Azaria Read Online Free PDF Page B

they came together. The sun shone down on her rounded rosy cheeks and a twinkle flashed in her dark brown eyes as she smiled up at her taller friend. "Hi beautiful! I couldn’t miss your first event! Are you nervous? I would be. I can’t believe you’re competing. It’s so dangerous!”
    Azaria was one of few who could make out every word her friend uttered. She talked so fast, it was as if she feared she'd not be able to get each thought out before the next trampled it. Azaria often thought their personalities complimented each other, as she tended to pick her words more carefully. Perhaps it was why they were such close friends. "A little," Azaria admitted.
    “Don’t be. I know you’ll be wonderful. I hope the hares run your way!" Daneel said, using the common refrain after she’d accompanied her back up the hill.
    Long, spiked grasses of emmer and einkorn wheat, rye and barley blanketed the entire southern face of the hill, providing excellent cover from the many aerial predators native to the region. Many small animals thrived there. It had long been a hare breeding ground and favorite place for young hunters to refine their developing skills.
    Although the competition was simple - the prize would be awarded to the contestant who killed the most hares with seven light spears before the final whistle was blown - strategy was often as essential as skill. The most popular method was to run blindly down the hill, scaring the furry little beasts into abandoning their hiding spots, running and throwing spears as they darted in all directions. A less common technique, but potentially more effective if the young hunter could remain patient, was to hold back, shadowing the front runners. It had the advantage of allowing a better shot at the hares which dispersed at odder angles and those that survived the first wave of onslaught.
    Each contestant's spears had a unique set of colored markings which would indicate who made each kill. If more than one spear pierced a hare, a pre-determined panel of experienced hunters would decide whose weapon had struck the fatal blow. The competitors were not allowed to retrieve a spear if it had struck a rabbit, but could pick up those that missed cleanly.
    Azaria was confident in her aim if she had a chance to line up her prey, but wasn't overly concerned with winning. This being the first official game she’d ever competed in, she hoped only to make a good showing. She joined the other contestants – ranging from twelve to fifteen winters - at the top of Hare Hill. More than half of them were boys her age or older. There were also a few older girls, two her age, one younger girl and the rest younger boys.
    At the opening whistle the contestants dropped to their stomachs and a half-moment later the second whistle was blown. Azaria jumped to her feet and jogged down the hill, scanning for a target, but overwhelmed by the mass of flying bodies. Immediately, almost everyone was in front of her. Chaos ensued. She could see the youngest hunters running forward frantically, throwing spears in every direction. She also noticed a few of the older hunters hanging back a bit, strategically casting their weapons. She was happy she listened to her father, who’d advised her to hang back - at least she didn't look like one of the startled hares. She also noticed the high grasses were completely trampled behind the first wave of frantic hunters, allowing greater visibility and therefore increasing her range. Again she silently thanked her father.
    A plump coney launched out of the high grass, darting in front of her in a direction opposite the chaos. She swiveled and let her spear fly without cocking it back and then watched with satisfaction as it landed right on top of the little beast's neck, killing it instantly. She saw another hare hopping frantically away from the mass of flying spears, toward the wooded area to the east. She pulled a spear from her quiver, lined up and tossed again. But this