Chapter 5: Where does your allegiance stand?
Halcyon: My mentor; Brianna White is a tribute who won around nine years back so she's twenty-something. She says the reason she won was because she made friends, or as she calls them allies. She wants me to do the same. Glacier would be a good ally, if she wants allies because she will be the main killer. I need to show her how good I am with a sword and then hopefully she will consider me for something. I want to win, I need to win at all costs. Otherwise of course I die and my family would be torn apart. At least I think they would, or would my death excite them just like when the other tributes die. They use to laugh at the stupidity of the kids who lit fires. Cheering at particularly graphic deaths. I can't say I was innocent of loving the days when the games were on. I watched every year just like everyone else. But this year is my penance and unlike most people I do not want to pay it.
I walked into the training room, I was wearing loose comfortable clothes and of course lots of makeup. The woman briefs us on what we should do, but I'm not listening. I'm watching Glacier she too is not listening. She just scans the other tributes, our eyes meet. She glares at me, obviously trying to stare me down. I want to look away but as usual I am too stubborn for my own good. So I stare back and she looks away with an air of absolute haughtiness. For a moment I am defiant, like I have won a battle. Then I realize I may have just blown my one chance to get in with her group.
The woman finally dismisses us. I walk straight to the swords. The man at the station introduces himself as Lunar Scope. He drills me on parries and overcuts. This is too easy. Soon we are engaged in a great battle. Within twenty minutes I have won, holding both swords and leaving him in a stalemate.
"Incredible" he tells me "I have never seen a tribute have such skill with swords."
"Thanks." I walk to the knife-throwing and start firing knives. They slowly edge closer to the heart of the targets. After throwing the knives at least fifty times.
"Nice swordsmanship."
I jump at the sound of Glacier's chilling voice. I didn't hear her approach.
"In fact, I thought maybe you would even consider joining Renée and I. We'll be so much stronger in a group. Possibly even Alastor."
"Um, okay. Just one question, who is Alastor?"
"Oh you know, the one who volunteered for Koi's brother." Her voice chills me to the bone. I would much rather have that voice on my side.
"Is he any good?"
"He's cunning and strong."
"Have you talked to Koi?" She looked fierce and menacing which was exactly what I wanted on my side.
"We tried but she told us to go away in a rather uncalled for manner."
"Oh, right." Awkward moment.
"Lunch break." The woman shouts.
"C'mon we don't want to miss the food." Glacier smiles at me, revealing sharp, pure white teeth.
"Yeah good idea." I'm still wary of her. I'm sure she isn't trustworthy but I just wonder whether she will be loyal till we are the last few or stab us all in the back the first chance she gets.