12.
As it went on Morning Star and Northern Star found themselves in the top of their group, North's father becoming prouder and prouder each day until the final day when they marched into the arena representing their nation with a fellow student from another part of their country.
As the day wore on North found himself in competition with his best friend. North would come in first in one event, Morn in another 'til by the end of the day their point totals were exactly the same! Even after the final event which was swordsmanship, it was like this.
The two boys were even, and it was apparant that they would have to share first place, but as the boys stood in the field receiving their awards (the older boys first, and then the youngest) North thought of something. By the rules of The Games a younger contestant could challenge an elder winner for his position in any event. The only problem was the winner would gain the looser's points for that event, and the elder didn't have to accept the challenge. It was a gamble, but North wanted to win, so when the award officials approached him with his award he held up his hand.
"Sirs," he said, "permission to speak." And his words were picked up and echoed through the great stadium by the awards official's microphone.
"Permission granted!" an official told him, "Say what you will," and the crowd fell silent as North spoke.
"Sirs," he announced, "Winner of the Tens challenges the winner of the Elevens in swordsmanship for his position."
A roar came from the crowd. There had not been a challenge in over one-hundred years! Everyone was very excited!
When the roar died down the official cried out, "Winner of the Elevens, the winner of the Tens challenges you for your position. You are not obligated to accept. You may, or may not. How do you answer?"
"I accept the challenge! Let it begin!" the winner of the Elevens answered.
"The challenge is made and accepted!" called the official. "Let the contestants acquire their weapons and procede to the appointed place."
The two boys went to their armorers and took their positions on the towers pointed out by the officals. When they were ready one of the officials callled "Begin!" and both boys dropped into the air, soaring outward on their wings for their first bout. As they maneuvered twisted and turned beams of light shot from their weapons striking each-others shield, and sometimes, body but were absorbed by their electronic deflectors, while the judges marked down scores and misses. Finally a judge called "Time! Ground!" and both boys dropped to the ground and faced each other again. This time they attacked each other on foot, getting close enough to use the blades of their weapons, not