Sparks

Combat

  Before I could open my door, I heard Micha call to me above the chatter of the students, "I've been looking all over for you." His eyes widened in amazement when he saw the black strip in my hand, "You passed Round One already? How'd you manage it?" It was clear from Micha's expression that he struggled with history.

  "Avis assigned me a bunch of books and maps to study. He asked me a few questions. I answered. Then he gave me this." I didn't want to tell Micha how easy it all seemed. Perhaps it was part of some elaborate plot Avis had to get me kicked out, or perhaps Micha was simply that far behind. Either way, it wasn't something I wanted to tell him outright.

  "Edmon's asked me about history twice now," Micha started, but the frustration that peaked in his mind told me all too well how his tests ended.

  "I still have the books in my room if you want." His eyes narrowed and his face became pained, and at once I knew he hoped for a different answer. "How about this? Come by my room after dinner and we'll go over what I learned. I'll tell you everything I know."

  "Thanks, Lark." He smiled brightly and continued ahead to the dining hall.

  I was glad I could help him, but it seemed a bit odd that he was so helpless. What's he going to do for future Rounds? What am I going to do, for that matter? I turned around on the spot and headed straight for Jhoma's room. I didn't know if he was there, but I crossed my fingers and knocked. He opened up with a wide smile and a gentle laugh. "Hey, I wondered when you'd be back to finish learning how to read. I thought you might have given up."

  "Oh no, I was able to figure it out based on what you gave me." I realized then that it was probably a mistake to use so many of his memories and then not come back for later lessons. I had no way to explain how I had learned.

  "Really? That's impressive." Then again, maybe people really are that oblivious.

  "Actually, I was hoping you'd be able to tell me what to do with this." I held out the black stripe that matched the three he already had on his sleeve.

  "My mistake. That is impressive. I don't know of anyone who's gotten through Round One in less than two or three months. Avis gave this to you?"

  "Yeah, just now. He asked me some questions and then just gave it to me. You think something's wrong?"

  "No, I'm sure you earned it. I've just never heard of getting through it that fast. Especially with Avis-and you just now learned how to read." He marveled at my accomplishment like I was the first to ever learn about the history of our country.

  "So what do I do with it?"

  "There's a woman in a small hut just outside the grounds on the western side. Igera. She'll sew it to your sleeves. She has a whole pile of them but she won't attach them until your mentor has approved you. That's why you need this one." As he spoke, I could see her and the hut vividly in his mind as if he'd brought me right to her.

  "Do I need to bring all my shirts?"

  "All the ones you want the stripe on, anyway."

  "What do I need to do for Round Two?" I asked, when I remembered the other reason for my visit.

  "Round Two is Hand-to-Hand Combat. No weapons, no knives, no Sparks. Just you."

  "What do you mean no Sparks?"

  "For the two of us, it doesn't really matter, but for Strikers or Drifters or some of the others, it could be a major advantage."

  "Those are the ones with fire or water, right?"

  "Yeah. Just imagine, you're trying to fight a guy and he suddenly catches your clothes on fire."

  "Do we only fight boys?" Jhoma thought of a fight with a girl a few months prior. It had been an even match and he had barely won.

  "No, whoever is at that Round will participate. It's pretty unfair to most of the girls, though." I didn't need to have access to Jhoma's thoughts to understand how unpleasant it could be to fight someone below your skills.

  "Thanks for your help. I'm sure it won't be long before I'm back for more."

  "Anytime. You know where to find me." His words matched perfectly with his thoughts. He was happy to have a chance to help someone; it made him feel necessary. I guess we all just want to be important to someone, even if it's someone pathetic, like me.

  Hand-to-hand combat-I could not fathom how that would turn out. Without my Spark, I was good as defenseless. There's no way I'm going to be able to beat anyone.