Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) by Ashleigh Bello

sporadic lines like snakes through dust. A loud clap of thunder shook through to her bones. Her heart pounded as the on-coming fate she planned for herself settled back in her nerves.
    “What have I done?” she whimpered as she moved to shut the door to the sparring room.
    “I don’t know,” said a deep voice. “What have you done, Arianna?” She jumped back, startled as Solomon towered over her like a giant in the doorway. His expression looked violent. He knows.
    “Master Bell… I’m so sorry. I should’ve just walked away. Everything is going so wrong.” She sat cross-legged on the floor and let her face fall to her hands.
    “Tell me that what I’ve heard is false! Did you challenge Grinda Risso? Do you have any idea of the trouble you’ve caused for yourself?”
    “I know. I… I—”
    “The Free Falls are only a few months away! If she slights you in front of a crowd during a Warrior’s Challenge, then you’ll lose all of your honor and never be given a decent placement after the festivals. That is if you survive.” Solomon began pacing.
    Arianna said nothing, his words sinking in as he continued.
    “On your twelfth ceremony you showed promise in front of the panel. I chose you as an apprentice because you exhibited a passion for battle like I have only ever seen in myself.” His hands began to shake and his voice grew louder. “Because I saw this in you, because I said it was so, you were given a chance to prove yourself, an opportunity that few others have earned. But by gods, Arianna, that does not mean that you’re unsurpassed! You could be throwing away your one chance at a future.”
    Arianna felt so lost. She knew it was all a mistake. “If I could take it back, I would.”
    He held his hand up for silence. She would not test him.
    “You have willingly signed up for a fantastic failure. Pray that luck is on your side tonight because if you’re bested in front of the thousands in this district, you’ll never be taken seriously as a warrior of the Olleb. If you manage to earn your freedom, you’ll just find another type of slavery waiting for you outside these walls.”
    “Master, please. I didn’t mean—.” Her voice barely passed her lips, and she couldn’t meet his eyes as he glared down at her.
    “You’re a fool, and you will either win or die tonight.” He shoved her aside and slammed the door to the training room in her face.
    She felt complete fear wash over her in that moment, as if living one of her nightmares. Trying to remain calm, she decided the sky would curtail the tears that welled up inside her chest and pressed against her heart, no need for them to fall twice. She didn’t have time for that. The clouds only sprinkled now, but she knew there would be a storm to come later. 
    When Solomon returned, his mood had not lifted. Arianna struggled through the strenuous training. Today he did not grant her the friend she needed, just her strict master. She deserved nothing less, but she wished she could break through his cold-shoulder attitude with a strike of her blade. She desired some of his wisdom at this moment, but he left her discouraged.
    The day continued on until what little sun was left in the sky began to lower. She would have gone to the Dining Hall for dinner, but she feared her nerves might show. Arianna knew that by now everyone would know, so she didn’t dare step foot outside of the Dueling Arena.
    After Solomon left, she rested for a couple of hours in the Well Room. As she massaged her muscles, he reappeared with a dreary look on his face. “It’s about time,” he said.
    “Better get going, I guess.” She turned to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, the crack still apparent from when she fell the other day. She pulled up her hair into a high pony-tail that fell to the middle of her back.
    For the battle, she donned a pair of black, worn leather pants. She saved these for the rougher fights because the leather protected her skin