Legends of Thamaturga The Contestant: The Contestant

by HC MacDonald

  Next, the nominee from the Council was announced. Again, except for our table who was looking at Sanna to see if they should join in the cheer, which they did not, the audience roared their pleasure. The final announcement was the introduction of the participants in the games. We each stood and filed in a line up to the podium by the Council’s table. One by one, each told their name and received cheers from the crowd. As I stepped up, I could see other participants and guests mocking, and making fun of me. I swallowed hard. I knew they didn’t see the real me, but it still hurt. I stated my name and my village. A pity clap came from behind me, followed by unenergized cheers, until I heard my table. They were on their feet cheering and hooting. It put the smile back on my face and I felt the heat of embarrassment on my cheeks. I strolled back to my table, and was greeted with cheers and hugs all around. When all the participants were done, the banquet began.

  Our table conversation turned to me on strategy, tips, and how unsportsmanlike the crowd had been. It only fueled their loyalty to see me succeed. By the time dinner was over and the dancing began, I knew of three of the obstacles, how to best get through them, and the weaknesses of most the other players. For the first time since hearing this crazy plan, I had confidence I could make it past the first game.

  As the dancing proceeded I sat quietly watching the others. Leon was dancing with each nominee and participant. When no one was looking, his date would sneak in a dance and kiss. I didn’t want to watch, but couldn’t stop. At one point Leon came over toward my table but was cut off by another participant. He never made it back over.

  It was getting late in the hour, I wanted to get my rest for the event tomorrow. I had lost sight of Leon and his girlfriend hours ago. I headed into the dancing crowd to find Sanna and Ethan. As I moved between couples, I could hear the snicker of a laugh or rude comment aimed in my direction. It made me sad that they could not accept others for who they were. I finally spotted the two at the far end of the dance floor. I had only taken a few steps when I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I turned, braising myself for Leon. It wasn’t him. Instead it was Raoul. “May I have this dance?” How could I refuse? He had been my teacher, ally and friend. It had been sometime since I had seen him. I nodded in agreement and took his hand. Together we began dancing. Raoul looked at me with an ounce of recognition, “I hate to impose on you,” he began with a hesitation, “but you said you were from Nanton. Do you by any chance know a Raina or Robyn?”

  A smile escaped my lips. “Yes, I know them well.” I answered back.

  “How are they doing?” He inquired further.

  “Robyn is doing good. She planned on coming but at the last moment had something else come up. She misses you ya know. Talks about you often.”

  “Does she?” His face twitched and his cheeks gave way to just a slight hint of a blush. “And Raina? I worry about her.”

  “She will be all right. I think she has turned a new chapter in her book.” I replied shyly.

  Raoul was looking at me. “You seem so familiar to me. I hate to forget someone, but have we met?”

  A shy smile lifted the corner of my mouth. I looked down to his neck and then back up to his eyes. He squinted at me and I saw the spark of recognition as I let him see through my mirage. He said nothing but pulled me in for a deep embrace. “I applaud your efforts.” He was bowing his head as he said it. “I truly wish you both the best of luck. Have you forgiven him for what he has done?”

  “I don’t know. Sanna seems to think there was something more. A missing peace to why he did what he did. I have decided to have some faith in that.”

  “Why not just ask him, remove your memory spell and a..s..k..... Oh, you are blocked.... This makes sense .... Robyn wrote to me of your struggles, I just didn’t realize how bound you were till I guess now. What are you able to do?”

  “You're looking at it. This and the ability to see when magic is used. I can’t do anything about it though.” It was my turn to hang my head again at the embarrassment of my abilities. Raoul took his hand and lifted my face to look at him again.

  “Raina, it is not your ability to use magic that has made you powerful and special. It is the kindness of your heart. The open love you give. You should not be embarrassed of any of your abilities. It was you who lead others from the fortress. It was you who fought off a snapper. It was you who protected those children and countless others, not the magic. You are the same as you were before. Remember that.” Raoul stepped back holding me at arms length. “Thank you for the dance.” He bowed as a gentleman did. “You are truly a lovely woman.” With a wink he walked away.

  I stood in the middle of the dance floor. Happy to see my old friend. I began looking around for Ethan and Sanna. They were no longer in the back corner I had spotted them before. I decided they would understand if I left without saying goodbye. I began working my way toward the edge of the dance floor. I was almost home free when I heard a cackle of a laugh. It was Lace, Leon’s girlfriend. She walked toward me.

  “You may want to rethink showing up tomorrow. Save yourself the embarrassment of coming in last.” She snickered out. “Someone like you, will never win a man like him.” She nodded in the direction of Leon. I followed her gaze. I could see him watching us. I looked back at her. Noticing the chain on her neck. I scooped up the pendant in my hand. “Interesting necklace choice you have.” She ripped the necklace out of my hand and tucked it into the top of her gown out of view. Then turned and stalked away. It was definitively enchanted. I continued walking toward the path.

  I had made it half way to Sanna’s when I heard the footsteps behind me. I turned to face the person following me. It was Raoul. He was walking quickly, and was upon me in no time. “?Raina??” and he paused.

  I laughed. “Yes, it is me.”

  “Whew, I wasn’t sure. I took the liberty to ask around some of the old Council members. I think Sanna has some merit in her theory. Please let her know I will do my best to seek out the answers. If Ethan or Sanna could meet with me at the Atheneum I think we can get some answers.” He patted my shoulder and nodded, “It’s good to see you out and about again. I have missed my student.”

  I smiled at Raoul, “I’ve missed you too. You know, when this is all over, you should come back with me for a short while. Visit with old friends.” Now it was my turn to wink at him. His blush returned. He patted me once more and strode away. “Good luck tomorrow Raina, I’m rooting for you.”

  I knew he was sincere. He had been my only friend more than once in my life. I loved and respected him. I pondered the words he had said. Sanna had merit. Guilt and grief hit me at once. If Sanna was right, then this was my fault as to why he hated me. I was to blame for the betrayal not Leon. If he had been tricked. I was the one to not have faith in him. Not trust him. I was the one who betrayed him. I wanted to cry, the hurt overwhelming me of my mistake. I had to win now. I had to figure out how to get his memories back, then, hopefully he would forgive me for what I had done. I could feel myself withdrawing from the world, the depression coming back ten fold. How could he forgive me for this? I sat on a nearby boulder letting myself be consumed by the guilt.

  I don’t know how long I sat there, but when I heard the sound of soft giggles and footsteps coming my way, I stood and ran to Sanna’s place. In Sasha’s room, in silence, I cried myself to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day.

  Morning came quick. I got up, showered, ate, and mentally prepared myself for the race ahead. I could not dwell on the unknown. This was not who I was. Once I let out all my tears last night, I felt better. Today, today I would hope for us. Hope for forgiveness and understanding. Above all, hope that I would make it to round two.

  Obstacle

  Raina

  The starting bell echoed in my ears as I ran down the path in a heard of women. According to my table group team we would be coming up to the first obstacle, the rope swings. These were a series of ropes hung from a long beams of wood over a tar pit. If you fell, you did
not get out. I rounded the corner and saw the spectacle. It was long and wide. If I didn’t know better I would have thought the rest of the race was just this obstacle. I couldn’t see the end of the ropes and tar pit felt miles below. As I blinked, the course shortened, looking more manageable. It was an illusion. This was a mental as well as physical. Already, some of the women backed out due to shear mental defeat.

  I stopped at the edge of the pit, trying to assess the distance. My ‘team’ as I like to say, told me to stay high on the ropes and to move fast. I took the first leap and grabbed high, swinging my body toward the second rope. Hand over hand I swung, following their directions as best I could. I tried not to look at the others, especially when one would slip, scream, and fall. It was distracting. Others were flying by me at a faster pace. I concentrated on my task at hand. My grip getting tired. I missed the rope, and my hand slid down burning my skin. I tightened my grip before I lost the rope altogether, saving myself from falling. Now with two hands on the rope I tried to get my swing back. I was half way across. After a few movements back and forth, I felt confident enough to reach out. I grabbed hold of the rope and again began my swing across. Working to keep my grip tight. I was now at the bottom of the ropes with no room for error.

  As I approached the end of the rope test, my team was their cheering me on. Sanna and Ethan were not. I figured they would be with Raoul. We had to know the truth. I hoped they would make it back before the race was over.

  I was near the end of the pack. I had some ground to make up. I sprinted to the next obstacle, the rock pillars. I was told to move to the outsides, the pillars were closer together and would be easier to hop across. In the center they would be spaced further apart, causing you to miss your step and fall. Netting was placed halfway down the twenty foot high pillars, ready to catch you. The fall was still terrifying. I ran to the outside set. Began leaping across. Forward, sideways, forward. Moving as quickly as I dared. I was making ground. Moving faster than some of the shifters who had transformed to gain more leverage.

  One woman I noticed had come to a halt, sitting and crying on a pillar. She was stuck in the middle, afraid to move. Others were yelling at her to jump into the net and move out of the way. My heart went out to her. I stopped to yell some directions at her. If she would go backwards and to her left. She could do it. Her head looked up at me as I encouraged her onto a new path. She stood, and leapt back. Then once more, I could see her confidence coming back. She smiled and waved. Went back a few more pillars, then started moving sideways. I turned and headed forward again myself. Noticing I was again near the rear.

  I finished the pillars. Only a handful of women had fallen to the nets. My legs were tired from the jumping, but I tried to run as fast as I could anyway. The next obstacle on the list, the cliff climb. According to the table team, you would rock climb your way up the cliff then down the other side. In the cliff would be large cracks. One could use to shimmy up the rocks. Coming down would be repelling ropes.

  I came around the bend and saw the cliff face. Like the last two, it went all the way into the clouds. Blinking, I could see the top. It was a good fifty feet high. I looked up and down the cliff. There were two cracks. One large at the bottom tapering to the top, the other, large at the top and tapered to a point about eight feet from the ground. At ground level, a saw a small cavern that went deep into the rock. I couldn’t see any light on the other side. A couple of my table team members ware there cheering me on. Actually, it was just me and the couple. All the others including spectators were moving on to the last obstacle. I looked at the couple. “What do you think?” I yelled over to them. Pointing to the large crack.

  “No, take the tunnel if you can fit.” The woman yelled excitedly. “It goes all the way through, but will get tighter in the middle.”

  I nodded in agreement and ran to the opening. I could fit through the hole. I had been in tighter spots before, so if it did shrink like she said, I should be okay, I hoped. Pearl on the other hand, would not fit, but because she was an illusion, she would not matter. I could only guess how my illusion would look diving into a to small hole. It made me giggle.

  I got on all fours and began crawling as fast as I could through the tunnel. It was pitch dark. I couldn’t see my hands in front of my face. I kept moving. Following the edges my body was up against. I could feel the ceiling coming down on me, and before I knew it. I was on my stomach using my elbows to pull me along. If I were claustrophobic I would be in trouble.

  I had been moving forward for some time. Then I heard something. It was the sound of a soft howl. I hoped I would not run into any creatures. I wouldn’t be able to defend myself or retreat. Let alone, see. The sound was growing louder. Then I felt the soft brush of fur. I stopped. Scared to do anything. Steeling my nerves for the worse, “Hello, is someone here?” I said. My voice shaky. My nerves on edge. The howl grew quiet.

  “I...I...I’m to scared....I can’t move.” A timid voice said. I reached out, and could feel the soft fur.

  “Is this you I am touching?” I asked hoping it was.

  “Yyyesss.” She stumbled over the words.

  “OK.” I took a deep breath and let out my anxiety. “I can help you. Can you trust me?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t see, I can’t move, I think I am stuck.” She began to cry.

  “It’s okay. You only feel stuck. We are at the lowest part of the tunnel.” I said, hoping I was right. If not, we were both going to be stuck. I reached out and put my hand on her fur. “Can you shift back?”

  “I don’t know.” She said. I needed to distract her. Get her stop thinking of her fear. I inhaled another breath of air.

  “I need you to listen to me. Close your eyes. Imagine the sun. Are you doing that?”

  “I can’t” she whined.

  “You can. Close your eyes. Are they closed?”

  “Yes.”

  “Now tell me about the happiest memory of your life.” I needed her to visualize. Tap past the fear. Everything I tried up to this point was not working. In a last ditch effort, I hoped this would work. “Go on, tell me.”

  She began tentatively telling me about her mother. I continued to ask her questions. Reminding her to keep her eyes closed. Asking her to describe everything. Her voice was becoming less shaky. Her sentences less broken. I could no longer hear her hiccups and whimpers. As she relaxed I began giving soft directions. Transform. She did. Move forward. As she talked on about her mother, she was able to move forward. Together we worked our way through the tunnel. Soon, I could see a glimmer of light up ahead. The tunnel giving way to more room. I asked her to open her eyes. As she did, a quiet gasp escaped her throat. “Thank you, I wouldn’t have made it without you.” She called over her shoulder. We crawled the rest of the way out of the tunnel. She gave me a hug and wished me good luck. Then looking up at the repelling ropes, we saw we were not last.

  Together, we took off running. Her, faster than I. Before I knew it, she was gone. Others were now starting to catch up to me. I had one more obstacle, then the sprint to the finish. This last one was much simpler. A single rope stretched out from one cliff top to another. Then the path continued into the trees. Below, a billowing fire pit and safety net. They didn’t want to hurt you, only scare you. This, like the rope swings would not give any of the shifters an advantage. I could make up ground. Living in the fortress and around the arena for so long, balancing on ropes, or moving along them was easy for me. I grabbed the end and swung my feet over. Making sure my weight was on my heels as they wrapped around the rope. Then hand over hand, moved head first down the rope. I had passed my friend from the cave, and a few others along the way. My friend adjusted to mimic my movements, and she was moving along quickly now. A few more, muscles tired and fatigued from use, dropped to the net below. I made it across the line, dropped to my feet and took of running. Now it was a race to the finish line. I rounded the first corner, then the second. Then, entered a fog.

  The path wa
s getting cloudy. I couldn’t recall my table team mentioning any other obstacles about fog. I was tired, and my mind was having troubles focusing. My legs began burning from fatigue. My mind, began drifting. Tired, so tired. I wanted to lay down and sleep. I hadn’t realized I had slowed to a walk. Now, I was barely moving. I looked around me. I could see some of the participants laying on the ground sleeping. I wanted to lay with them. Then, sirens went off in my mind. I knew this fog. This was not good. The sleep. The fog. I had been through this looking for the children.

  I cleared my head quickly. I grabbed the two women on the path next to me. I dragged them back to the edge of the fog. In again I went. Dragging anyone I found. As I reached the edge of the fog, I would yell for help. I was returning from my third trip with two more participants, when I saw Raoul was standing at the edge of the fog. Horror written on his face.

  “Raoul, it’s the Koboldrone. There are more. I must get them.” I was tired and out of breath, the game, forgotten. Now, lives were at stake.

  Raoul, shook his head, he was in shock. I grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Raoul, Raoul! We must do something.” The shaking snapped him out of his shock. He gave a great howl. “Raina, you can’t go back in. You may never come out.”

  “I must Raoul, there are others. Please take care of them, don’t let anyone else enter.” Before he could grab my arm to stop me, I ran into the fog. I searched for fallen bodies. I could hear others yelling into the fog for participants. I saw my friend. She was laying near a bush. I moved toward her. As I did, she was lifted by a mechanical arm and began floating deeper into the fog. I couldn’t help the scream that came out of my mouth. I ran to her. Grabbed her arms and began the tug of war with the metal object holding her. I kicked at the appendages, and pulled on my friend. Dragging her as fast as I could I headed back toward the path. I could see the blue sky ahead, and headed in that direction. As I cleared the fog, I was greeted by Leon and a pack of elders. Raoul, was running toward us.