Royal Blood by Arthur Slade

Author:Arthur Slade [Slade, Arthur]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dava Enterprises
Published: 2019-09-17T22:00:00+00:00

11

This Is the One

The crowd of dragons reacted through mumbling and a chorus of questioning voices that was only added to when Kon said, “Excuse me?” It was the shock that made him sound so polite.

Oratio wiped at his brow. “I have just lawfully challenged Vecterix to a blood battle." He was shaking, and I couldn't be certain whether it was nerves or excitement.

“And your reason is?” Kon asked.

“For refusing to take me on as an apprentice ten years ago and thereby bringing shame and dishonor to my family. I could have been a dragon mage by now. Instead, I am a lowly prison scholar.”

“Is this allowed?” Kon had turned to Vecterix.

The dragon mage was quiet for several moments and could very well have been in a trance. But eventually his eyes cleared, and he nodded. Out of any of us he looked the least surprised. “It is allowed,” he said. “Though it has been many millennia since a mage dragon has been challenged.”

“Can I deny it?” Kon asked.

Vecterix shook his head. “You have no choice, my liege. You must agree.”

Kon looked from him to Oratio, and his brow furrowed. “As far as I can tell you have gone mad, Oratio. More mad than you were in our youth. But you have demanded a blood battle and I declare it to be legal under our laws. Will you, Vecterix, choose a champion, or will you fight on your own behalf?”

Vecterix didn't even pause to think. “I will defend myself.” There wasn’t anger or fear in his words, just a statement. In fact he still seemed a little distant.

“I, too, will fight on my own behalf,” Oratio said.

“Then prepare yourself,” Kon said

Oratio retreated to the center of the Althing. He then awkwardly moved his wings, flying up a few feet and coming back down in an effort to warm up for the fight. He looked ridiculous.

“Can you beat him?” Kon asked Vecterix.

The dragon mage nodded very slowly. “He has a thimbleful of my skill, so the odds are in my favor. And yet he is confident and must have planned for this battle. So I should be wary.” His gaze was calm. “There are no reflections about this. Somehow Oratio has made it so I cannot see the futures. It’s very interesting. Exciting, in fact.”

“Do you want me to fight him?” I asked without even thinking about it. But in my heart, I knew I wanted to defend this dragon. He deserved it.

Vecterix patted my shoulder. "You don't have to worry about me, child. I have lived many lives."

"But I want you to keep living this one," I said.

Vecterix laughed, making the wrinkles on his face tighten up. “I'm certain this is the one where I defeat him, Carmen. So don’t worry.”

“But you just said you didn’t see him in your reflections," Kon said.

“That's true,” Vecterix said. “I was only trying to make Carmen of the mortals feel better. It's not a bad thing to have a mortal care for you." He now grabbed my other shoulder and looked me directly in the eyes.

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