Six #3
I don’t move, frozen in my seat. My eyes go to Rohan who’s taken a step forward, but Sigrid places a hand on his arm to halt him, whispering in his ear.
“Come on, scum.” Declan grabs me and all but drags me back through the door. It looks like a pleasant hold, but the way his fingers dig in is anything but. He takes me down through tunnels and I blink when my feet hit the sand as we come out of a smaller gate.
The clans stare at me, the people stare at me. Declan guides me across and takes me up the steps of the stage and places me beside the king.
My head spins, my breathing sharper as I look out across the people now shouting things, staring and pointing.
A growl reaches me, deep and guttural, terrifying.
My instinct has me looking to Rohan, like he can protect me from whatever beast made such a noise.
Only arrows are pointed at Rohan’s chest, and when another growl sounds, I realize it’s coming from him while Varan and Sigrid struggle to hold him back.
Declan backs away, and Rohan tracks him, his eyes never once leaving his.
“Enough, boy, or I will let him have her for the night,” the king says quietly, and Rohan freezes, those eyes going to Halen, the purple flaring brighter.
Halen pushes his back, and he looks refined, polished, but the harsh gleam in his eye tells a different story.
The king reaches out, and I will myself not to flinch as he takes my hand in his, gripping hard. I wince as he turns me forward, showing me off in front of his people.
“Everyone, meet our special guest.” He gestures to me.
“Isn’t she magnificent!” The crowd gasps and roars, whistling.
“Now, I know we all have feelings about the elven, but she is to roam the city for The Games as the clans do. You are to treat her with a warm… welcome.” My stomach turns.
“But let’s make this an extra special occasion with a prize! ”
The crowd goes wild, and I look to Rohan, who now has Durruk holding him back too, his fists clenching. I look down to the lower level, to clan Blackscale and see Tofa’s wild eyes, Beau huddled close.
Another bucket is suddenly brought out and placed before me, a single piece of parchment resting alone at the bottom, blood from the Dragonbonds splattering the base.
I turn to the king and he smirks, gesturing to the bucket.
I glance at Rohan, and then I lean down, fingers shaking. As soon as I touch the paper, needles spring from the bottom, piercing my flesh and I flinch, whimpering, taking my hand away.
It bleeds, three entry points of where the needles got me.
“Go on,” the king says, smirking at me.
I look back down at the paper and as quickly as I can, I grab it, pulling it out.
Unfolding it, I look upon the writing, blood smears across a few letters and my vision blurs from the tears gathering in my eyes.
It’s snatched from me by the king.
“The extra prize will be…” Drums bang from somewhere while my heart thunders in my ears. “The elf will get to choose who goes first!”
The crowd screams, and I swallow, trying to keep the nausea at bay.
“Who will it be?”
The crowd screams out clan names, chanting and trying to persuade me.
“Will you choose the order it was called, or a different one?” the king asks me.
I shuffle on my feet, the dress too tight, I feel like I can’t breathe.
“Well?” he demands, and I look to Rohan.
He nods at me.
But I don’t know what that nod means!
“Decide!” the king shouts, and I flinch.
“T-the order c-called,” I croak out, stomach dropping.
He claps his hands. “Excellent, and with that, this year, whichever clan places first, their Dragonbond will get a single boon from me.” He smirks. “If they survive.”
The people scream and shout, swinging their colors in the air while the clans look nervous. I think Rohan says something, but the buzzing in my ears won’t let me hear him as I look back to the board, blinking rapidly.
“That concludes the drawing of The Games, don’t forget to place your bets with Lord Redwick!
And as this year is special, instead of the Dragonbonds choosing who will participate…
all clan members will be able to enter in The Games!
No one will be left out.” I pale, hands shaking, my wide eyes going to the children.
“Remember the clan’s placement after every game determines how many will die.
” I freeze in horror, my eyes turning back to the king.
“And who will kill them you are probably asking?” He smiles, walking to the front of the stage.
“Sometimes it will be guards, but with others...” He pauses, grin in place. “It will be their leaders, of course.”
If we place last, five people from the clan will die. If we place first, we’ll lose one. So no matter where you place, someone will die? And Rohan may have to pick who it is? And kill them?
I look at him, watching the king with utter hatred, they all do.
Because no matter what, they’re pitted against each other and no matter what, people will die, by their hand.
I can’t help it.
My stomach revolts and I turn to the side and throw up, the king’s laughter echoing in my ears.