Bleakwood Alprassian

Blood will drip from the mouth of the innocent.

Lips touched with poison.
Bliss taken, life forfeit.
Blood will froth down the mouth of the innocent.
--Gorlan Ouano,5th deserter of the Alprassian Army

The duck was a reflex, and the counter shot a distraction to buy a half second which was enough
time to gather speed. Dansal strafed right and forward, waited for the shot that never came.
He was a dash away from victory but years of playing had taught him to distrust complacency,
where will the last throw come?
A hand waved behind the tree so Dansal lowered his stance and headed for the boulder, the
nearest cover from the flag on his side. The dash he saw was the fastest and most graceful he had
ever seen. A certain appreciation within Dansal emerged that he was glad to accept.
He leaped over the boulder and threw with perfect accuracy-he got him easy- but I never trusted
in comfort- and what he did next would earn him the scorn of a god. Had he known, well… he
would do it exactly the same with the added gesture of FUCK OFF. Dansal flickered and caught
the barely imperceptible projectile. His adversary smiled out in the open as Dansal picked up the
flag.
Observers from the towers played their trumpets, the match was concluded.
The first runner was an illusion, and truth be told without shame nor regret he fell for it. In his
mind he was still fastest and most grateful. He pitied himself, he had outgrown these games and
none offered challenge anymore.
No clouds covered the sky, save for those far in the horizon, and the windy day was pleasurable.
He loved the way the sun changed the hue of the green of the forest. He let out a sigh and
approached the other contestant. They shared the trail back to the school, and it was a bit weird
how they both locked eyes with each other at the very end.
A carriage was parked at Hush Street, and so as a form of celebration he took a ride. One
passenger congratulated him, and soon the others did too. It was embarrassing to him.
His school had a good lead in the games but it was up to the seniors to now. He felt a pang of
nostalgia already. Somehow, he sensed it was his first and last participation in the games.