Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) Read Free Page B

that you’re a child no longer, and I’ll show you a warrior’s respect.”
    Arianna gave a smirk and nodded at his challenge. With that, they lunged forward, the explosion of metal deafening and sweet to their ears.
     

 
    CHAPTER THREE

A UTOPIA
     
    “Arianna, can you hear me? For bloody sakes open your eyes, girl!” The voice seemed familiar, but it sounded muffled and distant like someone speaking to her through glass. Am I underwater? Someone tried to reach to her from the surface.
    She sprung her eyes open to analyze the situation but saw nothing more than the vast expanse of the cerulean sea around her. Yes, it was water or some sort of blue liquid. It encased her naked body and entangled her long, wild hair. It felt peaceful, warm even. Though, the calm made her feel alone.
    Is this freedom… death maybe? She couldn’t decide. In comparison to her caged life as a warrior-slave, she couldn’t help but think that maybe it might be better to just stay there in the depth of nothingness.
    She did stay. She floated for what seemed like hours, making no attempt to leave. As she waded through the liquid blue, she noticed the faintest of lights in the distance, so faint she wasn’t sure if it really existed. Then again, she wasn’t quite sure if she existed. As the nimble glow grew brighter, she couldn’t resist the temptation to find out where it came from and what it was.
    She swam, following the trail of golden glitter. Deeper she went until the liquid turned to a dark sapphire. Familiar chills started to creep under her skin and curl around her body. Still, she swam deeper. To her shock, the trail vanished before her eyes and left her with only darkness as a companion.
    “Arianna, come back!” The voice boomed in her ears, rippling the liquid about her skin. She felt her body reverberate like a shock of lightening burning straight through her bones, and she began to choke on the watery blackness. It poured into her lungs and burned her eyes and throat. She tried to scream for help, but her voice came in the form of bubbles as the liquid filled her body. No use to struggle. She just let go and closed her burning eyes, leaving the nothingness behind.
    “There’s my girl. Good as new, aren’t ya?” Arianna blinked open her eyes to find Solomon hovering over her looking relieved.
    She felt miserable. Pale lavender walls stung her eyes as she studied the room around her. A large cabinet situated in the corner and a couple of chairs lined the wall to her left. On the other side, she saw a small stove. Arianna recognized it as her Well Room connected to the sparring area. Shifting her eyes, she saw Solomon leaning over her with his hands on his hips. A triumphant smile formed on his face.
    “What happened?” she asked.
    “I won…” Of course he did. “But you sure did put up a Hell of a fight!” He patted her head, and she grimaced.
    “Surprise, surprise.” She raised her hand to her pounding head. To her horror, she felt a large lump growing above her eye.
    “You were out for a while this time, Ara. It’s nearly nightfall.”
    “Yeah, well I suppose after the hundredth concussion, I might stop waking up as fast. You’re lucky I even came back this time. I almost decided not to.” She smiled to hide the truth of her words.
    “Arianna, I’m not at all worried about your physical health, although maybe I will stop going for the head if I want you to remember anything I’ve ever taught you,” he said.
    Arianna almost chuckled, but it hurt too much to laugh.
    “To be quite honest, it’s your mental health that bothers me.” His tone grew serious, and Arianna knew he wanted to lecture her again. “I know you’ve been having strange dreams. I heard you just now, mumbling in your sleep.” He paused, lost in thought as a wry smile twisted on his face. 
    “Solomon, why do you worry so much, really? It was just a dream. Lighten up.”
    “Never take a dream lightly,” he said, wagging his