Chapter Nine-

(Shan)

"When this is over, will you miss Catarina?" Mr. C asks me.

"Honestly...yes...I didn't like her...when we first...met. I thought...she was...weird...but now...I don't know...I always wanted to...meet another young...vampire. She's so smart...and interesting...I like talking...to her...and she really...cares about me too now...we have become good...friends..."

"She is a very good standing young lady Darren. She is very intelligent and brave and kind. She will make an extremely good full vampire some day."

"And a good...person."

"Yes," he nods. "But you will see her again in twelve years."

"That seems like...such a long...time."

"When you're as old as me you will not think so."

(Catarina)

We all stand in the arena against the fences, cheering for Shan. The two boars run at him and he tries to kill them in the center ring. He does kill one but it collapses on top of him. He can't get up and as we all watch in silent horror, the remaining boar charges right at him. My heart almost stopped.

Suddenly Harkat jumps into the ring and spears the boar shouting "No!" Then he moves the one off of Shan and helps him up. Everyone boos and they begin ordering both Shan's and Harkat's death.

"I can't breathe," I say, taking a few steps back. My hands are on my chest which suddenly feels tight and hurts. Tears start to fall and I stumble away. Kurda grabs me and holds me steady in his arms. They all look sad and silent as we watch to see what will happen.

Vanez jumps over and demands silence. Then he says to Mika "Sire, I'm as appalled by this as any of you. But this wasn't planned and isn't Darren's doing. The little person doesn't know our ways and acted on his own. Don't hold this against us, I beg you."

"Darren, did you plan this with the little person?" Mika asks.

"I'm as surprised as anyone," he answers.

"Harkat," Mika says. "Did you interfere on your own account or were you obeying orders?"

"No orders. Darren...my friend. Couldn't stand by...and watch...him die."

"You have defied our rules."

"Your rules. Not mine. Darren...friend."

A general stands up and shouts "We must kill them! We must take both too the Hall of Death and-"

"Would you be so quick to kill Desmond Tiny's messenger?" Mr. Crepsley interrupts. "We must not act hastily. This matter must be taken to the hall of Princes, where it can be discussed reasonably. Harkat is not a vampire and cannot be judged as one. We do not have the right to pass sentence on him."

"What about the half vampire?" The general questions. "He is subject to our laws. He failed the trials and must be executed."

"He didn't fail!" Kurda shouts, still holding onto me tightly. "The trial was interrupted. He'd killed one boar- who's to say he wouldn't have killed the other?"

"He was trapped! Thee boar was about to make a fatal charge!" the general argues.

"Probably," Kurda responds. "But we will never know for sure. Darren proved his strength and ingenuity on previous Trials. Perhaps he would have shrugged off the dead boar and avoided the charge at the last moment."

"Nonsense!"

"Is it?" Kurda hands me over to Mr. C then jumps down into the ring with Shan, Harkat, and Vanez. Mr. C wraps one arm around my middle and watches. "Can anyone say for sure that Darren would have lost? Can anyone say that he was in a truly hopeless position?"

Arra stands now. "Kurda's right. The boy's situation was perilous but not necessarily fatal. He might have survived."

"I say Darren has the right to retake the trial," Kurda says. "We should adjourn and stage it again, tomorrow."

Mika asks "Larten, what do you say about this?"

Everyone turns to look at him, holding me with one arm as I sniffle. "It is true that Darren was not actually defeated. But breaking the rules means a forfeit. My relationship with Darren forces me to speak for him. Alas, I do not know how to make a case for mercy. Whatever the circumstances, he failed the trial."

I break free of his gasp and stare at him with anger. "How can you say that?" I demand.

"Larten!" Kurda yells. "You don't know what you're saying!"

"Yes he does," Shan says now. "And he's right. I don't think I would have escaped. I don't want to die but I won't ask for any special favors. If it's possible to take the Trial again, I will. If not, I won't complain."

I begin to cry heavily again and this time it is Arra who grabs me by the arm and pulls me close. Mika replies finally. "You speak like a true vampire. I do not blame you for what happened. Nor do I blame your friend- he is not one of us and cannot be expected to act as we do. There will be no measures taken against Harkat Mulds- that is a guarantee I am willing to make here and now, on my own. As for your fate, I must speak with my fellow Princes and Generals before passing sentence. I don't think your life can be spared, but Kurda may have a point- perhaps it is possible to take the Trial again. To the best of my knowledge, it has never been permitted, but maybe there's an old law we can fall back on. Return to your cell while I and the others consult your colleagues. You'll be informed of our decision as soon as we reach one. My advice would be to make your peace with the gods, for I fear you will face them shortly."

He leaves now along with some of the others. I sob helplessly. "I won't let you parish without a fight," Kurda promises. "You'll get out of this yet, I am sure of it. There must be a way." He leaves in a hurry along with everyone else. Arra sets me down in a chair then rushes off with them. I hurry down towards the center ring.

"I did not...mean to...cause trouble," Harkat apologizes. "I acted...before I could...think."

"Don't worry about it," Shan responds. "I'd probably have done the same thing if I was in your place. Besides, the worst they can do is kill me- I'd have already died anyway if you hadn't leapt to my rescue."

"You are...not angry?"

He smiles. "Of course not."

"Shan!" I crash into him and he almost falls over. I throw my arms around him.

"Please do not cry Catarina."

"You can't die! You can't!"

"Shhh..." he hugs me. Harkat leaves us alone to have privacy.

I try to calm myself but is very difficult. I sob my sobs but a few tears still continue to fall. "Shan...you've been very brave and a very good friend. I am going to miss you greatly."

He nods. "I'll miss you too. You're a good friend and a great girl."

"You're all I have..." I cry. "I'll be alone."

"You will never be alone. You have the vampires here."

I hug him again, tightly. He hugs me for a very long time then he takes a deep breath and wipes away some of my tears. "Shan..." I say.

"Yeah?"

"Good luck," I kiss his lips this time and he is surprised but does not push me away. He accepts it then nods. I run away.