ZÉLIE
BEADS OF SWEAT soak through my cropped dashiki and drip onto the mountain
stone. My muscles shake with the strain of practicing a hundred incantations,
but Inan doesn't let up. He rises from our latest skirmish, brushing hardened
earth from his bare chest. Though a red welt swells on his cheek from my last
animation, Inan squares his stance.
"Again."
"Dammit," I pant. "Just give me a break."
There's no time for a break. If you can't do this, we need another plan."
"The plan is fine," I say through my teeth. "What else do you need to
prove that? They'll be strong, we won't need that many"
There are over fifty fighters down there, Zélie. Armed, battle-ready men.
If you think eight animations will be enough
"It's more than enough for you!" I point to the bruise forming on Inan's
eye, to the blood staining the right sleeve of his kaftan. "You can barely fight
one. What makes you think they can handle more?"
"Because there are fifty of them!" Inan shouts. "I'm not even at half my
strength. I should hardly be your gauge."
Then prove me wrong, little prince." I clench my fists, eager to draw
more of his royal blood. "Show me how weak I am. Show me how strong you
really are!"
"Zélie-
"Enough!" I roar, pressing my palms into the ground. For the first time my
spiritual pathways unlock without an incantation; my ashe drains and the
animations flow. With a rumble, they come to life, rising from the earth at my
silent command. Inan's eyes widen as ten animations charge across the hill.
But in the brief moment before the attack, his gaze narrows. A vein bulges
against his throat. His muscles tense against his strong build. His magic