Inti’s Watcher

  For some inexplicable reason, the review showed the moment when Sophie, in her undergarments, threw rocks at Razan as he ran away with her clothes.

  Sophie wanted to die. Thankfully they were fifth in the ranking, so the reporter only stayed on them for a moment, but still. Out of all eight hours they were traveling, why that moment? Granted, it had also shown Peter nearly being taken by the avalanche, and their encounter with the elk, but those were normal things. Every group had run across an animal of some kind, and it seemed the terrain had moved quite a bit, but the only person who had become not fully dressed through the whole thing appeared to be Sophie.

  “You all right, girl?” Marie asked quietly as the review moved on.

  “Not entirely,” Sophie said through clenched teeth, her cheeks burning. She glared at Peter, daring him to tell her she shouldn't have stripped down during a contest.

  “I enjoyed that moment,” Razan said, taking her hand. “I’m glad it showed how good your aim is with river rocks.”

  Sophie tried to reply to that, but couldn't.

  “You don't see anything wrong with it showing her practically naked?” Marie asked him, an eyebrow raised.

  Razan shrugged. “As she pointed out before entering the river, it’s hardly less than what she wore in the ocean.”

  That… was true. Sophie felt something was different, but she couldn't say exactly what.

  Razan looked at her, then moved closer. “Do you regret having crossed the river?”

  “No,” she answered immediately. It had been fun, and then their walk had been nice.

  “Neither do I,” he said.

  Sophie sighed, resigned, as the review continued on.

  Masks got fourth place, Diamonds got third, Wasps second, and Dust in first. Their terrains had all been varied, which proved that the rostari’s system for judging was fair.

  When it was over, she found Rani and they went to get food, as usual. Rani interrogated Sophie about the rock throwing incident, but restrained herself to light teasing. They ordered their meals and found a table.

  “What do you think of the new Foxes?” Sophie finally asked, changing the subject with little subtlety.

  “Jaques’ green eyes are very pretty,” Rani mused. “But his hands are pudgy. I don't like a man to have short, fat fingers.”

  Sophie nodded seriously. “It is quite unfortunate for him.”

  “Tanya, though…”

  They both considered the Russian girl.

  “She’s a mystery,” Sophie decided.

  Rani smirked. “Even to herself. I keep wondering if things would have been less of a shock if I’d woken up on the ship not knowing it was a strange place.”

  “I suppose in that way having no memory is a good thing,” Sophie said. “I know I wouldn't mind not remembering anything about my family. But not knowing where I was born or my full name would be sad.”

  “I just wonder if her memory will come back,” Rani shrugged. “If she was hit on the head or something, it might eventually, right?”

  “I have no idea,” Sophie told her. “I just find it strange she has so much energy but no strength. I always have to use my energy; what has she been doing with hers?”

  “Extreme weaving, perhaps,” Rani giggled. Then she turned serious. “Maybe she just ran. Sure, she can't climb worth a damn, but maybe she can run for hours.”

  “Oh, speaking of running, Marie has decided walking for five hours straight on Tuesdays is too easy. She wants to add in periods when we run,” Sophie groaned.

  “Poor little Sophie,” Rani laughed, patting her arm.

  “You wouldn't like to join us, would you?” Sophie asked with a glare.

  “No, no, I’m fine just hearing you complain about it.”

  Before Sophie could grumble further, their food was announced as ready.

  “This week, we’re taking you back to the moon,” Nop announced. “The maze has been adjusted, and you will use the top layer for a paintball battle. We will be providing everyone with rifles and ammunition. Blades may be brought, but may not be used in combat. You will be on the moon for ninety minutes. We will provide everyone a tracker which shows the location of all contestants; the first third it will update every ninety seconds, the second every sixty seconds, and the final third it will update every thirty seconds. Any questions so far?”

  Peter had no questions, and neither did anyone else.

  “Good,” Nop said. “For this contest, the only thing that matters is eliminating opponents. You will be starting with your group, but are not required to stay together. If you join, all four team members must participate. As always, let us know by tonight if you’re joining.”

  Peter looked to Marie as the raven went still. She frowned, debating.

  “Samurai, do you think you’d do well in this contest?” their captain asked.

  Razan turned to Nop. “We will not be going underground?”

  “No,” the raven confirmed.

  He looked back at Marie. “Peter is the expert shot, not me. However, I believe I would not bring shame to our group.”

  “Comforting,” she said doubtfully. “Thief?”

  “Well, I’m not sure I could hit anyone, but I am very hard to hit,” Sophie said.

  “Fair enough.” She turned to Peter. “Sergeant, how well will you do in a mass firefight?”

  Peter shrank into his poncho. “I can follow orders, Captain. If I’ve got a task to complete, I’ll be fine.”

  “Good,” she said slowly. “Nop, we’ll join.”

  The raven twitched to life. “Thank you. I'll get you maps of the maze by tonight.”

  Marie nodded, then sat up straight. “Right. We’ll split up for this one. Peter, you’re with me. Razan, you’ll take Sophie. We’ll go in opposite directions. Since our positions will be known, never stop moving.”

  They all agreed.

  She almost continued, but stopped, looking at the murals Razan and Sophie had put on the walls. Razan’s painting was of a cherry tree in bloom, with petals trailing down the wall. Sophie’s was a wide apple tree, with blue-green apples scattered among the branches and along the floor. It also had a handful of golden Japanese-style dragons in it absconding with some of the fruit, while the cherry tree was infested with cartoonish bumblebees.

  Peter wasn't sure how each felt about the other’s additions, but it certainly added… something. Every time he actually looked at the wall, he noticed some new detail, like the small sleeping dragon curled up around an apple’s stem, or the bee with a tiny crown wearing a petal as a cape. Even when he wasn't focusing on them, the murals made the space feel warm, more like a home than the other grey-walled group areas.

  “Cowboy, it’s time we put our mark on this place,” Marie said with a grin. “Let’s see how well we can paint, with rifles, from behind the table.”

  “Sounds like my kind of challenge,” he said. “What are we going to paint?”

  “Think we could manage a tree out of dots?”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Peter smiled. “We can try.”

  “May we help?” Sophie asked.

  “No,” Razan said. “I have a better idea for us.”

  “Do you?” Marie asked, an eyebrow raised.

  “Yes, Captain,” he said with a slight bow. “I believe we would benefit more from training to avoid being shot than training to shoot.”

  Peter had to admit he agreed with that. He’d seen them shoot, and neither could hit a target.

  Marie nodded. “I still want both of you to do some target practice this week, just not in here.”

  “Yes, Captain,” they both said.

  “Good.” She got to her feet. “I’ll go see what weapons I can get. Peter, go buy a decent amount of ammunition. Razan, Sophie, I wish you luck.”

  Razan secured the shackles around Sophie’s wrists and stood back to examine his work. It was a masterpiece. He double-checked that the door to his room was “locked”, unable to accidentally open if they moved within range.

  Sophie gave him an unconvinced look. “I understand restraining my arms, to train me to not flail them about.”

  He nodded solemnly.

  “The concept of testing balance by keeping something on my head is familiar, so I understand the pine cone as a hat,” she continued.

  He again nodded quite solemnly.

  “I understand putting oil on the bottoms of my feet so I have to step deliberately.”

  Razan continued nodding. Honestly, he’d been surprised she agreed to that, and was now surprised she’d divined a reason for it.

  “And keeping rocks pinned under my armpits, not letting them fall, I suppose is another way of making sure I keep my arms in check.”

  It wasn't. She’d brought the rocks to his room a while back for some forgotten reason; today he’d decided to make use of them. He continued nodding.

  “But I’m not entirely certain why you had me take all my clothes off just to practice dodging,” she admitted.

  His mask of solemnity cracked. For a moment he debated telling her it was so he could see if she was moving her muscles properly. In the end, though, he sighed, putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “It has nothing to do with practice,” he admitted.

  Her confused look quickly turned into an unamused glare. “You are evil.”

  Razan laughed, stepping back. “Why did you agree? I expected you to at least ask!”

  “Because-” She gave an annoyed sound, then there was a click before she swung a free hand around to poke his chest. “Because I trust you!”

  “Sophie, if ever a man asks you to take your clothes off, trust that the reason is purely selfish.”

  She glared at him.

  “How did you free your hands so quickly?” he asked.

  She crossed her arms, still glaring.

  “How did you free your hands at all?”

  She continued to glare.

  “That is quite impressive.”

  There was no change.

  “I am impressed.”

  “Marie taught me,” she finally said. She spun to face away from him, then continued sliding, losing her balance on oiled feet. Four rocks and a pine cone clattered to the floor.

  Razan caught Sophie before she could fall and steadied her. Since his hands were already on her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to kiss her neck.

  “I am extremely unhappy,” she informed him.

  “Understandable,” he muttered.

  “You are a horrible person.”

  He agreed, slowly moving his hands up her ribs.

  “I trust you to behave properly, and this is what you do?”

  “My insincerest apologies.”

  “Sir, what do you have to say for yourself?”

  “I love you.”

  Whatever haughty thing she was going to say next faltered into nothing. Razan realized what he’d admitted and tensed, not knowing how she’d react. He’d never said those words to her before.

  “Stop,” she whispered.

  He immediately stopped, dropping his hands to his side as he stepped back a few paces. She turned to face him, worry in her eyes.

  “Do you?” Sophie asked.

  “Yes.”

  She hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m sorry.”

  “What for?” He smiled faintly. “Given you’re standing naked within kissing distance, there is very little I wouldn't be willing to forgive.”

  “I don't know if I love you. I'm not sure if I’m capable of actual love. I’m not sure I even know what it is,” she admitted.

  “I do not…” Razan paused, searching for the right word. “Care.”

  “I do,” she said quietly, stepping up to him to hide her face against his shoulder. “I want to say I love you, but I’m not certain it would be the truth.”

  He put his arms around her, searching for words. None came. So he continued holding her.

  “You really don't care?” she eventually asked.

  “Emotions are a mystery,” he shrugged. “I know I love you. If you would prefer to say you feel some other way, as long as you have no issue with how I feel, I am indifferent.”

  “Peter always got annoyed when he told me he loved me and I couldn't say it back,” she said hesitantly.

  Razan ran his fingers through her hair. “Peter and I are very different. Not once has he ever tried to get you to murder him.” He decided to push his luck. “May I kiss you?”

  “Are you certain you want to?”

  “Of course. Always.”

  After a moment she gave him a teasing smile, pressing her body against his. “We were supposed to be training. No more distractions until we're done with that.” Importantly, she hadn't said the word stop.

  “Please.”

  “Absolutely not,” she repeated, sliding her arms around his neck. “Put that pine cone back on my head immediately.”

  “Sophie.”

  She grinned. “Yes?”

  Razan picked her up, moving to push her shoulders against the wall. “Thief. Let me have you.”

  Sophie rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. Since you’re so eager to-”

  Marie followed Ebba to the climbing room, where they found Rani and Tanya, but no thief. Rani saw them and waved as they stepped in, dropping from her swing to the floor.

  “Sophie is with Razan,” she called. “In theory practicing something important, but I have my doubts.”

  “Not to worry, I wanted you, too,” Ebba said.

  “I’m still not interested,” Rani told her with a sweet smile.

  Ebba grinned. “Not for that. Although I am disappointed. Would you like to steal something from the British monarchy for me?”

  “Yes,” the Indian girl answered immediately. “There’s no monarchy I’d rather steal from. When do I go?”

  Marie cleared her throat. “Next week, assuming Sophie agrees. She knows about festivals and whatnot in England when the Crown Jewels will be taken out of their gilded boxes. We need a night no one will be paying much attention to them.”

  “Of course,” Rani said. “I'd ask why you want them, but I don't care, I just want to do this. Can I take a few extra things while I’m there?”

  “Certainly,” Ebba shrugged.

  Before the conversation could continue, there was a yelp from above them, and Tanya fell from halfway up the wall, landing hard on her back. Rani was instantly at her side, asking if she was all right. Marie followed quickly, leaving Ebba to watch from several paces away.

  The Russian girl had her eyes closed tightly. Her breathing was quick and shallow, which was never a good sign. Marie touched Rani’s arm, stopping a stream of very practical questions, and motioned her back. Once she was out of the way, Marie knelt down to push three curled fingers firmly on Tanya’s sternum, near the top.

  “You won't die, child,” Marie said in a low, calm voice. “Take as deep a breath as you can and hold it. Tell me if it’s a sharp pain or round.”

  Hazel eyes opened. She stared up at Marie with such a terrified, helpless look it made her protective instincts immediately spring to life.

  And then the look was suddenly gone. Tanya took a deep breath and sat up, her eyes sparkling with simpleminded excitement. “Round, I’d say rather round, certainly not sharp anywhere. I just had the air completely knocked out of me, but that helped, thank you.”

  “Stop that,” Marie ordered, looking at the tears still in her eyes. “It don't fool me, and I don't have patience for it.”

  Tanya looked confused. “Stop what?”

  “Stop acting like your soul hasn't been shattered.”

  A muscle in Tanya’s jaw twitched. The girl opened her mouth, then quickly closed it. She tried to speak, only managed a squeak, and shuddered. Her eyes went vacant.

  Marie watched all this impassively.

  Suddenly Tanya scrambled to her feet, reaching the wastebasket in the corner just in time to empty her stomach into it.

  A raven appeared next to her. “Permission to take you to Medical?”

  Tanya nodded, and vanished in a blue flash.

  “Damn, what did you say to her?” Ebba asked, walking over to offer Marie a hand.

  “That girl has been through hell,” Marie stated. She accepted the hand, looking warily at the witch. “I’m claiming her for the moment. Let me see what’s wrong before you offer solutions.”

  Ebba smirked. “Only because I love you. And Jaques is proving to be very entertaining.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Rani, leaning against the wall, crossed her arms. “I'm not sure if I’m more worried about what’s wrong with Tanya, or more worried you’re about to kiss.”

  “You’ve never claimed this one,” Ebba mentioned to Marie with a nod towards Rani.

  “Never thought it was needed,” Marie said, walking up to the girl. She loomed over her, looking deep into dark eyes.

  Rani did a very poor job of holding back laughter.

  “What are you?” Marie asked.

  “What?”

  “I'm a pirate. Ebba is a witch. Sophie is a thief. What are you?”

  Rani thought that over for a good number of seconds. Shame or fear never crossed her face. Finally she smirked. “Kalaripayattu gurukkal.”

  “Far too many syllables.” Marie found it interesting that the words meant nothing to her, but that was a matter for another time.

  “Kalari,” Rani conceded with a proud smile.

  Marie backed away, turning to Ebba. “She’s fine. Needs no help from anyone.”

  “Thank you for your vote of confidence,” Rani cackled. “What about Ebba?”

  “There’s all kinds of things wrong with her,” Marie said dismissively.

  “And what about you?” Ebba asked, crossing her arms.

  Marie grinned. “I need to find my thief; will you join me?”