Chosen

We had to wake up early the next day. Julian, Scarlett and I were taken together down a hall to a group of rooms, then lead to separate ones. No one spoke.

A servant helped me bathe and then change into my clothes. I glanced in the mirror quickly before I left.

The servant lead the three of us down a seemingly endless dark hallway, then outside. It was bright, and the sudden light made me dizzy. I grabbed Scarlett's hand subconsciously.

We were then lead into a carriage. The ride never seemed to stop. Scarlett had fallen asleep on my shoulder, and I had nearly dozed off when we jerked to a stop and were lead out of the carriage and into the same arena from the Choosing Ceremony.

I was nervous, and by the look on her face, Scarlett was as well. Julian's face was blank and closed off.

Nobody spoke at all when the Chosen gathered in a dark, damp room like a dungeon. Most stared at the floor.

I hope something doesn't go wrong, I thought.

Scarlett excused herself, saying she needed to use the bathroom.  She was gone for ages.

While she was gone, Julian stared at me.

"What?!" I hissed after a few minutes. "What's the problem?"

"Nothing," Julian said. "Where did Scarlett go?"

"To the bathroom."

Julian frowned.

"What?"

"I don't believe there are bathrooms here," Julian said. "No, I don't think there are. Father and I toured the place a while ago."

"Where d'you suppose-"

But just then Scarlett came back in wearing a suit-a golden waistcoat with a red-orange tie and black pants. And her hair...was gone. It was a curly mess that reached her ears. Whoever had cut her hair did a good job.

She was stunning.

"Scarlett, what-?"

"There was a servant who thought my dress looked...horrible on me, and I asked her to do me a favor." She shrugged. "Julian helped me pick it out. I think it looks lovely. Don't you?"

I nodded and was about to say something when I was interrupted by a loud voice.

"And now, introducing the Chosen! This is Remington Black, Master of the Bow!"

Black walked out of the dungeon confidently. Several people called good luck to him.

"Next is Donald Blusterson, Master of Disguises!"

Donald was nervous. Nobody said anything.

More names were called, then it was Scarlett's turn. She glanced around at me and then at Julian.

"Good luck, love," I said. It seemed that she heard me. She smiled weakly and left when her name was called.

Only a few people were left now. Julian was leaning casually against the wall, as if this happened every day. His eyes, for a moment, were unshielded, and there seemed to be a battle raging internally behind them. I sympathized for him.

"Athena Thorn, Master of Swordplay!"

"That's not the only thing I'm master of," I muttered so quietly only I could hear, before walking out of the dungeon with, I hoped, confidence.

I was nervous.

There were many people staring. Cheering. My mother and father were there. I spotted them right away. They were smiling, it looked like, but pain was etched on each both their faces.

I waved and smiled to the crowd. They looked amazed at me. Good, I thought.

And then Julian was called, and he walked in behind me, confidently, grinning and waving and even blowing kisses to the crowd. He always was a great actor.

After all of that was done, we stood in a line as the announcer made some final announcements.

"And now," his voice boomed, reverberating around the entire arena, "this year, you will be able to watch on screens of glass the events that happen live, exactly when it happens!"

There was halfhearted cheering.

They would watch us? Nobody seemed pleased with the idea. I had hoped there would be private moments, but no doubt about it that there was none to be had.

After the introductions were over with, we were taken by carriage to a different place. It was a large, white building that looked like a mansion.

We were lead to a dining room where we faced a feast like never before. 5 different types of meat, several cheeses, beans, sauce, fresh bread and butter, steamed broccoli and carrots, corn, and green beans and more, all still steaming and warm. It was much more than even a group of 27 people could eat.

But we weren't eating alone, there were staff and even servants eating, the announcer, cooks, and special guests whom we didn't know the names or faces of. Yet.

The staff, servants, cooks, and the announcer were talking, and even some of the Chosen were whispering to each other as well.

I wanted badly to get this feast over with so we could go and take a break, but we weren't allowed to eat until the guests were there, so we sat there, Scarlett holding my hand under the table.

And then the doors burst open and two people, a male and a female, walked in. The male was tall and muscular and very scary, with pitch black hair and dark eyes. The woman was short and slim, with long strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. They both had menacing, scowling faces. And they were both staring straight at Scarlett.

Scarlett whimpered and I could see tears in her eyes. Julian growled and glared at the two.

"Who-?" I started as Scarlett dissolved into tears on my shoulder.

"Those," hissed Julian, "are Scarlett's parents."