The next morning, they rose early. No words were exchanged between them. Audrey was first in the wheelchair. She looked at her roommate, struggling to catch up, sweat dripping from her brow. The sound of chanting from the main hall was audible. Audrey’s mouth opened, but then closed again.
A few minutes later, Jessica was also ready.
“Ready?” Audrey asked.
Jessica nodded, but did not meet her eyes.
When they reached the main hall, their battle chairs were already waiting for them. Audrey felt elated. The others from their group were still to appear.
As Audrey transferred into the battlechair, she could hear jeering.
“You two, think you’re special, do ya?” As Audrey took control of the chair, she surveyed her surroundings. The comment came from Cian. His jaw was clenched, his face crimson. There were two more, on either side of him, of similar disposition.
They were in Falcon B chairs and armed with long swords.
Shouts of “Fight, fight” went out over the great hallway. The others stopped what they were doing, clearing the arena.
“We don’t want to fight,” Jessica implored.
Audrey’s hand was shaking. She thought of what Timothy would say.
The Falcon X was faster and more versatile. She knew what she needed to do.
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