“Let’s focus on the game ahead of us before we start thinking about those,” Noelle chimed in. “We still haven’t decided who we’re sending in for today’s game.”
“Remember they said that whoever we pick can’t compete in the next individual game,” Alyss added.
“I don’t think that should impact our choice too much.” Eira spoke a little louder as the parade started. The coliseum was looming overhead, pressing down on the need to make a decision. “We don’t have any information about what that challenge will be, so it’s not as if we can be upset at ourselves later for making a poor choice now. Plus, there’s still three of us who won’t be competing, which means we’ll have options and can hopefully make a more informed decision for that game.” Even if they hadn’t landed on a final competitor, they had at least ruled out sending in more than one person.
“All good points.” Noelle put her hands on her hips, staring ahead at the light of the arena streaming in at the end of the tunnel. “So, who wants to do it?”
“You don’t sound enthusiastic.” Eira observed.
Noelle shrugged.
“You don’t want to for the glory?”
“I like playing games I know I can win.” Noelle kept her focus ahead. “All this unknown makes things less fun for me. I’d rather take the next individual game, if it’s all the same to everyone.”
“This might be the first time I’ve ever seen you as anything less than confident.” Alyss looked up at Noelle in surprise. “It’s weird and I don’t like it.”
“I’ll try to keep it at a minimum.” Noelle smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Eira had never seen her look so nervous either and was inclined to agree with Alyss in that it was deeply unnerving.
“I’ll do it,” Cullen said out of nowhere.
“The hero, stepping up to save the damsel—damsels.” Noelle’s remark lacked bite.
He flashed her a smile. “Don’t you know it?” He turned his eyes forward, expression growing serious once more. “After practicing so much with my magic over the past few days, I’m feeling particularly strong and in sync with it.” He looked Eira’s way. “Thanks to you.”
“I don’t think I did anything.” Eira wished it wasn’t the case, but she was fairly certain her attempts hadn’t yielded much.
“Well, I feel more confident, so that’s something.” He patted her shoulder.
If only she was as confident as he was. But Eira had more important things to worry about than the games. Yonlinstillwasn’t back. Which meant she had to take action.
They emerged into the arena to the usual applause and the royals looming over them from their special section. Sunlight shone through the large, glass vials, already a quarter filled with sand in the case of Solaris. The crowd quieted as Vi stood, raising her hands.
“Welcome to the second game of the Tournament of Five Kingdoms. As a reminder, in these individual games there can only be one winner, who shall receive a reward as well as five points for their team. Those who are not the victor will earn a loss of two points for their team. These individual games are not mandatory…so who shall step forward to compete for today’s games?”
Prince Harkor was the first to step forward, unsurprisingly. A roar erupted from a distant section of the stands along with bursts of flame.
Cullen was the next to step forward. There were more cheers this time. Eira scanned the crowd. She saw a good handful of humans, Solaris citizens, likely. But perhaps some Qwint as well. If word of Cullen’s engagement had spread, likely from the garden party, then they might cheer for him as well. Elfin also raised their hands and voices for him.
She exhaled and let out the slight twinge of pain in her chest. He was so easily loved by so many. All Cullen had to do was exist and people flocked to him. They rallied behind him. What was it that gave him that ability and how did she lack it so horribly?
Eira didn’t have the answers. She just had to focus on the strengths she did possess.
“Are there any others?” Vi asked.
After another moment of hesitation, Lavette stepped forward. There were more cheers and, judging from the shocked tone, the engagement was already a poorly kept secret. Yemir no doubt couldn’t wait to “accidentally” let it slip.
Lavette looked Cullen’s way with a slight smile and a shrug. He nodded in reply, expression serious. Eira took a half step back, suddenly aware of how close she’d been standing. It had been a normal distance.
Nothing was happening between us, she wanted to scream. But her fingers tingled from where she’d touched the backs of his hands for the past two days.
“The last call for competitors,” Vi announced. Her eyes, along with everyone else’s in the arena, were on Meru’s competitors.
“He never came back,” Alyss realized.
“What?” Noelle asked.
“Yonlin, the other Meru champion, still isn’t here.” Eira’s stomach was already turning sour. Yonlin’s persisting absencecouldn’t be good. It had been almost four days by now since he was wounded.
