Friendship and Betrayal

 Poring over dusty tomes and the notes from their lessons became a daily rituals for the two of them. They found themselves a quiet and secluded spot where they would study until it became too dark to read.

“I failed the test,” Samuel admitted. It was embarrassing to confess, yet it felt as if a weight was lifted from his shoulder.

“What?” Arianwen looked shocked. “I had no idea it was that bad.”

“I see, so it wasn’t so bad for you Arianwen.”

Her smile became a little sadder. “I passed, just barely. And please just call me Anwen.”

“All right Anwen.” Only Yorath had called her by the shortened name so far.

“The result affected me more than I let on,” she continued after a while. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I wanted to become a great wizard. Getting those results was like getting a slap in the face.”

Samuel chuckled at that and got a strange look from her. “Don’t take it the wrong way, I just remembered I was thinking the same thing back then.”

“I see,” she said. I’m glad we’re doing this. I feel like I’ve improved over these past few days, so thank you.” She stretched her arms and yawned as she spoke.

“No problem. You helped me more, so I should be thanking you.”

“In that case let’s just call it even.”

“Sounds good to me,” Samuel said and they continued working in silence. “One thing does seem a little strange to me though.”

“What’s that?”

“You and Yorath are close right?”

“Sure. We go way back.”

“So how come he isn’t helping you with studying? He seems to be doing well.”

“Ah that,” she said and waved her hand. “We tried that but it just doesn’t work. We can do anything together from cooking, cleaning to sitting in silence but the one thing we can’t do is study together. We are just too far apart in that regard. Both of us would fly off the handle. Maybe we would even come to blows,” she chuckled at that. “Anyway, the Sun’s almost gone, so that’s it for today. I think we’re pretty much set for the next test.”

It was the best Samuel had felt since arriving in the new world. He ate good food and didn’t suffer any more pain. It was far from ideal yet he was able to appreciate his circumstances. I probably should have learnt that lesson a long time ago. Maybe I wouldn’t have ended up in this place. A wry smile crossed his face. His thoughts then turned to the people he was spending time with. Are we friends now? He didn’t know the answer to that question. When do you become friends anyway? Maybe we’ll become a gang. The thought brought guilt with it. Have I given up on them already? There was nothing he could do.

“Of course I got a perfect score,” Yorath said. He waved the test with an arrogant expression. This time he didn’t even bother with his humble act that he had done previously. “How about it? Come to think of it, you didn’t even tell us your score on the last test.”

It soured Samuel’s mood. He had felt relief as he got the passing mark. It was still not a great result, but at that rate he no longer had to worry about repercussions of him failing the class. He showed his paper without a word. Yorath pored over the papers.

“Oh dear. I almost feel bad about now. I hadn’t realised you were that dense.” In Samuel’s estimation he didn’t look sorry at all with his conceited smile. “Maybe we should call off this competition. After all beating a loser is no fun.”

Samuel imagined himself wringing the scoundrel’s neck. His hand shot towards the hidden amulet. No, I can’t. In both senses of the word. If it wasn’t for Arianwen he would have ditched Yorath long ago. There is always someone like this in every group, isn’t there. Yet Jarek, who was the cause of his irritation in the previous world, was in the end the one who had betrayed them all and had in all likelihood caused the deaths of several of their friends and in the end his own as well. Samuel shook his head. Jarek’s betrayal couldn’t just be projected onto Yorath as well. He looked from Yorath to Arianwen.

“I did well,” she said, hiding her face behind her test papers. She was still nowhere near Yorath’s score but had improved.

Madoc got up from his seat and left with nothing more than a vague mumble.

“Is he all right?” Arianwen asked.

“I’m not sure,” Samuel said. Madoc had withdrawn more and more ever since the lectures had started. “I’ll go talk to him.”

Madoc was lying in his bed in the dormitory and was tapping the wall with a finger and didn’t react to Samuels presence. Samuel sat down on his own bed and waited in silence for a while.

“How are you doing Madoc?”

“Great,” he growled.

“What’s been bothering you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe that we’re wasting time. We’re just learning useless trivia. I can’t take it any more. I need to get the power again. I can’t even concentrate. I’m studying everything I can get my hands on. Way more than what is required for the classes. I’m still barely passing the tests.”

“It’s only for a few more days. Then the practical lessons will start.”

“That’s the only thing still keeping me sane.” He sat up on his bed and faced Samuel. “But not you. Oh no. You are doing just well aren’t you. Happily studying with the girl. You’re holding out on me aren’t you? You’re using magic behind my back. I know it.”

The sudden stream of accusations caught Samuel off guard. “What?”

“There was a third artefact wasn’t there? That’s why you’re able to keep so calm. You can use magic any time you want. I helped you and you lied to me. You left me empty-handed.”

“No that’s not true.”

“The Hell it isn’t!”

“There is nothing else. I haven’t used any magic ever since we gave both of the rings. Not once.” The deception tore at his soul and he didn’t dare admit the amulet which even then felt heavy against his chest. Even if the lectures were not explicit on the matter, he understood that a blood seal was required to bind the artefact to him and he had never done it. It was the only reason, why the powerful artefact had never been detected on him. “It’s not easy for me.” That much he could say with all honesty. “I hold back. I try to keep myself distracted and I know I will be regaining my power whatever it takes, soon. We both will!” He knew he must look ridiculous making gestures with one and a half arms.

Madoc looked as if all the fight had gone out of him and as he laid back down. There were no more words left for their argument. He doesn’t really know. He can’t, otherwise he would’ve pressed it further. Samuel understood it had been a mistake to keep the artefact from Madoc and now it was too late. If he even found out, it would be the end of their relationship.

The next morning Madoc was already gone by the time he woke up. The thought of him doing something stupid crossed his mind as Samuel rushed through the hallways. In the end he found him already eating breakfast at the refectory. He waved to Samuel with an embarrassed grimace.

“I’m sorry Samuel. Yesterday I said some things I didn’t really mean.” He looked as if he wanted to say more but couldn’t find the words.

“Don’t worry about it. You can always talk to me.” The hypocrisy burned his insides.

“Thank you.”