The smell of blood shocked Avara from her slumber. She was 16, her first year to contend in the Competition. She had purple eyes, a rarity, and raven black hair. Her skin was olive, and she was slightly toned. It was said she looked just her father, who had died when she was three, as had her mother. Her only family was her older brother, Zami, Who was 25. This his last year to be in the Competition.
"Damn wolves," she heard her brother mutter.
"What's wrong, Zami?" she asked.
"There are wolves patrolling the Border again," he explained. "I can't gather any plants."
"Do you need a bandage for your arm?"
"No, it's ok."
"The bath is ready for you."
"Thanks."
Avara had already taken a bath and put on a forest green dress. She went into her small bedroom she shared with her brother, and went to the mirror. She combed her hair into into a simple side sweep. She took a moment to look at her face. Her eyes had bags underneath them.
His brother came in wearing a light blue shirt that complemented his dark orange eyes and green trousers that matched his sisters dress, and balanced his red hair.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yeah."
Ten minutes before eleven o'clock, the designated time for the Meeting, they left for the square. They parted ways and headed toward their different sections. Their town representative came onto the small, rickety stage.
"Good morning Empetial!" she said in a high pitched whine, her dark blue wig bobbing up and down.
"Are there any volunteers?" she asked
Occasionally they were volunteers, like this year.
"What's your name, sweetie?" Illianus asked the volunteer.
A brown haired, lanky girl with green eyes walked onto the stage and said "My name is Clare de Nero."
"Well Clare, we need three people to compete."
She rifled through the glittering crystal ball and pulled a small piece of paper. "Tarius Anglesmith."
A tall, muscular, blue eyed, blonde haired boy walked up, shakily.
"Last, but not least, we have," she paused as she fished around in the crystal ball, "Liana Romero."