Free Powers of the Six by Kristal Shaff

would be more than happy to throw you in,” the general suggested. “However, the landing would probably be more painful than walking yourself.”
    “Get out of my way.”
    General Trividar snarled, striding toward Alec.
    Nolan stepped between them “I’m sorry, Alec, but all competitors are required to participate.”
    Alec gawked at Nolan. What was he doing? How could he take their side?
    “It’s the law.” Nolan gave Alec a look that said, I’m sorry. “You must enter the forest to complete the trial.”
    “I must enter the forest?”
    Nolan nodded. “Otherwise, you’ll be considered a traitor.”
    Alec clenched his teeth. He couldn’t let them win. But there was no way around this. If he didn’t do this, they’d arrest him. It would serve no purpose at all, except to hurt Father more. If Alec let the general arrest him, he would win. Alec tried to calm his rage. Then an idea came to him. Maybe there was one more option …
    “How long must I remain in the forest?” Alec asked.
    Though it was subtle, Nolan smiled. “The laws note nothing of time.”
    Alec turned toward the woods, stepped into the edge of the trees, and trailed it toward camp. General Trividar matched his pace, stalking him with each step. When Alec reached the outcropping of tents where the blue camp stood, he stepped from the woods.
    General Trividar glared. As Alec passed him, he purposely bumped the general’s shoulder with his own. “Shame,” Alec said. “Looks like I’ve failed.”
    He continued on, ignoring the vein protruding from the general’s neck and the golden-yellow light of his Speed Shay blazing from his eyes. Alec even ignored him when the general gripped the hilt of his sword. Alec had succeeded in making him furious, and that fact alone made him smile. And his smile remained the next several hours, at least until the poison took hold.
     
    ***
     
    When Alec woke the next morning—or closer to afternoon—he wasn’t alone in the grass under the blue flag. Sprawled all throughout the camp were what looked like dead bodies after a gruesome battle. But the groaning and retching reminded Alec that they were all alive.
    He closed his eyes and tried to ignore another wave of nausea. He couldn’t even imagine how he would’ve felt if he had gorged himself like he’d wanted.
    A steady tapping jarred his head. He opened his eyes, stood, and staggered around several people on the ground. The camp waved and lurched before his eyes, the stench of vomit everywhere. He grabbed a tent pole, focused, and kept going until he reached a familiar figure nailing a document to a post.
    Nolan grimaced as he pounded the curling paper. Messy brown hair hung in his eyes. Behind the purple bruises mottling his face, Nolan was as pale as if he’d eaten the poison too. He finished hammering and gripped an arm across his chest. He was strange. For some reason, he kept protecting Alec. It wasn’t like Nolan knew him at all. Alec wanted nothing more than to enrage that general. But his wiser half knew he was being stupid. And Nolan kept risking himself so Alec would stay in one piece.
    “You okay?” Alec asked.
    Nolan released a stuttering breath. “Strange you should ask. You look dreadful.”
    “I feel dreadful,” Alec said. “But at least not as bad as them.”
    Nolan’s blue eyes passed over the others. “Hm, yes. It’s not much better anywhere else. I’m glad to see you’re up and about.”
    “Thanks to you.”
    Nolan smiled faintly. “I didn’t do much.”
    He grabbed another nail and pounded the paper in place. After he’d finished, he buckled over, resting his hands on his knees.
    “I think my rib is broken.” Nolan straightened, though it took him a lot of effort. “It’s a good thing I only have to lift quill and parchment.” He glanced at the hammer in his hand. “Well, at least for the most part.”
    Alec pointed at the document Nolan had just posted. “What’s this?”
    “The schedule for the rest of