Chapter 40

"Be good pups and sit now," Crewel said on Friday. "It's time to assign groups... for Night Raven College's traditional Beanfest. Groups will be assigned by drawing lots. Students will come up to my desk and draw by the number of their assigned seat."

"'Beanfest?'" Grim said, looking at me. "Got any idea what that is?"

"A celebration of all things bean?" I suggested.

"Ona, you don't know what Beanfest is?" Ace said in surprise.

I gave him a look. "Do you forget that I'm not from this world?"

"I see we have a pair of ignorant whelps in our class," said Crewel. "Very well; I will elucidate. After all, it's my job to whip your canine crania into shape. Ahem. Beanfest is a traditional Twisted Wonderland event that is held every February.

"Long ago, there was a place in this land called Happy Valley. It was called 'Happy' for a reason— it stood as a lush, fertile land of plenty. In this place was a magic harp that could sing with an enchantingly beautiful voice. The magic harp's singing brought happiness and prosperity to all the people and animals in the valley. Even the plants drunk deep of its sound. But a giant grew jealous of their welfare, and one day, it came into the valley and stole the harp. After that, the plants withered, and the people went hungry.

"But lo, a certain farmer happened upon some beans. And not just any beans—magic beans! They sprouted into a massive beanstalk overnight, rising all the way up to the giant's home in the clouds. The farmer climbed the beanstalk to the top and took back the harp. After making his safe descent, he chopped down the beanstalk—and in so doing, slew the giant pursuing him. Thus was Happy Valley once again graced with the magical harp's crooning and abundant greenery. The end. It's a parable with two morals: when someone takes something from you, take it back. And when someone wrongs you, get them back twice as hard."

"Ooh, I getcha," said Grim. "I'm feelin' more educated already."

"And that's why on Beanfest, people dressed as farmers 'slay' people in monster costumes by throwing beans at them, right?"s aid Deuce.

"Precisely," said Crewel. "Good boy."

"We have a story like that back home," I said.

"But the Beanfest celebration is held a bit differently here. At Night Raven College... We split the entire student body, regardless of dorm or class year, into two teams. The farmer team and the monster team compete for the harp in a massive cross-class athletic battle!"

"Wait, what?" said Ace. "Why?"

"Traditionally, the monsters are SUPPOSED to stick to running around and getting pelted with beans... But the students assigned to be monsters grew weary of it and hit the farmers back, turning it into a massive, chaotic brawl."

"Sounds like Night Raven College, all right," I said.

"If a brawl is inevitable regardless, then it only makes sense to turn it into an organized, competitive PE activity. That's how Night Raven College's Beanfest tradition was born. That marks the end of my generously-offered remedial lesson! Now, then—Trappola. Spade. Ona. Come up and draw your lots.

"Yessir..." said Ace. We walked up and drew a sheet of paper. "Oh, hey, I'm on the monster team."

"Hm. I'm on the farmer team," said Deuce.

"Ooh, we're on the farmer team too," Grim said when I showed him the paper.

"Oh yeah?" Ace said with a smirk. "Then it sounds like you guys and I are gonna be enemies tomorrow."

"If we're gonna brawl, there's no way I'm losing," Deuce said with a gleam in his eye.

"Yeah!" said Grim. "I sure ain't gettin' beat!"

"Coach Vargas will be going over the full rules of the game tomorrow," said Crewel. "You pups are hereby dismissed! Out!"

During practice, Vil reluctantly said we would have the next day off for Beanfest. I was looking forward to this more and more. I was curious as to what Floyd thought of the event, and it did not take me long to figure it out. He seemed upset about something as soon as I met him in the courtyard.

"Hey, Floyd," I said. "What's wrong?"

"No one will switch teams with me," he grumbled. He suddenly gave me a hopeful look. "You're not on the monster team, are you?"

Ah, he was talking about Beanfest. "No, I'm on the farmer team. That means you're on the farmer team too? Why do you want to switch?"

"I was on the farmer team last year. I want to mix it up this year. It will be more exciting that way."

"Yeah, I guess I can see that." I gave him a small smile. "But I wasn't here last year. Don't you think it would be fun to play with me?"

Floyd frowned. "Aw, you too? Jade said the same thing. I don't get what the big deal is."

"Maybe he just wants to play with his brother."

"Maybe, but I'm really not feeling it."

"Aw, come on. Don't be like that. Jade must be disappointed."

Floyd looked at me with a frown. "Are you worried about him? He'll be fine. I'd just drag him down like this." He paused. "Why don't you play with him instead? I bet two of you could have a lot of fun together." He perked up a little, seeming to like that idea.

I thought it would be more fun if all three of us played together, but I did not push it. He was right; if he was not into it, there was nothing to be done. "Sure, I'll see if I can track him down and team up with him." And maybe, if I found Floyd as well, he would change his mind and want to play with us.

Floyd nodded. "Good." He leaned against a wall of the building and slowly slid down.

I sat beside him. "Do you want to talk about anything else?"

"Not really. Can you just... stay with me?"

I smiled. "Of course." I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes. It felt nice.

"Welcome, bean sprouts," Vargas said as the whole school gathered on the sports field Saturday morning. "It's that time of year again—Beanfest! I hope you all ate a balanced breakfast and chugged a raw egg or two, because you're gonna need some serious energy to last through the day. I'll go over the rules for all our freshmen. Pay close attention and don't let my magnificent musculature distract you too much. This will be a capture-the-flag battle in which teams fight for possession of the magic harp placed in the coliseum. The monster team loses if the farmer team successfully seizes the harp they're guarding. Conversely, the farmer team loses if they fail to take back the harp within the time limit. Simple enough, right?

"If a farmer gets captured by a monster, they're out. And if a monster gets hit by a farmer's bean, they're out. Now, here's the most important rule: there is to be NO MAGIC WHATSOEVER used during the game. Any player who gets caught using magic will be immediately disqualified. This is a contest of physical prowess only! I'm giving extra PE credit to everyone on the winning team. And I'll give an EXTRA bonus to the MVPs who contribute the most to a team's victory. I expect you all to fight your hardest and go until every muscle in your bodies scream in protest!

"The playing field will span the entire campus. Each team will have their own supply points. I suggest that you use what you find in the crates at those positions to your advantage! I'll be passing out field maps to each of you with supply points marked on them. Each farmer gets ten beans, and each monster gets boots that boost your running speed. Once you have your starting kit, head to your designated starting position. The game begins at 9 A.M. sharp. Happy hunting, kids!"

Grim and I grabbed out starting kit and got going. "Let's see," said Grim. "Our starting position is A-6 on the map... That's the woods near Ramshackle Dorm." We started for the location. "Looks like the others are gettin' sent all over."

"Sup, Grimmy. Ona," Cater said, jogging over to meet us. "Lemme guess: you're at A-6 too?"

"Yup. You too, Cater?"

"Bingo. Got it in one! This is my third year playing this game, so here's a hot tip from the voice of experience. The farmer team members are ALWAYS better off operating in groups. And hey, we're starting point buddies. That's as good a reason as any to stick together, right?"

"Welcome aboard," I said.

A moment later, Deuce came walking by, mumbling, "Hmm, point A-6... Is this the right area?"

"Heya, Deucey," said Cater. "You starting here too?"

"Yessir. Same for you guys, I'm guessing?"

"Yup! I was just telling Ona and Grimmy that we should totally team up. You want in, Deucey?"

"Absolutely."

"Great! And what better way to mark the occasion than with a selfie?" Cater moved in close to us and held up his phone. "Cheese! Now to tag it... #NRC #Beanfest #FarmerTeam #MonsterTeamHasNothinOnUs Aaand posted!"

Deuce shook his head. "You never change, Cater..."

"Hey, if we're looking for teammates, I know someone who would be really good," I said.

"Oh yeah, Ona?" said Cater. "Who?"

"Jade."

"What?!" Cater, Deuce, and Grim exclaimed.

"You sure you don't mean Floyd?" said Grim. "I bet he would be really good."

I shrugged. "Probably, but he doesn't feel like playing this year. Besides, Jade is much more sly, cunning, and sneaky. That's what we need."

"You sure those are positive traits?" said Cater.

"They certainly can be." I gave him a look. "Why, do you have a problem with Jade?"

Cater held up his hand. "Not at all. Jade is good."

"If you think he'll help us, then that's fine with me too," said Deuce.

"If he's so sneaky, how are we going to find him?" said Grim.

"Good point," I said. "We might have to wait for him to find us." I bet Floyd had given his twin the same advice about the two of us teaming up. Suddenly, there was a loud noise.

"Whoop, that's the signal," said Cater. "Looks like it's game on. Stay on your toes, guys. It's anyone's guess where the monster team's planning to ambush us. And don't forget to keep your beans locked and loaded."

"We only have ten beans to exterminate the monster team with," said Deuce. "We'll have to think carefully about how we use them."

"I could go for more beans, personally," said Grim. "They'd do in a pinch if we get hungry enough."

"Then how's about we start by hitting up a supply point?" said Cater. "The supply crates have more than just beans, FYI. They've got bean blasters that can fire 'em out at high speed, not to mention other stuff. And the early bird gets the proverbial worm! People scramble for those every year."

"Sounds good to me," I said.

"Looks like the nearest farmer supply point is in the woods by the botanical garden," said Deuce. "Let's check it out." With that, we headed out. We walked in silence for awhile. "The supplies should be in this area..." Deuce stopped. "Oh, hey. Is that it? The wooden crate under the apple tree?"

"The less experienced freshmen should get first dibs on the gear, IMO," said Cater. "Go ahead and grab what you like, Deucey!"

"Are you sure? Well, thank you! As long as everyone's okay with it..." Deuce started for the crate.

"...Ona. Grimmy. C'mere, behind the tree," Cater whispered.

"What're you whispering for?" Grim asked.

"Shhh. Quiet." Grim looked at me, and I shrugged. The two of us followed Cater behind the tree. A moment later, Ace and Sebek from the monster team walked into the clearing.

"Well, look who it is," said Ace, "Farmer Deuce, the biggest sucker on the block!"

"The monster team?" said Ace. "What is this, an ambush?!"

"Anyone with two brain cells could figure out that supply crates are the most obvious place to ambush you farmers."

"Argh, I got careless!" Deuce began to run.

"He bolted!" said Sebek. "After him!"

"I'll nab him!" said Ace before running after him with Sebek on his tail.

"Great," said Cater. "They're gone. Let's score ourselves some sweet supplies while we can."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Was that your plan from the start?"

"So that's why you told Deuce he could have first dibs," said Grim. "You were settin' him up to take the fall. You're one scary guy!"

"Oh, cut me some slack, guys," said Cater. "It's called strategy. Deucey gets extra credit regardless as long as the farmer team wins. You know what they say: there's no I in team! Besides, Deucey's on the track team. With those fleet feet of his, I'm sure he'll shake 'em."

"Look!" someone shouted. "Farmers!"

"Grab 'em!" said another.

"Whuh-oh. Monsters," said Cater. "I thought they were all gone! Ona! Grimmy! Get those beans locked and loaded!" What ensued was an intense battle, but we managed to win. "Phew. We fended 'em off."

"I keep throwin' the beans and they just ain't hittin' the monster team!" Grim said. "I'd better pick 'em up off the ground..." He immediately got to work.

"Let's see what the loot crate's got now." I followed Cater to the crate. "A bean blaster—the smaller model. Bean bags, two magic camo jackets... And a magic potion. It says it shrinks someone for thirty seconds. I'd call that a pretty good haul! Might as well put the camo jackets on now. Here, Ona, take one."

"Thanks," I said with a smile. I grabbed a jacket and slipped it over my shoulders while Cater did the same.

"Ta-dah! How do I look? Totally rad? Totally bad? Or both?"

I grinned at him. "Totally rad!"

"I don't get it," said Grim. "How are all those loud colors supposed to be camo for anything? Seems to me like it's paintin' a target on your back."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! This is a MAGIC camo jacket, remember?" said Cater. "The colors look loud to friendlies, but from the monster team's POV, they make you blend in with your surroundings optic camo-style."

"AND it keeps you warm and comfy!" I said.

"All of which is to say, scoring loot like this makes for one PERFECTLY 'cammable moment. Let the selfies...begin!" Cater leaned in close to us and took a picture. "Hashtag #NRC #Beanfest #SupplyCrateLewt #RIPDeucey. Now that we're all geared up, let's start making our way toward the coliseum."

"Sounds like a plan to me!" said Grim. Before we could get going, we were attacked by another group of monsters. This battle was much tougher than the previous one. There were to many of them that, no matter what we did, more kept coming. I began to get anxious. No way I wanted to get out of the game so early!

"My, my," said a very familiar voice from above. "Someone sounds like they're in trouble. Shall I offer my assistance?"

"Jade?" I said with hope in my voice. I had to keep my eyes on the monster, so I dared not look for him.

"Owww!" a monster cried.

"Beans?" said another. "They're coming from above?!"

"Hello there, monsters," said Jade. "And goodbye—you're out."

With the monsters out, I felt free to look up. I grinned when I spotted Jade wearing camo and crouched on a tree branch, a satisfied smirk on his face. "It is you!"

"I wasn't expecting someone in magic camo up in the tree branches," said the first monster, "but maybe I should've."

"Confound it all!" said the second. The two of them walked off, grumbling.

Jade skillfully leapt the to the ground. I immediately ran to him and flung my arms around him. "Jade!" I cried happily. "That was incredible! You're amazing!"

Jade chuckled and hugged me back. "Thank you, Ona. Why, I think this is the happiest anyone has ever been to see me."

I pulled back and smiled at him. "Of course I'm happy to see you. You saved us like a hero or something."

Jade smirked. "A hero, huh? I like the sound of that. I will be your hero anytime."

I was caught off guard by his comment, but before I could question him on it, Cater made his way over to us, saying, "She's right, you know. Thanks for the clutch assist there, Jade! Saved by the 'Vinelle. You know what a dramatic moment like that calls for? Survival selfies!"

"Certainly. Cheese." Cater pulled us together and took a picture. That gave me an idea I couldn't resist. As soon as Cater and Grim moved away, I grabbed Jade's arm and held up my own phone. He appeared surprised. "You want to take a selfie with me? Has Cater been giving you ideas? Very well, snap away."

I smiled. "Thanks." I leaned in close to him and snapped a photo. I immediately looked at it and was satisfied. His smile in the picture was actually genuine.

"You're getting the hang of it, Ona," Cater said with approval.

"I see your group also managed to acquire some supply crates," said Jade.

"Yeah, and Grimmy's squandering all the ammo by taking wild pot shots. If we don't find another crate soon, we're gonna run out of beans."

"Would your group happen to have room for one more?"

"There's always room for a guy who saved our bacon."

Jade gave him his polite smile. "Glad to hear it. All my crate had was a magic camo jacket and bean bags. I didn't get a bean blaster. As you might imagine, I have no desire to face the monster team unarmed. Hence my decision to cower in the treetops. Heh."

"Welcome to the team!" I said with a grin.

Jade's smile turned into a genuine one when he looked at me. "Thank you for having me, Ona. Cater. Grim."

"Pleasure's all ours, bud!" said Cater. "By the way, Jade. How come you're not with Azul and your brother, Floyd?"

"Beanfest has a rule about that, actually— housewardens and vice housewardens must always be on opposing sides. They want to preserve SOME sense of balance between teams."

"Oh yeah, I remember Trey mentioning that now. Okay, so Azul's on the monster team. Right on."

"Floyd drew the farmer team, just as I did, but... He said, and I quote, 'I'm not really feelin' it,' and promptly made himself scarce." Jade smirked. "He also said 'go find Ona and play with her. So, here I am."

"Hey, he was looking for you too!" Grim said.

Jade's smirk widened. "You were looking for me, Ona?"

"Oh, sure. She went on and on about how she wanted you to be in our group."

I shot Grim a glare. "Don't exaggerate! All I did was give a short, rational explanation as to why he would be useful to us."

"Oh sure, that's all it was," said Cater. "The way you passionately greeted him tells me you have no emotional involvement at all."

"I only greeted him like that because he saved us!"

Cater smirked. "Whatever you say."

"It's the game. I'm just into the game..."

"I'm flattered, Ona," said Jade, "but you may live to regret it. Azul has been preparing for this event for QUITE a while. I imagine he'll be pulling out all the stops to hunt us."

I grinned at him. "Really? Facing Azul sounds like fun."

Jade chuckled. "Doesn't it though?"

"You're spending way too much time with him," Grim muttered to me.

"Oh, but we haven't been able to spend much time together at all lately. Not nearly enough."

"That's your fault," I said. "You could always join Floyd when he visits me."

"No, that would never do." There was something in his eyes I did not understand, and I dared not ask with Grim and Cater around.

"I hate to interrupt... whatever this is," said Cater, "but we should probably discuss our strategy."

"My apologies." Jade tore his gaze away from me. "So, I know our team's objective is to retrieve the coliseum harp... But I really think I should get a bean blaster if we want to solidify our chances of survival."

"Why do I feel like you're tryin' to pull one over on us?" said Grim. "Well, forget it. I ain't givin' you squat!"

"Goodness. I wouldn't dream of taking yours."

"The problem is that supply crates are perfect spots for the enemy team to set up ambushes," said Cater. "And there's no guarantee we'd even get what we want from one. We need to go in with a plan if we're hitting up a supply point."

"You're quite right, of course. I have a suggestion... or rather, a promising lead. There's a certain... smith, we'll say, who I think might be willing to furnish us with a bean blaster."

"'Smith?' That a guy's name? Can't say it sounds familiar."

"I don't think that's what he meant," I said.

"Never you worry," said Jade. "I have information on his location from a reliable source. I'll lead the way."

I shrugged. "Alright."

"Hm. Well, you are Octavinelle's vice housewarden," said Cater. "You guys always know what's up, and that's good enough for me. We are on the same side, after all."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence,"s aid Jade. "In that case, I suggest we take a detour to the botanical garden before heading to our destination. There's something I'd like to pick up there, before we get to the bean blaster."

"Maybe the botanical garden will have some emergency fruit rations, too," Grim said excitedly. "That's one side trip I'm willin' to take!"

"Is your stomach a bottomless pit, Grimmy?" said Cater.

"Sometimes I believe it," I said as we made our way to the botanical garden. Soon, there was a strong smell in the air. And then we arrived.

"Here we are at the garden! Phew. Made it in one piece. Is it just me, or does something smell... spicy?"

"Oh, yes," said Jade. "Extremely spicy. It's a smell that whets the appetite."

"You ain't kiddin'," said Grim. "I can't stop drooling!"

"There's something familiar about those spices..." I said.

Grim started sniffing around. "It's comin' from thataway. Let's go see what's cookin'!" He immediately took off.

"Grimmy, don't let your stomach do ALL the thinking," said Cater. "This could be a monster team trap!"

"Grim!" I called after him. "Stay! Stay!" I sighed and started following him. "When he gets his mind set on something, he doesn't listen to a word I say."

"I know the feeling," said Jade. We all headed into the temperate zone of the botanical garden, and the small grew stronger.

"It's comin' from over here!" said Grim. Soon, I saw Kalim cooking meat.

"Oh, hey, guys," said Kalim. "Did the smell lure you in?" Jade and Cater exchanged a surprised look. "Ah, no need to bean me, guys! I'm on the farmer team."

"He's telling the truth," said Jade. "That orange armband demonstrates as much."

"Kalim," I said, "what are you doing?"

Kalim blinked at me. "What do you mean?"

"Are you all by yourself, Kalim?" said Cater. "And more importantly, what's with that smell? The whole garden's, like, suffused with it."

"What smell? Oh, you mean the shawarma!"

"The...? Oh!" said Jade. "You're referring to the Scalding Sands dish made by fire-roasting a mix of mutton and chicken on a spit. It's gained international acclaim, or so I hear."

Kalim smiled. "Mhm. Some places call it by different names."

"Isn't this supposed to be a battlefield?!" I exclaimed.

Kalim ignored me. "You turn the meat over the fire to cook it thoroughly, then wrap it in bread with some veggies and pickled goodies. It's delish. You should have some!"

"Sheesh..." said Cater. "On closer inspection, clearly we're not the only farmers lured in by the smell. Look at all those people stuffing themselves!"

Kalim grinned. "Right? Jamil packed this all up so I could make a proper lunch out of it."

My eyes narrowed. "Oh, he did, did he? Jamil, who must be on the monster team?" I exchanged a glance with Jade and could tell he was thinking the same thing as me. This was a set up.

"Kinda overboard, don't you think?!" said Cater.

"They even brought an infrared grill for slow-roasting the meat," said Jade. "That's dedication."

"Is it?" said Kalim. "I'd say it's pretty standard for us."

"Yow!" said Grim. "This looks crazy good. I gotta get me some of this!"

"Grim," I said in a warning tone, but I knew it was too late. There was no stopping him now.

"Sure, one sec," said Kalim. "I'll fire some up fresh for you."

"Jade, I've got a bad feeling about this," said Cater.

"As do I," said Jade. "I think I'd better wrap up my business sooner rather than later. I'll be ducking out for a bit. Please excuse me."

I grabbed his arm before he could leave. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Jade appeared surprised at the question. "I'll be fine. Worry about yourself. Keep an eye out." He paused, and a hint of mischief entered his eyes. "Are you afraid I won't return?"

My eyes widened. "N-No..."

Smirking, Jade wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. Then he whispered into my ear. "I will come back for you, Ona. I'm your hero, right? I'll return to save you again." Then he left, looking smug at my stunned reaction.

"Feeling alright there, Ona?" Cater said with a small smirk of his own.

"I, uh, I'm just nervous that that is a trap," I said.

"If you say so. But I do hope we can get out of here quickly."

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Me too, Cater. Me too." This event was turning out to be quite interesting.