by HC MacDonald
A bell rang. The race began. Teela and Lace transformed and ran ahead. I took off running. The crowd went wild. They were out of my site with in a few turns. I looked above my head and could see them further into the maze. I needed to be strategic. I couldn’t just hope I took all the right turns. I made my first turn then a second. Then hit my first crossroad. I plucked flowers from the wall and left an arrow of direction for future reference if needed. It was smart to do, because I hit my first dead end and had to back track. Getting back to the flowers, changed the marking and continued on. Turn after turn, backtracking and re-tracking. I was getting close to the middle of the maze. I rounded a corner and hit a crossroads to one end I could hear the soft whimper of a young cub.
I could ignore it, turn down the other path instead. I felt compelled to follow the noise. It led me to a young wolf cub. No older than Sasha when I first met her. Scared of the commotion, it had coward into a corner. I sat on the ground and waited for it to come to me. I knew it would cost me time, but it needed help. I didn’t see anyone else there.
I looked up at the sky. My mouth was moving, but no sound came out. The crowd could only see me, not hear me I summarized. I continued to wait talking to the pup. It began crawling slowly to me. I picked it up and held it in my arms. It was shaking. Softly I reassured it that we would find its family. I took it with me. Following my marks, I ran back to the start line. As I approached the opening the young pup jumped out of my arms and ran to the white doors. I watched as a pair of loving arms picked it up and welcomed it home.
I couldn’t stay and watch, I knew I was further behind. I ran back to the middle crossroad I had detoured, the markers aiding me along the way. I discovered a few more wrong turns, then hit a streak of what appeared to be right. I came around the corner and saw Teela trapped by a Ankylynx. It was on the defensive. I stopped in my tracks. The Ankylynx seeing my approach turned its anger on me. I was just the right distraction for Teela to get away. Now, what was I to do.
I remembered the song. It soothed the beasts. I began singing. It continued to growl and stalk me. I followed it movements, keeping my movements slow and singing all the while. The cat snapped out one last growl, then laid on his back and rolled around. I walked up to the cat, continued singing. Began stroking its stomach. I could hear the soft purr noises it was making. I looked around the corner, Teela was long gone. I looked behind me, I could see Lace creeping by. I stayed were I was singing and stroking the cat till she passed. When she was out of site, I gave the cat one last stroke, stood and slowly walked away. Singing my song till I was out of site.
At least I knew where the others were. I thought I was farther behind them. So to see them both was a relief. I scrambled thru a few more turns, running into Teela again. She seemed flustered. I yelled at her she was going the way we had come. Her response back, to mind my own business. I hoped she wouldn’t meet up with the Ankylynx again. I wouldn’t want to see either of them hurt.
I saw Lace come out behind a hedge. She looked at me. “Don’t go that way, it’s a dead end.”
“Thanks”
I marked my path then ran behind her. She was moving at a slower pace. I found I could keep up with her. We came to a fork, I could see the arena doors over the hedge, I knew we were close. Right or Left. Lace turned to the right and picked up her speed. I began to follow. I heard someone yell help. Teela! She was in trouble. She yelled again. Lace stopped and we looked at each other. Then Lace took off again around the corner out of site toward the exit. I turned and ran toward the voice.
It was Teela, she took a wrong turn and found herself deep in a hole. I looked down at her. “Are you okay?”
“No, I broke my ankle when I fell. I didn’t see the hole till it was to late.”
“I’m coming for you.”
She began crying again. I looked around. The only thing I could use was the ivy. I pulled as much as I could from the hedge. Weaved it together to give it strength. I tested the length. Just a few feet more should do it. I heard the crowd burst into cheer. I looked up and saw Lace cross the finish line. She was first. I looked down at Teela.
“Go, finish the race she said.”
“No, we will finish together. You and me.” I winked at her. Teela’s tears faded for a moment and she smiled back at me.
I wrapped the vine around my waist then lowered the rest down the hole. “Okay, tie it around your waist and I will pull you up. You will have to use your good foot and hands to climb the walls. I don’t think I can lift you completely. Got it”
“I’ll try.”
I watched as she stood on her good leg and hopped to the edge closest to me. “Ready?” I yelled. “Ready.” She replied. I took a few steps back and braced my self. I could feel her weight as she left the ground. I stepped back as she reached up, pulling at the ivy. Sweat was dripping down my brow. I could finally see the tips of her fingers. Then her other hand. She had one elbow over the edge then the other. I ran to her and pulled her up the rest of the way. We untied the ivy from our waists. For a moment we sat catching our breath.
I helped her up and she put all her weight on me. We walked to the finish line. As we crossed, I felt the hum of my magic disappear. Teela looked at me with wide eyes. I tried to put my mask back up, but it was to late. Teela backed away from me horror stricken. The crowd gasped at my reveal. I searched behind me. Hanging on the exit door the same talisman from the other day at his home. I looked at Leon who was standing by the officiator. I couldn’t read his face. I looked to Sanna, she was horrified. She started moving down the seats and headed to the stairs. I lifted my head, straightened my back and headed to the grand entrance. I wasn’t going to run. I wasn’t going to cry. I made it out of the arena without crumbling. With no one around, I let my tears come.
Decision
Leon
The crowd went from stunned to anger, and began to boo or call out names. It was harsh. I watched as Raina walked out of the arena her head held high. I looked at Lace, she was stunned. She walked up to Raina and with a snicker, called her a fraud. Teela was sitting on the ground. Her ankle cradled in her lap. Her face a picture of horror and shock. I looked for Sanna, she glared at me. I could feel the anger even at this distance. My mother was sitting below her. A look of disappointment on her face. She stood and followed Sanna down the stairs to the exit.
I caught Lace moving toward me. She looked at the bag I was given. “Best you know now how manipulative she is. Good reddens to her.” I looked at Lace. She was so mean. The crowd was so mean. I began to feel conflicted with my actions. I rationalized the situation to be in the best interest of everyone here. They had just as much a right to know the truth as I did.
I looked at Lace with warmth in my heart. Something seemed off. She didn’t smell like Lace. She had a pine, and mulch smell to her. It was off putting like the attitude she had shown Raina. She reached for the bag I was holding. Riffled through it’s contents. “Where is my necklace?” I could hear the panic in her voice. She took a few steps away from me then dumped the contents onto the ground. “Where is my necklace?” She repeated with more zeal.
“I don’t know. Maybe Sanna still has it, she was admiring it earlier.”
“Sanna, you let Sanna take my necklace.”
“I’ll get it back.”
“She’ll ruin it.”
“Nonsense, she wouldn’t do that.” I took a few steps toward her. I could smell that awful stench. I took a step back.
“Until you return my belonging I don’t want you near me.” She ran to the exit. I thought I should follow, but didn’t have the urge. She was acting like a spoiled brat. Instead I let her go, and walked to Teela. She was now with the healers. Potions and wraps were placed on her ankle. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I was so frazzled in the maze. If it wasn’t for Pearl…I guess she’s not Pearl. Do you know who she is?”
“She is Raina, the wizard.”
“I’ve heard the stories. I shouldn’t have a
cted the way I did. I thought of Pearl as a threat in the games. I was mean to her. Then, when she wasn’t herself. I reacted, pushed her away. I know it was wrong, but the stories the scars. I don’t know what to believe. She was nothing but kind to me. I should apologize, I judged her without knowing her.”
I could feel a pang of guilt. I stood, and caught sight of my disappointed mother watching me at the exit. My guilt deepened. I walked to her.
“Sorry mom, but it had to be done. No more lies, no more deception. It needed to be stopped.”
“This was not the way.” She shook her head and walked away from me. I reached out to her, and she shrugged off my hand and kept walking.
This was not going how I planned. I looked around me. The ground keepers and custodians would not look me in the eye. When they did, it was with disgust. My guilt continued to grow. Members of our elite came down and congratulated me on discovering the truth. ‘How dare she enter the games’ ‘We don’t want her here.' The comments became more callus and judge mental. I couldn’t shake the guilt. I had rationalized the same remarks. I was a coward, and I knew it.
The council called an emergency meeting. I was summoned to attend. I waited outside the council chambers. I could hear the mumbles of heated arguments. My mother came into the hall. She sat next to me.
“Why did you do it?”
“I had to stop all the lies, all the tricks.”
“Did you feel you succeeded?”
“This is not what I wanted.”
“What did you expect would happen? You confronted her in a cowardly way in front of an unforgiving crowd.”
“I know, I feel bad about that.”
“I don’t think you do. You don’t deserve her you know. She is to good for you.” She rose from her seat and walked to the chamber doors. I lifted my hand to stop her. “Mom you can’t go in there.”
“Watch me. You may learn a thing or two about being a leader.”
I was stunned by her response. It hit me to the core. I wanted to run in behind her and at the same time, crawl under the bench I was seated on. I chose to sit where I was and wait to be called.
I sat for over an hour. Then, I saw Raina be escorted by messenger to the room. She did not look at me. As she passed, the guilt and anguish I felt intensified. I felt my own betrayal to my inner wolf making me nauseous. In that moment I hated myself. I waited longer. Then Teela came in. Again being escorted by messengers. She gave me a sympathetic look then hurried into the chamber room. Last to arrive was Lace. She kept her distance from me. Looking at me from a far with daggers in her eyes. “Did you get my necklace back yet?” She called to me.
“No, I’ve been a bit busy.” I was baffled by the question. The necklace could wait. Something bigger was happening. Didn’t she get that?
“See that you do by tonight.” She warned me.
She had to walk by me to get to the doors, when she did that awful stench of mulch and pine followed her. I crinkled my nose at the smell.
I waited for some time. Finally, the doors opened and I was called in. I stood at the center podium facing the council. Behind me seated was my mother, Teela, Lace, and Raina. I couldn’t read my mothers face. She was the one who taught me the art of disguising your emotions. Teela and Lace looked nervous. Raina looked at her hands seated in her lap. At that moment, my guilt was so overwhelming, I wanted to go to her. Tell her I was a coward, beg her forgiveness. Make things right. For the first time since I discovered the truth, I knew what she must have felt when she took my memories. I turned to the council.
Divide
Raina
Sanna was the first to arrive back at the house. Ethan had been called as a special witness in a session with the Council. I knew I would have to end my disguise, but this. I was not prepared for this. I don’t think any of us were.
“How could he do that to you?”
“We don’t even know it was him.”
“Yes, we do, he said he had a plan to stop the deception. I just didn’t realize he would go that far.”
“He did it on purpose? Are you sure?”
“Yes, that’s what makes me so mad. Why not come to you directly? How could he!”
Sanna was more mad than I. I was sad. I didn’t know how he found out, but it was for the best. He had told me to move on the other night when I was myself. Now, this was just his way of letting me know I was not wanted in any form. Even as Pearl.
I went to Sasha’s room and began packing. Sanna followed me.
“You're leaving now?”
“Don’t you think I ought to?”
“I don’t know. There has to be another way. You two are meant for each other.”
“I don’t think we are. Maybe it’s time to accept the fact that our paths were meant to only cross, not to be together.”
“That can’t be true.”
“I think it is. Sanna, I will always think of you as my sister. I will always be here for you and the people of this village. I need to go. I need to move on. I need you to let me.”
Sanna began to cry. She helped me pack my bags. I had begun to line them up at the door. Waiting for the time to leave to make the coach. Ethan had not arrived yet. I dropped my last bag when a soft knock wrapped on the door. I looked for Sanna, she was in her room. I opened the door.
“Raina, you have been summoned to the Council.”
“Sanna? Sanna?” I called.
“What! What are they going to do to her?” Sanna asked the messenger.
“I don’t know. I was only asked to retrieve her.”
I looked at Sanna and gave her a big hug. “I will be okay. Nothing they can do that is worse than I have already been through.” I gave her a half smile. It was the best I could do. I didn’t even believe my own words. I looked to the messenger and together we walked in silence to the Council Chambers.
As I walked in, I could see Leon sitting on the bench. His face void of emotion. I couldn’t look at him. I focused on the gentleman escorts back and followed him into the chamber.
Silence echoed in the room as I entered. The messenger faded into the shadows. Behind me seated was Balera. On the Council, I saw one friendly face, Raoul. I saw others I recognized from years ago, and the rest from the day of the Koboldrone.
“Before we begin,” the Council man paused. “We need to know that you are in fact also the contestant Pearl.”
“Yes, she is an illusion of my creation.”
“This was your idea to deceive the people of Ladow”
“Yes, Understand, I was not trying to deceive the people. I only wanted a chance to make things right.”
“A disguise? How would that help you to make things right?”
“I regretted an action I had made and wanted to try and set it right. The only way I could do that was by participating. I felt that would not have happened unless I was in disguise. Leon, would not have allowed it. Would you have?”
“No, we probably wouldn’t have.” Someone chimed in.
“With your gifts, it would have been unfair for anyone else. Don’t you agree?” Another said.
“How do we know you didn’t use them anyway?” A third asked. “She is mocking our traditions.”
“How do we know you won’t do something you regret now?” Still another one asked.
“We can’t trust her!” The first said.
“Stop!” Raoul stood as he spoke. “You all are letting rumors and fear decide your actions. This is the same mistake the last Council made. Do we want to repeat the actions of Erebos? She has helped our village time and time again, and yet you all still do not trust her. Why?”
“She is one of them.” Someone commented back.
“So you are one of them to her. Did you not think of that. She should not trust us. When have we held up our word to her?”
The room was silent. I decided I needed to address the group. “Councilmen.” I paused. “Please forgive my actions. I would in no way as you say, mock your traditions. I only wanted
to give Leon a chance to get back what I took, his memories. Nothing more. I can assure you that other than my illusion of appearance, I did not use any magic on any challenges. I also understand how you may feel. I am prepared to do what you want of me to atone for my actions of deceit.”
I waited patiently for them to speak. When they finally did, it was to discuss their decision in private. They all stood to leave, but were stopped by Balera.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak on behalf of Raina.” She stated.
“Yes, Balera.”
“I have had a chance to get to know this girl. I find her trustworthy and loyal to my son. So much that the rouse she had in place was necessary. I knew of this deception and did not tell you. I knew and did not tell my son. I knew and would ask her to do it again. Do you not remember all she has done for your family, friends, and loved ones. The War. The Koboldrone. Countless others from the fortress of Nezra. Have you not seen her in the games show charity and kindness. Is she not the only candidate that excelled in all the ethical tests given in your trials? Can you say that of any of the other nominees. No, you cannot. I want it noted that she should not be punished in any way and be allowed to continue as herself in the remainder of the ceremonial games.”
Raoul nodded and together they turned and filed out the small door hidden behind their chairs. I stood alone at the podium with Balera standing at her seat behind me.
“Don’t worry child. They’ll make the right decision this time.”
“I don’t know about that. My experience with trusting them to do the right thing has proven to be wrong every time. I don’t know that now would be any different.”
“Come sit with me.”
“Thank you for being nice to me.”
“You have done so much for my family, I could only feel gratitude for you.”
“Thank you nonetheless.”
“You know, he’s just confused. Doesn’t know how to handle that.”
“I know, he felt betrayed. I get that. I’m not mad at him.”
