Zenora

Archeops had so much fun, in organizing this competition of his. He mentioned to me, that he finally got to see all my abilities. Sure, we trained yesterday, but there wasn’t much competition going on between us two. And he wanted to see what I was really capable of.

I had to diminish his enthusiasm by a lot though, as I could see in his mind hundreds of men competing with each other. But this wasn’t my idea of a competition, something small would be better.

“Archeops, why don’t you arrange for a knockout system for twelve people from each speciality? I think, that would be enough for now. You can organize a three-day, all round tournament when we get back.” He smiled when I said that, agreeing, that it would be a better idea to keep it small, this time.

“Yes, that way there is little to no chance of bad injuries, and only a few would be tired then.” Archeops said, and I nodded back.

****

Brock didn’t want to compete, but there was someone else to fill his spot.

“Are you sure? You could be harmed! You’re too old for this foolishness!” I said to him.

“Too old?! Hmpf! I’m fifty-two, and I’m feeling like a young deer. You might not realise, but ever since Dennis returned, he started sparring with me and training me back into shape. I’m feeling pretty confident now, hunny.” My dad answered.

Okay, so my dad is going to compete with the warriors, and if he succeeds he’ll get to fight the other specialities as well.

Because that was the idea, of this competition. Twelve people, from each speciality, so thirty-six in total. Each speciality, would compete to each other in the first round. Based on a knock-out system, where only three of them would proceed to the next round. Then, in the semi-finals, the nine best fighters, would compete against each other in cross-speciality battles. There would be three battles, with at each, a fighter from each speciality. And at last, in the finals, three persons would compete for the winner’s victory.

I decided to join in on the hunters group, together with Ursai of course.

Archeops was the organizer, so he wanted to stay at the side line, to be the head-referee. Axel was one of the competitors in the hunters group. And as soon as I found that out, yesterday evening, we had a secret training session at the clearing in the forest. Of course he had brought along Argent, and Ursai was with me.

Argent is a swift and agile wolf, much in contradiction to Ursai. He is slow, but very durable and really strong. At some point where Argent and Axel were driven in a corner, Axel got blue glowing eyes and Argent howled loudly as response. I can’t really understand what happened next, but it seemed as if they both grew a tad little larger, and much more empowered. We had been using arrows with blunt tips, so they wouldn’t hurt us that much, or be able to penetrate through our leather gear. But when they got this new empowered energy, those arrows came in faster and quicker than before, and Argent was more furious towards Ursai as well.

We had to adjust our strategy and then something happened with Ursai too.

Archeops wanted to see my abilities? Well, he is going to enjoy the show today.

****

Archeops had been busy all night, as all of the training fields behind the castle, were transformed into one big arena. There was a big circle in the middle of the grounds, with three smaller ones around it. Around these circles were benches, placed in different heights, so everyone could enjoy the view. There weren’t enough benches for everyone to sit on though, as a lot of people came to see this event. But there was enough room for everyone to stand around or to sit in the grassy areas, behind the benches.

Even servants from the castle, and people from the city, came to watch the fights. They were cheering to the competitors, singing songs and eating meat and drinking wine. It almost looked like a small festival, just like the ones on Earth.

Luckily, not the entire army was coming to see the competition. As the army contains over thousands of soldiers, it wouldn’t fit!

All of the thirty-six competitors, including me, my dad and Axel, stood on the centre circle. We had been warming up before, but now it was time for the starting announcement.

“Good morning Terralon!” Archeops yelled, after a loud horn was used to silence the crowd. Everyone turned their faces to Archeops and cheered when he said that.

When Archeops lifted his arms, the crowd got silence again.

“This will be the first competition, to be held here at the castle. But the most intriguing part is, that the battles will be held between the specialities also. So, cross-battling, just like in a real war. But, we have to set some ground rules, in order to keep the injuries at the minimum, as much as possible.”

Archeops told every competitor that no sharp weapons were allowed, only blunt swords, arrows and spears. Besides that, no fatal blows were allowed to be used by anyone. So, no killing spells from the mages, shooting arrows or hitting with the swords and spears in the face. When a sword was pointed at the heart, or an arrow hit the chest, the receiving person had to tap out, losing that battle. For the mages, they could use any spell to root their attackers into place, or using shields in any form. Except for the exploding version of course. But for them to make the other to forfeit, is when their no-damaging flare spells, would hit the chest of the other.

“And for you Princess, you have chosen to join the hunters group, so no mage or warrior abilities are allowed!” Archeops yelled at me. I pouted, and some of the warriors were chuckling at me.

“What? You don’t think I can beat you, with only my hunter skills?” I said seriously to them, and instantly they were silent again.

“We’ll see what you are capable of, daughter of mine, as I’m not going to back down!”

“Don’t worry dad, if you reach the semi-finals, then I will gladly take you on!” I said smiling to him.

“Then let the games begin!” Archeops yelled and all the competitors split to their own specific circle.

I stood with all the other hunters, at one of the smaller circles. The warriors and mages stood at their own little circle. And I guess that the large middle circle is meant for the cross-battles.

It is actually a nice set-up like this, Archeops must have been thinking about it for a long time already. I think a part of his dream, just became true today. He organized monthly competitions at the Hunters Lodge already, so this should be even more fun to him.

Brock was already waiting at the hunter’s circle, and I gave him a kiss when I reached him.

“You’re a bit nervous aren’t you?” He asked me and I nodded silently. It was never in my nature to stand and talk for such a large crowd. But, now that I’m a Princess, and one day will become the Queen, I have to make myself more acquainted with this. So, just breathing calmly in and out, and reply to questions or remarks with smart answers.

But that is not the only reason for my nervousness. I’m still not sure, as to when I should tell Brock that I’m pregnant. Clearly not right before the battle, but what if he got angry at me? For not telling him? Maybe he thinks that I don’t want to have his child. Argh! I have to get these thoughts out of me now. It is of no use, I’ll just have to protect our little baby. And for now, the baby is still so small, that it hides safely behind my strong belly-muscles.

****

The first round of battles had started, and two battles had ended already. One male, and one female hunter had fought along with their pets, and won their battles. Now it was Axel’s turn, against another hunter with a brown hawk.

I wished him good luck and he smiled.

He was wearing a nice green leather outfit, with a single shoulder pad on his left shoulder. I guess, it is for his right shoulder to be free, when shooting arrows. The green leather pads, are stitched with white thread, and looked more squared and masculine, compared to my own gear.

His bow is made of a dark brown wood, the same dark brown, as the jacket and pants underneath the green leather pads. But again, just like the leather gear, his bow looks more sturdier than my own. It is slightly longer, and thicker in the middle. This bow looks to be made, especially for him. The gear and bow suits him perfectly.

The whistle blew, and the opposing hawk shot through the sky towards Argent. He avoided the hawk’s tackle, and snapped at its wing.

In the meantime, arrows from both parties were shot, but either one of the hunters could dodge them. This seemed to be a good match for the both of them, but I hope that Axel could win this one.

“Where is Ursai?” Brock suddenly asked me.

“He is on his way, in fact, he is right there.” I said as I pointed to the corner of the castle wall, where he appeared around from. I had let him stay, in the forest for the night, and called for him early this morning. Just like I did, when I called for Miles to join me.

“And… OUT!” The referee yelled, and I looked to see that Axel had won. Argent had pinned the hawk down to the ground, with his paws on the hawk’s wings, and Axel had hit an arrow in the chest of his opponent, as I could see a scratch of where the blunt arrow had grazed. His opponent stood with his arms in the air, and Axel had his bow ready, aiming at him.

Now it was my turn.