The Broken Ones

Chapter 11:3 -The Academy City

Soi couldn’t sleep, not after all these nights staying awake and anticipating an attack. If he closed his eyes red eyes followed him. And his head was filled with a tangle of thoughts and theories. In the early morning he decided to take a turn in the garden to clear his mind.
Ana and Sam’s garden. They really had been friends. But last time they’d met he had tried to kill her. Soi couldn’t understand what had changed. Yes, he was a monster, but so was Haz and although Soi hadn’t liked him at first, he wasn’t evil. At least not yet. Maybe Haz would change and turn on them like Sam had turned on Ana, not because he wanted to but because the magic forced him to. They had almost identical injuries. But it had taken Ana years to realise Sam was a monster, how could he have hidden it? Maybe she didn’t want to see it.
Then it was Sassa, was she a monster or not? Was Nibbles and Ana’s silence a confirmation of his sudden outburst or had they kept quiet because they didn’t know? Soi couldn’t get it straight, but he was certain Sassa was not to be trusted.
What about Mack and the villagers’ death? As Nibbles and Ana had discussed, it couldn’t be the monsters. Soi didn’t know much about monsters, even less than Ana and Nibbles, but he was sure it wasn’t them because it seemed too convenient somehow. Mack died, was killed, after their visit. Why would he have to die? Was it because he knew Ana? It couldn’t be easy to kill him, not when he could foresee what was going to happen. Could the flute be behind his death?
Mack must have been more powerful than Ana as he was older and had lived with his injuries since a young age. Though Ana was immortal. They were probably equally strong, well not anymore. Soi wondered how a fight between them would have looked like. That huge man with his fire hair and large beard against a blonde little girl. But they would never fight each other. If Mack would fight, it would be together with Ana. Soi smiled sadly and filled his lungs with the scent of roses.
The garden was large with many winding paths to take. The birds didn’t sing yet except for one bird. It sung melancholic melodies with a soft but clear voice. Soi could hear its song coming from the tree tops but he couldn’t see the bird. It was still too dark. As he followed a path he came upon a small pond with dark calm water and on a bench facing the water Ana sat with her head resting on her bent right knee and her left leg stiffly stretched out in front of her. Soi saw from her shuddering body that she was crying. She didn’t notice him until he sat down beside her on the bench. She jerked and brushed away the tears.
-Why are you crying?
-I wasn’t.
-Ana.
She snuffled before she held up her face to the night sky and begun to talk.
-I was thinking of Mack and how Jagger must hate me.
Soi didn’t laugh at her silly thought because he had been thinking the same.
-Jagger’s smarter than that. If she thought you were responsible for his death you would be dead by now.
Ana looked surprised at him and Soi smiled back.
-You don’t believe me? Then you’ve never seen her throw a dagger.
-No, I haven’t.
-She’s vicious. When I found her in the plains the monsters were already retreating.
-That’s the one part I haven’t figured out yet. Why would the monsters go after Jagger, she’s not a broken?
-Maybe it wasn’t because of that?
-So, if they didn’t attack her because of what she is…
-Then maybe it was because of something she knows that they didn’t want us, I mean, you to know.
-You have already thought about this, haven’t you?
-Mack’s death is suspicious, the attack on Jagger just confirms it.
-Who would...?
-Wouldn’t Mack do anything you told him to, like when you told him to kill Sam if he appeared at the cottage? Mack would side with you no matter what.
-I already know I’m to blame for his death! You don’t need to point it out for me!
-Ana, you’re missing the point.
-Which is?
-Your best ally in a war has been eliminated, a cold voice informed them.
Ana and Soi looked around, but it was only Nibbles leaning against a tree.
-A war? Ana asked.
-The world is changing, there is bound to be aggression. Apparently someone is doing something they think you will object to, so they are taking out your best allies so you will be chanceless in an upcoming war.
Nebelius voice was cold as ice
-And what would they be doing, for me to start a war over? And who are they?
Finally Nibbles smiled, he shrugged.
-Escapes me. But how many knew about Mack and you?
Ana’s eyes widened.
-I never thought about that.
-Blame it on your little child head of yours.
Ana glowered at Nibbles.
-So, who knew and would have anything to gain from it?
-You, Sam and Sassa.
-And we would all gain from it? Nibbles raised an eyebrow.
Ana turned away her head, not willing to answer.
-You know I can’t count on you, she said at last.
-Of course, Nibbles answered matter of fact.
-But I don’t believe you did it.
-But you still have to suspect me, it’s only reasonably.
Nibbles didn’t seem to mind Ana’s disclamation of their friendship.
-Isn’t it more reasonably to think that it was Sam who killed Mack? I mean, it was monsters attacking Jagger afterwards, Soi put in.
-That’s what I thought as well, but why wouldn’t the monster want me to know about Mack’s death, supposing that was the reason they attacked Jagger in the first place?
-Maybe it has something to do with who the monsters are working for, Nibbles scratched his short black beard that had grown out during their travel across the plains.
-But they’re working for the organisation… Oh, you know what, this is too confusing. I’m going to eat breakfast!
Ana limped away with talking to herself, mumbling about stupid, dumb monsters and cursing Jagger for her new established need to eat breakfast. Left was Soi, alone with Nibbles who tilted his head and smiled unnervingly. He moved closer to Soi, who tried to remain calm. Not unexpectedly but still startling Nibbles took Soi’s chin and raised it up till their eyes met.
-You’ll follow her to the Academy council today, right? Nibbles had a dangerous sweet smile on his face.
-Of course, Soi answered nervously and blinked his eyes repeatedly.
Nibbles smile broadened to a more honest and less scary grin.
-You’re such a good boy, Soi! He said before he kissed him right on the mouth and disappeared on one of the many paths while blissfully whistling on a tune.

The breakfast passed without any big accidents, except for when Nibbles picked up something from Ard’s head which he shared with the rest of the breakfast company without asking for Ard’s permission.
-No, Ard, did you really kiss Jagger last night? You’re not just making this up, are you?
Jagger’s cheeks turned red as her hair and Ard’s cheeks weren’t far behind. The rest of them choke on the food and looked surprised at the two. Nibbles smiled broadly, obviously proud of creating yet another awkward moment. It didn’t last long though as Jagger gripped the nearest knife and threw it at Nibbles who ducked just in time to avoid losing his other eye.
-Vicious little girl! Ard, couldn’t you have foreseen this!?
-You had it coming, Ard answered.
-Nibbles, haven’t I told you to control yourself, Ana wrinkled her eyebrows and looked upset at the still trembling knife that was stuck in the wall behind Nibbles. It was her wall after all.
-But it wasn’t me!! Didn’t you see Jagger threw that knife at me! How could you miss that!? Nibbles was mighty upset. -Besides, wasn’t it my hands I was supposed to control?
-I have extended it to your mouth as well, as you don’t know when to keep quiet.
-What is this! Some girly conspiracy against me!?
Soi hid his smile, which proved to be wise as the word girl got Ana going. If it wasn’t monsters they were fighting they fought among themselves. Brokens seemed to look for excuses to fight on a daily basis.
In the midst of the confusion and the ongoing fight between Nibbles and the girls, three knocks hit Ana’s door. Soi went to open to avoid being drawn into the battle. On the other side of the door awaited an extraordinary sight. On the street stood a white carriage pulled by six white horses and accompanied by men dressed in white. On the doorstep stood another man dressed in white, waiting patiently for Soi to acknowledge him.
-Yes, Soi said stunned.
-The carriage to bring Miss Ana to the Academy council has arrived.
-I can see that, was Soi’s only response. He was astonished.
The man made a little cough.
-Oh, yes, I’ll go tell Ana. Soi disappeared back into the house.

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