Game Of Survival •in editing•

3 Sleeping Flowers

Tonight was the Carmine Festival, five hours before my recruitment trial. I stand amongst the crowd, analyzing every space in the several courtyards and main squares in my village. The General's house is in another city, but the main festivities of Carmine are in my city. No matter how small we may be, we celebrate it more than any other city in the entire Red Kingdom. Therefore the General and his soldiers will be roaming the streets of Poor Man's Grove in t minus 2 hours.

I take inventory of my weapons when I enter my room. It is now one hour until festivities start, which meant I had to leave now. Kat hasn't spoken to me since that night, she's barely been home herself in the last three days. I know she came into my room last night, however. She sat next to my bed as she usually does, whispering her day's events. She says it's better to talk to a sleeping person, especially if it is me. Her burdens and guilt can dissipate into the night air, yet the comfort of having someone nearby who understands is better than keeping it bottled up. Last night was different. I pretended to be asleep this time, since I couldn't sleep regardless. She cried, and apologized more times than I could count.

I realise that even if I had this life forced upon me, Kat herself wanted neither of us to live this kind of life. She is nearing her forties, and even at this age she is still a hopeless romantic. I see the way she glances at the older men, the way they smile at her, kissing the back of her calloused hands. But those hands were calloused for a reason, a terrifying, depressing reminder of what she couldn't have.

Night is near, and Kat still isn't home. I take the liberty to have my last bath in the comfort of my own home. My last meal is by my lonesome, but never in isolation. I imagine her being here, as well as my parents, as well as Alec. I change, sheath my daggers in the holders around my thigh, one in my knee high boots, another in my arm straps. I leave a note for Kat, shorter than most but concise enough that she understands every thought I'm meant to convey. I start out into the night, hood over my head and a cool, collected calmness I've trained into my system.

The trees of the northern forest look before me, the only thing separating me from Shern City, the city of the Second Red Guard General. Festivities are now two hours in, which means the guard will be busy until sunrise.

The smell of green sap and damp grass from the night's dew swirl around me like an old friend, I welcome the familiar comfort of nature that I have sought solace in since I was a girl.

The roots of the oak trees are unruly and wild, which just means if given chase, I will be able to outrun my pursuers if I memorize these paths. But I am thinking too far ahead. I will not be pursued through these trees. I will succeed, and I will escape without a second thought. I will join the Reaper and his fellow Creepers. I will live with Kat until death comes knocking at my door. That is all I want.

I breech the edge of the forest with ease, scanning the area for the seventh time. The streets of this quiet village at the southern border of Shern city are empty. Most likely from the festivities in mine. Shern people are very suspicious of outsiders. It's like they can tell with one glance that you do not belong here. I have to be careful not to draw any attention or I'm finished before I've even started.

I ghost through the outermost part of the village, through dark streets like a shadow in the night. A few faces can be seen loitering around, talking and laughing and spending their nights at twenty-four hour pubs.

The General's house sits atop a grassy knoll several yards away, his fences are high with intricate designs and black coloring but it's not enough to draw attention away from the barbed wire knotted through. I count four guards on the northern front, that means at least dozens more on the inside. So how do I get in?

Women in the four Kingdoms are respected in the Guard, no matter the age or reputation. The Red Kingdom however, follows the tradition of honour a little less than the others. Particularly enjoying the physical aspects they can provide. Will I be able to seduce them into the mansion if I use my strengths wisely? Then again, my feminine strengths were never considered strong to begin with. I've never flowed with grace like the courtesans of the higher paid class. Not even like Linda at the bakery when she flashes that beautiful smile to attract wandering customers. Kat allowed me to grow as I wished, and that usually involved playing among the trees, notching an arrow and swimming in the river with the younger boys in my neighborhood.