Chapter 5

The announcement was quick, to the point, and meant to give way to another celebration, a feast. At the president's signal, government workers who were wearing navy blue coats with embroidered eagles on their breast pockets, began ushering the crowd in the direction of another alley. Through there, they would be lead to the park where long wooden tables and mouth-watering dishes awaited.

Brielle knew all of these information by listening to the gossip of the guards stationed near them. Women liked to talk, but men weren't too far behind on the tattle.

While the crowd and workers were busy sorting things, she stayed on her seat and trained her eyes on the podium. Talin and the president had their backs to her and the master. Brielle could no longer see the defender's eyes or the repulsion reflected on them. She must have imagined things. The lights from the torches or candles must have played with her own eyes, making her think that a complete stranger despised her.

Brielle was convincing herself of this when Master Vincent jumped from his chair. Her eyebrows shot up in question. They were supposed to wait until the commotion was controlled before they leave for the feast.

"Mother," he called to the president, "A moment please." The master was followed by guards as he dashed to the podium.

She was torn between staying on her seat and going after them. Master Vincent was strict on directives. Usually, he wanted her to stay put until further notice. If only Brielle followed them to the T.

The president and Talin stopped when Master Vincent caught up with them. Brielle watched with disinterest as they started conversing among themselves. She was too far away to know what the discussion was about, and truthfully, she was more intrigued by Talin than anything else. The defender hadn't looked at her since that one instance a while ago. It made Brielle second guess if she'd really imagined things.

A guard who was passing by touched his earpiece with two fingers. "The eagle issued a new order," he said. "Don't let anyone leave the vicinity. There's going to be another announcement."

Brielle's brows knitted.

A second announcement was out of the plan. This day had been discussed months, even years prior, and no further announcements aside from the introduction of the country's defender for The Offering was on the agenda. She should know. She'd eavesdrop on the master and his guests whenever they'd visit his house to talk about official stuff.

The guards and government workers were fast to act at the command. After the order was given, Brielle could see people; the rich, the middle-class, and slaves, being trooped back to the plaza. She wasn't the only one questioning the turnaround, everyone was speaking.

"Settle down," boomed the president's voice on the speaker. Under the instruction was a strain, a weariness not only heard on her voice but seen on the lines on her face. She'd remarkably aged in those few minutes she talked to her son. The president went back to the middle of the stage. "Vincent has an announcement."

At this, Brielle had to pay more attention. She was surprised that they were deviating from the norm. Why?

Master Vincent had a small grin on his face as he took the place of his mother on the center. The happiness could stem from the self-importance of having hundreds of people willing to hear him out. It could also be from the group of women who were waving at him from the crowd.

That was one of the things Brielle couldn't stomach; how Master Vincent could be so popular. From the get-go, he was an intelligent and sensible man, but one should put into circumspect that appearances could be deceiving.

"I know you're all drooling for boiled potatoes and roasted pork," Master Vincent addressed his captivated audience. Like the president, his voice also echoed on the speaker. "But I have a different opinion than my mother's with the announcement." He started walking on the stage, gazing at the sea of faces. "We're all aware that the defender is not the only one chosen for The Offering. He or she needs a partner."

Brielle pondered where he was going with this. The Offering's rules were stated simplistically. The 22 countries were required to participate. Two people would join; one defender and a slave of her choosing. If they win, not only would the country they serve rule over the 21, the slave would also be liberated and live as a free man. At least that was what Brielle had heard. Nobody ever gave interest to the slave joining the contest. It was the defender that people were always excited about.

"It would be a shame not to introduce the defender's partner tonight," Master Vincent drawled on. "She may not be as important in status, but you have to admit that she'll be fighting for our pride and honor too."

Brielle didn't know why she glanced at Talin who was standing behind the president right then, but the timing was perfect. She saw in perfect clarity the tightening of the warrior's jaw, and how her white knuckles turned whiter as she fisted her hand. Brielle's stomach turned. To see such a beautiful creature disturbed was disturbing in itself.

"And so without further ado, I present to you, Brielle."

At the sound of her name, Brielle stopped feeling sorry for Talin and shifted her attention to Master Vincent. He was looking at her expectantly, his arms outstretched. "Join me on the stage, little ghost." Did she miss something? Why did he want her to go up there? "Come on now," he coaxed. "Don't keep us waiting." Her eyes widened, followed with the tightening of her chest.

The simple request rang in her head. Don't keep "us," or "him," waiting.

Having lost the sensation on her lower body, she stumbled out of her seat, to the short distance, to the wooden planks that would lead her up, then finally, to the podium beside her master. It was nothing more than a few steps, but her lungs had collapsed on her. Brielle didn't like standing in front of a crowd, or wonder why she was there to begin with.

Master Vincent put an arm around her shoulder as if to offer her reassurances. She felt nothing but cold and dread. She wanted to go down and cover her face, run away and never come back. Everyone was looking at her.

"Brielle has been in my care for years," Master Vincent said. "She might be a slave, but I treat her like my own daughter." He pressed her firmly to his side. "That's why I have paramount faith in her ability to survive The Offering alongside Talin."