Lovers of Babel by Valerie Walker Page B

about fifteen which meant that they had plenty of practice and a couple more years of experience competing in the Tourney. Therefore, they were cocky and not in the least bit nervous. The pair included a guy with an air symbol who looked to be no more than six feet tall with muscles that didn’t belong on a fifteen year old and a girl with an earth symbol and big hair like brown cotton who had the meanest look on her face.
                  The competition always started with Hexes. The mean cotton-haired girl would be up against another girl who was Chad’s partner and whose glasses took up most of her face. It appeared to be an unfair pairing, but this was the nature of the Tourney. No matter the strength and stature of an opponent, it was the strength of one’s particular power that made all the difference.
                  The Herald, the Tourney’s eccentric announcer, was adorned in a large top hat with a blue feather and an ancient faded tailcoat. He was ridiculously outrageous; the ultimate symbol of what went on inside the Tourney . He pulled out a large horn and began his blaring announcement from his metal throne overlooking the entire glass arena.
                  “Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls welcome to the sixteenth semi-annual Tourney competition! As the Tourney’s Herald, it is my pleasure to introduce this semester’s competitors in order from eldest to youngest. To my left we have Esmeralda Torres, a transformer, who is of the ripe age of thirteen. Her partner, Chad Pilgrim is the same age, but older by just a few months. Chad will be the youngest teleporter to ever compete for the Power Society!”
                  The crowd cheered at that stunning revelation.
                  “Next, we have Raven Sissero, a creator, who is fourteen, but don’t let her geeky appearance fool you. I hear she is a fierce creator. Her partner is Alex Walker, a transformer, who I suspect will give Esmeralda a run for her money. After all, he is a year older than she with much more experience.”
                  Boo’s permeated throughout the crowd. The audience liked to root for the underdog.
                  “But, we’ve seen miracles happen here before, let’s not forget. Last, but not least, we have our eldest competitors. George Costello, a teleporter, will be up against Chad in a nail-biting game of Quicktrek. Emily Francis, a creator, will start the games with Hexing and judging from her performance last year this shall be an entertaining tournament!”
                  The crowd obviously loved Emily, despite her intimidating death stare.
                  “George and Emily are fifteen and have had several years to perfect their powers. Those of you who are unlucky enough to compete against them will go down in Tourney history if you win.”
                  The Herald nodded at Chad and Raven who didn’t appear to be phased by their experienced competitors.
                  “Everyone should remember that this is just a game. Although, if you win, your face will go on the Wall of Champions in our dining hall and you will get to sit on the thrown during meal time for an entire year.”
                  The crowd clapped and howled in the anticipation of seeing their new champion. The reason why most audience members were so invested in the games was because of betting. Even though gambling was strictly forbidden in power school, there were secret betting stations in certain dormitories where students and teachers alike could place their bets for who might win. This is what made the Tourney so exciting and yet, so barbaric.
                  “Let us not forget to mention the privileges and responsibilities that come with being a champion. The power council may choose the winners for their most important quests, giving the champions an opportunity to use