The Iron Rose: Volume 1

Gudomlay lay on her side, her back to the door and she curled up in a small ball on the bed Kunagi had left her on. He was in there with her, doing things at a desk that involved little slender bottles and tinctures she didn’t know anything about. They clanged and rung as he worked, which was rather unusual since he had such steady hands. Not thinking about it, she stared miserably at nothing. Her arms were tight against her chest as she tried to keep from crying. But it was hard not to.

“Drink this.” She felt Kunagi lean over her from behind to hold avilein front of her face. Her eyes shifted to stare at thegrossgreen liquid and then turned her face further into the bed. It was dark and thick and not appetizing at all. She heard him grunt and then he grabbed her by the arm to skillfully flip her over so the sheets she was on folded and wrinkled.

He moved to shove the thing in her mouth, but she had clasped her hands over her lips and was glaring up at him defiantly. He smirked, and she continued to scowl.

“Shall I shove it up your arse then?” He asked.

She squealed and jumped to her feet on the bed only because she knew he’d try. Sheleaptover his head, but he grabbed her by the ankle so she was forced to release her arms to catch herself. As she came face downatthe floor, he popped the thing in her mouth. But instead of drinking it, she caught herself with her one foot, balanced herself with her arms, and wriggled her head to try to get the warm glass out from between her lips.

Kunagi growled. Letting go of her ankle, he put an arm around her waist so she couldn’t escape. And then he fought to make her drink the concoction he had made with her feet kicking in the air.

It was in that condition Albert opened the door and found them. When he entered,Gudomlayblinked and went still. She looked at him with pleading eyes, but he frowned at her and then lifted his gaze at Kunagi. There was a sadistic smile on his face. And his hair--currently tied in a short ponytail--was almost all black. The one earring he wore, something Albert hadn’t noticed before since Kunagi usually kept his ears hidden, danced and swayed from its silver chain.

“I’ll come back later,” Albert said, starting backward to close the door.

“No!”Gudomlayheld out her arms to him. But in that instant, Kunagi dumped the liquid in her mouth and in her surprise, she swallowed it.

Now that she’d drunk it, Kunagi let her go. She melted to her knees, coughing and gasping for the wretched, bitter, and muddy taste it put in her mouth. Kunagi rubbed his hands together and then started out the room. By then his hair was lightening back to its usual silver. He sauntered out, looking rather pleased with himself. That smug grin on his face. Albert didn’t think he’d ever seen it before.

He glanced down atGudomlayand offered her his hand. “That man is a sadist,” he said with a sigh. “But it seems he takes particular pleasure in toying with you.”

Gudomlaytook his hand, launched herself up, and went to the sink. After turning on the water, she stuck her mouth under thefosset. Albert watched her swish and spit a couple of times and then take heaping gulps as water ran down her face. When she’d finished, she wiped her mouth roughly with her sleeve and glared back at him.

“Why didn’t you help me?” She gasped, her brow twitching with anger.

He shrugged. “I don’t get involved with Kunagi’s exploits. It’s every man for himself when it comes to him.” He turned to go out the room, andGudomlayfollowed him. “So, is that a usual thing for you two?” He asked, glancing down at her. He was still trying to understand their relationship. That moment seemed much less fatherly and very older brother.

“When he wants to get my mind off things,” she said with slumped shoulders and a sigh. “But I wish he wouldn’t make me drink that stuff. It’s disgusting.” She shivered to remember the flavor and gagged.

“What was it?” He asked, taking off his coat as they started into the tube where they trained.

She winced. “I don’t know and I don’t want to. Considering his diet, nothing I’d ever willingly put in my mouth.” She took off her sweater, knowing she’d get hot even in her athletic wear, and tossed it to the side.

Albert nodded and then glanced at Kunagi sitting at his desk. He was with his several computer monitors and looked ready to go. His face had lost its glee and was now reflecting a kind of solemn resolve. Albert frowned to see it. It reminded him of those days whenKunagiwas uncharacteristically quiet during class. Since he was the type of professor that would often shout, “prepare to meet your black bitter demise”, at the start of every hour, his being quiet was unnerving.

They started their training. And later, both were too absorbed in the lesson to notice that Bard had come in to stand overKunagias he worked at his desk. He glanced sideways and watched with a wry expression as Albert forcedGudomlayto attack him. They weren’t working with the dummies that day. But the tube was the safest place for them to train and so they kept it their meeting place.

“She really hasn’t improved much,” Bard commented.

“No,”Kunagiagreed, watching intently at the screens. “But she’s not been given a good reason to,” he said. “Despite her wanting to go to the Wild Lands.Gudomlayis a difficult person to motivate when something is holding her back...”

“Any idea what it is?” Bard asked. Though he wasn’t directly involved with the matter he was concerned. Albert was one of his friends and one of the better third-year students. He didn’t like that he might not get to graduate because of a girl’s stubbornness.

Kunagi didn’t answer, which Bard had learned by now meant that he most likely did know.

“Have you gotten anything on your monitors concerning those Death Stalkers?”

Again, Kunagi did not answer, which meant that he likely had.

Bard sighed and looked back at the two fighting in the tube. There was no doubt thatGudomlayhad potential. So what was making her pull back every time she should be pushing forward? She never gave a real hard punch and backed away when she had a clear chance of getting a good clean hit.

“Kunagi!” The sound of a female voice made Bard shift around to watch a girl come down the stairs into the dungeon. “I brought your fish,” she called, sounding cheerful. She stopped when she noticed Bard though and froze in place at the bottom of the stairs. He was watching her, his arms crossed. That not even his dark blue coat sporting silver stripes and having a jagged hem could hide that he was big and burly made her worry.

She swallowed and glanced at Kunagi, but he said nothing and made no movement. She looked back at Bard then. He was an intimidating person, standing straight as a plank with his face set in a not so friendly expression. His dark hair was short and out of his face and his lips were in a thin line.

“Kunagi?” She called, hoping that he’d do something.

At her uncertain tone, he thrust out his arm for the brown paper bag, and she carefully brought it to him. Now having his invitation to enter, she felt less awkward about being there. More comfortable, she glanced at the monitors with him. Bard stared at her, recognizing Albert’s description of her so he knew who she was. He looked at where she concentrated and realized. She was watching Albert more closely than she was Gudomlay.

“Lover’s Day is coming up,” Tapp said, her eyes tracking the two on the screen. “Any plans?” She asked, a little more at ease with Kunagi so she could manage small talk.

Kunagigrunted, so Tapp gave him a side glance and slightglower.

“Not even forGudomlay?” She asked. Bard stared at her, wondering at her boldness. “At least make the girl a cake. She’s always getting cards and chocolates--”

“Then why do I have to make her a cake?” Kunagi argued, surprising Bard further with his willingness to banter with this nosey star girl.

“Because as far as I’ve seen, you’re the only person she actually cares about,” Tapp said with a sigh. “All those poor boys.” She put her hands on her hips and leaned back to take a full breath. “Do you know how hard it is for her to reject them all despite them never saying anything direct?” She asked, milking the drama in her voice to force his guard up.

There was a moment in which there seemed to be a zap of electricity through Kunagi’s person. Bard winced, but when he looked up at Tapp he wondered to see her grinning. Femme fatale indeed. What was she planning? No one needed her causing trouble by way of the professor. But there was definitely a subtle wickedness in her that made him wary.

“What boys?” Kunagi’s voice was conversational but much deeper than before.

“Just about every single star. First tofourthyear. They’re all her admirers.”

There was a moment of silence during which he seemed to be contemplating something.

Bard thinned his lips and leaned forward. “You can’t poison them, professor,” he said in a low voice. The disgruntled look that flashed acrossKunagi’sface surprised Tapp for a moment. Sighing, Bard glanced at her. “Are you trying to get half the school killed?” He asked her.

She glanced at him and then, with a shrug and smile, went to go watch the others by coming closer to the tube. Bard lookedafterher and then at Kunagi. He wondered what that was all about before deciding it wasn’t something he wanted to get involved in. With a quick glance at the tube, he turned on his heel and left.

Kunagi continued to watchGudomlayand Albert through the screen. His face was back to being solemn and resolved. A cake...boys in love withGudomlay. He knew that he was the only personGudomlay cared about at the school. At least when it came to the opposite sex. He rubbed his eyes, tired. But her friends were getting it wrong. He frowned slightly at the exhausted look onGudomlay’sface and sighed.

Lover’s Day.

It seemed he had to do something about that.

Eventually, Albert andGudomlayopted for a break. And though Albert was frustrated withGudomlay’srefusal to give it her all, he was glad to see Tapp. She was waiting outside the tube for them. Seeing him glance her way, she smiled and waved and was soon let in to join them. With her company, they sat and drank some water from their bottles.

“You don’t seem to have gotten far along,” Tapp said, sitting cross-legged and holding her ankles. She watchedGudomplaygulp down some water and tilted her head at her.

Gudomlaypaused, an indiscernible look crossing her face so fast no one noticed.

Albert fidgeted. “Her form is better at least,” he said with a sigh and wiping his brow.

Tapp glanced at him, noticing, and handed him a towel from the pile near her. He accepted it and pat at his face. Tapp went to reach for another to giveGudomlaybut noticed she’d barely broken into a sweat. She thinned her lips with disapproval and lowered her hand.

“How is Britta?”Gudomlayasked.

Tapp tilted her head and pursed her lips. “Better. She’s worried about you.”

“I know. I’ll go see her when we’re done here,” she said.

“What was that all about anyway?” Albert asked, turning to stare at her with wonder.

Gudomlaylowered her brow and glanced at Tapp. “I don’t really know...do you?”

Tapp frowned and stretched out her legs, leaning back on her hands for support. “The fencing class is under the impression Britta was at fault for you dropping the class. And for switching to private tutelage. We tried to explain that it was the professor that took you out for being a poor student. But they twisted it all to make it sound likeKunagiwas upset for Britta picking on you.” She shook her head, looking worriedly atGudomlay. “I’ve never understood it, but most of the school worships you. Everyone is on your side when there’s nothing to take sides on. Isn’t there something you can do?” She asked.

Gudomlaywas quiet a moment. “I have to get a handle on my emotions first or I might risk damaging another bathroom,” she saidona sigh. She twisted the lid onto her bottle of water and tilted her head, staring at the ground in thought. “I better keep her at my side at least. Maybe everyone will get the hint that picking on her is off limits.” She looked at Tapp. “I don’t get it myself. There’s nothing all that special about me. Why would they all react like that?”

“It’s because you’re the quiet, kind, elegant, and demure type. The type most people wouldn’t think has the ability to stand up for herself,” Albert started. “Part of which, by the way, is your own fault for not revealing that you’re better than you pretend. Even now, training in a painfully controlled environment, you aren’t giving ityourall. Even I’m beginning to think this is all hopeless. And I’ve seen what you can do,” he saidona sigh.

“Honestly,” Tapp started, looking back at her with a lowered brow. “Do we have to put you in a life and death situation just to get you to try?” She asked.

Gudomlaytightened her jaw and got up. “I’m going to go find Britta,” she said and walked out of the room to escape them. Both sighed and exchanged glances and then Albert let out a great sigh and fell onto his back with a plop.

“I’m never going to graduate...”