Page 32 of The Song of Sunrise
“Cadets! We have a few special guests joining our class today.” The crowd of students falls silent once again. “Elder Superior Markus along with Elder Burroughs”—the bald man waves—“and Elder Hightail.” The frail woman nods her head. “We welcome them into our training halls to share the special news.”
My heart beats faster at the sight of Markus. His harsh words from his office still ring in my ears. I breathe slowly, purposefully, trying to calm my deep sense of dread.
“Cadets. Students. Warriors.” Markus steps forward addressing us, not bothering to raise his crackling, airy voice. “This year marks the 225thyear of the Northern Continent New World Treaty between the Humans, Elves, and Underlings. Our ancestors signed this treaty long ago to unite against outside threats from the South and settle the Great Wars once and for all.
“As you know, every 25 years, we host a Summit here at the Academy,” he continues as gasps and whispers erupt from the crowd, “where royal delegates from each territory come to compete in the games. Each of you will have a chance to enter the Summit if selected as a champion by the delegates from any of the three representing races. This selection process is called the Presentation.
“Three of our very own Elders will comprise one of the groups. There will be three from the Elven River Tribe and another group from the Forest Tribe. The Underworld Courts will be inattendance as well, three from Jord, and three from Terraguard—”
“But why do we only have three sponsors?” a cadet interrupts from the back.
Markus doesn’t hide his irritation. “As a part of the New World Treaty, the human leaders agreed this would atone for our past wrongdoings, thus giving the other leaders a slight advantage of the political negotiations that ensue post-Summit. The winning sponsor gets to dictate terms first for the peace treaty signing.”
What he isn’t saying is that humans were the reason for the destruction of the world and are therefore forever atoning for it.
He continues, “By putting the human champions in danger, we indeed are taking a great risk, but we are also showcasing great strength.”
Cadets burst out in small conversations.
“I’m going to enter—”
“There is no way they are picking you.”
“What do we win?”
“I’m going to be a Champion—”
“QUIET!” Commander Hogsmith bellows, and the chattering stops immediately. For such a short man, he has a loud voice, probably using his diaphragm to project his voice so effortlessly. The corners of my lips turn up slightly thinking how Marrow would have commented about hisimpeccable breath support.
Markus clears his throat, the agitation clear in his eyes.
“To be allowed into the Presentation ceremony, you must first pass this test.” He points to the other side of the training arena at the wall.
No, not a wall.
A heavy, dark curtain falls to the floor, revealing a large structure mostly made of wood. Practically every section of the wooden course looks deadly, from the ominous rope nets to the spinning barrels impaled with sharp spikes.
I forcefully swallow and wipe my sweaty palms on my leather pants, each bead of sweat a piece of my fear I brush away and replace with determination. I pull my eyes away from the daunting course and back to Markus.
“If you pass this course, you will be eligible for the Presentation. There, the delegates from our allied territories—the Elven tribes from the north and Underlings from below—will see the presenting Cadets demonstrate their prowess with a channeling demonstration and weapon of choice.
“It goes without saying”—Markus glides in front of the crowd toward where we stand, not bothering to raise his feet with each slithering step—“but I will say it anyway. Your performance is critical for maintaining the health of our Peace Treaty. After all three tasks are complete and a Champion is crowned, the treaty will be signed and renewed for another twenty-five years. Wemustshowcase our very best talent. Prove to the other races that they are not superior to humans. And secure our reputation as a formidable force. Not to mention the overall champion will win a favor from the visiting court along with an extremely prized channeling relic the Elder Council so graciously allowed us to offer: The Helios Blessing.”
The room is electrified by the news, and I feverishly recall the different Watcher stories that included the Helios Blessing but come up short.
Leaf gasps and covers his mouth in shock. “I thought that went missing in the Elf Wars,” he whispers to our group.
“What is it?” I ask.
“A very rare channeling stone, specializing in protective barriers, large enough to protect a town from magical or physical attacks. Its invisible walls are impenetrable, save by the wielder,” he explains casually as if this wouldn’t be life changing for someone to wield.
I need this stone, the Helios Blessing.
For Goldenpine.
To protect my people indefinitely from further attacks.
Markus is standing right in front of me by the end of his speech. His frown lines and hollow cheeks are accentuated by the glittering orb lights above. His eyes scan the crowd, starting at Castor behind me, then to Leaf, Ramona, and finally settling on me, like he was taking inventory of us all, ensuring his son is surrounding himself with suitable company.
