The Friendship of the Maze

Chapter 9

Ruen-

The archery range had targets of all shapes and sizes, some were farther back than others as well. Those who didn't own a bow grabbed a practice bow from the shed. Averi followed me there even though she had her own. She seemed relieved that I was with her. I'm just as relieved as she is.

I nervously whispered so only she would hear, "I don't know anything about archery." Averi didn't act surprised.

"To be honest my parents thought that archery is for the weak," I admitted.

"It's not." Does she think I agree with them?

"I know and don't agree." With some help, I chose a bow and quiver. Then Averi showed me how to knock an arrow and how to aim and shoot it. Together we walked to the end of the archery course to the last two targets. Averi reminded me not to point it at her. I rewarded her with a smirk. When all the beginners had lined up, one student per target, the Guard-master called out. We fired all our arrows then went to retrieve them and moved to the next target. The Guard-master would repeat his order. I missed the target almost every time, but so did most of the students. A few like Averi hit the target but not the center. The Guard Master would walk the row and comment on any mistake that he saw. When he came to me I shot and he smiled, "Practice and you will get better." I nodded then knocked another arrow, and shot it. I missed the target. When I get home I will ask my father for a bow. The Guard Master told something to Averi and a wide smile crept its way onto her face. She quickly turned and relayed the same information that he told her to me.

"Less stiff the arrow wants to fly." I managed to get a few arrows on the target before the Guard Master called a break. We walked stiffly to the well to get a drink of water. In between gulps of water, I asked, "Why are you here?" Averi sighed and splashed her face with some water. I didn't want to push but I needed to know if I could trust her.

"I have to fight in The Arena. The Guard Master said I could train today so I will be more prepared." She's one of them. We stepped aside to let others drink.

I nodded wisely, "I won't ask why because I know you can't tell me, but I understand," I studied the ground mournfully. "My older sister died in The Arena." I paused. "It's every man's dream to win but so many don't. It lures young men and women into it just so it can kill them." It felt good to finally tell someone what I think of The Arena Games. I hope this doesn't get me in trouble. Averi looked at me not like I was a lunatic, but a concerned friend. She understands.

"So why are you here," she curiously asked.

I frowned, "Cus sometimes people are forced. My father forces me and my siblings to compete."

"Oh, I am sorry," she placed a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. Don't get too attached, she will either be dead or gone in a few days.

Averi-

"Wrestling intimidates a lot of beginners, especially if they don't know what they're doing," the Guard Master lectures at the wrestling pits. "You shall be paired with a higher level student who will teach you all you kneed to know." Behind him stood around fifteen aggressive-looking teenagers. When he finished each of the older students found a younger student and led them to a wrestling pit. Ruen and I looked at each other then away again. I know what she was thinking. I think I was thinking the same thing. Ruen had a look of relief when a tall red-headed girl walked up to her. She leaned over and explained that this was one of her sisters. They went to a pit leaving me alone. Will no one pick me? Am I not wanted? They must think that I'm weak. I slumped. Maybe I should leave?

"Hey," a husky male voice caught my attention. Standing over me was a broad-shouldered teen with a mop of wavy tan hair. I was too petrified to answer. "Come on," he motioned to an empty pit and jogged towards it.

The pit was what you would expect of a pit, dusty, rocky, uneven. He stood in the pit and faced me. As soon as I stepped into the pit he attacked me with a sweep kick that brought me to my knees. When I looked up he was taking off his sword.

"How many weapons do I have," he asked. I looked at the sword he might also have a knife. "Two," I said weakly. He set aside his blade, "Wrong." He picked up a stone and chucked it at my face I rolled over to avoid it. Then he took his belt off and started slapping me with it. As he was replacing it he kicked dirt into my eyes. Because I was rubbing my eyes he got in another kick and I was thrown across the pit.

"How many weapons do I have," he asked again in his stern but respectable tone.

"Millions."

The corners of his mouth arched upward slightly. "Correct." Then he crossed the pit to offer his hand, I took it foolishly and he swiped it back last second leaving me to fall to the ground.

"You can not trust anyone." Uh, he's right and I fell for it. I can't trust anyone not here and not in The Maze.

By the time of the third break, the sun had dipped low in the sky and I had many more bruises than I had come with. Then a sense of dread washed over me as I remembered what tomorrow was. No, I won't focus on that. I turned back to my very fresh chicken leg. Very fresh. I watched as they killed the chickens. Now this is what I call real food. On my wooden plate were also mashed potatoes with gravy and yellow corn. Ruen had the same on her plate. We ate peacefully under a large oak tree. I was justifying why I had to fight. She didn't like it but I explained that I had no choice. I wish things could be different.

"You do know who your mentor was, right?"

"What do you mean?"

She stared at me shocked. "You don't know?"

"Uh, no." Should I know my mentor?

"You were fighting the most handsome, talented boy in the entire training grounds and you didn't know," she shouted with excitement. Does she like him?

"I didn't know, seriously."

"Oh, Averi," Ruen sighed.

After everyone had eaten their fill the Guard Master dismissed us either to head to the barracks or to go home. I said fair well to Ruen and headed through the dark streets to the inn. I smiled at the innkeeper before I climbed the stairs to our shared room. I quietly opened the door not wanting to wake Rennee if she was sleeping. The door let out a loud screech. Good thing she wasn't sleeping.

"How was your day?" She was trying to distract my attention away from a long-covered object on her bed.

"Great," I said my gaze not leaving the object. "I learned a lot and met a girl, Ruen." Then I explained everything most excitingly. "I wish I could show you."

She smiled gleefully, "Well, you might be able to. Remember that I went to the market today?" "Ya." She pulled the cloth off the object on her bed, "I picked up something for you." Me? Under the cloth was a beautiful double-sided sword with a light brown leather scabbard.

"Is this for me," I asked dumbly still staring at the sword.

"Show me what you learned." Rennee handed me the blade and let me demonstrate the drills. It was for me. The sword was not adorned with precious stones or covered in gold but it was the most beautiful sword I have ever seen. It was beautifully practical.