The Beast Within

CHAPTER TEN

Adrik woke up the next day before the sounds of the first bell, long accustomed to waking up before the break of dawn, he opened his eyes and looked up to the low ceiling, a shadow caught his attention, making him go on full alert.

His magic swirled underneath his skin, thrumming as he rose to a crouch trying to figure out who it was, until a familiar voice floated down.

“Well then, are you going to keep sleeping like a princess, Adrik?” Ceraun's irritating voice breached his ears.

With a scoff and a roll of his eyes Adrik threw up one of his shoes which was placed at the edge of his pallet, the worn out leather hitting Ceraun right on the head, making him topple inside through the roughly hewn window.

Adrik cursed when his body received the full impact of Ceraun’s weight from that height, making haste to kick the other Mage away. “By the pillars, you weigh more than a ton of bricks.”

Ceraun rose to his feet, equally groaning. “Why did you throw me your stinky shoe?"

"Don't sneak up on people while they're sleeping." Was all Adrik said, getting up to stretch out the knots in his muscles. “A surprise to find you up so early.” He noted, studying Ceraun who had a couple fading bruises on his face but looked no worse for the wear.

“I want to practice magic.” Ceraun responded in a quiet and serious tone, staring into the distance.

“You should have told me you woke up with a craving to be sent to the labour camps.” Adrik immediately scoffed, getting dressed.

“But…” The fair haired Mage started to protest.

“Shut up, Feyrer.” Adrik cut him off. “I hope you brought your barrel?”

“What? What does that have to do with…”

Adrik slammed a hand over his friend's mouth, expression stern.

This shut Ceraun up quickly enough, eyes wide.

Adrik finally stepped away when he was certain that Ceraun wouldn't try to get either of them in trouble, wiping his hand on the other Mage's clothes.

Ceraun balked at this, cursing at Adrik.

He had used his barrel to hoist himself up the other's window and in no time they were off to the gate.

It was barely dawn, the sky a solemn, grainy, blue. It was still dark out but Thrika was already thriving, Mages coming alive in the dark of dawn.

Candles and lamps were banned and all cooking fires were ordered to be put out before dark and couldn't be started before the sun came up.

"I hope you are aware that there are Mages who betray us." Adrik started solemnly when they were far from the cluster of huts, making sure that they weren't being spied on.

Ceraun flinched back at this, ice dripping down his spine as Adrik's words sank in. "What?"

"Yes so unless you want you and your family sent down to the labor camps you'll put a stopper over your chasm of a mouth."

Ceraun gulped, disappointment settling heavily in his middle, although he supposed he couldn't blame the Mages that were spies for the non-Mages, they just wanted to survive, like everyone else.

Getting water was uneventful much to Adrik's relief, he didn't need undue attention on either of them.

Usually they would just hang around either of their huts, wandering around too much could get one in trouble.

“Where are we going?” Ceraun asked curiously when Adrik started in the other direction of the town.

“The edge of town.” Adrik muttered, expression blank.

“Is that allowed?” Ceraun couldn’t help but ask, following closely while keeping an eye out, no one seemed to pay them any attention even as huts became sparser and the ground became rockier, making them have to leap over some.

“No one is stopping us yet.” Adrik replied cryptically, taking the lead.

He was right, soon they had left the inhabitable parts of Thrika, slowing down when the way became a steep, rocky incline.

The bottom looked no better, jagged rocks pointed in their direction like they were waiting for one misstep which would send either one of the young lads cartwheeling down to their death.

They got to a somewhat level ground again with the occasional mountains and large rocks, wild lotus flowers growing in large clumps, their petals in full bloom although the sun was bright and the ground dry.

Ceraun wondered where they got their nourishment from, they had been in Thrika for over a year now and he could count on his fingers how many times it had rained.

“What is at the end of it?” He asked, referring to where the journey would lead if they continued over the rocky path.

“A large river which borders a non-Mage city.” Adrik replied quietly.

It was no secret that Mages were practically imprisoned in Thrika, any Mage found outside of Thrika were immediately sent to the labor camps unless they were soldiers.

Ceraun made a muffled sound to show he had heard Adrik, he had already moved on from their tragic living conditions anyway, excitement thrumming through his veins at the thought of having abilities.

Thank the Pillars that he had been too exhausted the night before from his body being made to accelerate healing his body so he had more or less passed out till this morning where his first thought had been to go get Adrik, or he would have done something immensely foolish like trying to use his powers in the hut.

“First, let’s see how powerful your lightning can get…” Adrik started to say, taking off his patched tunic.

Ceraun blinked, horror coalescing with his features when realization hit. “I’m not using my powers on you.”

“Don’t get cocky, Feyrer.” Adrik muttered, doing a couple stretches, tanned skin gleaming in the morning sun, he had his own share of whip scars, the raised welts running over his back. “You will be lucky if you can even sting me.”

Ceraun expression hardened at this, grateful when he felt the unfamiliar tingle simmer through his body - he would have been crushed if he found out that he still hadn’t manifested his family’s ability and the day before was simply a quirk.