‘I see. Well, let’s hope it works; I don’t fancy getting my head cut off tonight,’ Fletcher said, beckoning Ignatius to jump on to his lap.
‘Here, let me heal Ignatius,’ Sylva murmured, noticing Fletcher’s mood.
‘Don’t. You need all your mana to beat the Forsyths in rounds three and four. He’ll be all right,’ Fletcher said, wishing he could perform one himself. Unfortunately, the healing spell glyph was usually very unstable, and Fletcher was a long way from mastering it.
‘Let me have a look at it.’ Fletcher lifted Ignatius closer to his face.
The scratch was shallow, far shallower than Fletcher had expected. In fact, the scratch seemed to be shrinking before his very eyes. He sat and watched with growing amazement as the cut gradually began to seal itself.
‘Bloody hell,’ Fletcher murmured. ‘You are full of surprises.’
Ignatius purred as Fletcher traced the fresh skin with his finger.
‘Someone’s coming,’ Othello said, shrinking back into his cell.
Sir Caulder came into view, leading a happy looking Seraph behind him.
‘I still don’t understand why they keep you in these cells like goddamned criminals,’ Sir Caulder grumbled, unlocking the cell opposite Fletcher for Seraph. ‘The least I can do is give you all some company.’
‘Do you know who’s fighting next?’ Fletcher asked.
‘Aye. It looks like none of the second years have made it to the next round. The pairs are Seraph and Tarquin, Sylva and Isadora, Othello and Rufus, Fletcher and Malik. You’re going to be hard pressed to win, all of ye. Especially you, Fletcher; you’re the first to fight, and Malik was trained by his father. I’ll come and get you in a bit, they’re just organising volunteers for Malik’s barrier spell.’
He limped off, still grumbling, the clack of his peg leg echoing down the corridor.
‘I’ll tell you what, if we hate these cells, imagine how those prissy nobles feel,’ Seraph said cheerfully.
‘I take it you won then?’ Fletcher asked.
‘Of course. Sliver took out Barbarous with a few poison spikes from his back. Atlas was not happy! The second year’s Mite just hid under a rock until it was all over. Whoever was in that last battle really did a number on that pillar! Half the thing was blown off by the time I got to it, not to mention the state of Rory’s Mite! Scared the hell out of that second year!’
‘Is Rory OK?’ Fletcher asked, feeling another pang of guilt.
‘He looked pretty miserable. Malachi was still being treated last I saw him. The losers get to sit with the rest of the spectators, so you’ll see for yourself in a bit. We’ll have a bit of an audience for the next round, that’s for sure,’ Seraph said, still grinning.
‘You need to beat Isadora and Tarquin. That’s what we’re here for. That’s why I almost killed Malachi. Get your game face on,’ Fletcher snapped, rounding on Seraph.
‘I’m sorry,’ Seraph said. ‘I didn’t mean . . .’
The echo of Sir Caulder’s footsteps returned, sending them all into nervous silence.
‘Come on, Fletcher. You’re first up,’ Sir Caulder said in a gruff voice.
He unlocked the cell and, with one last look at the others, Fletcher followed.
‘Remember what I told you, Fletcher. This isn’t a race, this isn’t emotional. Your career is war, and this is just business. Malik knows you are impatient, that your emotions can get the better of you. Good, let him think that’s how you’re going to behave. Use it.’
With those parting words, Sir Caulder pushed him into the arena.
‘Ah, Fletcher. Can I say, we were all very impressed with your performance in that last battle; it surprised us all!’ Scipio placed his hand on Fletcher’s back and propelled him on to the rock-strewn arena. ‘Unusually fast etching, I didn’t see your finger move at all. As for your Salamander, what a show! I’m sure a first-lieutenancy is on the cards, if one of the generals sees the same potential I do!’
Fletcher barely heard his words, instead staring at Rory’s tear-streaked face as he held Malachi to his chest. The demon was flapping his wings weakly, but he appeared to be alive. Relief flooded through Fletcher like a drug.
‘Rory, is he OK?’ Fletcher yelled from across the arena.
‘No thanks to you,’ Rory yelled back. The pain in his voice was obvious, but there was no real anger there, only the remnants of fear.
‘I’m sorry, Rory,’ Fletcher implored, but Rory turned away, fussing over his injured demon.
Despite this, Fletcher felt a lot better. Malachi was going to be fine, and that was what mattered. Rory would come around.
It was only when he saw Malik, scimitar in hand, that he came crashing back down to reality.
‘I need volunteers, to produce the barrier spell for Cadet Wulf!’ Scipio declared to the crowd.