Post by Wednesday on Nov 13, 2013 12:00:31 GMT -5
Chapter Four:
When I wake the next morning the sun is shinning brightly over the horizon. I give prays to the Gods for allowing me a peaceful nights sleep. I search through my bag for a fresh pair of clothing and set them aside so I can bathe in the river. I am beginning to smell a little. I strip off the previous days clothing by the edge of the river. I dip a single toe into the water to test its temperature but it doesn't feel any different from the air around me. I slowly enter the water until it is up to my shoulders.
The water begins to warm around me as if I had boiled water for a bath not stepped into a river that should be cold. I dunk my head underneath the water and then resurface again running my fingers through my hair. The water feels amazing and is slowly washing away all of the grim from previous days. Then I am just enjoying the water.
"Enjoying yourself?" I hear someone say as I resurface. I yelp and cover my chest with my arms as I look to see who it is. I am surprised to find Flinn standing at the edge of the river.
"What are you doing here?" I yell over the rushing of rapids a few feet away.
"Well, I usually like to come here to think and to enjoy the water." He says pulling off his shirt. "I didn't think I would have company." He drops his pants and I am thankful that he is wearing under shorts.
"You can't come in here," I say sinking lower into the water. "At least let me out first." He wades into the water ignoring me. "Or not..." He swims close to me and I try to cover myself. Thankfully the water is only clear about a foot so I only need to cover my chest.
"So I heard Sibastion is the College representative. I thought for sure you would be the one." He says swimming around me. "I guess my dream was wrong, I'm sure it was just my urge to get into the arena. Plus who wouldn't enjoy having such a pretty lady come along with you."
"Well I guess you will just have to do without," I say, "Now if you will excuse me I will be getting out now." I move around him and make my way to the waters edge then turn back. "Could you please turn the other way?" I ask as I see him watching me.
"Why don't you stay?" He is suddenly very close to me. "The water is unusually warm for this time of year, we should enjoy it... together." His hand brushes my waist and I quickly slap him across the face and hurry out of the water grabbing all of my things and running into the nearby corn field. He tries to look for me only for a moment mumbling his apologies then stomps off towards the city.
Is this really what I have to look forward too? I have befriend that guy after he almost took advantage of me. I'm reminded of my dream and what will happen if I don't get everyone to join together. He may not be a great guy but he doesn't deserve to just die.
I get my clothes on and pack everything back into my bag. I decide I will head into the city after a bit to help out with all of the preparations. I am hoping that I will see Garth and let him know what just happened with Flinn.
I don't seem to run into anyone from the College as I make my way into the city but it does appear that the word of me renouncing my college membership has spread. I keep getting weird looks from everyone I pass. I lend my hand in the preparations for the drawing which include putting up decorations and setting up giant tables for the feast. Not everyone comes to eat in the city square after all of the representatives have been chosen but everyone still celebrates at home to some kind of feast of their own. It's just tradition.
As the time for the drawing closes in I am feeling knots in my stomach. I nervous about the idea of actually going to the arena, and I am wondering if I even want to go again. The idea of fighting for my life for something I don't want just because the Gods tell me too. But it is too late now, the only way to not go in is to not get chosen at all and we know the chances of that with the Gods in my favor.
People are beginning to gather, most of them I am thinking have put their names into the drawing and are anxious to see if their names will be drawn. I join the gathering crowd as I have finished the tasks I was given. As night begins to fall the Mayor takes the stage stepping in front of the giant tank full of names. Hundreds and hundreds of names that are standing around me looking at who their competition is.
"Welcome all," The Mayor says. "How about we get down to it, shall we." He reaches into the tank digging around for a moment and then pulls a single card from the batch.
When I wake the next morning the sun is shinning brightly over the horizon. I give prays to the Gods for allowing me a peaceful nights sleep. I search through my bag for a fresh pair of clothing and set them aside so I can bathe in the river. I am beginning to smell a little. I strip off the previous days clothing by the edge of the river. I dip a single toe into the water to test its temperature but it doesn't feel any different from the air around me. I slowly enter the water until it is up to my shoulders.
The water begins to warm around me as if I had boiled water for a bath not stepped into a river that should be cold. I dunk my head underneath the water and then resurface again running my fingers through my hair. The water feels amazing and is slowly washing away all of the grim from previous days. Then I am just enjoying the water.
"Enjoying yourself?" I hear someone say as I resurface. I yelp and cover my chest with my arms as I look to see who it is. I am surprised to find Flinn standing at the edge of the river.
"What are you doing here?" I yell over the rushing of rapids a few feet away.
"Well, I usually like to come here to think and to enjoy the water." He says pulling off his shirt. "I didn't think I would have company." He drops his pants and I am thankful that he is wearing under shorts.
"You can't come in here," I say sinking lower into the water. "At least let me out first." He wades into the water ignoring me. "Or not..." He swims close to me and I try to cover myself. Thankfully the water is only clear about a foot so I only need to cover my chest.
"So I heard Sibastion is the College representative. I thought for sure you would be the one." He says swimming around me. "I guess my dream was wrong, I'm sure it was just my urge to get into the arena. Plus who wouldn't enjoy having such a pretty lady come along with you."
"Well I guess you will just have to do without," I say, "Now if you will excuse me I will be getting out now." I move around him and make my way to the waters edge then turn back. "Could you please turn the other way?" I ask as I see him watching me.
"Why don't you stay?" He is suddenly very close to me. "The water is unusually warm for this time of year, we should enjoy it... together." His hand brushes my waist and I quickly slap him across the face and hurry out of the water grabbing all of my things and running into the nearby corn field. He tries to look for me only for a moment mumbling his apologies then stomps off towards the city.
Is this really what I have to look forward too? I have befriend that guy after he almost took advantage of me. I'm reminded of my dream and what will happen if I don't get everyone to join together. He may not be a great guy but he doesn't deserve to just die.
I get my clothes on and pack everything back into my bag. I decide I will head into the city after a bit to help out with all of the preparations. I am hoping that I will see Garth and let him know what just happened with Flinn.
I don't seem to run into anyone from the College as I make my way into the city but it does appear that the word of me renouncing my college membership has spread. I keep getting weird looks from everyone I pass. I lend my hand in the preparations for the drawing which include putting up decorations and setting up giant tables for the feast. Not everyone comes to eat in the city square after all of the representatives have been chosen but everyone still celebrates at home to some kind of feast of their own. It's just tradition.
As the time for the drawing closes in I am feeling knots in my stomach. I nervous about the idea of actually going to the arena, and I am wondering if I even want to go again. The idea of fighting for my life for something I don't want just because the Gods tell me too. But it is too late now, the only way to not go in is to not get chosen at all and we know the chances of that with the Gods in my favor.
People are beginning to gather, most of them I am thinking have put their names into the drawing and are anxious to see if their names will be drawn. I join the gathering crowd as I have finished the tasks I was given. As night begins to fall the Mayor takes the stage stepping in front of the giant tank full of names. Hundreds and hundreds of names that are standing around me looking at who their competition is.
"Welcome all," The Mayor says. "How about we get down to it, shall we." He reaches into the tank digging around for a moment and then pulls a single card from the batch.
