Legacy's Prince

Chapter Thirty: Capture the Flag

The week ends and exams are over. Most folks will be heading home for a little while come nightfall, but until then, it's a tournament day, a last hurrah before the mid-term break. Thus, the coywolves are reunited once again as we file into the arena.

The cheering of the crowd around me and my friends does little to lighten my mood as I clutch the letter in my hand. Axellia and I already knew we would not be returning home for the break. In addition to being free of Father's constant scrutiny, it would be difficult to keep a dragon secret inside a tightly monitored palace. I was hoping, at least, though, that Father would let Tempest and Vilda come visit us, but to no avail.

His many justifications including, but not limited to, lack of security, a break in traditional etiquette, and the fact that Axellia and I didn't get straight 100's on out exams and this needed to study more rather than frolic with little girls.

"No distractions!" That's what he said.

I punch the letter into my pocket as we find out seats, Tempest's crying face plaguing my mind. Just a little bit longer...

"Ach! I can't see a thing!" Vivianna grumbles as she stands on the bench we've chosen, but not yet sat upon, straining on the tips of her toes to try and see over the crowd. Since we are among the few teams continuing on in the tournaments we are seated close to the front, but as we were running a bit late, we were the last competing team to find our seats, meaning the other groups are ahead of us.

Without even looking down, Tarron holds his hand just above her head. Vivianna locked her hands around his wrists and, with mesmerizing ease, Tarron lifts her up, setting her on his shoulder, his eyes never leaving the arena as Vivianna makes herself comfortable, holding onto his ears to keep her balance. I suspect this is not the first time they've done this.

"Welcome to the second round of this term's tournaments!" Lady Delora calls into the voice horn, rattling the cheers to a still silence. "To all of you who are here to observe, welcome, welcome, make sure you get your snacks and drinks. For those of you competing, here is your assignment."

Lady Delora pulls what looks to be a knot of tangled scarves.

"Capture the flag!" she announces to returning cheers. "There will be five different rounds of Capture the Flag today, with five teams competing in each. The winners from each round will go on to the final tournament of the term next week. Teams go in the order that they competed in the last round."

"Well, looks like we're going first again," I mutter, still feeling a bit glum.

"And I'm ready for it!" Mariona grins.

"The entire academy will be your playing ground, teams!" Lady Delora continues. "The campus has been divided into five territories: the boy's dorms, the girl's dorms, the main building, the training grounds, and the gardens. Everything else is considered neutral territory. Exact borders have already been marked in black paint so there will be no confusion. Once you have selected your territory, your team will need to select two locations: one of your flag, and one for your prison."

"Prison?" Axellia asks.

"Sure, have you never played this game before?" Feiya asks.

"No..." Axellia shyly answers.

"Oh, then you haven't lived!" Mariona exclaims as Lady Delora continues.

"The prison will hold any opposing players who are tagged by a member of your team on your territory, or neutral territory. In order for someone to be freed from prison they must be tagged by a member of their team. HOWEVER, you cannot tag, capture, or imprison someone when they are in their team's territory."