The Honor of Beasts

Chapter Ten - Part One

During the last three days, I've been training the best I could for the upcoming race. Maurin put me through some tough tests to be honest. There are to be obstacles during the race, so of course Maurin had to have some of those while practicing with his own personal, unique touch.

Yesterday morning, he had me ride through the desert blindfolded! I sometimes feel like he may be pushing me too hard. However, I know he has good intentions. And he's one of my best supporters, therefore I'll always be grateful for everything he makes me do. He's the master afterall, not me.

But still...he should start giving me longer breaks.

Well yesterday he actually gave me half the day off! Which came as a big surprise at first, but then he told me to go to the library and study with Master Jonathen. Who then gave me a pile of books about deshoras and all kinds of animals.

Which are all scattered on my bed right now as I'm getting ready for the race.

The first trial of the Blood Games. Finally here.

I dismissed the maids and Delilah a while ago and now it's just me. Plopping down on the large cushion before my mirror, I grab my jewelry box and open it. Inside lays a beautiful assortment of glimmering necklaces, shining bracelets, dazzling rings and much more. I pull out a single hoop earring and close the box, placing it back on my vanity table. It's multiple golden hoops glisten in the morning sun, reflecting the light off the black obsidian teardrop in the center. I jingle it a bit and smile at it's soothing melody.

It's a gift from my mother when I turned eight, it belonged to her mother, and before that her grandmother and so on. The other pair stays with her until she dies and then the two will finally be reunited. It's a tradition among the women of her country, Idilis. It doesn't necessarily have to be an earring, it can be absolutely anything, from gemstones to twin daggers.

When I asked her why I can't just have both, she told me that this way we will always stay connected. I laughed, thinking it silly that some pair of earrings could bind us. A part of me still does I guess. But now, I mostly just see the beauty in the act. Whenever I put the earring on I'll remember my mother as she'll remember me.

So today, I decided to wear it for good luck. It isn't too big to be a menace or too small to barely be in sight. It's just perfect.

Grabbing my long wavy hair, I pull it up into a high ponytail then insert the sharp tip of the earring through the tiny hole on my earlobe. My eyes shine with firm determination as I gaze at my reflection. There.

Now I'm ready.

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The crowd roars and cheers as Demetri and I come into view with our deshoras. The sidelines are packed with Velidians from all over as well as foreigners. All excited to witness the race. The summer air is thick with anticipation and dust as Demetri and I come to a stop at the thick black starting line. The blazing sun beats down on all of us, but everyone is too occupied to care.

To my left stand Maurin, Delilah, and Caleb. The first as calm as an old man sipping his morning tea, while the latter two jumping and clapping like the rest of the exuberant crowd. They wave with beaming grins when they notice me glancing their way.

King Tijran stands from his place on the raised dais to my right causing our audience to quiet down. His gaze sweeps the gathered people, after a few moments he finally clears his throat, "Welcome to the fifth Blood Games!"

The eager throng erupts in a mixture of hoots and claps. The king smiles. It's not a kind one, for father has never been kind, and I don't ever expect him to be. No, he's smiling because I'm sure he's thinking about all the money he'll receive from all these spectators. The Blood Games has a hefty entrance fee, afterall.