Dragon War [not finished]

Cinder Cliffs: Cristiana

CRISTIANA'S POV

“On your mark…”
I stand impatiently on the starting line.
“Get set…”
My foot taps involuntarily on the ground. Will he hurry up already?
“Go!”
I take off like a rocket across the field. I love racing. The wind in my hair, the rush of adrenaline, the feeling that all of my worries are falling behind, too slow to catch up.
I reach the creek faster than anyone. There’s no-one here, which is unusual for this time of day. Where is everyone?
My question is answered as quickly as it came as I approach Cinder Cliff. Someone’s up there, and I’d bet that it’s Ryia.
I slow. I have no worry of my competitors catching up to me. I watch from a distance as she throws a small bag towards someone waiting in the crowd, then falls.
I start forward, and my breath catches on my throat.
Stop falling. Stop falling. Stop falling.
She grips something. I’m not sure what, because the rock wall is solid and smooth where she’s hanging.
I recognize Peter from the way he clumsily stumbles in his armor. He starts to climb the rock face to save her, but his attempts are sort of pathetic.
But they’re brave. That’s what counts.
Well, I think he’s being brave until he jumps down before even getting five hands off of the ground.
Ryia loses her handhold and falls directly onto Peter. I guess he kind of deserves that.
I see Duraina, one of the racers, catching up to me. I take off.
I’ll finish this race, then go see Ryia.