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We all smelled like we had been out for a while, eating, drinking, and doing god-knows what else. When I looked at Aurora, I paused.
She looked at me like she wanted to get out of the same room as my disgusting body. Which was a fair assessment of my post-nap person.
I continued to chew on the soft bread and sip my coffee while we leaned against a space on the counter and watched the proceedings.
Some man I didn’t know with an extravagant white tie, velvet-black tuxedo, and greased hair was standing in front of the crowd. “…before we announce the people who will train with each mentor, we are going to hear from our esteemed Canciller. Everyone, give a warm welcome to Agustín Duarte.” The crowd inside of the auditorium went crazy.
In the kitchen, you could’ve heard a pin drop. A few of us nodded in deference to the Canciller, but there was no clapping. Emotions were not so tender for that man among the working and performing classes—especially since he had been the old king’s advisor when the massacre occurred.
Even still, disrespect was illegal.
We all were trying to survive, and taking on that man was a way to ensure you did not.
Canciller Duarte was a tall man, with broad shoulders and a belly that was beginning to pull at his clothes. His white hair was perfectly coifed, and the lines on his face seemed to only come from echoes of smiles. He looked like wealth—from manicured beard, to the fine cut of his hair. He smiled, which definitely looked like a gesture that he had practiced thousands of times.
“Good evening, citizens of Islas de Arrebol! It is simply an honor to be here tonight. The Blood Tournaments are a time-honored tradition, and it is my pleasure to carry on the tradition that began with my time leading Arrebol, nearly fifty years ago. As the first Canciller in our history, I am extremely pleased with how our commonwealth has grown and flourished over time. It is something we all should be proud of.”
I glanced around and saw a range of emotion from awe to indifference. What surprised me was that no one was angry in this room.
The tall man continued. “Like previous years, we have twenty-five different mentors to help prepare the rising generation. The Blood Tournaments serve as an important reminder for everyone that the once-courtiers deserve to live on as the highest class of our country. They came forth from the King’s idea that order and just motivations were important for a functioning society. And these exceptional leaders, who once proved themselves on the Cinturón de Fuego, have worked tirelessly to help with sorting auditioning more than two-hundred and fifty candidates. Let’s give them an applause.”
He paused and a polite applause broke out everywhere.
The Canciller grinned. “While all of them are extremely well respected and successful members of our humble society, without a doubt, the most notorious mentor this year is a man I’m sure you all know. Antonio Armando Castillas Morales.”
The crowd went wild. Even though the camera was angled to only show the red and gold backdrop behind the Canciller, several people raised their hands into the line of sight and tossed roses onto the stage. The camera cut away from the ruler of our lands and focused on Antonio Castillas.
He looked nothing like the young man who had given that awkward speech in my hometown four years ago. He smiled, and he dazzled. There was no hint of the grumpy, unkind person who had threatened me. He was practiced in his role, that was for sure.
I couldn’t help but smile along with the others.
“Notice how the Canciller didn’t mention his youngest daughter, the one who died last year?” Maria said.
Meli nodded. “Yes! I heard that he didn’t even wear mourning clothes for a year.”
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I wished that I could’ve tuned out their words. Wished that I didn’t notice how Señor Castillas wore nothing but black—even tonight.
As if reading my thoughts, Aurora said. “Antonio Castillas should remarry soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if he already had someone in mind.”
At my side, Magda set down the coffee cup in her hands. “I mean, look at him.”
Six other women in the room sighed. Magda said, “Carmen, what was it like to meet him?” just as Aurora loudly whispered, “If I’d met him the night of our performance…”
I glared at Magda, trying to ignore how Aurora’s eyes bored holes into my head.
Everyone’s attention was on me, the Canciller completely forgotten on the screen as he talked about the significance of the Blood Tournaments. “I—” I did not know what to say. “He was kind.”
Fernando, who I hadn’t realized was hiding behind a few dancers on the other side of the wall, snorted.
My head snapped in his direction, just as someone shushed us.
All focus snapped back to the Canciller. “I’m sure Antonio will thank you all in his speech, but allow me to do so as well. Before we begin with the ceremony, I wanted to start with a story, one that hasn’t been told in a long time.” His voice was scratchy over the tiny screen.
“Today marks fifty years since our government was formed, and it has been my pleasure to serve. Our people have a long history in Islas de Arrebol. It is an enchanting group of isles, with the crowning jewel known as the Cinturón de Fuego. That string of stunning volcanoes is responsible for our fertile lands which give us our fruit orchards, sustain our Trabajadores, and give inspiration to our rich history of Artistas. We have a culture that the rest of the Ember Earth simply cannot compete with. They have fairytales and strange species, we have real, ever-lasting magic. Not just Blood Magic, either. All of this is merely part of what makes us great.”
Everyone was intent on hearing the Canciller’s words, but for me, they felt empty. We did have an incredible culture, and people found happiness where they could steal it. But our lifestyle was neither built for health nor happiness. Guardias killing people in the streets wasn’t a world that I would consider great.
Canciller Duarte continued. “We do not know where the Blood Magic comes from, only that it was first gifted to the monarchy that once ruled over these lands at the end of the Second Age.”
