No, they weren't bad. They were worse. The only thing that had survived the fire was the tin room and various bits of metal. Oh, and the pitch fork. I'm not sure why I found that funny. Maybe because of the saying "grab your torch and pitch form." Or maybe I'm just a twisted person.
I continued past the ruined stables to the lawn sheds. Three of them were used for actual lawn care while the fourth had been constructed while I was away. I saw Max sitting in the grass outside of it. He had several papers spread out before him with rocks on the edges to keep them from flying away.
I could only imagine what his face said. I was too far away to tell, but he sat hunched over as he ticked things off his list. He was super focused. He got that look when he graded papers. Sometimes I wondered if he thought all of his students were idiots or that he was for giving the assignment. I always did think he was nuts.
The door to the shed swung open with a loud bang. Two young guys stepped out and dumped the contents in their arms. They talked with Max for a minute before going back only to return with more things. Max's face settled into discouragement as he looked at everything. I figured we'd lost most of the stores in the stable fire.
I walked over to the three gentlemen, blocking the Sun from blinding them. The two younger guys looked up at me in shock, but Max's face lit up like a Christmas tree. I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows at him. I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but if I could guess, he was happy.
I turned to look at the other two. There was no doubt in my mind Max and the boy closest to me were related. They had the same turquoise eyes and unruly curls flopped over his head. He was taller than Max by two or three inches, but Max wasn't super short to begin with. He gave me a lopsided grin that could only be his trademark.
The other guy was barely taller than me. His dark hair was cropped short almost like his mother had done it. He was sticky though, and his shirt strained on his biceps and chest. I guessed he played football or rugby. I had never actually spoken to him so I didn't actually know what he did. I just knew he was younger than me.
I looked at the ground, at the random assortment of things piled up. With all of our stores pretty much destroyed, they were looking for whatever we had to use as weapons. We'd be laughed at for sure if we went after Casey's insane posse with two by fours and takes. Unfortunately, we didn't have much else. I was very concerned.
"This could be bad," I mused.
"It could be worse," Max offered. I tilted my head for him to continue. "We could have absolutely nothing. But we have items that could potentially do some severe damage."
I nodded as I looked everything over. "I'll talk to Aaliyah. Maybe we can come up with something like this." I touched my shirt to show what I meant. He nodded with a smile. "Speaking of which, is there any way you can come up with a training schedule? I know most of it is instinctual, but we haven't all fought together. It'd serve as some bonding experience as well."
"Are you saying we're not bonding very well?" the short guy asked. I looked at him funny, and he laughed. "I'm Carlos Rodriguez, Matt's best friend."
I smiled at him, watching as a light red crept over his tanned skin. "Finally, faces u can put names to. Bianca gave me a spiel but I was kind of preoccupied."
Matt ran a hand through his hair. "We've heard the stories. I'm sorry about everything. I know the pain of losing a parent."
I looked at Max. He nodded solemnly. My heart went out to him. I knew all too well about losing a parent. I barely remembered my mom and only had pictures to know what she looked like. My dad had made sure I never forgot her face. Now I had his pictures to accompany them. Being an orphan was a new and interesting experience.
I wondered if Max and Matt had a good relationship with their dad. It would be hard not to, especially if they were young when she passed. Then again they never did say if it was their mom or dad. I just assumed, and I know what happens when a person assumes.
As I looked over the supplies, I realized Max was still trying to make everyone happy. Each Knight was skilled in various forms of weaponry. Most were associated with specific weapons. Arthur was associated with Excalibur, Merlin had his staff, and so on. As I looked at the odds and ends gathered, I had a thought. M
"Max, do you know how Excalibur was made into a pendant?" I asked.
Max draped his arm over his knee and wiggled his fingers. He squinted for a minute then shook his head. "That magic is beyond me. You'd have to ask Drew or Aaliyah. They're the only two who could have done it. I'd start with Aaliyah since she made Excalibur."
I nodded absently, pulling the chain from my shirt and looking at the small sword. It was light despite its size. I knew what it looked like at full size, but I wondered who had done it and what kind of magic could make it do this.
The problem was the magic. Whatever magic had given Excalibur the ability to shrink had also made the Knights flock to it. Whenever it was viable, they became unsettled if they weren't knighted.
I looked up and saw the two younger guys looking as if they'd been slapped. Everyone except Beca and Parker had done the same. Even Darren hadn't been dared. I think that was part of his problem. The magic had made him go stupid.
Matt reached out. Without touching me in an untoward fashion, he picked up the pendant and stared at it. I watched his face closely. He swallowed hard, and his blue eyes looked almost dreamy as he stared at the silver.
I looked over his shoulder. Max was unaffected but Carlos had the same half-awake look as Matt. I cast a look at Max. He shook his head, clearly understanding what they were feeling. His pull had been a little bit different t. We'd found out the reason recently, but the feelings were the same; a gentle pull on the soul.
Matt finally lifted his gaze. We looked at each other for a moment before he looked back at Carlos. A silent conversation passed between them. It reminded me of the way I could look at Beca, and we were on the same page. It's what happened when you had a best friend.
"Maddie, you should probably Knight us," Carlos said. I waited patiently for him to continue, watching as he swallowed hard. "We can feel the strain by having unbound Knights. If you're to fight a war; we want to be on your side."
I glanced at Max then pulled the chain over my head. I held the pendant in my palm and watched as the sword appeared in my hand. The magic pulsed up my arm, making me feel warm and happy. It comforted me a little.
Matt and Carlos all but fell to their knees. I guessed the magic was stronger than I realized, or I was used to it since it was always around my neck.
"We pledge ourselves into your service. Our lives are yours to die with as you please. Do you accept our offer?" They recited the words I hadn't heard in several months in unison.
The sword flowed a soft grey as untouched each of their shoulders with it. There was almost an audible sigh as the urge was satiated, and the magic bound them to everyone else. It was almost complete. I only had a few more to Knight before we were as strong as we were ever going to be. With seven not in rotation, we wouldn't be at full strength but we would make due.
They stood as the sword retracted back into the pendant. I slipped it over my head as the two sighed. Max stood and dusted off his pants. He slid one arm around each of them and knocked their heads together. They cursed at him, glaring as dangerously as they could. He laughed and playfully rubbed their heads.
"We'll set things up at the lacrosse field. Bring that necklace, and you can finish the job there. Hopefully we'll be ready for whatever happens next," he said.
"Do we know what's going to happen?" Matt asked. His voice was thick, the magic drying out his mouth.
"Unfortunately we don't. We will be prepared for whatever may come though." He patted their backs. "We should finish this up then head back to the lacrosse field."
I watched them walk away, concern undoubtedly coloring my face. They weren't used to the magic that bound us. Hell, I wasn't really either. It still shocked me each time I felt it thrum through me. I had no idea what they felt, but if it was anything like me, they would be slightly uncomfortable for a bit.
Max smiled at me. I raised my eyebrows at him then flashed him a smile in return. Until we could figure out how to deal with that threat at hand, there was no way I could form any romantic bonds. He seemed to understand because he turned away and went to help the other two. Had it been anyone else they would have patted my shoulder, but Max knew when touch was needed.
I watched them for a long time before I had to leave. I had other things to do like buying books and other supplies. I figured Max would reach out when he was ready for us.
I pulled my phone out and texted Beca what I'd done. She would be the least happy one, but if I was the one to tell her, she wouldn't whine as much. She would be cranky but I wouldn't get cussed out. Unlike Darren when he told her anything.
As soon as her unhappy message came through, I laughed and headed towards my room. I could hear all the new students arriving. It was move- in weekend and all the freshmen were coming. The parking lot was full of cars. The upperclassmen had already started coming the day we came back, but it was nothing compared to this.
It was almost like college. Parents were toting bags of clothes because rooms were furnished with linens. All the students had to bring were weekend clothes since we wore uniforms. Books were sold in the commissary as well as other supplies and snacks. Everything they needed was here or they could go to town on the weekends.
A part of me wondered if what was going in was truly a secret or if these kids were ignorant of it all. I truly hoped it was the latter. I'd hate for anyone else to get caught in the crossfire.
I saw Aaliyah by the hedgerow between the senior and freshman dorms. She was watching all the hubbub with an iced coffee and sunglasses to hide her eyes. I wondered what she was thinking about. She was an elusive one but so was the Lady of the Lake.
I tapped her shoulder as I sat on the bench beside her. She smiled and offered some of her croissant. I pinched off a piece and popped it in my mouth. We both winced as a young girl tripped over the threshold and hit her knees. She would feel that tomorrow.
"Have you talked to max?" she asked.
I didn't bother asking how she knew. Drew may have told her, or she just knew. Either way, there was no point in denying it.
"We're going to meet sometime tonight," I said. "Max will let us know when he's ready."
Aaliyah laughed. "He can pull it off."
I wholeheartedly agreed. "Were you the one who made this?"
She looked at me then nodded when I tapped my chest. She knew what was under the thin fabric of my shirt. "I did. It was simple to shrink it. Now forging it was a different story." She tilted her head. "Why?"
"I'm not dumb enough to think you were idle when they burned the stables." Her mouth stretched into a wide, secretive smile. "So my question is can you make everyone a trinket?"
"Before tonight?"
I laughed. "I know enough about magic to know you can't rush it. If you can get them done soon, that'd be great."
Aaliyah laughed and stood. "Don't worry, Maddie. I won't let you down. You've proven you're a hell of a lot worthier than your past selves."
"Good thing I'm none of them."
She smiled and headed towards the lake, back the way I'd come. I watched her disappear behind the gymnasium. I didn't know what she was going to do; but she seemed happy. It was as if she was waiting to be asked for help. I hoped she didn't wear herself out doing this. We may need her.
I stood and headed for the commissary. I needed a few things and would like to get the good ones before they were all gone. In the back of my mind, I hoped to have all of this taken care of before I finished high school. I didn't want any of this to follow us into our adult lives when we were done.