6

Breaking of the Dams

As Pat came to stand beside us, he looked a different person altogether. The dreamy look in his eyes was now replaced with pride.
    Yes, he was proud of what he did. His sister won’t be going alone in the event now. Yes, they were different sides but he was happy to die with her hands if fate must be it.
    Although Dyce was there with her, he didn’t trust him even a bit and especially after the mysterious way Dyce’s name came with Nat, it didn’t seem just like a mere coincidence.
    His thoughts were clearly visible on his face and he didn’t try to hide them.
    Now, Pat was standing beside Neel and me on the stage. He whispered in a low voice, “What do you think?”
    No, not a nervous voice anymore but a confident and self-assured voice.
    I didn’t have the courage to tell him my real thoughts so I just casually spoke, “I don’t know.”
    He replied, “No, I am serious! This isn’t a game of luck anymore. I don’t know how to express it but it all feels like scripted, if you know what I mean. Huh?”
    I felt myself shrink a little bit under his commanding voice and the energy by which he spoke every single word. I replied timidly,
    “I don’t know that either.”
    Every single second, he seemed to be having more and more impact upon me. Although I was older and stronger than him, still I felt worried that I might end up telling him my real thoughts.
    The nervous Patrick whom I met earlier, before the ceremony, was now replaced by a determined man who wanted to save his sister from every danger possible and could go beyond any limits to serve his purpose.
    Neel was just silently taking part in this conversation. He looked worried for Pat but chose to remain quiet.
    Pat asked again, “Do you think that the prince could have somehow got his hands on the names registered for the event?”
    I replied in a low and tired voice, “How am I supposed to know that?”
    Pat looked angry, “You know what, he looks like a bad lot to me. And I don’t know what will happen to Nat, now that she has to participate with him in the event. I trust her abilities and strength but I can’t trust that man! It might be the end for her!”
    Suddenly, he bagan to sob in hushed voices. Neel immediately jumped to his rescue.
    “Hey lad, come on now, come on! Crying won’t bring any good, it will make you feel more vulnerable still,” Neel said while patting Pat on the back.
    The new names were being taken out and a few scared looking teenagers kept coming to the stage, one by one. The crowd was loud and thus, Pat’s crying wasn’t noticed.
    I hovered my glance towards Natalie and Dyce. Dyce was focused on the ongoing ceremony and Nat, Nat was looking right in our direction.
    So, Pat’s sobbing didn’t go completely unnoticed. Nat also looked on the brink of tears, seeing her brother in such a poor state.
    Neel continued speaking to Pat, “See there, lad. Your sister will also cry if you keep sobbing like this and I am sure you don’t want her to get weak, considering whatever she might have to face from now on.”
    This had some effect on Pat. He looked up towards Nat and she managed to generate a faint smile. Pat also tried to smile back but finally, the dams completely broke. Both of them began sobbing uncontrollably now with constant tears running down their cheeks.
    It was my turn to be overwhelmed by these emotions now. I also wanted to cry with them but ended up telling me that it won’t bring any good and thus managed to retain my face.
    On one hand, Neel was trying to calm down Pat, while on the other, Dyce was doing his best to help Nat, regain control of herself. But she tried keeping her distance from him and he seemed to respect that.
    I couldn’t help admiring the way Neel was dealing with Pat. His soothing words and deep voice could make any heart melt under their influence, and surely Pat felt it too.
    Within minutes, he seemed just like his old self. The pride was gone although he looked a bit tired from the little scene that had just happened. The dreamy-looking Patrick was back!
    Natalie didn’t look shocked or flabbergasted anymore. She was quite her own self too.
    I wondered if this little crying scene had actually helped both of them to be their own selves again. Strange, the way things happen sometimes.
    Pat spoke slowly to us, “I just realised that its not Nat who needs me in the event but its me who needs her in everything I do. And I can’t afford to risk that even here. We must stand out for each other!”
    Again Neel spoke before me, “That can be easily fixed, don’t worry.”
    Intrigued, Pat asked excitedly, “How?”
    Neel replied, “Join them in the second round after clearing the first.”
    “Is it possible?”
    “Yes, the rules have it. You’ll just need to convince the the prince to accept the offer too. Mutual consent is necessary.”
    “I am not requesting anything to him.”
    “Even not for your sister?”
    Pat’s expression changed. After a few thoughtful seconds, he said, “I will do it!”
    I felt a deep respect for this child standing in front of me. His determination was not something which could be wavered easily. He was ready to do anything to never leave his sister’s side.
    After some time, Pat spoke uncertainly, “But isn’t a team supposed to have four members in case I join them?”
    Now, we were walking down the road towards our carts which were supposed to drop us to the ‘Battle Grounds’.
    Neel replied in his characteristic offhanded manner, “So find one friend, of course. But remember, this will only be a temporary arrangement and watch out for the prince, he may kill you first chance he gets.” He laughed sarcastically.
    But Pat seemed to be considering it, “Yes, I must remain vigilant.”
    We reached our carts and sat down. Now we were heading for the ‘Battle Grounds’. I had never been there myself, but I had heard that it was four times as big as the ‘City Grounds’.
    The City Grounds could easily hold the whole population of our kingdom, so I started wondering of the enormous size, the Battle Grounds must be.
    Neel, Pat, me and Jonathon, another solo contestant, travelled in the same cart on our way there. Our families were allowed to meet us for one last time, unless we should emerge as the winners, just before the first round.
    Sadly, they had to travel, all the way, on foot and weren’t given the luxury to travel by carts like us.
    We had not even began talking properly when Pat said, “I want to tell you, a little childhood story of mine.”
    I tried to warn Pat with a gesture of my arm to show a stranger’s presence among us. I knew for a fact that his past was quite tragic and I had no idea whatever he might be going to tell us.
    Pat spoke, “It doesn’t matter. Jon’s presence won’t affect my story. I want to tell you all about it.”
    I felt a bit embarrassed when Jon sharply looked at me. He didn’t like being indicated as a stranger at all. But then after a few seconds, he smiled unable to retain his sharp look, and broke out laughing.
    All of us had our share of laughing then. A laugh which indicated a sense of hope even among the people who were all going to kill or to be killed.
    And then, Pat began, “. . . . . . . .”

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