I watched, both disgusted and enthralled as the Queen walked down the flight of stairs that cut through the middle of the stands, leading down to the stage.

She wore a knitted blue dress that came down to just above her knees and a gossamer cape that trailed behind her. As she walked slowly past each contestant, scrutinizing them from head to toe, I could see her mental wheels turning, judging us with the precision of a true expert.

"You," she said simply, pointing a perfectly manicured, pale Lessaenite finger at a tall boy close to the front of the mob.

"The first pick of the 2901 Warmatch Interplanetale has been made. Yakovan Hejedai, Team Arystenn!" Lasydra Kay yelled jubilantly into her microphone. "A remarkable pick on Her Majesty's part, as usual. Yakovan is the current undefeated champion of the Greater Glaisse Province annual warmatches, one of the most competitive regional matches in the Empire. He stated in his pre-match interview that he is sure that he will be one of the lucky six who will leave the arena with their lives. Now, with the best possible team placement, I know he has a great chance. Let's have a round of applause for seventeen year old warmatch prodigy, Yakovan Hejedai!"

The Queen paused for the photographers before continuing down the line. Some of the more foolish contestants straightened their backs and flexed their muscles as she walked by, trying to get her to notice them, but most of us knew that Saralee Arystenn was too smart and experienced to fall for such immature tricks. After a few tense seconds, she paused just a few feet to the right of Toya and me.

"You two," she pointed at a girl and a boy who both had the looks of seasoned contestants.

"Ida and Iden Ganni, Team Arystenn!" Lasydra chirped.

I already knew I was going to get sick of her stupid, fake smile very, very fast.

"The famed Ganni twins of Syke Mountain, three time co-champions of the Syke Mountain Province annual warmatches and local celebrities...once more, the Queen does not disappoint. Ida and Iden have a very strong bond, and told us before the match that neither would leave this match without the other, meaning they would kill themselves if need be."

This drew a few gasps of surprise and admiration from the Lessaenite audience.

"Let's hear it for the Gannis!" Before Lasydra could even finish her sentence, the arena echoed with thunderous applause.

I sucked in a deep breath of air as Queen Saralee walked directly in front of me, stopping inches from my face.

I never thought I'd be face to face with the ruler of the Lessaenite Empire, but here I was.

"You are Cascadia, yes?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Uh...um, yes, Your Majesty," I nodded.

Get yourself together, Cady, you're speaking to the Queen!

"Raliyel told me about you," she nodded. "I wish I could help, I really do, but I'm not a savior. I'm a killer, and a winner. I'm sorry."

"Of course you can help! You're the Queen!" I lashed out. "You can do anything!"

"It's not that simple," she snarled, all traces of sympathy leaving her eyes. "I can't just do whatever I want. Politics is more complicated than that. Not that you would understand, Rhenan."

"The Queen is talking to one of our newbies!" Lasydra gasped. "I'm sure we're all itching to know what she's saying. Is there some kind of secret understanding between them? A mutually beneficial underground agreement?"

"Oh, I almost forgot about Lasydra," the Queen smiled wistfully. "I have to go now, or that idiot will throw a fit. Good luck," she nodded as she turned around, crushing my chances of survival under her blue, diamond-encrusted stilettos.

However, she didn't go too far.

"You." Jealousy flared up in my stomach as she pointed at Toya, whose face immediately lit up.

"Toya Pierce, Team Arystenn!" Lasydra proclaimed. "Now, this is a quite unusual pick. Although Toya is an experienced warmatch contestant, she has never won a match. She barely escaped with her life at last year's Greater Pylea Province annual warmatches, and has survived on Mercy Tickets for most of her career. However, we all know that Queen Saralee does not pick her team members at random. I'm very excited to see what surprises Miss Pierce has in store for us. Let's give it up for Toya Pierce!"

"I'm so sorry, Cady," Toya squeezed my hand. "Please don't hate me."

"I don't," I sighed, trying my hardest to drown out the sound of Lasydra's voice as she announced the Queen's last two picks, a boy and a girl from West Arabella named Katim Faerlen and Elaine Raturan.

A/N: You should recognize the last name Faerlen. Yes, Katim and Elaine are Teren, Aron, and Rory's grandparents!

"Congratulations to this year's members of Team Arystenn! Please follow the nearest Ice Guard to your accommodations. Next to Pick is Selaeyah Valior, Chief of the Scientist Clan and President of the Iceheart Department!"

My stomach twisted into a knot as the Chief walked down the stairs with purpose, her eyes locked on me. Murmurs of surprise echoed through the crowd as she cut across the stage, ignoring the right half of the mob of contestants and coming straight for me.

"You," she snarled, pointing directly at my sternum, smirking with evil triumph as if she had just given me the death penalty.

"Cascadia Ervine, Team Valior?" Lasydra announced hesitantly, as if she wasn't sure that Selaeyah had pointed at me.

"Yes, I chose her, you nitwit, now make the announcement!" The Chief snarled.

"Of course, Your Excellency," the announcer gulped. "Cascadia Ervine has never participated in a warmatch before, and was picked before Interplanetaries by a stroke of misfortune. She's small, she's weak, and she's probably very scared. I'm sure none of us know exactly what's going through Chief Valior's head right now, but we're going to have to trust the judgement of this acclaimed military strategist for now and see where it goes." She finished abruptly, not even asking for applause. It wouldn't have mattered, because no one clapped for me anyway.

"Why?" I croaked as Selaeyah Valior stood in front of me, contemplating her decision.

"Because my team is always second place, dear," the Chief mused. "My six have the worst fate. You'll watch the other contestants drop around you, and finally, on the last day of the match, you'll be slaughtered. Yes, on the last day, a mere hour from freedom..." She trailed off. "Raliyel's going to love this!"