How could that be possible?
Braxton’s shoulders stiffen at my thought.
Something comes into my sight.
People.
We don’t have to climb anymore.
Only a bit further.
People start to clap at our sight.
At our survival.
I bite my cheek so hard blood comes free and iron fills my mouth.
They want one winner, not two. They want one of us dead. The king cocks his head up. His eyes narrow as he scans me. Only a bit further, I tell myself.
You are almost free.
You deserve to be free.
Because I am going to force the king into a decision. Between my freedom and his continent.
People stand in a path, cheering as we cover the distance.
My sight is blurry.
Cheering fills my ears, but I follow Brax, who cocks his nose higher in the air and presses his shoulders back as the king faces him.
Zephron is on the king’s side, moving his shoulders uneasy, but something fills his face.
A proud smile.
I realize Braxton succeeded in his first goal.
He proved himself. And Zephron knows as well.
My feet drag me between the cheering rows of people, eyes scanning for a familiar face.
The warmth of the people covers my skin and sweat trickles done in lines off my back.
“Well, look who we have here!” The king claps his hands sarcastically, his eyes still narrowed as we are only three feet away. “Not only one but two as a first.” He furrows his eyebrows.Some people start booing and screaming. They are bloodthirsty. Braxton doesn’t meet my eyes as worry flashes before mine. He only is focused on the king.
“Well, what should we do with this?” the king went on. Asking the audience, leaders and other people on top of the mountain. I look around at everyone in a haze.
“Kill! Kill! Kill!” people cheer, others stay quiet. I try to see their faces, but all I see is a blur, which makes it impossible for me to see what they are thinking.
You have to say something.
Braxton turns to me, lifting his sword towards me. My heart pounds in my throat. I cock my chin up.
I step next to Braxton.
The cold wind burns in my nose as I inhale deeply, thinking wisely about my next actions.
“No.”
