The Sports Captain's Tale полностью

“Don’t take anything for granted,” I warned. The arena was covered in tracking spells – it wouldn’t do to have someone turned into an object, then lost forever because the caster couldn’t find them again – but, in theory, none of the players should be able to use the spells. In theory … it really would be cheating, and the sergeant might disqualify the perpetrator’s entire team, yet if they used it to beat us we might not get a rematch. “We have to assume the worst.”

Bill snorted. “If they can turn the arena spells against us, we’re fucked anyway.”

Mildred looked up at me. “I think we’re ready.”

“You think?” Karen gave her a look she wouldn’t dare give any other fifth-year. “Are you sure?”

“Nothing is certain, except death, taxes and Blair being an asshole,” I said, before an argument could break out. “James, Bill, Jerry … you’re with me. You know what to do.”

“Yep,” Jerry said. “I know the plan. I know exactly what I have to do. I really do …”

He paused, dramatically, and pasted a truly gormless expression on his face. “What was the plan again?”

I gave him the finger as the bell rang. We didn’t have time for jokes, not when we had only one chance to pull this off. The other teams were already running to take up positions, if I was any judge, some going on the offensive while others tried to find cover and ambush their enemies as they approached. The doggy trick wouldn’t work twice – everyone would have blanketed themselves in scent-neutralising spells or I was a halfwit – but who knew what else Blair, Darrell and Ham had up their sleeves? Darrell was no fool and she wanted to beat Blair and rub his face in it. If she came up with something of her own …

The air felt cold and clammy as the four of us hurried into the foliage, keeping as low as we could. It was risky leaving three people in the base – if they were caught by surprise, they’d be taken out before they had a chance to react – but most experienced players thought you needed every last teammate on the field. It was what they’d expect me to do, I thought. If nothing else, a useless player could soak up a hex aimed at someone more competent. And yet, would they not expect me to try something desperate?

If you have nothing to lose, I reflected, you might as well stake everything on one throw of the die.

We kept moving, slowing as we made our way towards the clearing. It was a bad place to pick a fight, I knew from experience, which was partly why I’d chosen it. Enemies could come from all directions, while we’d have precious little natural cover. I heard someone shout in the distance, too faint for me to make out any of the details; the sound cut off so abruptly I knew they’d been taken out. The nasty part of my mind hoped it had been one of Blair’s teammates. If I couldn’t go on to the finals myself, I’d be happy if Blair didn’t go on either.

No, I corrected myself. You wouldn’t.

I froze as the bushes up ahead started to rustle. Someone was there … probably. I ducked down as low as I could, until I was lying in the mud. The lads followed me, moving with unaccustomed silence, as we waited. Who was it? Did they know we were here? We’d layered ourselves in stealth spells, but the enemy would be scanning for us and nothing was more conspicuous than a dead zone in the middle of the arena. I wished, suddenly, we’d had more time to practice. Or a handful of people we could trust to serve as the opposition. We just didn’t know how the plan would work against a real opponent.

The bushes parted. Sonya stepped into view, eyes darting from side to side. Her tunic was stained with mud … I tried not to notice how it clung to her body as I peered past her, trying to determine if she was alone. Darrell wouldn’t have sent her out without backup, would she? Sonya was good – she wouldn’t have been on the team if she wasn’t – but anyone could be taken out, if they were alone. I braced myself, taking aim as I listened carefully. There was no sign of anyone else. Masking spells? Silencing spells? Or was she truly alone?

I hexed her. Her arms and legs snapped together, an instant before she tumbled and fell face-first into the mud. I grinned, even as I braced myself for the expected retaliation. If she wasn’t alone … I heard someone crashing through the foliage behind her and tensed, realising Darrell’s team was looking for their missing member. Two more ran into the clearing and got zapped, both frozen in their tracks. A third turned and ran away, too late. A hex struck her back …

And it wasn’t one of ours.