Mythshaper

Chapter 04: Friends And Family

638 Days later

The name of the game suggested a novel recreation, which Serenade Circle decidedly was not, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. Its complexity was perhaps too challenging for kids, but all of us had watched it played so many times that it was practically unreasonable to not play. At least, we had kept most rules intact.

It was a regional favourite. There were even Serenade Circle contests during the Solstice festival. I had barely glimpsed the real, seasoned players play out the game. The competition was held at night, and Mum was unreasonably strict about my bedtime habits.

However, if I knew one thing, it was that the enjoyment from playing the game far surpassed what one got from spectating others. Ignoring the fact that Serenade Circle particularly honed one’s Way of Balance, which I was on the verge of completing.

“Arilyn, it’s your turn,” said Eran, our proxy leader for this round. He was three seasons older than me, already half a head taller, and maybe a full head above most of the kids. “Remember, even if you can’t eliminate anyone, don’t let them move another step. They’re already halfway across.”

His advice essentially translated to don’t mess up, which I didn’t intend to do. I inhaled deeply, set my sights on the opponent’s circle, and left ours, humming the most generic tune of the game. My spell would hold only as long as the melody.

Keeping my rhythm, I rushed towards their territory. They had five players left in the game, to our three. I skirted at the edge of their circle, stretching my arm as far as I could to touch my opponents without stepping into the bounds of the circle.

A simple touch would eliminate that player, but if I were to slip into their domain and they touch me, I would be eliminated instead. The complications didn’t end there.

For example, with each player eliminated, the radius of the circle would shrink so it wouldn’t become impossible to reach the remaining players. Currently, the circle was large enough to leave most of them safe.

While I darted along one side of the circle, my opponents retreated to the other. When I rushed to the opposite side, they fell back, all the while shielding their leader, Priam, out of my reach at the centre.

Our team was at a disadvantage, cut down to three members, which only meant winning would feel twice as sweet. Although I wasn’t the opener, I could sustain my rhythm the longest, benefitting from meditation and breathing control, and a little help from Alacrity. Little because half of the kids possessed the attribute. A couple with more points in it than myself.