The Dragon Games

Ya like apples?

Grace Midland closed the bidding ceremony. She was easily one of the most beautiful girls Regan had ever seen. She had a face pulled straight from the story books, brown skin that glowed under the torch lights, and a long, sleek braid. According to the whispers going around the tudor table, her father was a lord, her mother was a princess from an island nation, and their daughter was determined to one-up all pledges that came before her. Grace didn't just toss her sword aside; she folded one arm behind her back. Grace didn't just throw her opponent across the length of the mess hall; she had him hanging from the ceiling. Shocking no one, Grace Midland received four bids. Shocking everyone, Grace strode past the balthasar table to sit with windsor.

"I thought balthasar was the best," a tudor pledge blurted out.

"It's often viewed that way," Cassian said diplomatically. "But with Edmond around, no one will ever be captain but him. Duke Tudor can play at fairness all he likes, but he would never choose another pledge over his son. Talented pledges like Grace Midland will often trade their place for a stab at captaincy."

"Arrogant," a pledge grumbled.

Cassian shrugged. "Ambitious."

With bidding finished, Cassian led Regan and around thitry other pledges to squad tudor's assigned tower. The tower door kicked open, and a group leaped from the shadows. Regan jumped into action, raising her dagger, only to freeze when she noticed the cake, streamers, and posters.

WELCOME HOME PLEEBS!

WEEKS UNTIL BLOOD FEST: FOUR

Sheepishly, she pocketed her dagger. Grads and rookies rushed up to greet the pledges, handing a small satchel to each pledge. Inside, there was a thick red patches shaped like the letter "T," a red key, a and name tag. Regan scrawled her name down and pinned it to her jacket, but there was barely any time for introductions before two goblets bashed together, silencing the tower. A middle-aged man stood on one of the tables, his swollen beer belly waving hello at them. With his ruddy cheeks, unkempt beard, boar coat, and heavy gold chains, he made for an interesting combination of wealth and scruff.

"Our duke has graced us with his time?" a pledge said, perking up. "Maybe he does care about us."

The grad next to them snorted. "Once in a blue moon, miracles do happen. Maybe next year, he'll tear himself away from the boozing and boar-hunting long enough to honor us with two appearances, and we might actually be able to afford–" Cassian elbowed him in the ribs, sending the grad collapsing in on themselves just as the duke's speech began.

"For the new faces, I am your House sponsor, Duke Tudor. Now take a look around, pledges. These are the people you are going to live, train, and study with until the red moon rises and Blood Fest begins. And if all goes well, you'll spend the next three years here, and the people standing beside you will become more than your teammates. They're going to be your best friends, closest confidants, maybe even your spouse–"

Regan accidentally locked eyes with another pledge. He was tall and reedy, with high cheekbones, a messy thatch of raven black hair, and startling blue eyes. There was something vaguely familiar about his face, but she could not put her finger on it. The boy smirked, raising his brows. He obviously didn't recognize her from the bidding ceremony. Regan grinned back, imagining the look of horror on his face if he had known who she was. Her braid had fallen over her name tag, blocking her name. But by the time she had pushed it aside, the boy had already looked away.

"And now Cassian has some words," Duke Tudor said. He stepped aside, allowing Cassian to climb onto the table.

"Tonight, based on the color of the key in your bag, you will be paired with three other pledges to share a chamber. And they will not just be your roommates. They will be your allies during the Blood Moon Festival. And your allies in the arena can mean the difference between life and death." Cassian paused, looking around the pledges. "Well what are you waiting for, pledges? Find your allies."