Page 40 of Dead Wrong

“Likewise,” I replied, my drowsiness dissipating more and more by the second. “I hope to provide you with the challenge you seek.”

Cirian’s smile finally bled through. “I doubt it.”

“Cirian,” the Cardinal addressed him with a quiet timbre.

The boy nodded toward the Cardinal, wiping his expression clean. “Apologies, Your Eminence. I will try harder to curb my competitive nature.”

“Do give him a good showing, young Master Greene,” the Cardinal continued, turning her attention to me. “I’m afraid there are few at the Cradle who can stand against Cirian these days. Adversity inspires growth, and as my acolyte, he still has much growing to undergo.”

“I’ll do my best, Your Eminence.”

“Yes, yes,” breathed Mother, flicking her hands at the wrist. “Off with both of you, now. We are not to be disturbed until we send for you, is that understood?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Cirian said, showing Mother more respect than he did the Cardinal. In my opinion a wise decision. The Cardinal seemed much milder in temperament. He turned and strode past, not even bothering to wait for me as he headed out into the foyer.

“Good day,” I addressed the adults, giving one more bow before following quickly behind Cirian. Once the heavy doors were shut behind me, I hurried to close the distance between us, falling into stride with Cirian.

“If I behaved as you did, Cirian, my mother would have cut out my tongue ages ago.”

“If you behaved as I did, Toto,” Cirian scoffed, “then maybe one day you’d make something of yourself instead of hiding away in this palace of pomp and circumstance.”

“That’s rich, coming from the Source’s chosen whelp. Not all can be so blessed.”

I worried for a moment that I’d overstepped the line of playful banter, but the smirk that twisted Cirian’s lips put my mind at ease.

“That is true. There are few who compare to me.”

“Few who think themselves so low?” I interjected, taking the lead and crossing the foyer to the large ornate doors. They swung open without a sound, and the Unseen servant guided us down the stairs and toward the garden. It was still dark, so the lamp posts guided our way, the warm firelight catching on the mist that clung to the ground.

“I haven’t thanked you properly for disturbing my slumber this morning,” I said as we rounded a row of hedges, entering the garden proper. A large fountain built from polished stone engraved with colorful gems sprang from the center of the garden, the sound of trickling water filling the peaceful space. “Do you prefer to be struck across the face or in the gut?”

Cirian huffed a laugh, already moving to the opposite end of the strip that had been hastily assembled beside a row of Mother’s cherished rosebushes. A mask and padded vest awaited us on either end and one of the staff, an older mortal man with grey-streaked hair and jowls that hung like a hound’s, stood in the center of the strip, ready to serve as the judge.

“Feel free to land a blow wherever you like, Toto. If you can, that is.”

I pulled on the white vest, fastening it around my back with a quick tug and knot. “The gut it is, then. I do hope you abstained from breakfast.”

Cirian pulled on his mask, flipping the faceguard up to give me a bored expression. “Well, do hurry up, man. I want to break a sweat before the sun rises.”

Donning my own mask, I retrieved the fencing saber from the holster. With a flick of my wrist, I slashed the air in front of me, testing the balance, then headed to the starting place. Cirian mirrored me, lowering the mesh covering over his face as we squared off.

The grey-haired man stepped between us, holding his hand out. “The first combatant to five points will win the match. Are the combatants ready?”

“Ready,” we responded in unison.

“Begin.”

Cirian body was a blur of motion, the blade of his saber nearly invisible with its speed. I hardly had the opportunity to parry, and even as I swiped my weapon downward, the tip of Cirian’s saber struck me in the hip, pain flaring at the impact.

“Point to Master Cirian.”

“Apologies, Toto.” Cirian’s muffled voice sounded amused. “Are you still asleep?”

“Your company is rather dull,” I replied, letting out a yawn. “I’ll make more of an effort to stay awake this time.”

“Ready?” the judge asked.

We took our positions once more.

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