All was silent on the island of the Guardians. The moon was a single crescent in the sky, its light barely competing with that of the stars around it. 

Three white-robed figures sat within a crystalline circle, its boundary shining in the gloom. One paced back and forth over the still-warm earth, soft footfalls muted by a gentle breeze. 

Unfortunately, Miyu al Thea's expression was anything but gentle. She glared at the ocean, breath hissing through her teeth. 

"She should have been here hours ago. What's taking her?" 

Tig shrugged noncommittally, lying flat his back. Beside him, Cyprus opened one eye and disturbed his perfect meditation position by signing a response. 

"Don't be ridiculous," Miyu snapped. "Even Elswyth wouldn't have slowed herself for that." Cyprus shrugged and closed his eyes again. Tig struggled to sit up, frowning at Miyu.

"You know, dear, it would be nice if you relayed what Cyprus was saying every now and again, not just responding to him. Not all of us can read Vasileian signs." 

Cyprus signed toward Tig. Miyu paused her pacing long enough to chuckle. "He says: "Whose fault is that? I've been here three years, with barely anything else to occupy the time." Can't argue with that, Tig." Tig's face soured, and he responded with a very specific gesture of his own before lying back down. 

A shadow passed across the stars. There was a quick whinny, and Elswyth dropped to the ground, dripping water. The shadow continued, disappearing into the darkness. 

Elswyth straightened, adjusting her flowers. Tig stood up slowly, stretching. Miyu stalked towards her.

"Where have you been? The ship arrives in the morning, and it's already midnight!" Elswyth shrank away from her.

"I'm sorry, ma'am!" She wailed. "I was just so busy keeping everyone entertained, and charming the mosquitoes, and I didn't have a single animal to hug- not one! I couldn't resist when one finally came close. So I went to hug him..." 

"Ellie dear, why are your robes wet?" Tigaern asked quietly. Elswyth shuffled her feet uncomfortably.

"You weren't there," she mumbled. "He had the sweetest fins, and the most adorable widdle teeth."

"You jumped overboard to hug a shark. And missed the pegasus that was going to pick you up." There was no question in his voice.

Silence pervaded the little circle. Cyprus stood, smirking and signing a quick sentence. Miyu sighed.

"Okay. You were right. You don't have to rub it in. Ellie, did you at least get the mosquitoes?" 

"Right here," Elswyth replied, nodding frantically. She reached into her robe, extracting a shining cage of somewhat dampened insects. "I made sure they drank blood from every tribute, so the Uryel curse will go off without a hitch." Tig took the cage, setting it next to his foot. 

"More than that, though," she added, voice breathless with excitement, "I have the odds."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sponsored Tributes

Four tributes have been selected from their nations, deemed by the Guardians to have the best chance of survival. These tributes will receive:

-A score of 13 on any one task of their choice

-Notes on any one task of their choice (excluding the first)

-An additional bonus determined by their nation of origin.

They are:

Evora, daughter of Antimony (sponsored by Elswyth.) On any one task of her choice, Evora may ignore the in-entry kill requirement, submitting only ballot deaths. She may also wait until after scores have been posted to submit a kill list.

Enzo of Siyamak (sponsored by Cyprus) On any one task of his choice, Enzo may exchange his kill total with that of another tribute. 

Elsinor Tarqqantes (sponsored by Tigaern) Elsinor now possesses an additional 24-hour no-questions-asked extension. He now has two and may use them separately or together.

Atlanta al Thea (sponsored by Miyu) Atlanta's votes now count twice when she votes to save a tribute- however, this ONLY applies when she votes for tributes from Aavayoh, including herself.

Congratulations to our sponsored tributes! Use your bonuses wisely, and may your entries continue to impress.