The Broken Ones

Chapter 5:1 -Mountains

-I’ve known Sam for a long time. We grew up together at the same orphanage. At that time we didn’t know anything about the broken ones or magic until I was scouted by another broken who took me to the Academy. I did go voluntarily as I knew I was different and things had happened at the orphanage which would have made it hard to stay any longer than I did. But Sam was left behind, he wasn’t a broken then, not that I know of anyway. I came to the Academy and was taught everything I needed to know about the brokens. And I ended up working for the Academy.
-What is the Academy?
-It is as Nibbles said, a safe haven for our kind. In Sofara our kind is welcomed with open arms but it’s not like that everywhere. So when you become a broken in hostile areas you are often driven out and are without a home, then the Academy welcome you and take care of you. It is also an institute to educate new brokens how to use their ability. It also works for different governments, so if you work for the Academy you can be sent on missions to, for example, solve conflicts or help rebuild a village after a storm. Or find new brokens.
-Does Nibbles and Sassa work for the Academy?
-No, not many of the broken does. But we all work for the Academy sooner or later, we are bound to help if the Academy request it. When I had worked there for a couple of years and raised in the grades, Sam reappeared as a new broken.
Ana reached down and grabbed a pebble which she threw into the peaceful water.
-He started to work for the Academy, just like me. But he wasn’t as powerful as me. He always tried to prove himself to be better, but no matter how hard he tried, he always was second. These last couple of years he… he didn’t improve as fast as I did. But that’s simply because his injury isn’t as serious as mine.
-His injury, you mean his missing fingers?
-I have no idea how he got injured, he never let me study his hand. And he was older when he got the injury so of course he can never be as powerful as me.
-He’s jealous.
-Probably.
She turned to face Soi and looked at him with her serious grey eyes.
-Everything I’ve told you now is confidential. You are the only one who knows about my and Sam’s history, except Sam. Nibbles doesn’t know, Sassa doesn’t either, not the Academy either.
-You don’t trust them.
-I don’t trust anyone, I was brought up that way.
-What about Sam, then?
-We grew up in the same orphanage. But I can’t trust him now.
Ana sighed and shook her head sadly.
-And me? Soi pointed at himself.
She was silent, moulding over her answer.
-You’re my guard.
-You’ve had guards before.
-None that survived.
She rose from her position and looked at the silver moon hanging in the sky before she limped back to the camp. Soi stayed behind and saw the earlier golden lake turn into silver by strokes of moonlight. He had much to think about.
Back at the camp Nibbles and Sassa were sleeping with their arms wrapped around one and other and snored sweetly. Ana stood still, watching over them like a mother.
-Should we tell them… Soi hesitated. -About Sam.
-They know he’s… alive. But not that it was him who intruded my sleep. Nibbles probably knows, he’s much more clever than he lets on.
Ana sighed and shook her head with a little smile.
-I still don’t quite know where I got him.
Soi remembered something.
-Do you still have the ring?
Ana raised both eyebrows in wonder.
-Yes, do you want it back?
-No, no, no. Keep it.
He sat down by the flickering fire and Ana followed his example and sat down on the opposite side.
-No, this won’t do. He’ll attack again and the ring is our only defence. We both need it, Ana declared.
-So we…
-We put our beds together and sleep… holding hands.
-Holding hands? Is that really necessary?
-How else then? Ana glared at him, she wasn’t happy about the option either.
-It doesn’t really need touch the skin to work, does it?
-No.
-So then it’s enough if we just sleep close together. It can protect both of us?
-Suppose so.
Soi sighed relieved and got an angry stare from Ana.
-Am I so dangerous and scary that you couldn’t even hold my hand?
-I never said…
-Oh, but I can read your body, Ana said with an angry and firm tone.
Soi’s eyes got rounder than they had ever been before and his whole body froze.
-You’re kidding, you can’t really read my body, can you?
-Of course I can! It’s not so hard you know.
-I wouldn’t know, I don’t have that kind of magic.
-Magic? Who’s talking about magic?
-So you can’t read bodies then? Then, what were you talking about?
-You sighed! As if I was something to be dreaded.
-Well, you are someone to be cautious of…
-What!
-But that’s not why I sighed, Soi quickly added.
-Then why?
Soi sighed again and pulled his black hair.
-Why? Ana demanded.
-I can’t explain. Let’s just sleep, ok?
-It’s not ok!
-Well, I don’t have any answers for you so you have to settle with that. You’re such a child sometimes!
-Hah!
Soi ignored her injured pride and took his bed made out of blankets and put it beside Ana’s. He crawled beneath the blankets and turned around to sleep. Seconds later Ana slipped into her bed with a dismayed grunt.
-You won’t survive the night, she promised sweetly.

When the sun begun to rise in the east and the birds begun to sing their morning tune, Soi woke up. Lying next to him, nose to nose, was Ana. He had never seen her this close-up before. Her eyelashes were long and blonde like grass dried by the autumn sun and her eyebrows were a shade darker. Her nose was small and pointy and freckles were scattered all over it. And her eyebrows were usually pursed and in between there was a constant wrinkle. Her lips were small, and so often stretched out to a thin line when she was mad or simply irritated. Which was almost every day.
But not now. Her face was smooth and relaxed. She looked like she was appeased with herself. Not worried about monsters, or former friends, or useless guards. She looked like a child with not a care in the world.
-I wonder how old you really are? Soi whispered to himself.
-Who wouldn’t want to know.
Soi looked surprised into Ana’s cold grey eyes.
-You’re awake.
-I woke as soon as the rhythm of your breathing changed.
Soi caught his breath.
-If you woke that easily, how could you sleep when the monster attacked us last time?
Soi’s face turned serious and steadily held her eyes with his.
-I wasn’t myself.
-You had a death wish, as Nibbles said, Soi stated.
-I wouldn’t call it…
-Ana!
Both Soi and Ana sat up to see who addressed her. Nibbles sat by the smoking fire and poked it with Ana’s staff. He faced them and there was no smile on his lips.
-You did have a death wish.
-Nebelius, it wasn’t that serious…
-Ana, don’t try to deny it. In our world, if you’re not on your toes all the time you are dead. You taught me that.
Nibbles glanced over his shoulder into the deep green forest. He clenched his fist and his eyes wavered nervously.
-Silver, what is it? Ana noticed his strange behaviour.
Nibbles turned his head back to Ana and Soi. He immediately changed his expression and smiled flirtingly.
-Oh, it’s nothing, he answered in a light tone. –I was thinking of catching some fish in the lake, do you want some?
Both Ana and Soi shook their heads.
-No? Ok then. I’ll be back soon.
And he left and walked straight into to the forest. Ana’s forehead had gotten a new wrinkle and she traced Nibbles footsteps.
-Something’s wrong.
-Why do you think so?Ana turned her eyes back to Soi and she rolled her eyes.
-He walked in the wrong direction.
-Did he? Soi leaned forward to see the direction in which Nibbles had taken. And he looked to the opposite direction where he could see the lake glimmer in the morning light.
-And, of course, he acted strange, Ana added sarcastically.
-Not stranger than usual.
Once again Soi watched in the direction where Nibbles had left. Above the high and green trees, grey and black mountains emerged like cold beasts with sharp teeth.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones

Chapter 4:3 -Confessions

The company travelled throughout the day without any trouble. Though Soi wondered if the others knew about what had happened that night, if Ana had told them that it was Sam who had wounded him. Sam- who was supposed to be dead.
Soi himself hadn’t given it much thought. How could he be alive and why did he attack him? Wasn’t Ana and Sam friends, even if Ana herself had said otherwise her behaviour so far proved the opposite, they were close friends. Just as Nebelius had said.
Then why had he threatened Ana? She had been on the verge of tears when Soi had found her. And even in this strange world raising a dagger to attack is not the proper way to greet a friend. Soi was dumbfounded by everything that had happened in the last couple of weeks, it was more drama than he had ever lived through before on his home island. He tried to ask Ana about what had happened but the timing was never right, she seemed to avoid him.
In the afternoon they arrived to a lake with clear water. It was small and the setting sun reflected its warming light on the lake’s surface. It looked like a golden coin.
-When we reach the other side of this lake we’ll set up camp for tonight, Ana instructed the rest and walked off before the other got to complain.
Nibbles sighed deeply and stretched his stiff back. He hadn’t once left the back of his roan stallion, not even during the lunch break. He had persisted on staying mounted and had seemed anxious to get moving, unlike the other days when the breaks were the essential part of the day. Even his horse acted up, he kept stepping nervously and several times had the stallion rush away as if something had bitten its rear end. But now as Nibble yawned, the stallion relaxed as well. Nebelius turned his tired eye to Soi who led his mare. He looked at him for several minutes and Soi got a bit nervous.
-You seem a lot better than I would have expected, Nibbles said at last.
-I heal fast.
-Yes, extremely.
It was as if Nibbles eye bore a hole into Soi, who desperately tried to think out a way to escape the pressure.
-Considering that it was Ana who treated you, it’s a miracle that you survived.
Nibbles slowly smiled broadly.
-What do you mean? Soi wrinkled his eyebrows.
An arm was flung around his neck. Soi turned his eyes to the left and met Sassa’s cheeky eyes.
-She’s not, what ya call, caring, she said with a low tempting voice and looked deep into Soi’s black eyes. –But you sure look otherwise.
-Oh, he is the most caring guard of Ana’s I’ve ever met, Nibbles chipped in, not really helping Soi in the upcoming situation.
Sassa’s arm pulled Soi closer to her and her hand begun to stroke him a bit freely. He was caged.
-You don’t say, Sassa said seductively. –Tell me more.
-Well, as I connect things it looks like Ana tried to escape him in Sofara but Soi persistently hang on to her, which of course saved her life when she was attacked by a monster and Soi cut its stomach.
-You killed a monster? Sassa seemed actually surprised.
-It’s not certain that it died… Soi tried to get through but was interrupted by Nibbles who practically hung out of his saddle to be a part of the conversation.
-Oh yes, he killed it! And saved Ana, can you believe it? It’s not like she needs to be protected, really.
-Then what was she doing at the time, if she had to be saved?
-She was sleeping!
-No! You’re kidding me! She couldn’t be! Not Ana. Sassa was very thrilled by the mere thought of Ana sleeping, her face was one big sassy smile. -Oh, this Sam-business is more serious than I could have imagined. Oh, happy day!
She clapped her hands and made a little jump, like a five year-old.
-What happened next? What happened next? Tell me, tell me!
-Oh, we met up in that little village and the same night Soi was harassed by a dreamer so Ana gave him…, Nibbles voice declined dramatically and were barely a whisper. -Her ring.
Sassa gave a screech and covered her mouth with both hands.
-You mean, Sam’s ring, she whispered back equally dramatic, her eyes glowing in excitement.
-Yes, the exact one.
-Oh my, my, my. And she said that there was nothing between them, isn’t she a good liar.
Soi was left out of the conversation, completely forgotten and was equally happy to be so. It didn’t seem to be more than gossip in his ears. Apparently Ana was a big sensation among the brokens.

By nightfall they had reached the other side of the lake and they set up camp. Soon a fire was sparkling and they all gathered around it, eating in silence. Or rather, Soi would have wished it was silence but Sassa and Nibbles seemed to have found each other and sat with their heads together. Tittle-tattling and laughing by turns. Sometimes they looked up and watched either Ana or Soi or both, and burst out in annoying giggles and pointed their finger in the others direction. They acted like a pair of extremely silly girls, which could have been an amusing scene as Nibbles looked nothing like a little girl with his one-eye pirate look and hat and gloves. But as Soi knew that their gossip was about him and Ana it was more tiring than funny.
The day had been long even though Soi was completely healed the mental wound hadn’t healed yet. Sassa’s poor muscular guard seemed quite at lost what to do now that Sassa wasn’t constantly touching him in inappropriate places and he looked lonely. And Ana was lost in her own thoughts, at least that was what it looked like. She didn’t react to Nibbles and Sassa’s childish sniggers and just looked out to the lake. Perhaps it was an act to avoid any unwanted questions from Soi. But they had to talk sooner or later, Soi thought. He stood up and took Ana’s hand. She looked confused up to him
-We need to talk, he said which created another wave of giggles and oohs from the two most silliest brokens in the camp.
-What are you going to talk about? Sassa called after them and Nibbles cried with laughter.
Soi dragged Ana away from the camp and closer to the lake, and she followed unwillingly. By the shore he released her hand and turned to face her. Her eyes were their usual shade of grey but didn’t have the same edge as they usually had.
-So what do you want to talk about? She asked grumpily.
-Explain to me how Sam, who you swear is dead, end up trying to kill me? Why? No, how, no why, no how?! How come he isn’t dead?!
Soi’s frustration welled up and his words cut through Ana. She lowered her head and looked down to the ground. Her answer was merely a whisper.
-He is dead.
-He clearly is not! He tried to kill me! Unless he can live through dreams in some sort of miraculous magic way.
-He is dead, just not the usual way.
-In what other way can you be dead, I wonder, up-side-down perhaps?
-Don’t be mean. He isn’t Sam anymore, that’s what I mean.
Ana’s eyes filled with tears and sat down on the ground.
-So when Sassa asked if he was dead-dead or just dead…
Soi looked closely at Ana. He folded his legs beneath him and sat down opposite Ana.
-Sam’s considered dead-dead in terms of brokens, he’s not a broken anymore.
Ana cleared her eyes and tried to be matter-of-fact.
-What happened, I mean, he must have used magic to get you into his dream so he isn’t powerless, mustn’t he?
-No he’s not powerless, but the magic he’s using now isn’t the natural kind. He’s not a natural broken anymore, Ana said and added silently. -If he ever was.
-A natural broken?
-Didn’t Nebelius explain this to you? About the broken ones?
-Magic as a compensation for different injuries.
-Exactly, but he probably left the bad side of the story, Ana said and bit her inner lip in worry.
Soi wrinkled his forehead and looked at Ana with worried eyes as well. Worried about what was to come. Ana sighed, apparently she had decided to tell the whole story.
-The good side in the magic world are the broken ones. They have obtained magic the natural way, through injuries caused by accidents- you were born blind, you tripped and broke an arm or someone smashed your leg, Ana’s smile was strained and Soi noticed it silently. –The bad side or the evil magic is obtained from injuries you have caused consciously- you took a rock and crushed your hand, you cut off a finger.
Soi looked at Ana with fear.
-You mean they hurt themselves to get to the magic?
-Yes. But this kind of magic isn’t just called evil because the people who obtained it are stupid enough to hurt themselves but because the power they obtain is destructive for both themselves and their surroundings and the magic is addictive. Once you start to cut off a finger to get to that little rush of magic, you can’t stop. Your body will, over a period of time, transform beyond human form.
-They’ll become monsters.
-Yes.
-As the ones following us.
-Yes
-How long have you know?
-I found out just before I came to Sofara. The thing is that they only become monsters when the sun goes down. During daylight they look like us… I think. Another thing is that they only attack brokens, not normal people. This is new information for me. But I have to go back to the Academy and report about this, there is something bigger behind it all. I think there is a sect trying to create brokens that they later control.
-By create, you mean…
He wasn’t sure wanted to know the truth, but he met Ana’s eyes steadily.
-I know you have seen my leg, so you know it’s not natural, I wasn’t born this way, someone made me this way. For all I know, I have limped since I was a baby.
She hit her leg in anger.
-You mean someone… Soi was sickened
-Yes, someone smashed my left leg to pieces when I was still an infant.
Tears begun to trickle down her already tear swollen cheek, but her voice was steady and unaffected.
-That’s horrible.
She blew her nose and brushed off the teardrops. She faced him with a serious face.
-Yes, but in this world of magic some are willing to break rules and bones to get their hands on the most powerful forces. Like it was with me, they take an infant and damage it some way.
-That’s disgusting, to injure small children just to possess some magic.
-It is. But it isn’t just any kind of magic, you know that the earlier the damage is created the more powerful the child will become later in life. If you could possess someone like that you could rule the world the world if you wanted to. So far, I don’t think anyone has succeeded to create a real broken. Anyway, Sam…
-Sam’s a monster, Soi realised.
-Yes, but I don’t know for how long yet.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones, map

This is a map of the world where the story of the Broken Ones is placed. All cities haven't been named yet, but that is simply because I haven't figured out what to name them yet. I'll put up another drawing when it's completely finsihed. Until then I hope you'll enjoy this one.

If there is anything you want to know about the story or the characters I am happy to answer any questions you may ask. Also, if you want to point out mistakes such as grammar, it's alright. Criticism, both good and bad, is welcome as long as it isn't outright mean.


//J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones

Chapter 4:2 -Confessions

Soi could feel the cold metal on his skin and he looked into the crazy green eyes of his attacker. And he smiled.
-Do you think that just because this is your dream you got to decide?
Sam frowned his forehead and looked confused at Soi, which gave him enough time to get a grip around Sam’s wrist and pushed him off. Sam looked up at Soi who stood before him with a surprised expression. In Soi’s hand lay the silver dagger.
-You might be a broken or whatever, but you’re not a soldier and I care this much for magic.
Soi held up his hand and showed with the distance between his thumb and index finger.
Both Sam and Ana stared at Soi.
-Ana, come on.
He stretched out his hand to her and she slowly got up on her feet. She limped to him and took his hand.
-Let’s get back, Soi said and smiled to her.
She smiled faintly back at him, her eyes tearing and her body shivering in relief. They turned their backs on Sam.
A mistake.
With a roar he got up and attacked.
-I told you to stay away!
Soi instantly pushed Ana behind him and faced his opponent who came rushing with another dagger held over his head, ready to strike.
When he passed out he heard Sam’s voice whispering “I might not be a soldier, but I sure can throw a dagger. Did you think I’d only carry one?” and Ana’s screaming.

When he woke up he was back in the camp, looking up at the moon. Someone was holding his hand tightly and he turned his head slightly to see who it was. Ana was crouched over him, her head held up by her knee and her eyes closely shut. In the moonlight she looked like she was a small child around twelve with her long hair hanging in the way. Soi tried to sit up but a sharp pain stopped him and he groaned.
-You’re awake, Ana looked at him with strange tired eyes.
-Yes…
-How are you, how do you feel, I was afraid that you were stuck there, does it hurt anywhere, can you move your arm?
-Stuck? Where?
-You know… there.
-What do you mean stuck?
-You’ve been out for two days.
-What! I have? Why would I…
-You were injured, Ana gulped loudly. –How do you feel? I think it will heal eventually, I’ve tried to stop it from being infected, I think I succeeded but it still looks kind of bad, you’ll probably have a scar. I’m sorry it’s all my fault, I’m so sorry.
Soi pulled down his shirt to see the damage, his left arm was covered with bandage and he begun to unwrap it.
-Stop! What are you doing? Ana tried to hinder him.
-I must see how serious it is.
-You probably will get some powers from it.
Ana had a big wrinkle on her face and her eyes were sad.
-That’s not what I meant. Can you go and get my bag? he asked.
Soi got up and staggered a bit unsecure on his feet to the lit fire. The other camp members slept soundly and didn’t wake up when he accidently tipped a kettle. By the fire he saw the wound clearly. It was bad, it was infected and was feverish red and irritated. When he poked it yellow pus came flowing out from the wound. Ana returned with his bag and grimaced when she saw the injury.
-I probably didn’t take care of it very well, she said with a guilty face.
-It could have been worse.
Soi smiled at her and took the bag from her with his healthy arm. He held it upside down and emptied it of all his stuff.
-Look for a tiny dark bottle, he said to Ana.
They began to search among his belongings. Ana found a bracelet made out of skin twinned together with a small blue rock intertwined in the middle.
-Is this yours? She asked and held it up.
-Does that look like a bottle to you? Soi answered and took the bracelet away from her.
-No, sorry.
-Ah, found it.
Soi hold up the small dark bottle and bit the tap and opened it up.
-What is it? Ana asked curious.
-Wait and see, Soi answered and gulped down some of its liquid.-Watch.
He nodded in the direction of his wounded arm and Ana watched it carefully. Slowly it healed and soon there was no evidence that there even had been a cut. It left no scares or even a bruise.
-What happened? What just happened? Ana stared at the arm. –How? It’s not possible.
-It just water, Soi smiled silly at her.
-Water!?
-Yes, it’s water from… no, I can’t tell you.
-Why not?
Soi looked at Ana, she looked like a little curious child anxious to be a part of the secret.
-You’re not qualified to know.
-What?! I’m not qualified? Ana raised her voice in anger.
From his tent, Nibbles looked out with tired eyes.
-What’s going on? He yawned.
-He says I’m not qualified! Ana yelled upset and pointed her finger at Soi.
Nibbles clipped with his one eye sleepily.
-Hi Soi, nice to see that you’re up. But qualified for what? He asked indifferent.
-For…
Soi quickly covered her mouth with his hand.
-It’s not your secret to tell, he whispered urgently in her ear.
Their eyes met and Ana’s were round of surprise. But slowly she nodded and Soi released her.
-For riding alone, Ana called out to Nebelius.
-Of course you’re not, you can’t even walk in a straight line, Nibbles mumbled in return and turned around.
Soi released a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
-We should get some sleep before we start in the morning, he said with a low voice to not wake any other.
He packed down the bottle in his bag again, took the bag and returned to his bed. Before he fell asleep he could hear Ana moving around in the camp.

-Rise and shine, slowpokes!
Soi was hit by a water bottle and he sat up and rubbed the back of his head. He watched the camp with weary eyes. It was gone, everything was packed up and both horses were saddled and ready. A few meters away Nibbles sat, also rubbing his head. Soi wasn’t the only one hit by a water bottle in the early morning. Ana stood by the horses, accompanied by Sassa and her guard. Both girls were annoyingly alert and awake. Ana with her eyes shining bright, crossed arms and nervously stamping foot. Sassa was draped over her guard, touching him freely. It was the first time Soi saw her in the sunlight. She was stilled dressed in black leather, her hair was equally long as Ana’s but it was black as coal and she was a fully grown woman about the same age as Soi. When they stood side by side, Ana and Sassa were contrasts of each other. Sassa was appeared to be more spirited than Ana, though Soi knew Ana had strong will, it was like Sassa was more free. Soi could understand why she was called Sassy, just as Nebelius was called Nibbles.
Ana caught him staring at Sassa and she gave him the evil eye.
-Your eyes will fall if you keep gawking, she said and suddenly another water bottle hit his head. –You’re wasting my time.
She turned and limped away from their former camp, taking his mare with her.
-Hey, that’s my horse!
-So come and get it. We’re leaving now.
She kept walking and Sassa and her guard followed behind. Soi just blinked at them with an open mouth. Suddenly an arm draped his shoulder and Nibbles put his mouth close to Soi’s ear.
-Mooorning, he said with a sleepy voice and kissed Soi’s ear.
-Ah!
Soi quickly got away from Nebelius and picked up his blankets.
-What? Nibbles asked with sullen face. –What did I do?
Soi rolled his eyes and didn’t answer.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones

Chapter 4:1 -Confessions

-My life was a mess even before we met, so don’t take all the credit.
Soi tried to smile at her but she didn’t return it.
-You know, Nibbles was right, I’m not a common sight in these parts of the world. I doubt you have seen eyes like mine before, no matter how well travelled you are, Ana.
Their eyes met and Ana was the first to look away.
-No, I haven’t.
-With my looks I stand out and am bound to end up in some sort of mess anyway. The first mess was the one I created for myself. I was young and adventurous, took out a small boat out on the sea and thought I could handle it. But I ended up in a storm and got lost a sea, I almost starved to death when a cargo ship picked me up. And so I ended up in Sofara. I don’t know the way home, otherwise I would have returned long ago.
-If it’s any comfort, I don’t know the way home either. I grew up on an orphanage.
-At least you know where it is, right?
-Not only are you a bad guard, you’re also bad at comforting.
Ana glared down at Soi and he smiled weakly.
-You can’t be good at everything.
-You’re not good at anything.
-You’re still alive, aren’t you?
Ana snorted in response and in the corner of her mouth hid a smile.
-So, why have you been so…
-Edgy?
-Mmm, Soi agreed faintly.
-Let’s just call it nightmares.
-Nightmares?
Soi looked up at Ana who dangled with her right leg in the air, just like a little girl. Ana sighed and met his black eyes with her own grey which seemed to contain centuries of knowledge. Soi couldn’t grip that this young girl was such a know-how, not when she sat there with her blonde hair let loose and her cheeks red from tears.
-Do you need to know every little detail of my life? She said and raised one eyebrow.
-No, no, just wondered if there was anything I could do to help, Soi quickly tried to restore some pride.
-No, you can’t, Ana said firmly. –Help me down, will you?
She held out her hand which he took and she jumped off the rock and he caught her in the fall. He gave her the staff and she limped toward the camp.
-Are you ok now? He watched her tiny back.
She stopped and breathed in slowly and let out a long sigh.
-I’m fine.

They returned to the camp.
It was a wreck, all the blankets and their cooking devise were scattered across the camp and covered in moss and dirt. The horses stepped nervously with their whites showing. In the middle, around the fire, Nibbles and Sassa with her muscular guard were seated.
-What happened? Was there a monster? Soi watched the surrounding trees, anticipating another attack.
Nibbles and Sassa lowered their heads and didn’t answer.
-No, Ana answered instead. –They had their usual fight, that’s what happened.
She pointed at Nibbles and Sassa whose cheeks reddened.
-They’re like small children that can’t be left alone for three seconds.
Ana glowered at the two.
-At least you could have tidied up a bit.
-We did, but then we fought again, Sassa said and grimaced at Nibbles who raised his hand…
-Don’t you dare make another move! Ana raised her voice only by a little but Nibbles looked like she had yelled at him.
-Sorry, he said faintly and lowered his hand and eyes.
-So, are you going to fix this or not? Ana spread her arm across the scattered camp.
-Yes, both Sassa and Nibbles answered like diligent schoolkids.
They rose from their position and begun to pick up things, one at a time. Ana sighed deeply.
-Oh, this is a waste of my time. I’ll do it.
Ana closed her eyes, her forehead got a small wrinkle between her blonde eyebrows and her mouth was pursed in concentration.
-What are you doing? Soi asked but got hushed by both Nibbles and Sassa.
-Keep absolutely still, Sassa hissed.
Confused, Soi did as he was told.
And things began to move. Their blankets hovered above the ground and shook off leaves and moss. Their temporarily set up kitchen by the fire was set up again by itself, their frying pan came flying from behind a rock and landed in the fire. Nibbles one man-tent appeared and flied with high speed into Nibbles back so he stumbled a few steps, before it was set up. Sassa tried to duck for a saddle but was hit by a water bottle instead. In just a few seconds the camp was restored to its former state.
-You can move now.
Soi turned around and watched the whole camp.
-Where’s my sword? He asked.
Ana glared at him and something hard hit him in the back of his head.
-There it is, she said.
Soi looked down at his blue scabbard that lay on the ground.
-Thank you.
There was a moment of silence.
-Let’s sleep then, Nibbles cut in and crawled into his re-established one man-tent.
And Soi tried to sleep, but Ana kept troubling his mind. What did she mean with “let’s call it nightmares”? Wasn’t it nightmares? While the passing night swirled around in his head Soi span the ring Ana had given him between his fingers. Sam’s dream ring. Eventually he fell asleep.

-No, no, nooooo!
Soi sat up and looked around.
-Someone screamed, he said to himself.
-It’s Ana.
It was Nibbles that had answered him, he and Sassa sat by Ana where she slept. But Ana wasn’t sleeping, she was tumbling around, moving constantly and screaming. Soi crossed the camp in a few steps and kneeled beside Ana. Her face was covered in sweat and her eyes were firmly closed. Her forehead was in deep frowns and her lips were pursed, her breath was strained.
-What is it? Is she sick or something? Soi got nervous just watching her.
-I don’t think that is it, Nibbles answered sadly. –It’s nightmares, very authentic ones.
-Oh, is it a dreamer, you think? Sassa didn’t seem to be concerned but rather watched Ana’s struggle with genuine interest.
Nibbles didn’t answer but pursed his lips and scratched his beard, his eyes closely observed Ana’s every movement. Ana moved again and her mouth fell open, she panted heavily. She whined and her body shook.
-Is there anything we can do?
-Not if there’s a dreamer on the move, Sassa said gladly with a sparkle in her eye. –She’ll probably die.
-But… the ring!
Soi took off the ring from his finger and looked at it. Nibbles and Sassa watched him carefully. Soi turned to Nibbles with panic in his eyes.
-Do you think it will help? He asked.
-Is that what I think it is? Is that… Sassa leaned in closer to Soi to observe the ring.
-Yes! It should, I hope, Nibbles exclaimed and met Soi’s eyes, he equally frightened. –Please try. Soi took the ring and Ana’s hand, and slowly put the ring on her finger. And he was sucked into her dream.

He woke up at the same place where had been attacked last time. The fire was sparkling and lit up the dark room. He was on the bed and looked up at the roof above the bed. How did he get here? It wasn’t like he had meant to end up here. And then he heard her voice, screaming. He sat up and saw Ana cornered by the man with the silver dagger. She seemed so afraid, her eyes on the brick of tears, holding out one hand in front of herself to defend herself.
-Your magic doesn’t work here, Ana, the man said sweetly but chillingly cold.
-Please, don’t do this, Ana’s voice trembled and she fell on her knees.
-I won’t hurt you, Ana, the man said but Soi doubted his words.
-Then please, put away the dagger, please.
The man held up the dagger in light and it reflected the fire.
-Do you remember, Ana, you gave it to me. And I was so happy…
-Please Sam, please…
-I said, do you remember?! The man raised his voice and the dagger.
-Wait, you’re Sam?
Soi unconsciously spoke and his presence was revealed. The man with the silver dagger slowly turned around and watched Soi with surprise.
-Soi, Ana whispered weakly.
Sam’s eyes narrowed by Ana’s words.
-Soi. What are you doing here? How did you get into my dream?
-I don’t…
He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Sam was over him with the dagger at his neck.
-I told you to stay away from Ana, Sam whispered in Soi’s ear.
-Oh, so it what her you meant.
-Well, it doesn’t matter now, as you’re about to die, Sam smiled viciously showing his teeth.

To be continued...

By J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones

Chapter 3:3 -Dreams

Soi woke up the next morning to the sound of low voices whispering urgently. Ana and Nebelius sat with their heads together, with serious faces whispering their conversation.
-This is strange, you know it’s strange, Nebelius.
-I know, but we have to take this opportunity and move as fast as we can. This break won’t last long. You know what they say about the calm before the storm, we have to be prepared. Something big is moving and we can’t sit and wait it out.
-Yes, yes. But it’s irritating to be kept in the dark. And what is even more vexing is that I think Sofara’s mayor might be correct in his judgement.
There was a pause and Soi opened his eyes a little to see the two.
-Do you think Sassy…? Nibbles asked.
-Definitely not, she won’t side with us, Ana answered decidedly.
-Then what shall we do about this? Nebelius nodded his head in direction of the south.
-She’ll come forward sooner or later, just let her be. No, I’m more worried about the lack of attacks and Sam. But there is nothing we can do about it from here.
The horses moved nervously and Ana fell silent.
-Do you think? Nibbles asked.
-No.
She rose from her position.
-We should get moving. Awake Soi. I’ll be back soon, be ready by then.
Soi closed his eyes quickly and soon felt Nibbles poke him with his foot and Soi tried to glare at him.
-Awake, you sleeping soldier, Nebelius said without enthusiasm. –Your mistress wish us to be ready to leave in five minutes. She’s a warlord, you should change mistress.
-I was assigned to her, there’s nothing I can do.
-You could kill yourself.
-It’s not that bad, Soi was appalled.
-It was a joke, Nebelius explained but his face was still grave. –But it would be rather fun to witness, so if you ever consider it please tell me beforehand. I could assist.
-I think we should pack up.
Soi moved away from Nebelius.
When Ana returned the camp was fixed and Soi had already mounted his mare and waited anxiously. He reached down to receive her hand and pulled her up.
-Aren’t you anxious like a teenager? Nibbles, what did you do? Ana watched Nibbles from the corner of her eye.
-I didn’t kiss him, if that’s what you’re implying.
Ana rolled her eyes.
Throughout the day, Soi kept their conversation in his mind. He couldn’t piece it together but he thought it strange that they hadn’t said anything about the fact that they were being followed. And what about the monsters? Ana had said that there were plenty of them but he had only seen one and that was the one he had cut up. Soi kept looking backwards to see any pursuers.
-What are you doing? Ana asked irritated when he for the eleventh time turned his head back. She had a little wrinkle between her eyebrows and her mouth was slightly stretched, her eyes flashing dangerously.
-Didn’t you say we were being pursued? Soi whispered back to her.
-That is something you don't have to bother about, that is my and Nibbles problem.
-But I’m your guard.
Ana laughed heartily.
-Yes, and what a fine guard you are. You don’t have to worry about this bug, she’s not foolish enough to attack us. She knows better than that.
-Bug?
-Yes, a black leather dressed bug who’s irritating to death.
-What about the monsters then?
-I thought I already told you that they don’t move in the daylight? Honestly, can’t you remember such a little detail?
-Do you have to talk down to me?
-I’m sorry, did I hurt your feelings? Aren’t you grown-up enough to take it?
Ana glared at Soi and he sighed.
-Just give up, Soi, she’s looking for a reason to quarrel, Nibbles supported him.
-Who asked you?! Ana cried.

The next days passed in a similar way. Ana got more and more touchy and tried to pick fights with both Soi and Nibbles and soon her moodiness rubbed off the other two.
On the seventh evening it escalated. The meal was over and the silence was thick. Suddenly the bushes on the south side of the camp moved and they all became very still.
-Is it the monster? Soi asked nervously.
Neither Ana nor Mr Silver answered him. But then they both relaxed and got on with what they were doing.
-No, Ana said shortly.
Soi waited for her to continue but she didn’t say another word.
-Then what is it? He asked irritated.
Nibbles watched him with a silly and irritated smile on his lips.
-You’re right Ana, he does ask a lot of questions.
Something in his voice made Soi nervous and he remained silent throughout the evening. When he finally fell sleep around midnight he slept restlessly and woke up several times but he didn’t dream anything. He felt a bug crawling on his blanket, he heard an owl hooting in the distance or a cloud blocked the moon. There many things that bothered him. All the unanswered questions were swirling around in his head. What were these monsters? Who was Nebelius Silver? What was the Academy? Who was Sam? What was stalking them? What was the Broken Ones really? And the question that took up most space in his confused mind was who was Ana?

When it was his time to guard, it didn’t take long before he begun imagining things. Was it a snake rattling in the bushes or something else? Was it the wind or an animal howling in the distance? Something was glowing between the trees, wasn’t it? The glowing light came closer and closer. Soi didn’t know if to wake Ana up or not. His heart pounded and his mind was buzzing. It was definitely something creeping up closer to their camp. Soi reached for his sword and opened his mouth to wake Ana. But too late.
Something large and black came flying over him. But it wasn’t a monster.
-Oh, Sammy dearest, missed me much?
A tall woman dressed completely in black leather was striding him. She had black hair and dark eyes. She had a sassy smile on her lips and when she saw that it wasn’t Sam she was striding her smile broadened. She flipped her hair and smacked her lips.
-Well hello.
-Get off him, Sassa.
Ana had woken up by the tumult and watched the two as she leaned on her elbow and supported her tired head.
-Oh, are you here? The woman said with false surprise.
-As you didn’t know. Get off him.
Ana was clearly annoyed but the woman ignored her.
-He’s pretty, rather handsome. He’s a broken?
-No.
Ana’s grey eyes narrowed.
-Then…
-My guard.
The woman laughed.
-Your guard? You, have a guard! Fancy that. What about Sam then? Does he approve? Or has he left you yet? Is your guard the same kind as mine?
-Sassy, shut up! Nibbles had woken up as well.
-Oh, Nibbles, you’re here as well?
-Where else would he be? Ana snorted.
-Isn’t this a nice gathering. Feels like old times except… where’s Sam?
-He’s dead.
-Oh, the woman answered rather disappointed.
There was a short silence. Then the leather covered woman insensitively asked:
-Oh, is he dead dead or just “dead”?
-What does it matter?
-What does she mean? Soi asked confused and tried to gently push the woman off him. –Dead dead or “dead”?
-He’s dead, ok?! Ana yelled and stood up, her eyes tearing. –He’s not coming back, that’s what it means!
-Ana, Nibbles uttered softly.
-No! Do not pity me, it’s his fault! His fault… Her voice broke and tears flooded her cheeks. She grabbed her staff and marched off, limping heavily. The silence was thick.
-Oops, hit a soft spot it seems. The woman smiled broadly –Made my day.
-Sassy, shut up and get off Soi.
Nebelius was vexed and glared with his one eye at the black clothed woman. The woman dismounted Soi deliberately slowly, her mouth twisted into a wry smile.
-I’m so sorry to have bothered you, she said. –But there is nothing I love better than to annoy Ana. She’s such a stuck-up and a bore so she deserves it, and she’s so cute when she’s mad. Like a little doll. A crying doll, to be correct.
The woman stood up and stretched out her hand to Soi.
-I’m Sassa, and this is my guard, she said and proudly presented a man who stood with a lit lantern in the outskirts of the camp. –Isn’t he handsome? Has tons of muscles and is otherwise well equipped, I think I have outdone myself this time. He’s such a catch.
-You don’t really need a guard, Sassy, Nibbles pointed out.
-You could say he guard my needs, Sassa smiled sassy. -I sure have a lot of those.
Soi lost all colour on his face.
-She’s called Sassy for a reason, Nebelius informed Soi.
-And mr Nebelius here is called Nibbles for a reason as well, Sassa retorted.
In Soi’s perspective Ana was the sanest one of the broken ones he’d met so far. And not even she was entirely normal.
-I think I should go and check on Ana, Soi said.
-Oh, please, she can look after herself, it’s not like she was born yesterday, Sassa cried out. –Stay and have fun with me instead.
She smiled invitingly.
-Sassy, he isn’t that kind of guard. He’s a real guard.
-Are you sure? I mean, he’s even alive. Doesn’t she usually kill them off?
Soi left the two broken to themselves and swiftly departed the camp.

It was still dark but the moon hung high in the sky and lit the woods. He could hear the river rush and walked in its direction. On a large rock Ana sat with her legs hanging over the ground and with her head in her hands. Beside the rock the staff stood tilted. Her body quivered as she cried and she looked so small. Like a child, the little girl she was.
-Ana? He asked carefully.
She dried her eyes clean from tears and turned around. In the moonlight Soi could see that her cheeks were redden and new tears begun to fall.
-What? She said, even her voice was weaker than usual, sounding tired.
-How are you?
-Fine, just need to be alone. You can go back, you don’t have to guard me, you know.
-I know.
He sat down beneath the rock, beside her staff.
-Can’t you just tell what’s going on? I understand that you are upset about Sam’s death but this was just the top of the iceberg. You have been on your toes for days.
-I’m sorry.
She shook her head slowly.
-What are you sorry for?
-The mess I’ve dragged you into.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick