Our group exchanged nervous glances. This was it.
Ray turned to Darren. "Are you sure you'll be fine – maybe someone should switch?"
"You three have the fifth-years." The non-heir stiffened. "I am sure Ryiah and I will be able to take on two second-years, injuries and all."
As soon as we had parted ways and started down the trail I spoke up. "So what is our strategy?"
Darren's eyes met mine and then he hunched over, ribs shaking with laughter.
"What is so funny?" I demanded.
"Nothing." He was fighting to keep a straight face.
I stopped walking and grabbed him by his collar, careful to avoid his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he said grinning down at me, "I just thought the plan was obvious."
"What are you talking about?" I was instantly suspicious. Did he expect me to take on two mentors all by myself? Why would that be hilarious? Unless he was looking forward to watching me get beat to a bloody pulp?
"Ian. He's the best third-year – despite the fact he jokes too much and can't pain cast."
"And?"
"And I want you to distract him while I get rid of Bryce."
"You take the weak one and leave me with Ian?" I glared at him. "Are you mad? You are the best second-year and the only one that would stand a chance against him!"
"Yes, but I would still lose to him, Ryiah. I've used up too much magic. You would too – if you were fighting him. But you are not going to fight him."
"So I'm just – what? The sacrificial bait?"
"No."
"Then what?"
Darren's eyes twinkled mischievously. "You are going to fake an injury. I am going to cause a distraction that gets Bryce away and you are going to convince Ian to come help you."
"Help me? He's a mentor, Darren! He's not on our team!"
"It doesn't matter." Now he was smirking. "Ian will help you anyway. That third-year has a blind spot where you are concerned. I am willing to take our chances on him falling for your little trap. I'll ambush him while he's distracted and then you and I will both take on Bryce together."
"Ian is not going to be fool enough to fall for that!"
"Do you have a better plan?" The prince's gaze fell to my mouth. "Or are you just going to stand here and argue?"
Two spots of red appeared on my cheeks. "You are asking me to fight dirty!"
"Stop being so self-righteous," the boy drawled, "and just say you'll do it."
"You arrogant, conceited…" I was at a loss for words.
Darren's eyes met mine in amusement. "Yes?"
I glowered at him. "Fine! Fine! We'll do your ridiculous plan!" Was this always how it was going to be for us? I dropped his collar. "I don't know why it is so difficult to be friends with you."
Darren grinned. "Because it's us, Ryiah." Then he pointed to the edge of our trail where the passage became entirely paved in sandstone. A soft light reflected off the walls and into the bright blue sky above. It was just past those rocky structures that our enemy awaited. "You ready?"
I sighed. "As I'll ever be."
****
"Ian! Ian!" I whisper-shouted as loud as I dared. Bryce was just two hundred yards away, investigating a mysterious noise that had come from whatever Darren had just casted. The non-heir was slowly edging his way out of the shadows as the curious third-year passed him, searching for the source of the sound.
"Ry? Is that you?" Ian had turned and was peering into the entrance of the small cave-like formation I was hiding in. "Why are you calling me? I'm not on your t-"
"Ian, I-I'm hurt." I felt a stab of guilt as I whimpered the lines I had recited many times in my head. "I got lost – m-my team doesn't know where I am… I need to go to the infirmary and I c-can't walk." Then for good measure: "Ian, I-I think I b-broke my leg."
I was ashamed to say that I really did sound like I was crying. Curse you, Darren, I thought, for making me do this!
"Okay, Ry – I'm coming. Just stay still!" The curly-haired third-year was inside the cave in seconds, hazel-green eyes wide with concern. "Ryiah," he said, "I don't even want to think what would have happened if you'd been trapped here all day!"
My words were stuck in my throat. Shame squeezed at my chest. I couldn't remember why it was so important to win anymore. Ian looked so concerned...
I wanted the charade to end.
"Ian…" I could see Darren slowly approaching. He was close now.
"Can you stand?" Ian kneeled down to take my wrist and examine my "bad" leg.
I swallowed, hating myself. Ian run. Ian, get out of here before it's too late! "Ian, I'm sorry."
"Why should you be sorry?" He glanced up so that his eyes were level with mine. His humor was gone, and in its place was an emotion I couldn't place. The third-year kept his hand on my wrist, swallowing.
"Ryiah…"
There was something strange about the way he was looking at me.
"Ryiah," the third-year repeated softly, "there's something that I've-"
A thunderous wind roared across the cave and Ian was sent flying face first into the sandstone walls. He crumbled to the floor, unconscious.