever. If she can just slip past the natural warding again and switch them...

“Ow!” Salaya falls over.

“Did it work?” asks Ariel.

“No, you just switched which leg is strong and which is weak. I think you're supposed to make them both weak, aren't you?”

“I don't think that's possible.” says Ariel. “There has to be a give and take. I can't just attack one leg.”

“That makes no sense, Ariel. What if you're cursing something that doesn't come in pairs, like a heart?” She looks over to see Eje watching them, scepticism stamped on every feature. “Oh hey, Eje. Ariel is trying out curses.”

“About time.” says Eje. “I'd love to help, but I need to meet Trila. She's already waiting for me.” She waves. Ariel looks over at the gate, and to her surprise, Trila is standing in a blue frock. She waves back. “We're going into Lakeview.”

“Ooo, a meeting with your mysterious maid? What are you doing there? Can we come?”

“Not this time. It's business related.” Salaya sticks her tongue out, but Eje ignores it. “I'll try not to wake you two when I get back in.”

Salaya tests out each leg carefully before planting both feet on the ground and pushing herself up. “Ariel, I really think we should read a little on this first. You can't just improvise everything. It's like cooking. You don't need a recipe, but it helps to consult one first. Find out how much seasoning to add, what ratio of ingredients, that sort of thing. Then when you know the dish, you can start to add to it. Make your own version of it. Come on, I have a book or two in my bag. If that's not enough, the castle has its own library.” She takes Ariel by the arm.

“I've noticed something.” says Ariel as they head back to their room. The front doors open, windows high above them lighting the foyer. Corridors that seemed so dark in comparison lead them on a familiar track down the stairs, past barred windows, finally to the heavy doors with team numbers on them. She could have sworn she saw Brant walking out into the courtyard. Brant has seemed reticent since his injury. On the way back, he talked little. Since arriving back at the castle, he's avoided the training grounds where he once demanded the centre. Even in the dining hall he's sat off the side, pulling the rest of his team with him out of the way. Eje wonders if this is a matter of embarrassment at appearing weak, or if he's lost some of his nerve. It's probably not a good idea to bring it up with Salaya though. “Actually, nevermind.”

A door ahead of them opens, and Captain Loswel steps out. “Hello girls.” he greets them.

“Greetings, captain.” They nod respectfully as they pass him.

“Hey, wait a moment.” Ariel looks back to see Loswel staring intently at them. “Remember that little meeting we had with Tal, I mean, Lady Tal yesterday?” Salaya affirms that they do. “Well, what did you think of her?”

“Erm.” Ariel and Salaya exchange glances. There's no telling what Loswel is getting at, or what the correct answer is here.

“Ah, nevermind. You don't have to tell me the truth.” Loswel winks. “In fact, it would be inappropriate to. I don't know why she was interested in some old village books, but I'm sure it was for the benefit of the nation.” He laughs, and Ariel wonders if she can hear a trace of scorn, if she's imagining it. “Lady Tal always expects something. Remember that next time you meet her.” Loswel nods and leaves.

“Well. That was odd.” says Salaya. “Why would a captain ask us such a thing?”

“I don't know.” says Ariel. They continue walking.

“Any news from Pattaway Village?” asks Salaya, trying to change the subject?

“A message from my parents and Garsun arrived a few days back, when we were coming back from the desolation.” says Ariel. “Nothing much though. They just wanted to know how I'm doing. If something did happen, it might not make it all the way here.” They open the door labelled Twenty-Four. There's a rustling from inside. Someone is in their room. Ariel peers in. “Octave? What are you doing here?”

Octave looks up from the table. “Reading this. The so-called village tomes.”

“I'm still not comfortable holding onto those.” says Salaya, looking over Octave's shoulder. “They don't belong to us.”

“Then to whom do they belong?” asks Octave.

“The quartermaster can probably decide that.”

“He can.” agrees Octave. “And his decision would be to have them stuffed into a storeroom in the lowest levels of the castle until the books become illegible with mould and damp.”

“So have you found anything?” asks Ariel, as Salaya struggles with the realisation that her trust in authority may not always be to the benefit of learning.

“The one on construction is unremarkable.” says Octave. “I suspect it was copied directly from a building manual. The gardening one, however, is somewhat more worth my time.” She taps the pages. “I'd love to consult a botanical expert on this and see how many of these ideas are new.” It's the first time Ariel has seen her show interest in a subject.

“What sort of ideas?”

“For instance, this one is about fertilising unfertilised ground. It seems to involve growing beans. Then there's something scribbled beneath about replicating 'phyto-nodules' to gift life into barren soil. This one here has nothing to do with magic. It involves transporting dirt from a place with healthy plant activity to one without.”

“What are 'phyto-nodules'?” They look around and see Eje standing in the doorway. “You need to close this thing behind you when we have wanted materials in here.” she says, stepping inside and securing the door.

“We're just looking at this village tome again.” says Salaya. “The one on gardening. We were hoping you would know more about it.”

Eje shrugs. “Well 'phyto' means plant, but that's about the extent of my knowledge. I'm just here because I forgot something.” She dives into her luggage, she's the only one who hasn't yet unpacked, and pulls a small parcel from the bottom.

“It mentions the essential nutrients for plants. What are they?” asks Octave.

“Ammonia, potash, bonemeal.” says Eje. “Something like that. There are others, but those are the main three.”

“I didn't see any of that at the village.” says Octave. “If only I'd known to look.”

“You could always go back.” suggests Eje. “I was just joking.” she adds hurriedly. “You're really taking this seriously.”

“I have to.” says Octave. “I need to know what Tal saw in those books. There's no way she would have come here if they weren't valuable.”

“They were perilously close to the desolation.” says Salaya. “That's probably why they were talking about fertilisers: the soil there can't be good for crops. If there's something important in the books, it's probably a hidden code. We can look for it later, but we need to prepare for the competition tomorrow. And to that end, Ariel and I have reading to do on curses.” Ariel gets the impression she wants to say more, perhaps even invite Octave in to help them but can't work up the nerve.

“Octave?” ventures Ariel before Eje can leave.

“Yes?” Octave is still rereading the passage on phyto-nodules, whatever those are.

“Do you ever think of that well? The one all the dead villagers were dumped into by the orcs?” Eje freezes in mid step on her way to the door.

“Does it haunt your dreams?” asks Salaya. “Does it make you sweat or tremble? Does it make you not want to eat?”

Octave lifts her head up and tilts around to look at them. Eje still hasn't moved. “Are you having trouble?”

Salaya nods.

“It's neverending.” says Eje. “I'm scared to close my eyes.”

“That was inevitable, I suppose. It happens to all of us at the start. Or almost all us. Some people are...different.” Octave looks at each of them. Ariel fidgets. “The sight of death is unpleasant, isn't it?” Octave's voice is gentle, almost soothing. “It's a shame you had to experience it in such excess so early. It seems sickening, doesn't it? Nonetheless, it will fade.”

“That's a relief.” says Eje.

“Is it?” asks Octave. “I would have thought the opposite.” Eje stops again, this time with her hand on the door. “Witnessing death is like a drug. The effect is powerful, even overwhelming. The thrill combines exhilaration and horror in a sensation you've never before known. It serves as a barrier. We were not meant to witness slaughter, and the drug will attempt to shock us into avoiding it. But as I said, it will fade. You'll still feel it next time, just a little less forcefully. Some people pursue that feeling, revel in walking the ridge between temporal life and otherworldly death. They seek out death in ever increasing concentrations, perhaps to distract them from their own existences. Or they seek out some form of distraction from it all. Drunkenness being the most common. I don't recommend it. If it overtakes you and you can't fight back, don't. Get out before it destroys your soul. Otherwise know that you will be inured to this drug in the same way that a patient becomes inured to a medicine.” She looks up at the stone ceiling. “No, I don't think I can fully explain it now, but I'll try. The whole affair is strange. We're always seeking immortality. Souls, tombs, rituals. Afterlives, reincarnation. It's always to avoid eternal darkness, but through death do we in a sense ascend mortality: I still fear for my life, but not my death. With every corpse you see, you will take another step closer to this ascension. But each step costs a shard of your humanity.”

The silence that follows is broken only by Eje shutting the door behind her.