English Assignments

Short Story

This is it. I took one last look at the world around me, one last breath of pure air, and stepped onto the circular platform to take me to the arena. A red curl escaped from the plait the rest of my hair remained in. All was encased by darkness, as I went down, down beneath the hard soil of the earth, to where my beloved parents lay.

The light came abruptly, so bright I could not see a thing. I closed my grey eyes. My heart pounded. My hands shook, nerves getting the better of me. I tried to get a better grip on the hard wood of my weapon, but my hands were slick with sweat. The full quiver on my back suddenly weighed ten pounds more.
I tried to reassure myself. I would win for my tribe, all like me, trained as soon as I was able to walk, how to fight, and shoot, and kill.

But why was I chosen? Why not Serilda, the pride of the village, more lethal than any weapon, a warrior, through and through?

No matter. I would not fail. I would show my village who I really was. I heard the whispers; "The poor little orphan," "so quiet since her parents passed," "If only she had a temper to match that hair." I would prove them wrong. Gripping my bow, I stood straight, a force not to be reckoned with.

The rules were simple. One maiden was chosen from each of the twenty tribes, by her elders, and she was to enter the arena, kill everyone in sight, and win honour for her tribe. It would be a simple task, but tribes were secluded, and taught individual skills, which were unknown to others. I would not know what I was up against, or how to defend myself.

The platform clicked into place. I took a death breath, steadying myself. My eyes flew open, absorbing my surroundings. Ahead of me stood a jungle of trees and metal, a mix that could work for my advantage, as it was much like the training grounds at home. I stood my ground, ready.

The gong sounded.

Immediately I evaluated my situation. Ducking under a nearby arch, I fired my first arrow, hitting the target, quickly looking away. A scream. Instantly a bell rang, signaling her death. My adrenaline took over, years of muscle memory and survival instincts took over.

Listening, I heard eight bells; nine down, ten to go.

Sprinting forward, I spotted four other girls. #1 had sheaths strapped everywhere she could put them, and was throwing knives in every direction. Her hair swung in her face, occasionally blocking her view. #2 went down, another bell. #3 was drenched in sweat, using a sword to fight off her opponent, who wielded a mace. I went for #1.

Right away, I was spotted. Knives whistled past my ears, grazing my skin. I swiftly dodged every one, deflecting some with my bow. I waited for the moment I could strike. There. Her hair swung in her face, and I fired, looking away before I could see the damage. Two bells, as #3 came for me.

I shot three arrows, one for her, and two for the others, coming up behind her. Five left. I ducked just as a spear impaled the tree beside me. Firing another arrow, It stuck into the side of my hunter, fixing another problem. Four bells sounded at once. One remained.

Behind me, a twig snapped. Taking my last arrow, I twisted and pulled it against the drawstring, before letting it loose. Empty eyes stared up at me from all around. The last bell rang.

I collapsed as two men came across the arena. They drew closer, and I let them pick me up. I faded into oblivion.

Φ

I awoke, white walls burning into my vision.

"Congratulations Eirlys," the familiar voice came from beside me. I jumped from the bed I lay on, to bow deeply. "There will be no need for that."

I looked up, warily, to meet the eyes of my chief elder, who smiled warmly. Forgetting all respect, I openly stared. The elders did not smile, most of all the chief, a beautiful, but war hardened woman. They were the ice cold individuals who trained us.

"You have brought us honour girl, a luxury that we have not seen in over a century. Never before has one of the Metade won this game."

She enveloped me in her arms, and I suddenly felt warmth, something that had happened to me since the passing of my beloved parents. She released me, and I stood tall with pride. Taking my hand, she led me out of the next to empty room.

We strode through a long hallway, as pristine white as freshly fallen snow. It felt like a millennia before we reached the end door, but in reality was only mere minutes. She gestured for me to stay back, and opened to door for me, an act of high respect and her servitude to me. Heat flowed through me again, and tears welled in my eyes as I stepped past her.

We now stood on a metal floor, raised hundreds of feet above the ground. Train tracks ran across it, obsidian black. Shortly their purpose stopped in front of us, and we departed from the city, back to my home.

Once upon the train, I once again succumbed to unconsciousness. When I awoke, we were just pulling in to the old worn down station. I marvelled at the sight just out the window. My entire village had come to welcome me home. Running off the train with my chief, I heard no whispers, no person doubting me now. I grinned, and the crowd cheered, something I would have never dreamed of. I felt as light as a feather. I had done it. I had brought pride to my village. I took several steps forward, and whispered two words.

"Thank you."