Ender's Judge

People lined the streets, excitement in the air. A crowd had gathered along the sides where the riders and their horses would race. Most of the vendors had tucked their stalls to allow for more space.

Rune navigated through the crowds as he made his way to the starting place of the race. He saw Caster and Quin by the sides of brown and grey horses, both without saddles nor reign as required by customs. Another horse stood to the side. It appeared slightly shorter in height and had a dark black coat with brown patches. It seemed to be eating carrots from a stable boy's hand, unlike the others who were on alert. 

Right. So I get the untrained one.

All horses used in the races received instruction from a trainer right when they were still foals. Only a trained horse could perform the maneuvers and tricks required of riders.

It was clear Tor had no intention of winning. 

Approaching the other two boys, he observed their steeds, glancing at the horse he would get.

"I see you've chosen well."

Quin petted the gray horse's nose as he offered it an apple. "Don't be bitter about it, Rune. You're as short as riders come." 

"Yeah, yeah, I don't need yet another person commenting on my height."

"Quin speaks the truth."

When does the guy never?

A woman wearing a white dress approached them, her hair tied in a bun, as she came up to the three of them. 

"I can see we have those riding for the Reapers here. 'Tis a shame this year's match is not between upper and lower Alta." She shook her head, assessing the boys with a look of disapproval.

I'm in complete agreement.

Upper Alta and Driftwood would compete against each other each year, and since the races had commenced, Upper Alta currently had one more win than Driftwood. The lower side may have had the opportunity of tying the score this year, but Hector's request had changed that. 

"Speaking of the opponent, why haven't the others arrived?" The woman skimmed the crowd, the competition nowhere in view.

"Maybe they're second-guessing racing against us." At Bane's voice, Rune turned to look at him. 

"I don't know if you've noticed, Bane, but not one of us has ever trained for this."

"The outcome of the race is obvious. We'll be the ones losing."

Quin sighed. "Don't remind me. Now, I'm going to have to wear a scarf around my face for the rest of the year every time I go outside. It would be the most humiliation I face."

Rune nodded in agreement. "Remember how the outcome of last year's race would've been a tie had Jase not tried to look at Fiya near the end of the race?"

"He is the biggest fool I've come to know," Bane said. 

That's rich coming from you.

Rune continued. "Besides that, everyone would nag him wherever he went. It went as far as the brothel women whispering amongst each other whenever he would walk past him. And they don't usually take an interest in Driftwood rumours. Even after the humiliation of falling off his horse, Fiya left him."

Quin's two hands rubbed the sides of his temples. "I don't think I'm ready to live a life in solitary for a whole year."

A thoughtful look crossed Caster's face. "The situation is not as hopeless as you think it is. I've heard our opponents are around our age. They might be of similar size, so we still may have a chance."

"Who told you that?" Bane asked.

"No one, but I would assume they wouldn't pair us up with a group of older boys. Even the crowd wouldn't accept it."

Rune snorted. "Let's see if that optimism of yours means anything."

Quin began to hyperventilate then, his eyes moving back and forth on the ground. "As an assassin apprentice, I'm not supposed to draw attention to myself, but how can I after today? It won't matter if I cover my face. Everyone will probably recognize me from my figure!"

Rune patted the boy's back. "You're screwed."

The sudden movement from behind the gathered people drew the boys' gazes toward the parting crowd. As the boys sensed the newest arrivals, girls and women exchanged whispers and giggles.

Rune, who had spotted Elsie amongst the girls, frowned at the face his sister was wearing for the newcomers.

At the first face's appearance, Rune immediately understood what had drawn everyone's attention.

A boy of Caster's height approached with a black stallion in tow. He had thick, wavy brunette hair that fell to his shoulders. Long lashes accompanied his evergreen eyes, which stood out on his smooth, pale face. 

Rune couldn't help it as he blurted the first thing that came out of his head. "Oh, look, Caster, it's your competition."

Caster said nothing, his face devoid of expression. He noticed small twitches in his eyes, and Rune covered his mouth to prevent from laughing out loud. 

The other boy stood in front of Caster, sizing him up while the other did the same. 

Two other boys with equally attractive features came to stand by him. Their horses were also jet-black in colour. 

Rune couldn't take it. He turned around and coughed into his hands, masking his laugh in fits of short coughs and wheezing. He slapped his chest while he was at it to hide the loud cackle that was trying to escape his lungs. It was too funny.

Not one but two more Caster's!

On the other side, Quin was also struggling to keep a straight face, his lips quivering slightly. 

Getting himself together again, Rune turned to look at the other Casters.

You are in the centre, so Caster Two. You on the right are Caster Three, and you on the left are Caster Four.

Caster two pointed to himself, "Tuja," then his fingers gestured at Caster in waiting.

"I'm Caster."

In a thick accent, Tuja spoke. "Nice to meet you, Caster. We will be your opponents for the race."

"Caster, there is no way you can convince me that you did not grow up together with him. You've been lying to us this whole time, haven't you? You're actually from Brionia but are hiding your identity."

Tuja and the other boys turned to look at Bane, judgment clouding their eyes as they assessed the gold-eyed boy. 

Quin interjected. "I would completely agree, except their looks are nowhere near similar in appearance."