The next morning, Kesar fetched me light breakfast consisted of rice cakes, honey, and bitter herbal tea. It was my first day in the capital. Tepi told me to get ready for the training in the morning. She said I needed to learn plenty of things before the Holy Games.

I was in the freshly clean clothes that Kesar gave me, and the nice fragrant bath I took made me feel almost golden. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I wasn't sure this was what I wanted.

Then Kesar came into the room.

"My lady, the others are waiting for you outside," she said.

I took a...