by Moose Tyler
“You’re just saying that because you feel bad.”
Felicia held up her hand. “Great Mother as my witness, I’m not.” She put her hand down. “Jax, no way. She’s too spastic on the wood, and these slivers aren’t forgiving. Elle will be tougher, but her weakness is her height. If she doesn’t mind her balance, she’ll be swept off in a heartbeat. The others? They’ll play it too safe. Venus is your only competition, since Penelope’s not riding.”
“So, how do I manage to stay on these things?”
“Stay low and go south to catch your wave. The swell isn’t as sudden as it is on the north side.”
Amaria nodded. “Good tip and as good a Genesis gift as any.”
Felicia smiled and strapped the spear on her back. “Thanks again. I will put this to good use, old friend.”
Amaria hugged Felicia. “I’ll see you at the fires after closing ceremonies.”
“Of course,” she said. “Now, I’ve got to ready the slivers. Vi’s giving the instructions. I’d wish you the Great Mother’s blessing, but you’re not going to need it. I feel it in my bones.” She gave Amaria a nod. “Seize the crown.”
Amaria laughed. “Will do,” she said before returning to the others at the end of the dock.
Amaria saw Venus pull herself out of the water, and she noticed that Zora and Lyla were absent. Riding a sliver and swimming were not Zora’s strengths, so she never competed, but she and Lyla were always there for support. As Venus shook the water out of her hair, Amaria did a head count. It looked as if all competitors were present.
Vi stepped out on the dock carrying a sliver. She waved everyone over and told them how the new ones had been made. Each competitor was allowed to hold it so that they could feel the difference from the ones normally used in Sea Training.
As the sliver passed hands, the chatter ignited. Several openly gushed at how light it was and, for the few who doubted the wood would stay on top of the water, Vi offered reassurances that the slivers had been properly tested. When Amaria finally got a turn, she was itching to feel. She snatched it from Ophea, and to her surprise, it was no heavier than a scroll. She handed it to Penelope.
“Great Mother,” Penelope exclaimed as she marveled the craftsmanship. She whistled loud and long. “You’re lucky I’m not competing.” She passed it to Jax.
Jax gauged the weight before turning it over to Elle and Camille. Camille gave it back to Vi.
“Will we get to test these so-called slivers?” Venus snapped.
“You will each have a warm-up run,” Vi said.
Venus frowned. “Only one?”
Vi forced a smile and replied through a clenched jaw. “One is all any competitor needs.”
Amaria smiled. Vi couldn’t outright tell Venus to shut her trap because she was just a citizen. She had to put it delicately, and Amaria liked her style, though she didn’t know much about Vi except what Ursula had said. According to Ursula, her personality was gruff and entirely arrogant, but she always added that jealousy of Vi’s artistic talents played a role in the assessment.
“Do you have any questions?” asked Vi.
The instructions were the same as always, and since everyone had competed before, there was nothing left to discuss.
“Good,” she said. “Now, draw your shells.”
Another naval student walked over with a pouch. She shook it and held it out to each competitor. Amaria, Jax, and Elle shuffled forward, joining the line as Penelope held back.
Elle drew first and pulled out a shell with the number two etched on it. She groaned.
Jax went next. “Three,” she said.
Amaria stepped up and pulled out number eight.
Elle groaned louder. “You’re a snake, Amaria.”
Amaria smiled. Since only four slivers rode at once, she would be in the second heat, which gave her a chance to better study the water and its mood. They walked back to Penelope to report the news.
“Eight,” Amaria said, excited.
“Two,” said Elle, not nearly as thrilled.
Jax spit off the dock. “Three.”
Penelope laughed. “If it makes you feel better, I never minded going first. Sometimes, if I wait too long, I overthink it.”
“Thanks,” Jax said. She nudged Elle. “Wish us luck,” she said to Amaria and Penelope.
Amaria smiled. “I couldn’t possibly.”
“Great Mother be with you,” Penelope said, and she extended her hand.
Elle gripped it and nodded at Amaria. “I’ll let you know how it is,” she said before she and Jax headed off to the launch dock with the other riders in the first heat.
Penelope, Ophea, Camille, and Amaria congregated as the others divided into heats. There were four all together, and the rider with the top score from each would advance to the finals later that afternoon. Venus had drawn the five shell, so she would ride with Amaria.
“They need to go south,” Penelope said quietly as she stared out across the water. The competitors paddled away from the launch dock. Penelope looked up at the sky. “The wind’s changing.” She shielded her eyes from the sun.
Penelope had a better sense of the sea than anyone in their class. Yet, here she was, unable to compete in the one event she truly loved. She clapped and cheered for Elle and Jax and yelped a soft war cry. Penelope was always good at hiding her emotions. It was something Amaria admired very much. No matter how stressed or frazzled she was, one would never know because she always kept her composure. Her posture, the softness of her voice, she had amazing self-control, a useful skill for a warrior.
Amaria, on the other hand, had great difficulty concealing her anxiety. She fidgeted and sometimes couldn’t keep from blurting out words. Forget about volume. If she felt anxious or excited, one could hear it on the other side of the island. She watched the first heat paddle farther out to sea before looking at Penelope again.
Penelope wiped a tear away. “Come on, Jaxelle!” She looked at Amaria and smiled. “Does that work?”
Amaria shrugged.
Camille chimed in. “Not as good as Ellamille.” She whistled loudly. “Let’s go, Sisters!”
Amaria looked at Vi midway down the dock. She was about to call the riders for the second heat. While the others watched Elle and Jax take their practice runs, Amaria walked away from the action and approached her.
Vi looked up from her parchment. “I’m about to call the second heat.”
“Yes, thank you.” Amaria shifted her stance. “I know it’s too late to accept new riders—”
“All competitors had to enter their name by last light.”
“But, if someone were to drop out, is it too late to assign a replacement rider?”
Vi stopped writing on the parchment. “Bets close for each heat once the riders are called.”
Amaria looked at Penelope. Though she was cheering for Jaxelle with as much Genesis spirit as she could muster, there was something in her face and eyes that looked sad and hollow. Something weighed heavy on her heart. She stopped cheering and stared at the water below before refocusing on the riders taking their runs. “Woo, let’s go!” she shouted.
Amaria looked at Vi. “Am I too late to drop out?”
Vi was surprised. “You want to drop? Why?”
Amaria looked at Penelope. She had grown quiet again. Amaria looked at Vi. “Because sometimes there’s nothing more important than riding a sliver.”
Vi seemed confused but shrugged. “I was about to call the riders. If I make the change, there’s going to be a delay.”
“I would be truly grateful.”
“I don’t recall seeing you at the showing,” she said. “Have you seen my tree?”
Amaria had only caught glimpses of Vi’s tree when she had visited Ursula at hers, but not enough to say she had seen it entirely. She shook her head. “But,
I will. I like the rock you did in Little Garden Gallery. It looks just like a bottom skimmer.”
Vi looked at Amaria for a few heartbeats. She nodded and waved another naval student over. “There’s going to be a change in the second heat.” She looked at Amaria. “I assume Penelope is your replacement.”
Amaria smiled. “Yes.”
She turned to the girl. “Announce that Penelope will replace rider eight in the second heat.”
“But most bets have already been placed,” the girl said.
“Those are now void. The longer you wait to tell them, the angrier they will be.”
The girl threw up her hands and ran off to notify the announcers.
“Thank you, Vi.”
“Happy Genesis to all,” she said before making the adjustment on her parchment.
Amaria returned to the edge of the dock and watched the end of the first heat.
“That’s all right, Jax,” Penelope shouted. She clapped and whistled loudly. She looked at Amaria. “It’s thinner, so it probably skims faster. You’ve got to be careful with your lean.”
Amaria smiled. “You mean, you’ve got to be careful with your lean.”
Penelope looked confused.
Amaria shrugged. “I’m not feeling it this cycle.”
Ophea joined the conversation. “What’s this?”
“I was telling Penelope I’m not going to compete, and she’s my replacement rider.”
Camille cursed. “Great Mother!”
Penelope looked at Amaria surprised. “Oh no, Ree. You really have a chance this cycle. You’re much better than Venus, and judging by that first heat, even Elle didn’t do good. Sorry, Camille.”
“No worries. She didn’t.”
“I’ve got Hand-to-Hand, and I drew Zora first round,” said Amaria. “Those waves are getting bigger. Fun in the sea today could hurt me tomorrow.”
Penelope looked suspicious, but the sadness in her eyes faded and a smile crept to her lips. “I’m not prepared in the slightest.”
Amaria laughed. “Who is?”
She shook her head. “You’re willing to give up this crown?”
“Wouldn’t really be winning if you’re not competing, now would it?”
Penelope’s smile was genuine. The weight of her worries slid off her shoulders, and she stood taller as the rider change was announced.
Camille pointed to the spectators in the field in the distance and laughed. “Place your bets! Place your bets! Watch them scramble.”
Penelope hugged Amaria tight and whispered in her ear. “Thank you, Sister. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Amaria squeezed. “Happy Genesis, P.” She pulled away. “Now, get out there and get your wave.”
Vi called for the second heat of riders, and Penelope tied her hair in a knot.
“Oh, it’s on now,” said Amaria.
Penelope smiled as she fell in line with the others and headed to the launch dock to take her run on the new sliver.
Ophea patted Amaria’s back. “You’re a good sister.”
Camille shook her head. “Forget the crown. I can’t believe you gave up the chance to ride on such a beautiful day.”
Amaria shrugged. “Sometimes there are more important things than riding a sliver.” She looked out at the water and whistled loudly. “Come on, P! Show them how it’s done, Sister!” Amaria whooped the war cry as Penelope ran into the water, dove onto the sliver, and paddled out to sea.
She crushed the competition in both heat runs, and Amaria watched her dominate the finals that afternoon from her mother’s blanket in the field. Her mother said it was an extra Genesis gift and her friends seemed excited to get the inside scoop on why Amaria had withdrawn from the event.
“Hand-to-Hand’s where it’s at,” was the phrase Amaria recited.
Her mother hugged her tight and whispered that she was proud of her for giving Penelope her spot. “That’s the true spirit of Genesis, my heart.”
Amaria didn’t feel bad passing up the chance to win her first crown in Sliver Riding, especially not after watching Penelope perform so well. It had been exciting to watch from the field. The cheers were much louder there. Out on the water they were faint, practically nonexistent. From the field, when a rider fell, the reaction was harsh, and Amaria was glad she hadn’t heard the comments made about her in previous Games.
Olympia had given Amaria an extendable looking glass for Genesis. Its range was impressive. From the top of the ridge, she could clearly see the riders, even the ones farther out to sea. She used it to watch the finals, and she repeatedly gushed over the quality and showered Olympia with gratitude for the gift.
Ursula showed up for the finals but had to get back to the artists’ camp to help Pandora with A One-Woman Affair, which was to be performed on the second to last night of Genesis.
Though being a spectator during Sliver Riding had been entertaining, Amaria didn’t stick around to watch the Night Swim preliminaries. She didn’t want to confess to her mother that Timber had not been in the barn that morning, so she dismissed herself from the blanket with the excuse of needing to prepare for her match in Hand-to-Hand.
“And feed Timber,” Mother instructed.
“Happy Genesis, Amaria.” Olympia tried to stand but stumbled and sat back down. She laughed at herself.
Amaria laughed. “Happy Genesis, Olympia, and thanks again for the looking glass.”
She giggled and waved off the gratitude. “I’m just happy to see you. Listen for my cheers tomorrow.” Her words slurred as she spoke. “I’ll be the one shouting.”
“I’ll listen.”
Olympia stopped laughing. “I need food.”
“I want to try to catch P before she leaves,” Amaria said to her mother.
Olympia covered her heart. “Oh, it’s a shame Niam didn’t see her ride.”
Her mother nodded. “Great Mother be with her.” She looked at Amaria. “You did a good thing for Penelope today.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you at the house later.” Amaria wished everyone a happy Genesis again and asked that they tell their friend, Alexandria, who had been sleeping face-down on the blanket since Amaria had arrived, a happy holiday whenever she woke.
She hustled to the dock and thought she saw Penelope, but as she got closer, she realized it was Felicia. Amaria approached. “Great Mother, you look just like P.”
Felicia rolled her eyes. “I wish. Penelope’s divine. Did you see her on that sliver? What happened to you today? That was a surprise.”
Amaria shrugged. “P needed the ride more than I did.”
She nodded. “She’s already gone. Told me to tell you she’d see you at the arena tomorrow. Wanje was waiting for her when she came in from that last ride. I don’t even think she knows she won.”
“She must have taken her to see her mother. How long you on land?”
Felicia shrugged. “Just until after Genesis.”
“You going to the match tomorrow?”
“Hadn’t planned on it until I saw you’re fighting Zora first thing. Looks like I have to. I usually don’t go until the final matches and, of course, for Gourds. I’d rather spend Genesis doing other things.”
“Oh yeah? What other things besides fishing do you like to do?”
Felicia smiled. “That’s about it.”
“Go fishing. You won’t miss much. It’ll be over before you can blink.”
“No, I’ve got arrowheads on you. Can’t hear if I won in Tribe Talk.”
Amaria laughed. “Want to watch Gourds together?”
“As long as it’s in the Rowdy Section.”
“Of course. Happy Genesis.”
“Great Mother be with you tomorrow.” Felicia walked to the launch dock and started collecting the slivers scattered along the shoreline.
>
Amaria headed home to ready herself for her first match in Hand-to-Hand since her loss last Genesis to Zora, who had cheated and busted her heart while her foot was outside the circle. It had been a sneaky arrow, one that Amaria would be prepared for this cycle.
The next day, Amaria felt calm, confident, and focused when she woke. She had decided to fight her first match with Silver Wing, Slicks, and the new shield from the Sacred Peacock. She ate a full breakfast, and her mother left her alone, except to refill her plate once and to ask if she had slept well.
Amaria set out as soon as she saw first light. Only a handful of spectators milled about outside the arena. After she walked through the tunnel, she saw even fewer participants inside, two to be exact—Zora and Lyla. They smirked when they saw her enter. She ignored them and walked to the side and removed her weapons for a proper warm-up. She got her heart beats pumping as more competitors arrived. Ophea and Jax walked through the tunnel and came over.
“Have you seen Penelope?” Amaria asked, as they approached.
“Not since she slaughtered me in Sliver,” Jax said.
Amaria looked at Ophea, but she shrugged. “I can’t worry about your First Hand. I’m fighting Lyla.” She walked to the other side of the arena.
“Be the beast,” Jax said before hurrying after her.
Amaria sat down and stretched her legs. When she looked up, she saw Wanje gliding towards her. She stood and jogged over.
“Happy Genesis,” Wanje said.
“Happy Genesis, Wanje.”
Amaria was glad to see her teacher. It had been many moons since their last lesson, and she was eager for news.
“I heard you won the preliminaries for Horse and Bows. Congratulations.”
Amaria hated small talk, especially when bigger words needed to be said. “Thank you.”
“I don’t mean to rush our conversation, but I want to wish you luck and discuss our next lesson. I need to speak with you about Telsa.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. No need to worry, but we should talk about your involvement regarding her visions.”
Amaria took a deep breath.
“I take it you’ve heard a little about this?”
