"Can you believe their underhanded methods to get at you?" Morgianna and Olive sat on Morgianna's bed as they discussed the upcoming contest. Olive was worried about her being teamed up with Angeline but she had tried multiple times to assure Morgianna that she would be fine. After all, how far would they really go? "I have my magic, but if they try to attack I will just run away until I can find you. You will have two of the princes with you, so I am sure everything will be fine."
Morgianna wanted to continue to argue about even letting her friend participate but knew that once Olive set her mind on something it would not change. Fine, but I am going to make you take something with you just in case." She had been working with her creation magic and found that if she tried hard enough she could make anything. Her newest thing she had focused on was a flare gun. Passing the gun to her friend she patiently explained how it worked. "If you find that you need me for anything, I want you to point it to the sky and pull the trigger. I do not care how far away I am, I will come to find you."
Olive listened intently not even questioning where the flare gun came from but obviously recognizing it from their previous world. With a small smile Olive pulled Morgianna in for a hug. "I remember how to use a flare gun, but thank you for looking out for me. I hope I have no need for it, but it does make me feel safer knowing that it is an option. By the way, Kieran and Caspian huh? I bet they drool over how bada$$ you are." She shot her friend a wink before both of them burst into laughter.
...
The day of the contest arrived quicker than Morgianna was ready for. As all the students who were participating gathered in the courtyard Morgianna looked around and saw several extra teachers, but the Dean was noticeably absent. They had met a couple of times since their first encounter but they mostly talked about how school was going or her grandmother. Their last meeting the Dean had looked uncomfortable at the mention of Eltarr but quickly changed the subject before sending Morgianna on her way. Morgianna hoped he would not be present when they embarked on this trip, because while he was not exactly strong in that form he could still hurt someone.
Sir Bartholomew and Silvus stood on a raised platform beside two pillars made of pure onyx. "Before we depart there are some words we wish to say. During this trip you will be depending on one another, taking care of one another, and using each other to survive. We have trackers that have been hired to locate each student at the end of every day. A group of us teachers will be present in the forest as well in various locations. If a student gets into trouble and you and your teammate cannot handle it amongst yourselves there will be a special button for each student to allow us to find you. The object of this contest is for the students to cross the forest while using the fighting techniques and magic you have learned. We estimate that at a minimum you will spend one night in the forest, take turns sleeping so that someone is always watching."
At the end of Bartholomew's speech, Sir Silvus stepped forward to motion for the teachers that had gathered to move forward. With two on each side of the pillars they moved their hands until a portal opened between them. "Line up and we will drop you into the forest a team at a time. You will be dropped based on your skill level, those who showed promise will be dropped farther from the destination. Good luck." With that he stepped back and watched as each pair disappeared into the portal. Finally when it was Morgianna's turn he gave her a slight almost imperceptible nod to which she returned.
Stepping through the portal Morgianna closed her eyes and did not open them again until she smelt the difference in the air. Looking around she saw nothing but trees, trees, and more trees. Beside her stood Kieran and Caspian, both of them surveying the area around them. Morgianna reached out with her mind to let her group know that she had arrived in the forest. Fafnir was angry that she had bared them from coming, and was ready to fly the rest of the group there at a seconds notice.
"I think we should go that way." Kieran pointed to his right, his nose flaring as he spoke.
Caspian scoffed, his face one of disgust. "You really are a mutt in the truest sense. However, I cannot deny the logic of using your nose to find the correct direction. Morgianna, are you alright with that?" He turned his expression to one of tender affection and it made Morgianna want to gag.
Like Caspian she saw no reason not to trust Kieran's nose so she too agreed. "Very well, lead the way, Prince Kieran. I will follow up on the back."
...
After walking for hours, Morgianna was surprised that they had not run into any other students. Surely the forest was large, but shouldn't they have seen at least someone? She was about to ask the Princes what their opinion was on the matter when her stomach let out an embarrassing growl. She hadn't even realized she was hungry until that exact moment.
Kieran gave her a sympathetic smile, he too felt hungry but every time he or Caspian had suggested that they stop to take a break Morgianna would shoot the idea down and continue walking forward only occasionally asking if they were still heading in the correct direction. With her not wanting to stop they couldn't force her, nor did they want to seem weak when the only girl in the group was still wanting to continue.
Morgianna tried to force a smile back but it came out awkward, especially after she realized how she had forced Princes to keep walking without a break for so long. These were the guys who could be after her life later on but she was so preoccupied trying to rush and find Olive that she did not even think of her teammates. She gave a small cough before pulling her bag from her back. "Would you all like to join me for a snack? I am sorry for rushing, I am just a little worried about Olive..." She let her words trail off and looked away from their knowing gazes.
Caspian and Kieran did not even have to ask for her to explain. They knew that Angeline girl was nothing but trouble and had purposely chosen Olive as a way to get back at Morgianna. They wanted to comfort Morgianna and tell her that she had nothing to worry about, but after hearing that Angeline had tried to attack her using magic previously they did not want to use empty words. They looked to each other and in silent acknowledgment promised to help her find her friend quickly.
....
Olive was in misery, basically from the moment they arrived in the forest. Angeline had let her facade drop and was doing anything in her power to make Olive uncomfortable. She had demanded that Olive carry her belongings and would periodically try to trip her as they walked. She had even taken the button that was meant to alert someone if Olive was in trouble. All Olive could be thankful for was that she Angeline had not known about the flare or she was sure it would have been taken as well.
"What is taking you so long, at this rate we will never finish this contest." Angeline's voice was high pitch and grated on Olive's nerves. She wanted to throw the extra bag off her back and into Angeline's face but held her tongue
Forcing back a sarcastic remark Olive put on a placating smile. "I noticed you are hungry so I thought we could stop for a snack."
As if the words had a magical effect the angry little pink devil in front of her turned into a whiny puppy wanting food. "You are so right, I must be upset because I am hungry."
Olive served their food, keeping the anger buried in her heart. After they were done with their snack they were about to set back out when two new voices joined them. If she could have at that moment Olive would have run away. The two newcomers were Ruthanna and Margerie, both were notorious for their following of Angeline. "There is my sweet pink darling! I thought I would have to spend all day without you." Margerie had a nasally voice that would be recognizable anywhere.
When the two newcomers cast a look in Olive's direction it was filled with ridicule. "At least this trash knows her place. Being friends with that boy stealing harlot has probably negatively affected her brain." Ruthanna sneered.
The anger Olive had pushed down was rising at their words. Just like Morgianna she could deal with them badmouthing her, but she did not want to hear one bad word about her friend. "Don't talk about her like that! She did not steal anyone's man, it's Angeline that has caused all the problems." Three pairs of eyes looked at her in surprise before those looks quickly turned to anger.
Angeline knew that she had caused the problems, but she would never admit that to her loyal fans. The princes were meant to be hers and one day they would be, even if she had to take them by force. She had planned to harass Olive but not hurt her, but after she said those words she could not just let her get away with it. Putting on her best hurt expression she let tears well up in her eyes. "I can't believe you would say such hurtful things about me Olive. I thought we were getting along on this trip."
Her boohooing was obviously working when she saw how Ruthanna and Margerie's faces turned dark. "Angeline is the sweetest, kindest person we know and you do not even deserve to be in her presence. Margerie lets teach her a lesson."
Olive cast a glance in Angeline's direction but saw the delight reflected back in her pink eyes. Without even thinking twice she pulled the flare gun out and shot it into the sky, hoping that she could hold off long enough for Morgianna to arrive.