Ascension by Kara Dalkey

Author:Kara Dalkey
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780061757488
Publisher: HarperCollins

Chapter Nine

It was a holiday in Atlantis, and everyone whose energy had survived the parties of the night before (and even those whose hadn’t) were coming back to the Great Arena to witness the exciting First and Second Trials. Even Nia.

But her enthusiasm had been replaced by determination and a more calculating perspective. Now, when she swam under the great arch of Poseidonis and out among the stands, she wondered where the secret chambers of the Farworlder kings were hidden. How near might she be to any of them? She wondered where Garun was being trained and whether there was a way she might sneak in for a look. When she swam into the Bluefin observation box, she noted the cool greetings her parents and aunt and uncle gave her. When she saw Dyonis, it took effort to smile.

Dyonis pulled her aside as soon as he noticed her. “You know, Nia, you do not need to stay if you are finding these events . . . uncomfortable. I know how much you’d rather be participating than watching. If you decided to not be present, except for the Third Trial, of course, I’m sure everyone would understand.”

And now he’s treating me like a child, Nia thought sourly, though he never has before. “No,” Nia said firmly and, she hoped, respectfully. “I want to stay. I want to show that I can be relied upon. To give the support and enthusiasm properly due Garun as the chosen of my clan. To do otherwise would be immature and cowardly.”

Dyonis sighed. “It is not cowardly to admit to one’s feelings, Nia. But, very well. How can anyone deny such a noble intention?” He gestured grandly to one of the clamshell chairs, and Nia swam over and settled in.

“Besides,” Nia announced, not caring who was listening, “I’m still an athlete, and these are the most exciting Trials to watch for someone with my training. I expect to enjoy myself no matter who wins.”

Pontus was again in the chair beside her, head tilted back, fast asleep. Nia could tell from the water around him that he’d been sucking down the seaweed wine again.

Tyra swam over. “You’ll have to forgive Pontus, dear. He had a very late night of it. We haven’t seen a party like that in years. By the way, where were you?”

“I went home early,” Nia said, which was what she’d done after saying good-bye to Cephan. “I had a lot to think about.”

“Oh.” Nia could hear the curiosity in her mother’s voice, but she said nothing more. “Would you like some refreshment?” Tyra asked when the pause had gotten a little too long. “The food hasn’t arrived yet, but we have some kelp juice.”

“That would be fine, thank you,” Nia said.

Tyra handed Nia a bladder gourd. The gourds were grown on a special breed of kelp in the farms Down Below. They had strawlike appendages that you bit off in order to suck the juice out. The only problem was that you either had to drink it all at once, or carefully pinch the straw between sips.

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