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The outside world had looked much the same as she strolled through the streets this morning. Families dressing their children in their best, eager to get into the arena and watch the first task. Street vendors offering specials, filling the air with the scent of cinnamon and clove and even more savory meat pies. The entire world was waiting on a precipice to see what would happen today.
Except for Kerrigan.
Her mind was focused on what was ahead for her own life. The tournament had excited her five years ago. She had thought this time around, she would be watching from the other side. Not a student anxious to become someone, but a tribe member watching with delight for her new people, cheering on their victories and lamenting their failures. The excitement only made her stomach ache more.
She had to find Helly. She had to fix this.
* * *
Helly stood regally among a group of admiring Society members outside of the wing that led to the various levels of living quarters for Society members. This part of the mountain was very unlike where Kerrigan had spent the last twelve years living. Her world was so small, so confined. She and Darby had a one-room apartment with two beds just big enough for them to grow into over the years, and they had. The bathing chambers were shared between all of the Dragon Blessed. Though final years were allowed their own bathing. The twenty-three of them had seen it as such a luxury to only have to share with each other and not a couple hundred other littlings from five on up.
But the Society quarters were another thing altogether. Instead of the mansions on the Row, they each had their own chambers within the mountain. Depending on seniority, they could have a dozen rooms or more to themselves with full attendants, lavish furniture, lush rugs, and even their own private bathing chamber. The Society quarters were warm and hospitable. A place the esteemed members could find a life, get married, raise children, if they chose. An allegiance to the Society first, tribe second.
Kerrigan cleared her throat as she approached the group of Society members. They turned to her as one, most recognizing her from her time in the castle. By the crinkle of their eyes and tight smiles, she assumed some of them had been at the ceremony last night as well.
“Hello, Mistress Hellina,” Kerrigan said, dropping into a curtsy.
“Oh good, Kerrigan,” Helly said with a smile. “You are right on time.” She looked to the other members and nodded her head. “I will meet you in our box. I still find it strange that I will be on the other side of the tournament this year.”
“We’ll see you in there, Helly,” one woman said and then gestured for the rest of them to follow her out of the mountain.
“You played that well,” Kerrigan said evenly.
“I’m not sure they bought it,” Helly said with a shrug. “Come. We have something to discuss, do we not?”
Kerrigan nodded and walked with Helly through the labyrinth of hallways until they came to her rooms. She flicked her wrist to turn the lock and they entered.
“I don’t have long. The tournament starts within the hour, and I must be in attendance. As a previous administrator, it is my duty.”
“Of course,” Kerrigan said. “I just… you said we’d figure something out for me.”
Helly’s expression changed to one of sympathy. They took a seat on her settee. “I am truly sorry for what happened yesterday. That should have never been possible. I thought that you had someone secured.”
“I did,” Kerrigan cut in. “Ellerby of Elsiande was there, but he left right before my name was called. And I want permission to speak to him, to try to reconcile this.”
“Kerrigan,” she said softly. As if she were about to issue a blow. “You’re talented, dear girl. So very talented. Honestly, I don’t know if you even need a tribe.”
Kerrigan whipped backward as if she had been slapped. “What? What does that even mean, Helly? Everyone has to follow the tribe system. What you’re saying is that I don’t need to become a citizen.”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Helly said evenly, her eyes harsh in the dim light. “I am saying that you could stay here and work for the Society.”
“As a servant?” she gasped.
“No,” Helly said firmly. “Please allow me to finish.”
Kerrigan pressed her lips together, but panic was seizing her lungs. Helly thought that she should stay and be a servant to the Society. That she should use her talents, her powers, her visions to help the Society. She didn’t have to become a citizen because they could keep her here forever. Where she could never have a life of her own! She never would have suspected it of Helly, who had always been her friend and mentor.
