Chapter 3 - Part a

Blows and fists won't deflate you, but the sight of losers being taken away will? Hmm, useful knowledge indeed. You are the offspring of that weak-willed, jittery changeling, aren't you? If I let you survive this, you will have to go to one of the four schools but which one? Which one will prove least dangerous for me? The Military Arts Specialiaty School, The Watcher Institute for Learned Youth or the Church and University of Life Texts or what's this? It seems the trio from the Three H Foundation has taken a fancy to you. I wonder, will this be taken out of my hands? Oh but I can already see the advantages: with them, you will learn all disciplines, but specialize in none. And that means, you'll be able to fathom exactly how you're failing in your destiny. Ah, child. You are bringing me far too much enjoyment.

*******

They were given a respite of a few hours; after all, the townspeople's appetite for carnage had to be whetted. Screams from dying kids filled the small cell the twenty-four survivors were crammed into. Gagging from the stench of the puke and excrement along the edges, Tristan tried to calm herself. Her left fingers automatically curled up to stroke the gem embedded within her palm. With each stroke, her breathing eased and her gag reflexes stopped its threats.

Tiny flopped down beside her, grinning. "Lookit!" He spread open his hands to show her two pieces of bread. She threw him a grin of gratitude as she snatched them up. "Dit - Hhh!" She gasped as bits of crumbs flew out of her mouth.

Stifling his laugh, Tiny indicated that she should finish eating before attempting another word. "Wait here!" he whispered into her ear. Bounding off, he returned a few seconds later with something behind his back. Grinning even wider now, he produced with as much flourish as he could in that cell, a small leather sac swaying about in his grip.

Realizing what it was, she quickly plucked the sac out of his hand and drank deeply. "Thanks, Tiny." She quickly swiped at her mouth to brush off crumbs and regretted it instantly. Now her face was filthier and her action made the odor that much closer. "How -"

He jabbed a finger at the cell door. A slaver was handing out food to everyone. "Think they want us strong out there."

She agreed with a nod. "Did you get some?" A grin told her he got his fill, not just some. She hugged him and went over plans with him before noticing Arite in the corner. Arite was jabbing his thumb at them while jabbering away at half a dozen kids. Narrowing her eyes at him, she knew with drenching clarity that while she had a plan, so did Arite and his plan bode Tiny harm.

A shifting in the atmosphere and the quieting down of the crowd indicated to her that the second part of the competiton was coming up. This was the one the crowds were waiting for, the one the executions had built up to. A shudder serpentined its way up her spine.

*****

"Agatha, you have to stop crying. They're getting ready for the next trial now." Remy rolled her eyes at Cece to elicit help. None was forthcoming. With a half exasperated sigh, she kept patting Agatha's back.

"H-h-h-h-h..ow c-c-c-c-an you-u-u-u s-s-s-sta-a-a-and it?" Flapping her arms about, Agatha sobbed into Remy's shoulders. Neither Remy nor Cece responded to what they considered rhetorical. After a while, it was noticeable that Agatha's sobs were ebbing.

Cece moved over to where the two were sitting.

[Author's Notes] Okay, I have to stop here. I think I want to start putting some of Kat in. I have to get to know her better and find her voice, plus I plan for some surprises for Tristan and Kat in the future but it has to be set now. So, bear with me and I'll return to this part of the story. I'm a little stuck as to whether I should've changed POV's to the trio or stick in Tristan's head. Any suggestions would be welcome.