Glistening Embers

Chapter 26: An Improvement

Author's Note: Oops! I meant to post this yesterday. Oh well. Enjoy!

Glisteen skipped dinner that night. She wasn't all that hungry, and there were too many thoughts bouncing around in her head. Why was Sabecary going to the meeting? Maybe he was just a messenger.  Why would he be a messenger? Maybe, it wasn't Sabecary, then. But then, again... her jaw dropped, as she remembered an important clue.

The middle left, the person on the middle left. The one who had untied Telma. The one who hadn't talked, so Glisteen had no clue to their identity. What if it was Sabecary? A pool of dread began to form inside her. She groaned and fell back onto her bed. No, it couldn't be Sabecary, it just couldn't. Sabecary loved her. And she loved him. He wouldn't betray her like this. It was impossible, simply impossible. Right?  Right. Sabecary definitely wasn't the cloaked figure.

So, shoving aside her worries about Sabecary, Glisteen sat on her bed, and waited... and waited, and waited, and waited. She thought about what her fight was going to be like. How was she going to defeat water with fire? He could just put her fire out. How was she supposed to defeat Artew, her opposite? Then, finally, her clock read eleven fifty-five. She had exactly five minutes to find her way to the dark 'Improvement' room. She quietly opened her door and walked out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. She quietly creeped through the passageways, all too aware that Aritraya or the silent person on the middle left, could be behind right her.

She retraced her steps, the steps that Hepas had set his feet in, only a few short nights ago, and soon found the familiar, small dark wood door. She let herself in sneakily, clinging to the walls and dark corners where she could hide. She squinted at the clock, but was unable to read it. Hesitantly, very hesitantly, she lit a small fireball and held it closer to the clock. Eleven fifty-nine. It was almost time. Glisteen extinguished the fireball, but was still sure that it was exactly midnight, that the cloaked figures came in, all four of them.

They formed a line, same as before. The one on the right middle stooped down near the fireplace. It must have been Raya, because, suddenly, the fire was lit.
"Welcome," one of the cloaked figures said, the one on the left. "I am sure you all know why we've gathered." She (or at least, Glisteen thought it was a she) let the statement hang in the air. "I believe that we have a spy watching us!" she snapped. Murmuring flitted from the ones, who had not just talking. Were they shocked? Were they wondering if they had a spy? Glisteen wasn't sure.

"I can assure you, I am not the spy." The one on the right said. The other two nodded.

"I don't believe any of you were the spy. That's why I called you here. The chances are, that more than likely, the spy has overheard one of you talking. And if they were here last time, they will be here this time."

"Well, I don't see anybody here now."Aritraya said, taking a quick look around the room. Glisteen froze, hoping she wouldn't be spotted.

"They may not be here, tonight, but I guarantee you they will be here tomorrow! Now, bring him in." Glisteen watched in silence, as Smeko was brought out and asked if he wanted a Gift 'Improvement.'"

He flipped his greyish hair and pleased the cloaked figure with an 'obviously.' Glisteen watched as Smeko was given the drink and became like his sister, a monster. He was escorted out of the room, after.

The four figures passed around drinks. Luckily, none of them were poisoned, this time. "Remember to be here tomorrow for another... improvement." The one on the left said. The other figures nodded and walked out of the room. Glisteen waited to make sure the coast was clear, then walked out, too. Like the figures had said, she'd be there tomorrow. What she didn't know was if it would be her, tied up, and offered the Improvement. Glisteen crept back to her room, as quietly as possible, in the pitch black of the hallways. She soon arrived at her room and laid down in bed, intending to get up and take a shower, but the dark folds of sleep consumed her before she could move another muscle.

Glisteen groaned as she surfaced from the peacefulness of slumber. She had slept in her clothes, again. She dragged her heavy limbs out of bed and forced herself to get in a red shirt and black pants. She brushed her hair, which was stiff from being in a ponytail all night. Just when she had finished,there was a knock on her door.

"Glisteen, your fight is today. You're going to have to get up." Sabecary said, through the door.

Glisteen opened it. "Way ahead of you." They walked down the halls for awhile when Glisteen asked, "Where are we going?"

"Breakfast, I thought we could talk about strategies." Glisteen nodded. When they finally reached the cafeteria, Sabecary started talking about strategies. Glisteen was in her own thoughts, though. Glisteen wondered, could he have been there, in the room? Glisteen wasn't sure, nor was she sure if she wanted to. Sabecary quieted and waited. Glisteen fumbled for an answer. "Uh, sure, okay." She finally replied, not sure what she was agreeing with.

Sabecary gave her a look. "You agree that walking in the arena and saying "I surrender!" is a good idea?"

Glisteen shook her head. "No, I just was, uh... I was trying to think of my own strategy."

Sabecary frowned. "I thought that was what we were doing."

"I'm sorry, I'm just so worried." Glisteen replied, hoping this excuse would be satisfactory for Sabecary.

"You do know that you are a much better fighter than Artew. Right?" Sabecary asked.

"I guess." Glisteen replied.

"You'll do great. Now, let's eat before the announcements call." The waitress (Sabecary must have ordered) brought two plates of pancakes.

They ate quickly. When they finished, the announcements came on.

"Those who are fighting make your way to the arena. The rest may make their way to the stands."

Glisteen tried a weak smile. "Wish me luck?"

Sabecary hugged her. "Always."