Shield of Fire

Today, the metallic sound of the alarm clock device didn’t resonate in her empty room. Crini hardly slept last night. Her mind was bombarded by thoughts that kept her up all night. The first rays of dim light enter the only window up the wall. It’s time.

With heavy steps she got up and walked to the bathroom, commencing her morning routine. After she got dressed in her uniform and worn-out shoes, she was ready to go out when a knock on the door made her jump back. She hesitantly approached and opened the door.

There was a guard standing outside, wearing the ceremonial uniform – dark green trousers and navy blue shirt with the kingdom’s coat of arms in its centre – holding a spear in one hand and a wrapped package in the other.

“Greetings, slave Crini.” He smiles at her. She stood frozen in place unable to decide which expression is best to adopt. Finally, she tried a smirk. “Queen Tesfira has requested for you to put on this uniform instead of your usual.” The guard adds and gives her the package.

Crini took it from his hands and the guard gave her a curt nod and turned to leave. The last thing she heard as she closed the door was his boots, echoing on the stone floor. She placed the package on the bed and took a look at it. It’s rectangular in shape and the wrapping paper is a simple brown one, tied with a string.

She pulled one of the string’s edges and the packet unfolded in a single move. There are some clothes neatly folded, a light brown pair of trousers and a white bulky shirt. Beneath them, there’s a brown box. She took away the upper part and a pair of dark brown boots appeared.

The boss is generous.

Of course, she is. Crini will stand guard to her son’s side in front of the whole kingdom watching. There’s no way to let her look like a piece of crap. She took of her uniform and placed it folded on the bed’s edge and the worn-out shoes on the floor in front of them. A strange thought crossed her mind.

Will it be my last time here?

A knot formed in her throat blocking her breath but she tried to shove it away. After quickly putting on the new clothes and boots, she took a look at herself in the reflection formed in the bowl of water. Before she open the door, she stopped and turned towards the bed. Grabbing a sleeve from her old uniform she tore it apart, getting the edge of it. Using the cloth, she tied her hair up in a bun. Crini took a quick look around her room – the room that was her home for all these years – and she closed the door exiting.

The moment she stepped out into the palace’s gardens she met the grey sky above her head. Puffy dark clouds formed a thick veil blocking the sun. Sometimes some golden rays made their appearance through them. There was a small group of soldiers in ceremonial uniform and Crini joined them. Queen Tesfira was there along with Prince Tadal, whispering. The Queen had gripped her son by the shoulders, squeezing him into a tight hug. When she got a glimpse of Crini approaching she pushed him away and turned to face her. Tadal was looking pretty annoyed.

Queen Tesfira gives them a nod and the guards start marching in a line down the path that leads outside the tall walls of the palace. There’s a big platform placed just outside the walls past the golden gate. There were a bunch of people already on it as below the crowd kept gathering. The anticipation for the commencement of the tournament was high and evident by the faces of the citizens getting close to looking at the contestants. Some were also placing bets on who was going to win. Crini spot the wooden staircase next to the platform and begin her ascend, followed by Tadal, General Kra’ko and Queen Tesfira.

The Queen tapped her heel three times and immediately all the people standing on the platform formed a perfect line in front of the crowd, cheering below. Crini tried to blend in with the rest of the group of strangers not to give hints of being the guard of prince Tadal, until the latter came to stand beside her. She took a quick look at all the contestants.

Some were looking puffed by arrogance, she could bet must be friends of the prince. Some were just standing there, shoulders low like they know what to expect out of this. And one looked intently to her side with a frown on his face, making her pull back to look straight at the crowd. Then she turned to her other side and took a look at prince Tadal. He stood there, straight, looking forward with authority and pride emanating from him. Like he’s born for glory and no place could be the best match for him that the top.

General Kra’ko disentangles his arm from Queen Tesfira’s elbow and comes forward to address the people gathered below. It is then that Crini realized that she was standing before the entire kingdom. There’s a sea of people cheering and eagerly awaiting the tournament to begin.

“Four crowns. Master them all and you shall be invincible. Fail and face the consequences.” The general booms with a loud voice. “You are our last hope. Don’t waste it.” He whispers the last part as if there are some ears out here that don’t need to listen to this.

Chills run down Crini’s spine as his words sink into her. They were their only choice? She knew about the crowns and the fact that they are only a myth – it had been millennia since someone saw them – and it was believed that they perished through the years. It was only for the romance of the sport to refer to them, though the tournament tasks were pretty life-threatening as some from the group were whispering.

Only thirteen of them were at the age of eighteen, therefore eligible to participate. All the other children were still too young. It would be a long time until some were able and willing to try. But the look general Kra’ko had given them at the last part, carefully spoken to sound as a faint whisper – as a prayer of his – had something hidden behind it.

Crini could feel a weight of responsibility falls on them, although she’s just a guard to prince Tadal. It’s heavy and suffocating. This is serious. Fear hits her for a moment when she saw that everyone else was much taller than her, as any Anivean. How she is supposed to protect someone who’s almost two heads taller than her?

A horn booms in the distance, coming from the palace’s top floors, signalling the beginning of the tournament. The crowd cheers passionately in excitement but Crini doesn’t feel excited at all. What have I gotten myself into?

Everyone bows deeply in front of the crowd, saluting and being nice before they begin descending the staircase. Crini tried to make her way but the general stops her, putting a hand against her belly, and pushing her back. He gives her in secret a small cylinder, placing it in the right pocket of her trousers.

“Contestants are not allowed to carry weapons with them. They need to make them or find them along the way. But you’re not a contestant.” He whispers. “May the gods be with you.”

Crini gave him a nod and made her way down.