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Authors: Erika McGann
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winning the whole thing, itâs about us andââ
Grace was surprised to hear Jennyâs voice crack, then her friend shook her auburn hair and turned away.
* * *
Grace awoke to a gentle prodding in the shoulder. The candelabras werenât lit yet, so it was still night.
âHey,â Una whispered, prodding her again, âyou awake?â
Grace rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and stirred.
âUna? Whatâs wrong?â
âNothing. I canât sleep, itâs too cold.â
âIâve a couple of extra jumpers if you need them.â
âNah, Iâve loads of clothes to lie on. The cold from the stone just gets through.â
âOh, Una, would you not try the hammock again?â
Una shook her head but stayed sitting on the ledge.
âGrace. What if Iâm rubbish?â
Grace rubbed her eyes again.
âWhat?â
âTomorrow. What if Iâm rubbish and I lose?â
âYou wonât be rubbish, Una.â
âWhat if I lose?â
âThen you lose. Who cares?â
âJenny does.â
Grace pulled herself onto the ledge and put a hand on Unaâs arm.
âYouâll be great tomorrow, no matter what happens. And donât worry about Jenny. I think sheâs going through ⦠I donât know, something. Sheâs not always as tough as she seems, you know?â
Una nodded.
âOkay. Thanks. And sorry for waking you.â
âAnytime.â
âGrace?â
âYeah?â
âWanna play I Spy?â
âNot really.â
ââKay. Night night.â
âNight.â
7
Dragon Fodder
Exquisite; that was the only word Rachel could use to describe the banquet. Like Marie Antoinette, she sat at the head of the table, a row of golden candelabras perched amongst plates of glorious-looking food in front of her. Roasted chickens, drowning in juices, crunchy potatoes and honey-roasted carrots. In the centre of the table there was even an entire roasted suckling pig with an apple stuffed in its mouth. It grossed her out to look at it, but the two rows of glamorous Hunters on either side more than made up for it.
For dinner, they had all dressed to impress. The garb was still pirate-like, but the leather jerkins and loose blouses were draped in jewels and fine accessories. Some had close-cut or shaved hair, others long plaited styles like that of Alinda. She noticed a few other pearl-eyed diners, and presumedthem to be more members of the Morgane tribe. Everyone appeared to be clear-skinned and glowing with health, and everyone looked wealthy and sophisticated – they were like a band of aristocratic adventurers, rich with unburied treasure. Rachel sighed in contentment, cutting elegantly into the small pieces of chicken on her gold-plated dish.
‘This evening’s banquet is in honour of Rachel of Dunbridge,’ Aruj said, raising his glass and bowing at Rachel. ‘To this year’s victor of the Glamour Trial.’
There was a warm, but refined, cheer of congratulations, and the clinking of glasses, and Rachel blushed fiercely.
She spent the evening listening to stories of adventure and terror; the vanquishing of the most evil and brutal of creatures, and the heroism and bravery of the Hunters. They were hair-raising stories that scared her, but they also sparked a fire in her soul. This life of beauty and grandeur, but full of excitement and valour, was one she could never hope to experience. It was like something out of another time, when there were still new lands to explore and people were noble and full of courage. She wished she could stay longer than just an afternoon.
‘It is late,’ Alinda said to her towards the end of the meal. ‘Perhaps you would like to stay the night? Your accommodation would be more than comfortable, I promise you.’
Rachel could have kissed her.
* * *
‘Origination!’
Grace’s eyes remained fixed on Lady Hecate’s figure perched high on the scaffolding
Grace was surprised to hear Jennyâs voice crack, then her friend shook her auburn hair and turned away.
* * *
Grace awoke to a gentle prodding in the shoulder. The candelabras werenât lit yet, so it was still night.
âHey,â Una whispered, prodding her again, âyou awake?â
Grace rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and stirred.
âUna? Whatâs wrong?â
âNothing. I canât sleep, itâs too cold.â
âIâve a couple of extra jumpers if you need them.â
âNah, Iâve loads of clothes to lie on. The cold from the stone just gets through.â
âOh, Una, would you not try the hammock again?â
Una shook her head but stayed sitting on the ledge.
âGrace. What if Iâm rubbish?â
Grace rubbed her eyes again.
âWhat?â
âTomorrow. What if Iâm rubbish and I lose?â
âYou wonât be rubbish, Una.â
âWhat if I lose?â
âThen you lose. Who cares?â
âJenny does.â
Grace pulled herself onto the ledge and put a hand on Unaâs arm.
âYouâll be great tomorrow, no matter what happens. And donât worry about Jenny. I think sheâs going through ⦠I donât know, something. Sheâs not always as tough as she seems, you know?â
Una nodded.
âOkay. Thanks. And sorry for waking you.â
âAnytime.â
âGrace?â
âYeah?â
âWanna play I Spy?â
âNot really.â
ââKay. Night night.â
âNight.â
7
Dragon Fodder
Exquisite; that was the only word Rachel could use to describe the banquet. Like Marie Antoinette, she sat at the head of the table, a row of golden candelabras perched amongst plates of glorious-looking food in front of her. Roasted chickens, drowning in juices, crunchy potatoes and honey-roasted carrots. In the centre of the table there was even an entire roasted suckling pig with an apple stuffed in its mouth. It grossed her out to look at it, but the two rows of glamorous Hunters on either side more than made up for it.
For dinner, they had all dressed to impress. The garb was still pirate-like, but the leather jerkins and loose blouses were draped in jewels and fine accessories. Some had close-cut or shaved hair, others long plaited styles like that of Alinda. She noticed a few other pearl-eyed diners, and presumedthem to be more members of the Morgane tribe. Everyone appeared to be clear-skinned and glowing with health, and everyone looked wealthy and sophisticated – they were like a band of aristocratic adventurers, rich with unburied treasure. Rachel sighed in contentment, cutting elegantly into the small pieces of chicken on her gold-plated dish.
‘This evening’s banquet is in honour of Rachel of Dunbridge,’ Aruj said, raising his glass and bowing at Rachel. ‘To this year’s victor of the Glamour Trial.’
There was a warm, but refined, cheer of congratulations, and the clinking of glasses, and Rachel blushed fiercely.
She spent the evening listening to stories of adventure and terror; the vanquishing of the most evil and brutal of creatures, and the heroism and bravery of the Hunters. They were hair-raising stories that scared her, but they also sparked a fire in her soul. This life of beauty and grandeur, but full of excitement and valour, was one she could never hope to experience. It was like something out of another time, when there were still new lands to explore and people were noble and full of courage. She wished she could stay longer than just an afternoon.
‘It is late,’ Alinda said to her towards the end of the meal. ‘Perhaps you would like to stay the night? Your accommodation would be more than comfortable, I promise you.’
Rachel could have kissed her.
* * *
‘Origination!’
Grace’s eyes remained fixed on Lady Hecate’s figure perched high on the scaffolding
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