Page 30 of Infala: The Bonding Games
“I wouldneverdream of doing such a thing. Surely, you simply misunderstood me. A common shortcoming in some elevated positions, I’ve found.”
“And now you insult me?”
“I have not insulted you, Flagro. Not unless your skin is even thinner than when we were boys.”
Galla realized what was happening. Dorrin was baiting her brother into making a public outburst. One that might see their team lose points in their standing or worse, place them at a rear position for an upcoming event. Whatever the case, none were acceptable options.
“Brother, let it go,” she said, firmly grabbing his arm and physically pulling him back. “We will handle this later.”
Ziana didn’t like the way she said that, but it wasn’t something she’d worry about right now. Now she had other things to be concerned with. Like getting through the next several events in the evening’s showcase. They weren’t ones that might see them eliminated from the games, but a poor showing would nevertheless lower their ranking and force them to compete from a disadvantage in future rounds.
Fortunately, Dorrin wasn’t about to push things any further. He’d gotten under Flagro’s skin, and, for the moment, at least, that seemed to be enough.
“Come on, Ziana. These two seem to have things to talk about, and we have an event to participate in.”
With that he turned and walked away, showing his back to the elites, a display he wouldn’t have dared on any other day. But here in the games, the players were supposedly equals, at least so long as the games were underway, and the rules of social graces did not apply, though nearly all still abided by them as both a courtesy as well as a common sense means of avoiding falling on the wrong side of one of the families’ wrath.
Dorrin didn’t seem to care. What was done was done, and he clearly did not find any of the future leaders of the families to be worth another moment of his attention. And baiting Flagro could very well lead to the flustered man making a mistake.
Whatever his strategy, Ziana trusted it and hurried along with him, flashing her own victorious grin at Galla and the others as they trotted away.
Yes, Galla would come for her, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind. But not tonight.
She looked at the walled-off area they were directed to for their next trial. While the spectators were watching from an elevated position where they could see what lay inside, the competitors were not so fortunate, and every challenge was to be a surprise. It made for a difficult time for those on the field of play, but it also kept things very interesting for the betting public.
“What is that?” Ziana asked as they entered a zig-zag gate that prevented anyone on the outside from seeing in. “Are those swinging logs?”
“Yes.”
“Onfire?”
“Yes. Are you going to keep noting the obvious?”
“Uh, yeah, I am. Look at this place, it’s insanity.”
He did just that, taking in the myriad challenges awaiting them with glee.
“No,” he replied, an amused little grin on his lips as though he was actually looking forward to this particular test. “Not insanity. This is thegauntlet.”
“It has a name? What am I saying? Of course it has a name. You people and your games,” she grumbled as she looked at the rest of the compact but very dangerous agility course. “This is ridiculous, you know. People could get really hurt.”
“It happens, yes. But stay close to me and we will make it through. This is very similar to prior iterations from other years. And it has less fire.”
“Thisis less fire? How bad was it before?”
His grin faltered. “Let’s just say that there were quite a few competitors who, despite not being eliminated during play, were nevertheless unable to continue in the games.”
“Fan-fucking-tastic.”
“Trust me and we will get through.”
“Unharmed?”
He hesitated. “We have healing salves in our lodging should we require them. Now, let’s get started. The clock began as soon as we entered the partition.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” she shot back as they quickly ran across a narrow beam then began scaling a swaying rope cargo net.
“Because this is not an elimination event, and you needed a moment to take it in and settle your mind. But the time for that is done. Now we run the course. And from now on, less talking, more running, clear?”
