The Column Racer (22 page)

“I take it you’ll take up training,” said Fides, saying it as a statement and not as a question.

“I don’t know how they do it,” said Aquilina, wiping her eyes, “I couldn’t do it. Watching you guys. I would miss it too much.”

“Surely there’s something you like to do,” said Fides, again a statement.

“Nothing is like this. Name one thing as wonderful as this.” There was silence among them. The only sound was the distant crashing of water. Areli looked at her hands, knowing that there was one thing that was just as great.

“Boys,” said Areli softly.

“What
did
you say?” asked Aquilina. Areli repeated her answer.

“Surely, Aquilina, you’ve met plenty of men while traveling the world,” said Fides, “there must be somebody you must’ve liked?”

“Men
is
the correct way to say it,” said Aquilina, “but never any boys.” They listened again to the distant waterfall.

“But how about now?” asked Areli, “I mean, you’re retired now. There must be plenty of men who would love to be with you.”

“There’s the problem,” said Aquilina, “how am I supposed to sift out the true from the fake.” Fides looked at Areli. Areli looked back at her and shrugged.

“We’ll help you,” said Fides.

“You would?”

“Sure,” said Areli, nodding her head. Aquilina seemed to brighten up a little. She now wore a smile as she looked out over the sapphire blue waters.

Areli tossed and turned in her bed as she thought about their discussion that night at Flame. Both Amer and Yats were jealous when Fides and she told them they were able to go on a free-fly around the Valley of Abhi. Fides and Areli went into every detail – digging it in even further. They told them how they weaved through Abhiraja’s Forest and sat on a Column of Abhi overlooking the water with no sounds other than the distant roar of water cascading into blue. They kept hidden the fact they were now required to help Aquilina find a boyfriend, as both were told not to reveal this to anyone, not even their own mothers.

The next day, the whole house was in a frenzy. Servants decorated the gates, as well as the exterior of the house, for the Fall Festival. Both Aria and her mother stood outside Areli’s door as she put on the dress that she and Fides purchased weeks prior. It was simple but made of only the finest materials. Areli’s dress was red with diamonds that covered her chest and flowed with the seams of the gown. It fit her body perfectly.

When Areli was put in her carriage, both her mother and father kissed her on the cheek, and then she was off. She followed behind the carriages of the other riders as they headed into the city. Beyond performing tonight at the Abhi Theater in front of a massive audience – all the people residing in the Valley, to be more exact – there was the presentation of this year’s Hall team.

The streets were decorated in flags of black, red, and gold. Abhi was the only flag in the Empire that had three colors. People were crammed into each and every space they could find. Rose petals were thrown from balconies and rooftops, and people were chanting their names. One name in particular stood out, and again Areli’s name was on no one’s lips, outside of her tyro classmates.

When they came to the auditorium, students were already being crowded into tents, stuffed into comfortable couches, and waving down servants carrying trays of small delicacies.

The column racers were given a separate tent. There was an oversized chair for each of them. They sat according to their lockers. Areli looked over at Fides. The two exchanged smiles and waves. Fides looked as stunning as ever in her black, diamond-studded dress.

The first event to happen at the Festival was the presentation of this year’s riders. The Emperor had already taken the stage. Areli could tell by the roar of the people inside the theater’s walls. She felt like she was going to throw up. She felt her hand drumming against the arm of her chair, but she couldn’t feel the material. All she was aware of was that her heart was growing in size with every passing moment.

More screams erupted from the theater, but Areli didn’t know what they were screaming about. It was probably just the Emperor telling everyone how well the search for Degendhard was going and how many lives he had destroyed, how many towns he had burned, and how now he was onto Degendhard's scent like the nose of a dog. More screams. Areli didn’t know what he was saying and she couldn’t care. All she wanted was for the proceedings to hurry up. She hated the sound of his voice. Hated him for what he made her do. Hated him for killing Emilee.

A servant came to their tent. He instructed them that it was ready.
What is ready
thought Areli. The servant asked them to follow him. A guard held open the flap of the tent, revealing that there were still people out in the street. They roared when they caught sight of the riders. Areli casually waved and kept close to the team. Guards made a wall around them as they entered through the back of the theater, through a maze of tunnels, and towards the stage. The servant stopped in front of a red curtain and peeked through. The Emperor’s words rang clearly from this distance.

“Ladies . . . Gentleman . . . Fine Citizens of Abhi. I have had my staff work tirelessly over the off-season to find the best riders in our Empire. I am glad to inform you that this season . . . this season is our most talented team to date!” The crowd ate up his words as if they were herbivores and his words were lettuce.

“We have four returning riders,” said the Emperor, “and four new ones.” Cheers, claps, and screams shook the stone floor Areli and the others were standing on. “Our first rider, you all know, the sweetheart of Abhi . . . Fidelja Bird.” The servant ushered her out and she disappeared into light and applause.

Areli stood nervously clenching her fingers through six more introductions, until it was her turn.

“This next rider is very special to me,” said the Emperor, “there have been only three riders in the history of Column Racing to have undefeated seasons. Aquilina did it . . . and look at the beautiful things she did from then on.” Roar – scream – shake – shake. “Fidelja did it . . . and she’s destined to move on and do great things as well.” Areli didn’t know how her eardrums were lasting. They seemed on the tipping point of exploding. “And now, we searched, dear citizens, we searched, and we found the third. We found her in the outer parts of the Empire, in the heart of squalor. We pulled her out of depravity. We rescued her from the foul territory soiled by the grips of Degendhard. We trained her, made her deadlier than even Aquilina. Citizens of Abhi, I give you Column Racings next greatest treasure . . . ARELI ROBERTS!”

The servant pushed her in the back, out into the bloodthirsty crowd that seemed hungry for something new to adore. Her heart felt like she was a predator, and she had just got done sprinting for her prey. Areli had a feeling the Emperor placed her eighth for a reason. This year, it wasn’t the position of disgrace, but the position of spotlight, and she was to be his newest star. Confusion swirled around her. She wasn’t the best rider there, she knew that. It was Fides, it has always been Fides. The Emperor, looking clean, in a black trench coat with a shirt on and shoes, took her hand into his and kissed it.

Areli could have thrown up. She felt sick to her stomach. The Emperor, keeping her hand in his, lifted it up into the air. Areli didn’t even notice that he had looked over to Fides and motioned her to his side. He lifted her hand into the air as well. The crowd was on their feet. Areli felt like she was about to faint. She was expecting to come out on stage and be humble, to be sweet. But now the Emperor had made her out to be a hungry, cold-blooded killer. A hunter of wins.

When she got back into the riders tent, after they were dismissed from the stage, Areli was met with stares that were both harsh and cold. Each of her teammates looked at her this way, all except Fides and Dulce, who seemed off in her own whimsical world. Areli was jealous. Tegan stood up and walked over to Areli. Studying her, as if extracting her weaknesses to use against her at a later date.

“The Emperor was right, except for one thing,” said Tegan, “you’re still nothing but trash. A slut and a whore.” Fides was quick to Areli’s side.

“Just because you suck, Tegan,” yelled Fides, “doesn’t mean you have to take your aggression out on her.”

“Who are you to defend her?” roared Tegan, “She’s nothing.
A nobody.
Probably a rape victim of Degendhards. Oh yeah, I forgot. You two are buddy-buddy now. Are you going to kiss her pretty little cheeks as well, Fides? We’ve all heard about the sleepovers.”

“Why don’t you go sit down,” said Fides, “before I mess up that pretty little face of yours.” Tegan snorted and brushed past her, bumping Fides shoulder in the process.

“She doesn’t belong here,” spoke up Perla, “Tegan’s right. She’s nothing but Sector D trash.”

“You better watch your tongue, Perla,” said Fides, “if you wish to keep it attached to your mouth.” Fides looked around the room, at each rider. “Areli is just as good as any of you. If not better. Don’t let the Emperor rile you up. Focus on what you need to do in the arena. Not on your competition. If you don’t, it will only lead to bitter hearts and sloppy runs.” Fides walked over to her chair and dragged it across the stone pavement, placing it next to Areli. “We’re teammates, not enemies,” said Fides, “it took Areli for me to figure that out. Imagine if we were nice to one another. Cared for one another.”

“Um . . . I’m sorry,” said Tegan, “we don’t all like to make out with girls.” Fides crossed her arms and stared into the green eyes looking right back at her.

“I’m talking about friendship. Camaraderie.”

“But only one spot opens up on the professional team each year,” said Dulce, looking about the room cautiously, almost ashamed. Her feelings were natural, as Areli knew she probably felt awkward talking to those she was trained from an early age to distrust.

“Yeah,” said Fides, “and even when we hate each other, there is still only one spot open on the team.”

“If you are trying to get me in on your little lets-be-friends nonsense, count me out,” said Tegan.

“Who said I was asking you in,” said Fides, “hate if you want. It will only burn you later.”

The room became silent. There were only the screams coming from the crowd outside and in the theater.

“I bet the rumors are true,” said Tegan, “I bet . . . no . . . I know Areli is a Degendhard whore, and now she’s turned you into one of his slutty-sluts too.” Hands went to mouths. Gasps. And wide eyes as riders looked from Fides, to Tegan, to Areli. Areli was frozen to her seat. Were there actually rumors like that going around? She didn’t know how to respond. Fides fists went white, as she clenched her hands. She moved furiously towards Tegan, who didn’t look like she wasn’t going to back down.

A servant poked his head through the silk of their tent, and called Areli and Fides, saying that Professor Kaydence wanted a quick rehearsal with each pair before going out to perform.

Fides was inches away from Tegan’s face. Areli knew her friend’s heart was beating as fast as hers. Fides turned back to Areli.

“Areli,” said Fides, “let’s go.”

After they left the tent and after rehearsals, Areli thanked her friend for standing up for her, but the rumor had shaken her up during rehearsals, and professor Kaydence had caught it, as had Fides.

“We’re friends, Areli,” said Fides, “it’s like a requirement. And don’t pay any attention to Tegan’s mouth. Nothing out of those lips will ever be pretty.” Areli smiled and they let the voices outside fill the space around them. She looked to the ground.

“Does everyone think that, Fides?” asked Areli with a shaky voice. Her eyes close to tears.

“No! Areli, “said Fides, “it’s only Tegan, being Tegan. She is as worthless as fake gold.” The tears, despite Areli’s efforts, started to fall from her eyes. Fides rushed to her rescue. Wrapping her scrawny arms around her, whispering calming and soothing woods into her friend’s ears. After Areli, had settled down, they took a seat on a red cushioned couch.

“You know,” said Fides, “thinking about it . . . we’re actually, more than friends.” Areli looked over at her, the words were on the tip of Fides lips, but Areli could tell she was hesitant.

“I know,” said Areli softly.

“We’re sisters,” said Fides, letting the words circulate in the air, before diving against Areli’s eardrums.

“Sisters for life,” said Areli with a smile.

“Sisters forever.”

“And ever. And ever. And ever.” The two laughed and Fides wrapped her arms around Areli’s. So now there was more than one sibling grouping in the world, even though theirs wasn’t through blood, Areli and Fides knew it was deeper.

“Now . . . as my sister, let’s kick this song’s ass. And we’ll worry about kicking Tegan’s ass later.” Areli laughed and then nodded her head, agreeing with every word. It was going to be a great day . . . when Tegan would be spitting blood from a dislodged tooth.

Areli and Fides were the last to perform before the ensembled finale. The crowd was on their feet through their entire song and gave a roar that sounded louder than a cry from a battle dragon. After the final number, after the curtains closed, the Fall Festival was over. Drunks had servants help them to their houses. And every sober mind, even the partially inebriated ones, were looking forward to the events of tomorrow. Let the sorting begin.