"That sounds fun," I say, distracted by all the laughing and yelling around us as people talk about the tournament tomorrow. I didn't realize tournaments were such a big deal.
Wytt stands to leave. "I've got to place my bets before tomorrow."
Corinne grabs his robe before he walks off. "Nope. Remember, you promised our father. No more betting."
He groans and slumps back onto the bench. "Why'd you have to remind me? It's just a bit of fun." Wytt looks over longingly at a group of people placing bets, Thane in the center, puffing out his chest and laughing.
"All of you who bet on someone else are just burning your money," Thane says. "I'm betting two million… on myself. Bet against me at your own risk."
The chattering stops as the others around him stare open-mouthed.
I lean over and whisper to my friends. "Where'd he get so much money?"
"Stories are," Wytt says, "it's not all legal."
That makes me curious. An Inquisitor and Cardinal, sworn to protect the law, potentially dealing in illegal activity. I wonder why no one has investigated.
A young woman with curly hair and a sweet smile walks up to our table with a large basket full of colorful ribbons. "Get your token and choose your Knight!" she says.
Corinne pulls out some coins and picks a red ribbon. "Scarlett," she says, smiling, "you should give one to Jax."
I blush and glance at Jax. "Jax doesn't need a token to win, I'm sure."
Jax clears his throat and stands to leave. "I've got a meeting to get to. I'll see you all later." He turns to me. "Bye, Scarlett."
"Bye." I pick up a piece of chocolate and look at Corinne, who's studying her ribbon. "Who are you giving yours to?"
Wytt nudges her shoulder. "My guess is The Seeker. Right, sis?"
Corinne blushes and nods.
Wytt continues his teasing. "My sister has a crush on the Knight. I don't blame her. Kira's hot."
"I just think she's very skilled," Corinne says. "And she's one of the highest ranking female Knights in her order. I admire that."
Then she giggles and covers her mouth. "And she is really hot."
***
This morning we are all excited. It's hard not to be with the small town of Vianney thrown into festival mood overnight by the announcement of the tournament. I have to give credit to the local business owners who must have been up all night preparing for this impromptu day. Normally, they aren't even open on Sunday, let alone out with booths and baskets hawking their wares to everyone.
Corinne, Wytt and I walk through the crowded line of vendors and excited students until we're standing in front of the Arena entrance.
This is the first time I've seen the Arena up close. Modeled after the amphitheaters and arenas of Ancient Rome—but far larger—it was built in the middle of Vianney Park, with rounded walls of stone. Inside, the stadium is made of stone mixed with marble, with a center staging area for battles.
"Where should we sit?" Corinne asks.
I look around. "I'm not sure. But, can you guys wait here for a second? I'll be right back."
"No problem," says Wytt.
I thank them and run off. I need to find Jax. I ask a few people who direct me toward the entrance where the Knights prepare for battle. It's a large room under the arena seating and is full of Knights in a flurry of preparation. I easily spot Jax, one of the few not running around like a headless chicken. I'm a bit nervous, even a little shy, as I approach him. "Hey."
He smiles and sets his sword down on a table near him. "Hey."
I wring my hands and try to keep eye contact with him. "Look, I know things have been hard, and you had your reason for keeping secrets, and I just want you to know, I forgive you. You're still my best friend, and I don't want to lose that."
His face visibly relaxes. "Scarlett, I hate keeping secrets from you. I hate that I had to lie to you. I can't tell you how much it means that you've forgiven me."
I stick my hand in my pocket and pull out the wings he gave me the day my parents were killed. "I wanted you to have this. As a token. The ribbons felt a little…"
"Clichéd?"
I laugh. "Something like that."
He accepts the token and sticks it to the breastplate of his armor. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."
"Be careful," I say.
"It's not a tournament to the death. I'll be fine."
Men. "Maybe not to the death, but people do get hurt playing with swords."
He chuckles. "I promise to be careful while playing with my sword."
I want to grab him and shake him for making me feel so many conflicted things. Instead I smile, wish him luck again and go back to my friends who are waiting for me by the entrance.
Wytt waggles his eyebrows and winks at me. "Methinks the lady has indeed bestowed upon her favored Knight a token of luck."
"Shut it, Wytt," Corinne says. "Leave her alone."
We're about to choose a seat wherever we can find one before the Arena fills up, when Evie speaks into my ear. "Your grandfather requests your presence in the V.I.P. seating."
I look up at the same time Wytt and Corinne do. Likely they got the same message from their father, because the Chancellor, King Varian and the other Grandmasters are all seated in a special box not accessible from general seating. I'm about to ask how to get there when an Inquisition Guard arrives. "Princess, Prince, Miss Night, I've been sent to escort you to your seats."