by Kory Shen
I rolled to my feet, but Kuri kept pace with me, smothering me in a torrent of flames. Somehow, Kuri had given me more power, but I couldn't return it back to her. There was no way the mage could survive a full powered blast.
"Kuri!" I tried one more time.
The intense flames stopped for a second, although the surrounding ground was still smoking. Kuri stood before me with a raised hand. "I'm sorry, Jakson," she said. Her lips tightened. "But I have to win." A flood of orange-white flames washed across my helmet once more.
"Jakson!" Mira screamed into my ear.
"Damn it!" I tried to block the flames with my arms while looking around. Where to dump Mira's power? How could I end this?
I spotted the spires of the castle in the distance. It was probably half a mile away from the field of combat.
"Mira! How much power are we talking? Do you think I can hit the castle towers over there?" I pointed into the distance.
"Perhaps," Mira said. "I would recommend the excitation beam—"
"Fire bolt," I said.
"—fire bolt, as it has the least dispersion. Would you like targeting assistance?"
"Yes, hurry." I shielded my head with my right arm, while raising my left to aim at the castle. Suddenly, the world in front of me changed. I blinked before realizing what had happened.
"Everything's…bigger?" I asked.
"Optical zoom is active. Targeting reticule is now active as well," Mira said.
A glowing green sigil, shaped like a circle with a cross, appeared in my vision. As I shifted my left arm, the green sigil moved about in my sight.
"Got it," I said.
With fire blazing all about me, I had some difficulty lining up the sigil with the castle spires. I uttered a quick prayer to Yora and took a deep breath, then exhaled.
"Fire bolt," I said softly.
A blazing beam of red light shot out of my left arm, more brilliant than any I had seen before. It worked. I could make out a puff of smoke in the distance where my attack had struck the tower. My vision returned to normal.
The flames stopped. Kuri glanced towards the direction of the castle. The crowds were murmuring, point at me or the castle.
"What did you do?" Kuri asked. "What was that?"
"I'm ending this." I looked back at the now smoking castle tower. "Castle security is really top notch, you know. Any time now…"
Five figures shimmered into existence on the field around Kuri and me.
Lady Dyann and Sir Hurik stood before me, weapons drawn, along with three other Champions.
"Lay down your arms!" Sir Hurik bellowed. "Who dares attack the royal castle?"
"We don't bear arms, although we do have arms," I noted.
Lady Dyann chuckled. "Lower your arms, then." She nodded at Kuri, who's arms were raised in a defensive posture.
"Kuri," I prompted when she didn't comply. "These are the King's Champions. It's over."
Kuri looked at all of us, then back at me. "Humans," she muttered.
That got my attention, but before I could speak, the Champions closed in around us.
CHAPTER 10
King Arkus Ironflame, my father, looked down at us from his seat on the stone-carved throne. The golden crown on his head, rimmed with twelve subtle points and twelve red rubies, contrasted sharply with his dark hair and beard. His robes were golden, with black embroidery, a mirror of the prince's armor.
"Did you or did you not attack the royal castle?" he asked.
I was standing before him in a plain brown tunic, my armor confiscated by the king's men.
"It wasn't actually an attack. More like a plea for help. You see, Lexley—"
"Prince Lexley," my father said.
"I'm sorry, I meant his Highness forced this lovely lady and I to fight even though the Open Melee was over." I waved to indicate Kuri on my right. "Conceding to her would have dishonored her as a warrior, but defeating her would have stripped her of the honor she had rightly earned. With no good path, I chose to end the fight however I could."
Lexley stood to my father's right, dressed in his full armor now, along with the other Champions. "You speak of honor? Ha!" He laughed. "You're a scoundrel and a thief. What would you know of honor?"
My father ignored Lexley's outburst. "You attacked the castle."
"I didn't have many options," I said. "I did what I had to."
I looked back at my father, not blinking, as his dark black eyes bore into me.
"My Champions, fearing an attack on the crown, spent some of the most powerful enchantment we possess," my father said gravely. "Rare enchantments that are now gone."
I knew a bit about those enchantments. The reason we would get away with Vimm's jobs was because we weren't worth the cost of spending them.
"Replacing those enchantments will be expensive and slow," my father continued.
"But they are replaceable," I said. "Let me ask this. Have you ever seen a mage who can go toe-to-toe with knights in Sentinel-class armor? Or someone with armor like mine?" My voice turned hard with anger. "Would you risk losing those?"
"Watch your tone with the king, little dog," one of the other Champions said.
My father didn't respond. He studied me silently, his hands steepled in front of him.
Since my mother had died, my father had seen me only three times. He had been at her funeral, a small affair that I barely recalled. His advisors must have been mad about that.
Around a year after the funeral, after I had moved in with Vimm's gang, my father's henchmen had dragged me to a private audience with him. He hadn't said anything then, just glared at me with disappointment. I later figured that he had been keeping tabs on me after I had run away from the castle.
This was the third time, my first as a man. I hardly knew him, and he hardly knew me, as far as I was concerned.
"As the rightful victors of the Open Melee, we can join the Knight Sentinels, can't we?" I asked.
"Of course not! We won't take trash like you two," Lexley snapped.
I sensed Kuri bristling in anger on my right and put a hand out to steady her. She had been smart enough to keep her mouth shut through the family business.
"Your Majesty?" I asked.
My father didn't answer my question but instead turned to address Kuri.
"And who might you be?" he asked. "The others reported your unusual fighting style. You're not from the Elderlands, are you?"
Kuri knelt on one knee and bowed her head. "No, I am not. My name is Kuri, and I come from the far East for reasons of my own. If you will accept me into the ranks of the Knight Sentinels, I will swear to serve this kingdom." She waited in her prone position.
My father squinted his eyes, then nodded slowly as if noticing something.
"From the East, is it? I think I know who you are, or rather what you are." My father paused. "Good. Your secret is safe with me. I grant you permission to join my Knight Sentinels."
The others in the throne room murmured, staring at Kuri as she bowed her head, then stood. Her secret? I had an idea of what that was about, too.
My father turned his attention to me again. "What to do with you?" he asked with a sigh.
"I would suggest a beating to pound some manners and common sense into his thick skull," Lexley said.
"Yes," my father said. "He did suffer a beating at your command recently, didn't he?"
My father knew about that? He was still watching me? Or simply watching Lexley?
Lexley's face darkened at my father's comment. We waited for his decision.
"Jakson," my father said. "Why do you want to join my Sentinels?"
"I don't," I said. "I'm not here to be a Sentinel. I'm here to be a Champion." I turned my head slightly to look at Lexley. "The First Champion."
"Why you little—" Lexley began.
My father cut him off. "Cocky, aren't we?" An amused smile curled around the edges of his lips. "If nothing else, I'm curious to see what you'll do."
"What about h
is armor?" Lexley asked. "He must have stolen it."
My father made a vague waving motion with his hand, brushing away Lexley's objection. "No, he purchased it from a mage's shop." He frowned. "As for the mage…"
So he was still spying on me. How much did he actually know?
"Return his armor," my father commanded. He turned to Kuri and me. "Do you swear to serve the Elderlands with your arms, your honor, and your life?"
I knelt, and Kuri followed. "I do," we both said.
My father waved his hands. "Rise. Henceforth, Sir Jakson and his fair companion Lady Kuri will be known as Knight Sentinels."
"What? Outrageous!" Lexley screamed, his face purple.
I noticed the other champions in the room watching me closely. Sir Hurik had a slight frown on his face. Lady Dyann had a slight smile.
My father wasn't done, though. "Whose division should they join?" he asked the Champions.
Each Champion was in charge of a division of about a hundred elite Sentinels. The lesser knights would be relegated to more mundane commanders, like the ones who patrolled Evercrown's streets. A position in a Champion's division was a privilege that many sought but few received. Family and wealth could buy you a post in the Sentinels, but no Champion would take a man into his division so easily. If nothing else, serving under a Champion was the fastest way to becoming one yourself, and no Champion was looking to be replaced.
I looked over the Champions flanking the throne, five on either side. Would anyone take us?
Each division had its preferred style and tactical specialty. Lexley, as the First, would be at the front lines of most battles. He led a division of shock troops, brash and bold to match their leader and his massive sword. Lady Dyann, while no less deadly, wielded a spear that could be used on foot or on horse. I had never seen her Heaven's Strike with my own eyes, but her weapon was legendary for its unmatched speed and focused power. Her division provided fast, mobile support on the battlefield.
There were others. Sir Hurik the Hurricane and his Tornado Knights, each knight a one-man army who could sneak up on an unsuspecting force and inflict devastating losses. Sir Torgan and his Castle Breakers. Sir Erole and his penchant for exotic weaponry. Each of the Ten had his preferences.
Lady Dyann spoke first. "I have room in my ranks," she said.
I gave her a faint smile. Kuri and I had ranged attacks. I could see us blending in with her division.
"No," my father said. Lady Dyann's eyes flashed with disappointment. "I have something else in mind."
"Lexley," my father said. "Your concerns about these two have some merit. You'll be in charge of their training and serve as their division commander."
Lexley stood still for a moment, confused. But I knew what my father was doing. He was making me run the gauntlet, as a punishment or as a test. Maybe both. Soon, Lexley came to the same realization. A smile grew on his face. He looked at me with gleaming eyes.
"Yes, father," he said. "I'll make sure they learn their lessons well."
* * *
An errand boy led Kuri and me to the barracks where we were shuffled between clerks.
We stood in front of another spectacled, gray-haired clerk bent over a book, waiting for our quarters to be assigned. I still didn't have my armor, although another clerk had assured me it would be sent to my room.
"You two will be sharing a room," the clerk said, poring over a large book with leather binding.
I traded glances with Kuri.
"Uh. I could?" I ventured.
"No, that's ridiculous," Kuri said in a flat tone. The clerk and I both winced under Kuri's glare.
"I'm sorry," the clerk said. "That wasn't a question. New recruits share rooms, and since you two are the only recruits, you'll have to room together." He looked up at Kuri and adjusted his spectacles, seeing her for the first time.
"Oh," the clerk said. He looked down back at the book. "Rules are rules."
Kuri slammed her hand down on top of the book. "I am not sharing a room with him."
"I'm afraid I don't have any other option," the clerk said, not looking up. "You can check with your division commander if you have a problem."
Smoke started curling up from the pages of the book underneath Kuri's hand. The clerk yelped and jumped backwards.
"Kuri!" I spotted a mug of liquid on the clerk's desk. I dumped its contents on the now smoldering book.
Kuri stepped away, shaking the liquid off her hand.
The clerk stared at the scorched, wet book with a horrified expression, like a parent who had lost his child. He looked back and forth between the two of us. "Go!" he screamed.
I held up my hands apologetically. "It was going to burn."
"Go!" he screamed again.
"We still need our room assignments," I pointed out.
The clerk glowered at us, then gingerly flipped through the soggy book. "Very well. I have the perfect room for both of you." He frowned at Kuri. "Room 21B. Now go!"
Kuri started raising her fists, but I pulled her away. "Come on, Kuri."
I managed to drag her away before she set anything else on fire. We wandered down the corridors, searching for our room.
"I know the room arrangement might be a bit uncomfortable," I said, "but I promise I won't do anything weird. You don't have anything to worry about."
Kuri's scowl told me what she thought of that.
"Look. Would you rather have me or someone else? Because other than Lady Dyann, you're the only other woman Sentinel," I said.
"She volunteered to take us." Kuri stopped walking, and I turned around to find her giving me a questioning look. "It's your fault we're stuck with that idiot, isn't it?"
"My fault?"
"The prince. He hates you. It's obvious." She studied my face. "What happened? I've heard some stories, but I don't see much resemblance, other than your eyes…"
"You really want to know?" I asked. "Let's find our room, then I'll tell you all about it."
"Not our room," Kuri said. "My room. My rules."
I headed back down the corridor. I waved my hand over my shoulder. "You got it, princess."
I took three steps before finding myself slammed into the stone wall. Kuri held me in place, her grip surprisingly strong. Her hand was inches from my face.
"What did you call me?" Kuri asked.
"Princess? What the hell?"
Her grip loosened, and she let me go. "Nevermind," she mumbled, continuing down the corridor like nothing had happened.
Her hand had been like an iron clamp. I rubbed my shoulder where she had gripped me as I watched her walk away, her hips swaying hypnotically under her taut leather breeches.
Who was this girl? I raced after her.
* * *
We arrived at room 21B. The door swung open at my touch to reveal a tiny room with one bed that took up more than half of the floor space.
"This can't be right," Kuri said.
I checked the lettering on the door. "It's right. It says 21B." I peeked inside in case there was some hidden corner or turn that I had missed from the outside. Nope. It was a small room, probably the smallest room in the barracks, I would have guessed.
"That clerk," Kuri said, clenching her now glowing fists.
"Kuri!" I stepped in front of her as she turned around. "Don't. They're looking for an excuse to kick us out."
I didn't know why Kuri wanted to join the Knight Sentinels, but it had to be important. Someone as skilled as her didn't train that hard to join on a lark. Something was driving her. I just didn't know what.
The red glow faded away from Kuri's fists as she relaxed her hands. She pointed at the room. "That's ridiculous. I'm not sharing this room with you."
"Yeah, it'd be ridiculous even if you were a guy. But you did piss off the clerk."
"I could bring the entire barracks down in flames." Kuri's voice was low and dangerous. "Burn them all."
"Uh, Kuri?" She couldn't be serious, could she? "How are you going to join th
e Sentinels, then?"
Kuri was still staring at the lone bed in the room, muttering to herself. Some men walked by, gaping at the scowling blonde. The way they looked at her worried me.
"Kuri, let's go inside," I said.
"This is unacceptable," Kuri replied loudly.
I noticed another group of men pausing to watch us. A woman in the barracks? The news would spread like wildfire.
"Okay, fine. Look, can you just let me keep my stuff in here? I'll sleep…outside the door. You can have your privacy. Deal?"
Kuri sighed. "I suppose." She walked inside the room.
I followed and quickly shut the door.
Kuri sat on the bed, while I stood in the corner.
"Now that we're alone…" she began.
I raised an eyebrow.
"…you can explain what's going on with you and the prince."
I shrugged. "What's there to explain? He and I are half-brothers. I'm the bastard son of the king."
"Is that truly all?"
"That's a bit of a personal question."
"Oh." Kuri looked uncertain. "You're right. It's none of my business."
I shook my head. "No, I don't mind sharing. I've got nothing to hide." I flicked my eyes at Kuri's headband. "What I meant is that if I answer your personal questions, you've got to do the same for me. Fair's fair, right?"
Kuri frowned. "In that case, there's no need—"
"My father met my mother, a peasant girl, during a war campaign. A king can take as many wives as he wants, but a peasant girl? A marriage was out of the question. He took care of us when we were young. Later, he married Queen Priss and had Lexley."
Kuri leaned forward. "So your mother was his true love. The queen must hate your mother."
"Well, she used to. My mother's dead."
"How?"
I paused. "Now that could be considered an insensitive question."
Kuri wasn't fazed. "You don't strike me as the sensitive type."
I chuckled. "You have a point. In any case, some rogues kidnapped my mother and took her hostage. They tried to use her to control my father."
"And he refused to cooperate?" Kuri asked. "So they killed her?"
"Sort of." Although it had been ten years, my heart sped up at the memory of the events. I took a deep breath to calm myself. "It was Queen Priss. She demanded that my father make an example of the kidnappers. He sent all ten Champions. It was a slaughter. My mother's body was found among the carnage. Since then, I've been living with a bunch of street rats."