Knives and Swords

Chapter 1

Clove

I almost jumped up and down with excitement as the Training Center came into view, but I commanded myself to look like a real Career. Instead, I fixed a cool look of interest as my father and I walked through the doors. I breathed in and smelled the salty air filled with salt and blood. Excellent,  I thought to myself as I imagined the skills would acquire once I began my training. I tuned my father out as he talked to the receptionist about payments and my class. Instead I watched the training going on inside the gym. I saw eighteen year olds dismantling dummies and sparring in small circles. A smile wormed its way onto my face and I quickly wiped it away, trying to remain emotionless.  I looked up with a start as the receptionist started talking to me.

"Clove Kentwell, you are eleven, right?" She asked perkily. I gave her a short nod in response and she continued. "Well normally we would have a quick evaluation of your skills, but seeing as you are only eleven, we have decided that is not necessary. You will be placed in a group with one other person. He is a year older than you, but I do think that will work out quite well as he is possibly the most skilled twelve year old we have had." She said slightly condescendingly. "Your trainer will be Val, just ask the bald man over there where to find him." She said pointing to the man. 

After I received the information about my trainer and where to find him, I entered the gym. I felt proud of my district, for training the most Victors and for establishing this building, where I could hone my skills in order to bring honor and glory for my district. Even though it was technically illegal to train for the games, we did it anyways. And it isn't like we were the only ones who did this either. I knew for a fact that District One has centers such as these, but I wasn't as sure of the other Career district, Four. Most families who bore at least one Victor expected everyone else in the family to win the Games or die trying, quite literally. Clove had seen firsthand others be disowned for not volunteering. Cowards, she sneered inwardly. Although I myself am too young to be picked for the Games, most kids began training before they could even be reaped, to make sure they had some semblance of skill in the rare occurrence that they were drawn and no one volunteered. I cleared my head of these thoughts as I approached my coach. 

"Excuse me, I'm Clove and I am supposed to be training with you." I spoke clearly, watching the man whip his head around. He had short cropped sandy hair, and jagged scars across his face and well-muscled arms. He was most definitely a Victor. 

"Ah yes, Clove you are the new one I am to teach. This is your partner, Cato Hadley." He mumbled gruffly. Hearing his name the boys who was currently failing at attempting to hit the bulls eye with throwing knives turned sharply. He had styled blonde hair and ice cold blue eyes which set off his tanned skin well. His figure was very bulky, but I was now second guessing my thoughts that I could be as good as these kids. This boy was supposed to be one year older than me for crying out loud! "Good thing you showed up when you did, we just started practicing throwing knives. Join Cato won't you?" Although Val voiced this as a question, I knew that it was a command and he would enforce it. 

I walked over to Cato making sure that none of my fears were obvious on my face and that I remained looking impassive. As I drew closer to Cato, I heard the faint grumbles of him being forced to share training time with some untrained newbie such as myself. I was caught in between being upset and understanding. If I were him, I wouldn't want to share my training time with anyone else, but I also wanted to hit him for saying that I had no idea what I was doing. I arched an eyebrow as he picked up another knife to hurl at the target. I tried to hold in my giggle as Cato missed the target by a mile, but a small one escaped. He turned his head to me slowly, his face turning red. 

"Let's see you do any better," he hissed at me, embarrassed at missing at only 15 yards. I quickly sobered up, realizing that this was going to be my first time showing off my meager skills from practicing throwing these in my backyard. I slowly picked up a knife and weighed it in my hands. Too heavy, I decided. I chose another and felt this one was perfect. I assumed a throwing stance and let the knife fly. It landed with a thunk centimeters off from dead center. I threw a smirk at the fuming boy beside me, and spoke innocently. 

"What were you saying before?" I heard Val's throaty chuckle and he spoke up. 

"I think you two will be fine partners. Let's continue with knives for today, and Clove, your form needs work."

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That's all I got for this chapter, don't forget to add this book to your library and tell all your fellow Clato shippers. And fear not, in the coming chapters there will be MUCH more action between our favorite lovebirds. I know that I started them kind of young, but I just wanted you to see the very beginning of their relationship, it's a long ride! This chapter is kind of shorter, but don't worry, longer, more detailed ones are coming.

xoxo- Ellie