The Month of Awakening (February) Age 9

Week1

I decided to send a letter to Hannah. Okay, I know it's a bit stupid. It's going to take months, and due to all her fan-mail and stuff, it's not likely that she's going to read it herself. But from how things are looking here, she's our only shot in beating Masila.

One thing I've noticed so far is that the truth doesn't matter much to people; just what they think is the truth. After Marie told me the 'three categories' of people, I've been on the lookout for them. So far, most of them are followers. It's really weird. I mean, the majority of the thieves want to be important, but they don't have the power. For example, Mortak: He only managed to get the crowd to respond because he fired up their emotions. Basically, he was piggy-backing Masila's ride. I bet she'd love that.

Leaders? Forget about it. The only one I've seen so far is Kanrik, and that was kind of obvious. But I guess something that Marie forgot to mention was that some are stronger than others. Kanrik just appeared…well, weak compared to Masila. She could convince a crowd with just a few words, but he needed a whole speech to get a pickpocket to do something.

There were no truth-speakers besides me. I guess honesty isn't a common quality n a crook.

And now the big question: Sam. Besides whom his family is, Kayley and I know next to nothing about him. He likes little kids, that was for sure; he stood up for me, and Brynn too. We're not sure if he's prejudiced against thieves; he did say all that stuff to Harry, but it was mostly to convince him. "I think we're just going to have to wing it," said Kayley finally. I grinned. "What?"

"I never thought I'd see the day you'd say that," I told her. She punched me on the arm. "Ow! Hey, it's a compliment. You always have a plan."

She shrugged. "I wish I was better at improvising, though."

"So what do we do?" I asked. "I mean, we can't just go up to him and ask to take care of Brynn; that would be suicide!"

She frowned. "You sure? After all, his mother is a thief, so talking to him wouldn't be as dangerous as a regular guard."

I stared at her. "So you're saying we should just walk right up to him and beg to be nice to Brynn? First off, that would be weird. Second, I'm sure that Brynn wouldn't like it at all. Third-"

"I get it," she said irritably. "But how about we talk to him? About the stuff that happened before? You know, him saving you and all that jazz."

I bit my lip. "I don't know…"

"Look, I'm the one who usually says if something won't work," she told me. "The least we can gain is a bit more information on him, right? Unless we check with Marie."

"That isn't an option." I shrugged. "So I guess we'll have to talk to him."

"Good. His patrol is starting right around…." She looked at a clock. "Now!" She grabbed my arm and dragged me to the marketplace. I hate it when she does that. As she did- well, I can't say I didn't feel a prickle of fear. Not because of talking to Sam: because Kayley was telling me to do it. Everything she does lately seems to be dodgy: sneaking into dark places, wandering around in the Thieves' Guild halls, and once there, I thought I heard her talking to somebody I couldn't see. I keep trying to convince myself that it's just Masila's words, but my mind wouldn't believe me. Stupid brain.

The red Kyrii was guarding a shop near the fountain. His eyes darted around, and he always had his hand on his sword. I had a feeling that Harry had something to do with that. I remembered a few months ago, when he was all confident and self-righteous. It made me angry, how just one person could make that all go away- I had realized that the big jerk was a leader, too. But I knew that Sam could beat him, if only he had a reason to.

"Um, Sam?" Kayley said.

He whirled around. Instead of saying hi or whatever, he cried out, "You!" I guess people in the family likes that word. "You're the one who asked Harry to beat up that little girl."

"Oh!" Kayley tried to explain. "We didn't really want to do that, but-"

"Someone forced you?" He spat, moving forward.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, stepping in front of her. "Chill! That was part of something. We didn't mean to get her beat up- in fact, the opposite."

"Who-" He blinked, and then gazed at me tiredly. "Sorry, kid. I've been awake for days; I still feel guilty about the whole thing. And you," he glared at Kayley, "Were mostly the source of my nightmares."

"Don't blame me," she said, backing away. I noticed she was scowling now. "We- or more he- actually wanted to give her a friend, not a beating. They are still friends, right?"

He frowned, but then relaxed. "Yeah. You planned that?" We both nodded. "Oh. Well, thanks a bunch- Harry's less inclined to attack two people, and Sophia seems to be always there when Brynn needs her. Still gets pretty lonely though, with that Violet hanging around with us…" He said absent-mindedly. Then he blinked. "Sorry, I'm babbling again, aren't I? I hate sleepless nights."

"We both do," I chimed in. "Listen, about Sophia and Brynn- and about all the kids who Harry beats up- you don't think you could do something about that, could you?"

He sighed. "Sorry, no. Believe me, I tried, but I can't convince him to stop."

Me and Kayley gave each other sideways glances. "We weren't asking you to convince him," she said slowly.

"What, beat him up?" He gaped at us. "No!"

"Not that," I amended. "We meant…you know, sort of defend the ones he picks on. You don't actually have to fight him."

"If I did that, I'll be out of his gang for good." Sam shook his head. "Sorry, but no." He studied us carefully. "Out of interest, why would a couple of thieves care about what happens to guards?"

"Ask him," Kayley muttered.

I shrugged. "Well, one of them is sort of a friend."

"Which one?" He questioned. "You helped both Brynn and Sophia last time- which one were you aiming to assist?"

Before I could answer, Kayley said, "We can't tell you."

He raised his eyebrows. "Why not?"

"Because you might tell Harry," she replied. "Then he'd really beat her up."

"I won't tell," he promised. We looked at him, unconvinced. He sighed. "I won't tell, really. I'm on a need-to-know basis with him."

I pretended to flinch. "Yeah….it's not that we don't believe you, it's just that-"

"We don't believe you," Kayley finished. "And the only way you could change that is if you quit his gang."

He snorted. "Are you nuts? That'd be crazy."

"Why?" I queried.

"Because," he began, and then found he'd fallen in a trap; he had to list all the bad things about Harry. He glowered at us. "Look, you're seeing this all wrong." I don't know if he meant for the persuasion to kick in, and whether he was trying to convince us or himself. But each word that came from his mouth sounded sweet and true. "Harry's a good guy, honestly. His ruthlessness and stuff: well, that actually helps kids learn to fight for their rights. He respects strength, and leaves the good ones well alone. Besides, you have to admit that they do deserve it at times. Last week is a great example, when Sophia and Brynn hit him with this hard-bound book. That was both violent and wrong! You don't actually want to protect that type of people, do you?" Kayley seemed to be in some sort of trance. It was as if the last month of trying to help Brynn never happened. Slowly, she nodded. Sam smiled at us encouragingly.

This was going badly; very, very badly. I couldn't lose my only supporter! If she tells him all she knows…well, there was no chance me and Brynn would be friends after that. I panicked- and my mind began racing for solutions. Then I heard a faint voice in my head. It was fuzzy at first, like a badly tuned radio, but slowly it became clearer. The voice was Marie's. Sometimes, truth-speakers can counteract persuasion, depending how good they are. I already got Kanrik to listen, didn't I?

I took a deep breath. "You're wrong."

Sam gawped at me. "What?" He wore an expression of complete disbelief, just like his aunt; as if he couldn't understand that he was being contradicted.

"Harry," I said, "Is nothing but a big old bully. He doesn't 'respect strength.' Basically, you're saying that he picks on kids who can't fight back, not the ones who could teach him a lesson." My voice sounded painfully blunt and dull compared to his. But it was working. Kayley blinked rapidly, shaking her head. "Sophia and Brynn were just trying to protect themselves, not hurt him. They never fought Harry on purpose; they're not violent- I'd call them kind of mild, actually, unless you count the sword arena. They know that punching and kicking isn't the answer- they'll only get injured in return. That's why you aren't doing it, are you?" That was a breakthrough. In that one moment, why he never assisted those helpless kids became clear. "You're scared- not for you, but for them. If you lead them against Harry, they might get wounded or something; and you'll blame yourself." I looked at him straight in the eye. "But you're a leader, Sam. They'll really 'fight for their rights,' if only they know how. They need you."

"I…" He turned pale. Then he shook his head. "You don't know anything. You're- you're lying."

"I'm a truth-speaker," I told him. "I don't lie."

"You're lying," he repeated, gritting his teeth. "I should've never listened to a bunch of kids." He spun around and began walking away.

"I know your mother," I called after him. "And your father." He froze. "And I'm sure they'd be so proud to see you acting like this." Out of all the things I told him, I think that was the one that truly hit home.

His face became sad and pained. "Leave my parents out of this," he managed, and then ran away. I remembered another thing that Marie said: For someone who just doesn't want to hear it, you'll have a more difficult time. Figures.

Kayley gazed at me an odd way. "What?" I asked.

"What's truth-speaking?" She inquired. For some reason, her voice sounded thicker than usual. "And why didn't you tell me you visited Marie?"

"Um," I stammered, thinking of answer. "Well…I didn't think we'd need it."

"You didn't think we'd needed it," she reiterated. To my relief, she didn't press. Instead she just sighed in frustration and looked at Sam's way. "That went well."

Week 2

"Three weeks and we still don't have a leader," I groaned. "Come on, can't we think of something…or talk to Sam again?"

"No," Kayley replied firmly. "I think you ruined our chance of him with that family comment."

I shrugged. "Big deal. It was the truth."

She rolled her eyes and frowned. "Maybe we simply can't have a leader. I've been looking through the files again, and it seems that no one will be brave enough to stand up to Harry."

"So you're just saying we should just give up?" I cried.

"Not at all," she said. "I'm just saying that without a person who's in charge, we'll probably never be able to stop the girl-"

"Brynn," I corrected.

"We'll never be able to stop Harry bullying her completely," she told me. "I think the next best thing we could do is to get somebody who knows where the guy will be in the day; then at least she could avoid him."

"Who could do that?" I interrogated.

"Who knows where he is?" She thought aloud. "Who's in his gang now, yet was a potential friend of the girl? Who can give her information that others can't?"

I stared at her. "You're talking about Viola…Violet, right?" She nodded curtly. "Come on, that's impossible! She was already mean to Brynn, and-"

"You don't want to because of your own feelings," she stated. "I think you're taking this way too personally. We're supposed to be protecting, not molly-coddling. Sure, there's a chance she might be betrayed again, but that's the same with all friendships, isn't it?"

"Yeah…" I said slowly. Was she hinting about Masila?

"Then it's settled," she said. "We- oh, I mean you- talk to Violet."

"What? Now that's mad!" I yelped. "She hates me! She hates thieves in general! Why would she listen…?"

"Do the thing you did with Sam the other day," she advised.

"Tell her the truth?"

"Yes," she said. "Convince or using your truth-speaking power or whatever."

I crossed my arms. "For one thing, it isn't that simple. It isn't some mystical power I can call up at any moment. Last time was just luck. Another, the point of truth-speaking is that you can't convince anyone. You just show whatever it is clearly." How in Neopia did I know that? I guess I always did, but never got it out.

"That makes no sense," she told me. "You managed to do it with Sam…"

"Here's the idea," I interrupted. "Say, for example, that a persuasive leader says that this thing is chocolate, when it's actually strawberry. I could point out what it really is, though I'm not very good at making people listen yet. And anyway, even if they do, they might like strawberry anyway. Know what I mean?"

"Nope," she answered. "Just that you're probably hungry."

I shrugged. "True."

"Just talk to Violet," she ordered. "It might be worth a shot, right?" Before I could say anything, she yanked on me again and took me to the square. Did I mention I hated it when she does that?

Typically, she disappeared as soon as we got there.

But to my surprise, Violet wasn't at the shoe stall like she usually is. Instead, she was in the cake stand. But at first I didn't even recognize her. She was like a dull, lifeless version of the past her. Her hair, which I remembered her fussing about, was dull and wonky, and her nails were chipped and plain. And that wasn't all- Her former confident self had transformed into somebody who had a pale face and wide, scared eyes, as if she was going to be hit at any second. For some reason, the last part strongly reminded me of someone. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

As I sat stood at her, she noticed me. Her wide eyes narrowed, and she put her hands on her hips. "I know you! You're that…that Ixi guy. Hanso."

"Pleasure to see you again, Viola," I said, mock-bowing.

"It's Violet." She glared at me. "And you're Brynn's friend, not mine. So you better get out of here before-"

I pretended to be shocked. "I'm Brynn's friend? Really? I thought guards couldn't be pals with thieves." I probably would have gone on irritating her, when Kayley stepped out from behind a bush.

Glowering at me, she mouthed, Annoying her isn't going to help.

"They can't," Violet was saying. "That's what I keep telling her. So you better buzz off-"

"Apparently you're not very buddy-like to her either," I said.

She paled. "What?"

"You stole her plushie, which even for me is a big low," I told her. "You went to Harry-"

"To save myself!" She almost shouted. "I had no choice."

"Sure you did," I said matter-of-factly. "Everybody has a choice. You just didn't make a very good one. And judging by your appearance, you're kind of regretting it." Her eyes flashed.

Too late, Kayley mouthed, DON'T INSULT HER LOOKS, STUPID!

I raced away, her hot on my heels. Boy, she could really go fast if she wants to! I kind of gave up hope after the second turn around the marketplace: there was no chance that I was going to escape. I dashed around a corner-

And tripped. I was shocked at first. I never, ever trip; that always proves fatal to thieves. Then I realized that someone had stuck their leg out to make me fall on purpose. I put my head up to see who did it….which turned out to be Brynn. I glared at her. Sweet Fyora, of all the things I did for her- GRRR! I was just about to complain when she gestured for me to duck down. I was still confused and angry, but I did what she said. Violet came her way.

"Have you seen the blue Ixi guy?" She questioned Brynn.

"He just ran past!" She lied. Her fingers were crossed behind her back. "I think he's heading for the fruit stall!" Violet nodded and jogged away.

I jumped out of the shrub. I had loads of tiny scratches, but they didn't hurt that much. Seeing as Brynn was looking guilty though, I said, "You had to pick a thorn bush, didn't you?"

"There wasn't enough time to check the bush!" She complained.

I shrugged and grinned. "Yeah, I guess. Thanks anyway," I added as I walked.

But Kayley's reaction to me escaping was a bit more different. "You should have been able to get away without her help!" She fumed. "What if she wonders why Violet was chasing you?"

"I have a feeling that Viola chases a lot of thieves unnecessarily," I assured her. "Besides, like I said, she hates me. I don't think that Brynn'll ask why me particularly."

She rolled her eyes. "Still…be more discreet next time, alright?"

"Fine, fine," I muttered. "Back to the drawing board. But honestly, Violet looking like that…she looks sort of familiar somehow."

Kayley snorted. "Of course she looks familiar! What, you really don't know?" I shook my head. "I figured it out with the clues you told me. Honestly, you're so idiotic."

"Can't you just tell me?" I pleaded.

"Sometimes," she said, "You have to use your head, and not your mouth."

Week 3

Sam's our only hope, that much is clear. There's this guy called Dylan who might just have it in him, but he's not strong enough to lead. There's only one thing we've figured out.

"His weakness is little kids," Kayley declared to the hundredth time. "He has a soft spot for people who are younger than him. We have to use that on something."

"I get it," I said irritably. "But how are we going to do that? Even when they're little, guards still don't trust thieves. In fact, they hate them even more. Brynn barely looked at me when she was seven!"

"Wish it stayed that way," Kayley muttered. I rolled my eyes. "Look, I don't think we have to get them to work for us, but I bet most of them have a lot of things to say to Harry anyway."

"But they won't actually say them," I pointed out.

She closed her eyes in frustration. "If only we could find some way to make one more…impulsive."

"Impulsive?" Juliet asked, sliding on the bench.

"Juliet," I said automatically. "We're talking about-"

"Brynn," Julius finished, following her. "We know."

"But you're forgetting that we're supposed to help too!" Razor exclaimed as he joining us.

"Oh, joy," Kayley said. "The cavalry's come. Let's sit somewhere else."

I hesitated. "But they might have some good ideas. It would be good to have more people to help, right?"

"Hanso, I doubt that anyone would-" She was interrupted by a chorus of complaints. "Oh, fine, fine. But if we just wasted time that we could have used to help your friend, I'm blaming you."

"Whatever." I quickly explained the situation to them. I didn't really expect anything; I thought maybe they would just slump back and think about it.

Instead, Julius and Juliet instantly said, "We could handle that."

Kayley stared at them. "What?"

"We could make a little kid impulsive," Juliet answered.

"With what?" She snorted. "Candy?"

"Don't insult the candy," Julius scolded. "It can be useful. The Meerca brothers taught us that- they broke into some factory that was selling it, and it turns out that some have magical qualities."

"For example," Juliet continued, "The Loli-zi-pop can speed you up for an amount of time. The Mellow-mint can give you a clear head. And this little sucker here," she held out what looked like a tiny, chocolate ball, "Can make you slightly stronger- and a side-effect is that you tend to act on impulse more."

"Wow." I gaped at it.

"Does that actually work?" Kayley said doubtfully. Juliet smiled, and without warning stuffed one in her mouth. "Ow! What you do that for! That was really annoying! You shouldn't have done that!" She started blasting out words by the second. It was odd, the usually controlled Kayley just slamming it out. "That was mean! I don't like you! I can't believe you did that! I thought you were mature! You even kept my-" Mid-speech, her head dropped on the table. She groaned. "Oh…."

"Yeah, we forgot to mention," Julius said sheepishly. "There's always a price to pay for that, and that means a sugar-meltdown a little later. It won't be anything serious, but whoever takes it might be a bit tired. You should've seen us at the end of the day when we were seven-"

"We were just like walking zombies," Juliet asserted cheerfully. "But now we know how to control it, mostly."

"Um, guys, are you sure you want to feed that thing to a little kid?" Razor spoke up. "I read a bit of info about it with Dr. Kent, and he said that magical stuff and medicines affect children a lot more than older ones. What if the candy works the same way?"

I shrugged. "The worst that can happen in making a little kid impulsive is him saying a few cuss-words; and since he's young, I doubt he'll be punished for it."

"But what if he tries to do something-" Razor began.

"Not likely," Juliet said. "Besides, there's no other solution, is there?"

"Guess not," he mumbled.

"Then it's settled," Julius said. "We give it to a kid. He yells stuff at Harry. Then what happens?"

I frowned. "I don't really know. My guess is that Sam will try and defend him. If not…"

"It's the same risk we took when we did it with your guard friend," Kayley mumbled, still not looking up. "Might as well do it again…oh, my head hurts."

Juliet patted Kayley on the back comfortingly. "Maybe you should take a nap."

"No," she said determinedly, dragging herself upwards. "Let's go now and get this over with." Briefly, I thought about why she was so fixed in seeing everything that happened.

We made our way to the palace, trying to be as stealthy as five thieves can- which isn't very stealthy at all. Luckily, a lot of children were laughing and playing, so it mostly blocked out our noise. While there, I already saw Harry picking on a little red Lupe. Sam was with them, still looking tired and troubled.

"Gimme back my lunchbox!" The poor kid cried.

Harry snorted. "No way! Aw, is poor, precious Luke starting cry?" He asked as he saw the kid's mouth begin to tremble. "Weaklings aren't meant to be in the guard." With that, he threw the bag over the fence- right at us.

The little kid- Luke, I guess- ran to fetch it. I snatched it up, and he stared at me confused. "Um, hi."

"Hi," Luke said in a small voice. "Can I have my lunchbox back?"

"Of course," I told him. "But why don't you have a piece of candy?" I held out the chocolate ball to him.

He eyed it carefully. "Mummy said not to get candy from strangers."

"We're not strangers," Juliet piped up, getting in front of me. I was relieved. I'm not good at the whole diplomat thing, but I knew that Juliet was. "We saw what the big bully did to you over there. It was very mean."

"It was," he agreed.

"So to cheer you up, we're giving you your lunchbox," she took it from me, "And a piece of candy. Okay? It always makes me happy when I have something sweet in my mouth." Then she looked at me and hissed, "Never try to make a deal with a little kid."

"Okay," Luke said obediently, popping one inside. Then he stood rigidly and turned around. Harry was still laughing at his supposed victory. Luke shouted, "Harry!"

He turned around and grinned with malice. "What? Back for more?"

Luke gritted his teeth. I was expecting him to scream at the top of his lungs uncontrollably, but instead his hands shaped into fists. With horror, I realized what he was trying to do. Sweet Fyora, he was going to punch Harry! Okay, I know I did that, but the pipsqueak certainly couldn't! This was going wrong.

I made a move to stop him, but Kayley gripped my arm. "We can't help him now. If you go out in the open, you'll ruin any chance of helping your guard friend again." I winced but kept watching.

None of the gang was making any move stop him. They all thought that this was some sort of joke. That is, except Sam. Right at the last minute, he leapt in front of Harry and took the blow for him. We gasped. Luke gazed at his hand, as if he couldn't believe at what he just did. Hurriedly, he raced away.

Harry pretended that nothing had happened, and the rest of the group followed his example. They left the poor guy stranded on the floor, a large bruise forming over his eye. I thought that we were doomed, and that he'll never help us again.

That is, until Sophia and Brynn saved us.

They rushed over to him as soon as the crowd dispersed, and checked him over like concerned mothers. "Are you okay?"

"Some friends they are," Sophia muttered, looking at where they went.

Sam sat up, his hand on his injury. "Why did you help?" There was a hint of disbelief in his voice. "I mean, I'm always with Harry, on his side when he teases and bullies both of you. Why help me?"

They exchanged glances. "Because we think you're a good guy, just trying to make sure you aren't the one he bullies by hanging around with him," Brynn replied finally. It sounded so much better than when I said it. "And the reason that made me do it because it's a personal matter- I think something similar is happening to Violet."

"With Violet it's different," he explained. "She's a pretty girl, and Harry wants to make sure that the prettiest girl is on his side." Brynn shook her head, as if her worst fears were confirmed.

"That's just silly!" Sophia said. Brynn nodded.

"I'm Sam," he introduced himself.

"I'm Brynneth," she said. "Or Brynn if you want."

"And I'm Sophia," she piped up. Then she added, almost sadly, "Are you going back to Harry?"

I guess that was what we all wanted to hear. We leaned in close, all waiting for his reaction. To my shock, he glimpsed- just for one, single second- at our hiding place. He knew we were there. "No," he said firmly, rising. "I'm going to start up a group to work against him, to stop him from doing this. If he just leaves his friends like that, I dread to think what you guys have been through."

"We're with you," Sophia asserted. "Every step of the way; right, Brynn?"

"Yes," she agreed.

"Good." Sam stretched. "Would you ladies excuse me for a moment?" They nodded and walked the other way, already discussing the new group with each other. Sam moved towards us, his arms crossed. We smiled at him sheepishly. "I'm guessing you didn't mean for this to happen," he said, pointing at his bruise.

"No!" I ejaculated. "Honest, we didn't-"

"It's alright," he sighed. "It seems that I needed a punch in my face to knock me to my senses. He really is a jerk."

We nodded. Razor rummaged through his medical bag (which he's taken to carrying everywhere) and took out some ointment. "Rub that on your eye for a bit," he instructed. I've never seen him so sure about something before. "The bruise will be gone in a few hours."

Sam raised his eyebrows, but took it. "Thanks, kid. And you," he turned to me.

"Yeah?"

"Keep speaking the truth," he told me. "And don't listen to anyone who tells you not to." I nodded. "One day, you're going to be good," he said. He gave me a small smile. "Who knows, maybe you'll beat my aunt herself. I sure hope so." Then he walked away, leaving the rest of my class confused.

Week 4

We had one of the weirdest field trips ever- and not in a good way. We stood in our meeting place, like we always did. The Kyrii Master was giving us instructions, when a familiar voice said, "Hello." Masila stepped out of the shadows, looking as radiant and evil as ever. I scowled. "Oh, don't be like that. I was just here to give you a small greeting."

"As if," Kayley spat, clutching her dagger. "I know you."

Masila's eyes narrowed as she stared at Kayley, and she gave her a threatening smile. "And I know you." Kayley stiffened. "Of course I do, dear. Kanrik's too busy to notice individual and unimportant members' needs. But I do. And in my guild, I promise that-"

"I'm not listening," she said, covering her ears. "You've made empty promises before."

Masila shook her head, her dark curls sweeping inside the hood. "It was Kanrik's fault, sweetheart. You know that. And you know that I can keep much better control." Kayley still wouldn't listen, but she paled a lot.

"Leave her alone," the Kyrii managed.

Masila swept her scornful gaze over to him. To everyone's surprise, she laughed. "You? A teacher?" She could barely catch her breath. "What are you going to do, if I touch one of them? Hm?" She ruffled Razor's hair, but he backed away quickly. "Nothing."

"What do you think you're doing?" He snarled.

"And look at your precious students," she continued, as if she hadn't heard him. She turned to Kayley. "An Acara with a deep, dark secret. Doesn't that sound like to somebody we know?"

Kayley glared at her. "Never, ever compare me to you."

Masila faced the twins. "A pair of sugar-crazed siblings who don't do a single thing you say." Simultaneously, they brought out their daggers, but they still appeared shaken.

That's when I found my voice. "They are not. They can use-"

"They can use candy to help them?" She giggled. "Do you know what that sounds like? Stimulants. Exemptions- because they know that some can't go on without them."

I tried to say something, but words wouldn't come out. I hated, hated, hated her.

"This one can't even steal," she chuckled, prodding Razor. He stared at his toes. Again, I wanted to say something, but her stupid voice made me freeze. Then she grinned and went to me. "And don't even get me started on this one. Look at him, will you? He isn't fit to be called a crook at all. Deep down, he isn't criminal. He's a hero." She spat the word out, like it was disgusting. "The ones that sacrifice. And you know there's a no-giving-things away policy in your Guild. But then," she smiled, "weren't you a hero once too, once upon a time? Now, look what happened."

The Kyrii frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Of course you do," she said. "You're pathetic." She sounded each syllable out. Each one made the Kyrii cringe. "Your own best friend- and the ones you considered your family- abandoned you. Just like that." She snapped her fingers. "They never came back. The city you saved…as if they care now what happened to you. Even the girl you loved sent you here-"

That stung. The Kyrii's face turned into a mixture of distress and fury. But instead of shrinking back, he grabbed a sword from his belt and moved forward. Masila's eyes widened and she pulled her dagger out just in time. We all watched, amazed. This was the best sword fight we've ever seen- I even had to admit, better than the tournament when I saw Brynn. The Mistress of Double-Cross hadn't been lying when she said that she was good; but the Kyrii Master matched her skill. He slashed and dodged like a maniac. Still, they couldn't get through to one another. None of us could move forward to help, because we might harm the teacher.

"You insolent fool!" She gasped out, ducking. "What do you think you are doing? What are you even fighting for? You have a useless, pitiful existence!"

For a second, he faltered. But then he focused again, and jabbed at her. "I chose it," he said firmly. "I chose my life- no one told me, or ever will tell me what to do. Including you!" He lunged.

Masila recoiled, skirting behind a tree. "I will be back!" She seethed, and disappeared with a wave of her cloak. Very evil-villain like. Typical.

"Wow," I breathed. I was surprised to see Kayley looking at me angrily. "What?"

"You didn't even try," she said, putting her hands on her hips.

I blinked at her. "Try what?"

"You didn't try truth-speaking until she got to the twins." She glowered at me.

"Oh," I said, rapidly thinking for an excuse. "I, um, thought you could handle yourself-"

"Don't lie to me again," she shouted. The whole class gawped, as if they couldn't believe we were arguing after what just happened. I couldn't, either. "You thought I was a spy. You don't trust me anymore."

There was silence. I knew I couldn't lie, so I didn't bother. She took in a sharp intake of breath. "Why?" The anger, I expected, of course. But the hurt that flickered on her face just for a moment was totally surprising. That's when I absolutely knew that Kayley was never working with Masila.

"Well…I saw you doing stuff. Like sneaking, wandering around…I think once even talking to yourself." Kayely flinched at that.

For some reason, Juliet did too. "Um, she wasn't talking to herself," she spoke up.

I looked at her like she was crazy. "What?"

"I thought she needed a friend or something," she said, not looking at anyone in the eye. "So I bought her a petpet. I always said it's nice to have someone listen to your problems, even if they don't understand you." Julius cast her an odd look, but he didn't say anything.

"Oh," I mumbled. "Oops."

"Oops is right," Kayley said. "But that's not all, is it?"

"Well, you've been acting really differently, you know. Really differently." I gave her a sheepish smile.

She shook her head in disbelief. "I was assisting you!" She exploded. "That was my resolution for this year, wasn't it? To be nicer." She gritted her teeth. "But that didn't help at all, did it? I was better off just looking after myself. I guess I'll just stick with that."

"No, Kayley, wait!" I pleaded, but she glared at me one final time and stalked of by herself.

"Ugh," the Kyrii groaned. It was the first time he'd spoken after the battle. We turned to him. "I'm a horrible teacher, aren't I?"

"No you're not!" Juliet said. Julius nodded in agreement.

"She's always lying," I told him. "Don't listen to anything she says."

He smiled at me in amusement. "That's what I should be telling you."

"What was she talking about?" Razor questioned. "Masila, I mean. She said something about your best friend, a city, a girl-"

"Oh, that," the Kyrii Master said loudly. "That was nothing."

"It's not nothing!" I protested. "She used it to control you, and I couldn't do anything about it. If I knew the truth-"

"You'll be able to do the opposite," he said sarcastically. "But fine. I know that if you want something, nothing will stand in the way of you getting it. Firstly, though…do you know what I'm called?" We gaped at him. He chuckled. "I've been teaching you for about two or three years, and you don't know my name?"

"You never told us," Razor asserted.

"I'll tell you now," said the Kyrii, standing up. "It's Jacques."

Loooooong chapter! It took me ages. Hopefully it was worth it. And again, it probably goes the same for the next one.