Ender's Judge

Tuja didn't seem to find Bane worthy of his acknowledgment and turned back to Caster.

"The others beside me, Cal," he pointed to his left, "and Nol will also be competing in the race."

Rune didn't like Tuja. The boy carried himself the same way as Caster, except he directly showed his entitlement across his face while Caster reigned in his privileges, blending in with everyone else. 

"Myself, Quin, and Rune will be racing for the Reapers," Caster said, beckoning to them.

Tuja sized Quin up, and it seemed what he saw did not impress him. 

Quin did the same to Tuja, smirking at the boy as he casually leaned on his horse's side, hands in his pockets. His posture was anything but relaxed. "See something you don't like?"

Tuja frowned, seeming to dislike that Quin initiated a conversation with him. "I don't understand if your leader is playing a joke or if you for real have what it takes to give a good race."

Before Rune could blink, the assassin apprentice was in front of Tuja, who was slightly taller than the dark-haired boy. Caster held Quin's right hand, which, to Rune's surprise, had a knife at the ready.

A sinister sparkle flickered in Quin's ghoul eyes. The hair that usually concealed them had swept back as he drew closer to the other boy.

Rune knew that Quin hated being seen as less capable, although being an assassin in training heavily relied on others underrating him so he could carry out his missions.

Rune couldn't understand what the Reaper's assassin saw in the milk-eyed boy, given that a lot of things ticked him off. 

Quin's voice came out calmly, but Rune could tell the malice woven in his words. "Our leader plays no jokes. If anything, be glad you were allowed to race today, as it was your side who requested to join."

He noticed Tuja had stepped back when Quin approached.

The boy named Cal stepped forward, "Given the race is about to start, I'm sure neither side wants complications."

Quin yanked his arm from Caster's grasp, stealthily putting his knife in his pants pocket. "Tell your leader here that there won't be none if he watches his tongue."

Quin walked to his horse, mounting it gracefully. Using his thighs, he nudged his grey horse towards the starting line without seeing if he and Caster followed.

Giving the Brionian boys a tight smile, Caster went to his brown horse. While getting on the horse, in Quin's case, was more graceful, Caster's ascent appeared practiced. 

Great. Just Great. Both could ride horses. I thought the goal was to lose, Silus?

The eyes of the other boys fell on Rune.

I'm going to make an embarrassment out of myself.

Rune didn't swing his legs around his horse like the other two. Instead, he jumped, grabbing his horse's back and pulling himself up to his waist using the upper strength he'd accumulated by carrying Elsie and the Madam's packages. He then brought his left leg over the horse's back and settled on its back. 

Mimicking Quin's movements, Rune nudged his horse to follow Caster. 

He didn't hear snickers from behind, meaning he hadn't made a fool out of himself. 

The Brionians on their dark steeds quickly followed, which would have annoyed him since he hated turning his back on strangers, but all his focus was on staying mounted on his horse.

As he took his position beside Caster, Rune lifted his head from the horse's neck to peer at him. The relaxed ease at which Caster sat on his horse puzzled him.

"How are you so still?"

Caster assessed Rune. "You're too stiff. Relax your thighs, and keep your back straight. Your horse can feel your nerves. They are much smarter than you think. Trust you won't fall."

Smart, yeah, right.

His horse was anything but intelligent. The creature was a menace, constantly moving its head, trying to keep his hands away from its neck. He tried to follow Caster's advice but struggled to keep his balance. 

All the other boys lined up at the start, Rune on the left, followed by Caster, Quin, Tuja, Cal, and Nol.

Which genius decided to put Quin beside Tuja?

The woman approached, holding a black handkerchief in her left hand, walking to the front with her hands raised towards the sky. 

Tilting her head back, she watched Silus, who was standing on the fourth level of a raven's balcony, waiting for the go-ahead signal.

Receiving a confirmation, she smiled at them.

"Ready!" 

Terra, whatever you do, don't let me die.

"Set!"

Please don't let this beast be the end of my pitiful life.

"Go!"

The horses took off, racing down the cobblestone street, as the onlookers began to cheer.

Rune's horse made no such movements. The creature was too busy trying to throw off its rider, ignorant of the race.

He clicked at his horse, urging it forward, but the beast continued to refuse to follow his lead.

"Come on, come on, come on, I know we're supposed to win, but this is plain shameful, don't you think, horse?"

The horse snorted, shaking its head once more as it swiveled around in a circle, trying to unseat its rider. 

Rune grabbed its mane, holding on to dear life as he lowered his body closer to the horse's neck.

"There is no way," the stubborn beast neighed, lifting on its hind legs, "you're going to be the cause of my death."

Right when all four of the horse's hooves were rooted to the ground, Rune used the moment to slap the beast's flank hard with his right hand, causing it to take off running in the direction of the other horses.

The creature's speed was a surprise to him. In no time, it had caught up to the other racers, who were all neck to neck. 

Quin and Tuja led the riders, their focus fixed on what lay ahead. Rune noticed what had captured their attention: a dead end, with the only path forward to the left.

I don't know how to turn!

The two riders maintained their speed as the sharp corner approached, their bodies in tune with the creatures beneath them. At the last second, they tilted their bodies sideways, hanging to the left of their horses, using their upper body strength and the horse's momentum to remain on their steeds. Their horses immediately responded, turning effortlessly without losing speed.

The crowd cheered at their technique, yelling out praises for their skills. The other boys behind them slowed down at the turn, clearly lacking such skill.

Rune carefully lifted his right hand and patted his horse. "I'm hoping doing the same thing as them is within your capabilities, but could you please slow down?"

His horse made no indication of listening to him.

I'm going to kill Silus!

The brick wall of a tall building was fast approaching him.

Not wanting to see if it would be the end for him, he closed his eyes at the last moment, holding on for dear life, his fingers nearly pulling out his horse's mane.

What have I ever done to you, Terra?