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“As many of you know, in just a few weeks we will be holding what we call Rank Testing. There will be a tournament for each rank. We masters ill decide who advances and who get’s to rise to the next rank in the fall.”

Durza had heard this speech many times. It didn’t concern her anymore so instead she took to looking around at the other ranks. Across from her was the Kiva rank. Pye and Ember were chatting away quietly. She scanned over the other unconcerned faces but didn’t find the one she was looking for. She walked silently to the Destu rank.

“Tornado, Umbro’s not here,” she told him, forcing her voice to be still.

Tornado forced a pebble to knock into Pye’s foot catching his attention. Tornado nodded them over. They met between the two ranks.

“What’s wrong?” Pye asked.

“Have you seen Umbro?” Torando questioned.

“No, he didn’t come today,” Pye answered.

“Durza, what’s going on?” Ember asked worriedly.

“Nothing.” She didn’t look at any of them. “I’m going to see if he’s at home. Meet me by Barren’s after they dismiss you.”



“For the next few weeks there will not be practice. If you don’t want to make a fool of yourself train hard. If you slack off you will get nowhere. Now go!”

Tornado, Pye, and Ember ran down the path to town. Durza stood by the entrance to Barren’s as still as a statue.

“He wasn’t there,” Tornado guessed. She shook her head unable to speak. “Then let’s go.”

They ran to the fortress giving no explanation to Pye and Ember who followed worriedly. As they ascended the steps they met Stan halfway. He gave them a surprised look as they stopped short.

“What are you all doing?” He asked.

“We need to speak with the Dark Lord,” Tornado explained.

“I see.” Stan continued walking. “Well, don’t get your hopes up.” He ran into Tornado as he passed.

Tornado’s feathers ruffled angrily. “He’s not worth it,” he growled to himself as he forced himself to continue running up the stairs.

They entered the lobby rushing to the door but the guards blocked them. “The Dark Lord is in a meeting.”

“It’s urgent!” Durza pleaded.

“No one can enter, no exceptions.”

They gave each other worried glances paced around the lobby waiting. Tornado looked down the hallway and saw a figure with a white shawl hiding her face. She waved him over hurrying down a hall and waiting by another.

“I need to go for a walk.” Tornado told them getting out of the view of the guards before waving them over.

“I’ll come, too.” Durza followed.

“Wait for us!” Ember called. Pye gave the large doors a wary glance before following as well.

The lady ran down the hall making sure they followed before turning to the next. She stopped before a door holding one hand out to stop them and with the other she held a finger to her face. She pointed to the door before running away again. Tornado ran to the door only managing to see her pale yellow wings disappear around a corner.

Durza opened the door peaking through. A dark red curtain hung only feet from inside the door. They entered silently trying to calm their breaths.

“Umbro, you must stop this.” The Dark Lord’s voice was stern. “Another person has come to me telling me that you are attempting to start a rebel army group. They have met with me many times about concerns of you rebelling. I cannot ignore this. You have received many warnings before. Why do these accusations continue?” His voice rose with anger. “Have you not learned your lesson?”

Durza peaked through a space between the curtain folds. The Dark Lord sat on his throne looking down at Umbro who stood staring up at him. His gaze did not break as he stood there calmly.

The Dark Lord stood suddenly. “Do you admit to these crimes?”

“No, sir. I have done nothing wrong,” Umbro told him flatly.

“Then you would rather receive the warning?”

“Yes, sir.”

The Dark Lord descended the stairs standing before Umbro. He sighed delivering a punch straight to Umbro’s face. The group behind the curtain flinched at the sound in fear. Durza covered her mouth as she watched Umbro wipe his face and stand facing the Dark Lord. The group stayed silent as they heard each hit of the punishment. Durza watched as tears flowed down her face. She bore each hit with Umbro.

Tornado had never realized how painful it was to be the one watching and waiting. He wanted to take Umbro’s spot. He didn’t want to stay silent and watch the pain of everyone waiting with him. Ember shook as she tried to keep herself silent. There was no way to comfort them.

Finally, there was silence. Umbro stood once more waiting for the Dark Lord to continue.

“Leave.” The Dark Lord commanded walking back to sit on his throne.
“Yes, my Lord.”

“Umbro.” He still faced away from Umbro. “You must stop this nonsense. You are just a child but if someone brings enough evidence I will have no choice. If they can prove you guilty . . . I will kill you.”

Umbro breathed out slowly. “I know.”

“Now go.” The Dark Lord sat on his throne burying his head in his hand. He stayed silent and still long after Umbro had left.

Tornado opened the door as Pye led Ember out. Durza was still frozen in place. Tornado touched her should and she cringed. It was enough to wake her. She hurried out of the room running down the hallway as soon as the door was closed. The others followed her unable to catch up. She weaved through the hallways and out of the lobby pushing open the heavy doors of the exit. She stopped at the top of the steps looking down at Umbro who limped as he descended. Using the stone she launched herself from the top of the steps, landing at the bottom to glare up at him.

“Durza?” he asked startled. The others scrambled to a stop at the top of the steps. “Why are you all-”

“We saw,” she told him with a strained voice, “We saw everything.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t pretend,” she yelled at him, “I know you didn’t get these training. I was there watching as he hit you. You’ve been lying to me. Every time you’d come back worse, I noticed. Training? Don’t make me laugh.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

She made her voice soft. “Just stop. Don’t do it anymore.”

“Not now.” Umbro walked around her.

“I’m not just going to stay quiet about this. He will kill you.”

“Don’t get involved.” He turned back to face her. “Just stay out of it.”

“No!” she shouted, “I will not watch silently if he tries to kill you. Just stop. You don’t have to die. You don’t have to leave me, your friends.”

Umbro looked past her to the others worried gazes. “I-I just didn’t want to get you all involved. There was no reason to. I didn’t want to make you all worry.”

“Idiot,” Durza told him trying to calm her voice, “We’ve been worried for a while.”

Umbro pat her head. “Sorry Durza, I’ll stop.” She hugged him.

The others descended the steps to meet them.

Umbro looked down. “Could you stop looking at me like that?”

“With a face like that it’s hard not to.” Pye told him.

“Come on,” Tornado told them, “Let’s go get Umbro cleaned up.”



“I was sure they were members of the rebel group.” Stan hid in the trees talking to a bat summoned from darkness. “Sorry, my lord.”

“It’s fine.” The Dark Lord’s voice came from the bat. “It’s better for him to stop. He’s a good soldier. It would be a shame to loose his talent.”

“I agree completely.” Stan rose. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, I’m quite alright. Thank you for your service.” The bat dispersed into darkness.

The Dark Lord rode from his throne taking a turn about the room. Only one thing bothered him.

How did those children see me meeting with Umbro? Am I being watched by unseen means? No, they were inside the fortress.

He pushed aside the curtain to leave the room. The reflection of light on the tears caught his attention. He looked up at the door that only residents of the fortress used.