Owen felt a terrible pain in his left arm as they hit the tri-rail and it collapsed on top of him and Gander. Owen had broken his left fore arm and his bone armor had sliced his arm open. They were pinned under the structure and two horses. He twisted his head to see blood running down Gander’s mane and before he could react it flowed into Gander’s eyes and left nostril.
Owen quickly uttered a spell to seal his arm and another to dry the blood on Gander and turn it to carbon powder. He felt the spells weaken him slightly. But more would come. Gander was huffing and snorting. His eyes rolled white and he screamed . He started twisting and moving and the whole structure shivered. He was changing.
Owen face a terrible choice. He should kill Gander; not knowing what kind of abomination might result from breathing his blood. But he could not. “I raised you from a Colt, and know you will not be a blood sucking monster.” He sent soothing and a calming spell to the horse. He placed an image of Gander into his minds eye, and instead of killing Gander, he executed a strong spell of glamour that would adapt as the horse changed.
“Get off him, you bastards!” He could hear Tom shouting. “Take this you scum”, he heard Bobby shout. There was fighting above and shouts from the umpires and from the crowd. Whistles and the sounds of armor clashing accompanied by movement as the horses on top were helped out of the debris.
Owen had put a glamour on Gander, but that did not prevent the surge of strength that rippled through the horse. With a mighty heave, Ganger stood, throwing the heavy beams out and away. “Look out!” Shouted a Guardsman. One of the beams swung and smacked into the helmeted head of the Lions Runner who had slammed Owen into the tri-rail. The beam hit this Runner with a sickening crunch, and he went down in a heap.
Owen clung weakly to a dancing Gander. Patting his neck and making soothing noises.
Everyone backed away from the angry animal, and the down rider was carried off on the stretcher that was meant for Owen.
“Owen, are you ok?” asked Heath. Fire Ball was limping from a knot that had formed on his front shin where the pike had gotten him.
“No, Heath. My arm is broken and I feel weak. Did you make the goal?”
“You made a perfect throw my friend. It was too easy.”
“That makes it three to zero. Did the Lions runner that hit the wall re-mount?
“No, we think he broke his neck. They carried him out, and had to drag his horse.”
“I am sorry, Heath, for that, and for this other one. We did not hurt them intentionally.”
“Everyone knows that. Hey what’s up with Gander?”
“I need to get Gander out of here. He was crushed, and I think he is in pain”, Owen lied. He had lost his pike.
”Hey Owen, are you ok?” It was Tom, who was sporting fresh black eye.
“No worse than you, except for a broken arm”.
“Well you should see the other guy.”
Owen could hear the umpires shouting and arguing. There were foul flags on the field.
“The Dell umpire is claiming the goal does not count because a foul flag was thrown, but at the same time saying there was no foul”, said Bobby in anger.
“He can’t have it both ways. We are awarded a point for the foul, or else the point we made counts”, Heath laughed.
“Let me see your arm, boy”, said the medic.
“Wait. Look at it outside, not here. I need to get Gander out of here.” Gander was prancing around, still very pissed off. Owen trotted Gander toward the exit gate while holding up his purple injury flag with his right arm. His left arm jolted him with pain at very step. The crowd had been relatively quiet for a while now, but exploded in a resounding cheer as Owen left the Arena. “Owen, Owen, Owen .... “He could see Baird watching him with concern.
“Go with Owen”, Baird told the two Royal Guardsmen. They did not need to be told twice, mounted and followed Owen out of the gate.
Once out of the Arena and out of site from the Lions who had piled them into the jump, Gander calmed considerably. Or maybe the adrenaline was wearing off. Owen dared not break the veil to see what his horse had changed into. He decided to tie Gander off and enter the med tent, although he had misgivings. “Maybe I should simply heal it myself. But then what would people say. I better go through the motions.”
The medic came in and began removing the broken and shattered armor from the lower left arm. “It’s a miracle that this didn’t cut you. All I see are lacerations and scratches, and that awful bruise. The forearm is definitely broken, yet broken cleanly. Here lay it on the table while I measure you for a splint.” The medic measured Owen’s right arm instead though.
Dafford came into the tent and looked first at Owen and then at the medic. He looked at the lacerations and then into Owen’s eyes.
Owen nodded and jerked his head out toward Gander as he mouthed the horse’s name. “Gander breathed my blood and has changed. I have a glamour upon him,” he pressed into Dafford’s mind.
Dafford nodded and left the tent to watch Gander. The medic followed with measurements in hand, off to his supply tent.
They could hear cheers from the crowd as the game proceeded. Two dead and several injured. The game would go on three more sets. The best the Lions could do would be tie, but Owen knew the Dragons seconds, Han and Ester were very, very good with many years of experience, but could only last about half a game. “How ironic”, he thought. “The Lions will be in for a shock.”
The medic returned with a woven splint made of bird bone, metal alloy and wood, woven into a strong brace. He set a jig on the table and fitted the splint into it.
There was a groan from the crowd. “I guess the Lions got a point”, said Dafford from outside. “Yep. It’s 3 to 1 now.
After removing all of Owen’s armor, he helped the boy fit his shoulder and upper arm into it, and then his lower arm into the open splint. He said, “Here, bite this.”
Owen chomped down on the leather bit as the medic simultaneously pulled his arm straight with one hand while fitting the bone together with his other. Owen nearly blacked out with the pain. Then the medic pulled a lever in the jig and the splint closed tightly around Owen’s lower arm. The medic drew the lacings tight, wound and tied them off to secure the brace. “Here, let me wipe you off.” Owen’s upper body, head and face were covered in cold sweat. “Drink this. It will help with the pain.”
“No thank you, Doc Collins. I don’t take laudanum or any other narcotic.”
“Ok, suit yourself. That is going to hurt for days. I will speak to your father. No hard work for a week at least.”
“Ha. We’ll see about that!”
Doc Collins laughed. “Hey, I’m proud of you, boy! I have never seen play like that in all the years. The Dragons are the best there ever were, and you are the best of them. I mean it.”
“Thanks Doc.” Owen blushed. “Are you done with me?”
“Yes son. Don’t worry about the armor. I’ll take it back for you.”
A loud, continuing roar from the crowd signaled the end of the game, with a 4th point, the game was won by a rout. “Wohooo!” Doc let out a cheer and Owen laughed with glee, until his arm throbbed.
Owen exited the tent and met Dafford.
“He is doing fine”, Dafford said. “I think he has calmed down. Why don’t you take him in for the awards?”
“I think I will, said Owen. He had to mount from the right side for a change, but that worked out ok. He trotted Gander back through the exit gate, which opened for him and his two Royal Guard escorts. When he came back in, the crowd roared again, giving him a standing ovation. He waived with his good arm as he walked Gander over to join his teammates. Owen spotted the dark mercenaries sitting and watching him. “They give me the goose bumps.” Gander snorted. At least that’s what came through the glamour.
When he reached his teammates they all welcomed him warmly. “Hail Owen”, said Heath. He had to sit out the last two rounds as well. They cheered, and Owen blushed again.
“Hail Han and Ester”, he said. “We make them sit around and then look who has to finish for us!” Another cheer. The two men dipped their helmets in salute, the old fashioned way.
Then the unexpected happened. The Royal Family stood and made their way down the center bleacher isle behind the post. The crowd stood to the man, rippling around the entire field. Even the dark ones dared not remain sitting, for the King and Queen had unexpectedly shown up for the game. The entire Elite Royal Guard was present now. The team dismounted and kneeled with respect as the monarchs walked down to meet them. The two princes came behind them, and Owen locked eyes with the younger one. Justin.
“Hail Brother Owen, master of us all. I salute your victory!”
“Hail Brother Justin, Maker’s sword. I salute your valor!” Owen had heard of the battle near Windhaven. Baird had told him the truth of it.
In a flash, the two traded images of their lives and dragon form. Their minds burned with information exchange.
“This must wait. We are being watched by darkness, even here.” Owen sent Justin a vision of the dark mercenaries.
The Queen caught Owen’s eye. She did not address him. She knew all about him, he could tell, but he dared not invade her mind. Nor did he invade the mind of the King, who looked at him intently. A Wizard stood behind Prince Justin. “So that’s Albrite”, thought Owen.
King Kirkland bid the players rise, “I, King of this Southern Realm do applaud this victory for the Fable’s Arch Dragons and commend this fine team for it’s victory and it’s gamesmanship.” The crowd cheered.
Then one by one he shook each by hand, congratulating them individually. When he reached Owen, he congratulated him the same way and then whispered, “I salute you, Owen” before passing.
Queen Mary followed, shaking each player’s hand. She looked deep into Owen’s eyes and smiled, then moved on. “She is beautiful”, thought Owen, privately.
Justin followed. When Justin took Owen’s hand, an electric charge passed between them. “Ouch. Don’t flinch, they are watching. Residual of magic charged me”, sent Owen. He sent Justin images of the time under the tri-rail with his blood seeping into Gander’s eyes and nostrils, and the magic he had been forced to employ.
After Justin came Bruce. “Greetings, Owen. Brilliant game! Congratulations.”
“Well met, Bruce. So, you are mage? I am so glad to see that in your family.”
“Thanks to Justin. He ensorcelled me into this, heh.”
“Tell me then. What do you think of those men over there? Don’t stare, just take a look.”
“They are veiled, and dark!”
“Yes. Tell the King. I don’t trust them at all.”
Just then the men in question made their way out of the bleachers, to the annoyance of those around them.
Finally, Albrite passed, shaking hands. “I saw them, Owen. I believe them to be soulless men, with several turned vampire by the dark lord. Baird sends this warning. Guard yourself for true, and use your new friend Gander. Look at him through my eyes.”
Owen’s vision blurred, then he saw himself and Gander without the glamour. He had seen himself enough not to be shocked, but Gander was so different. He was no longer a simple horse. He had the face of a Dragon with protruding fangs and one large horn in the middle of his head. He opened his mouth and Owen could see both grinding and incisor type teeth, so he guess Gander was now both a meat eater and a grass eater. He was gray, with a white mane and thick white chest hair, white tail and tufts around what used to be hooves. In their place were the feet of a Dragon, with talons at the fetlocks, heels and scaled toes. His large diamond eyes were black as pitch with heavy white eyebrows. He was massively strong looking as well. All in all his horse had become a fearsome looking beast.
“If you can see me, what of those vampires?”
“Don’t worry, Owen. Glamour is my specialty. I have had thousands of years to perfect it. They would not see through your spells, for they are quite strong. It was what you did to your blood under that pile that might have alerted them. That was high magic that not even I could reproduce. Blood magic is a vampire specialty. Get my drift?”
“Uh, Oh.”
“We will be leaving under full guard tonight. I do not want the King in danger. We are to stay at Pug’s estate tonight with a company of Elite Guardsman. Take care, Owen. We will leave ten guardsmen with you. I suggest you send five with Heath and take five with you to your farm tonight. From what we can tell they are not certain if it is you or Heath, or neither they are after. We will hunt the soulless tomorrow.”
“Why Heath?”
“Because the two of you are so remarkably talented. You and Heath are famous throughout the Kingdom. That has gotten the hunters interested. They hunt you, Owen, and Justin and the others like you. They know there were fourteen given by the angels and scattered throughout the kingdoms. Once they positively identify you, the hunt will be merciless. The only safe place for you will be with the Dragons, until you reach maturity.”
“Thank you for the warning, Albrite. It has been good to meet you. Please take care of Justin and Bruce too. They must both be suspect.”
“Of course, except I believe none of you are defenseless even now.”
The Royal family waived to the cheering crowd and left on horses brought by the Elite Guard, out of the exit gate opposite from the gate taken by the soulless. The remaining ten Elite Royal Guardsmen stayed with the team.
Baird came down the center bleacher carrying the enormous championship trophy. It was a spectacular, gold plated pedestal horse, and rider. The horse was shown rearing and the rider with a pike complete with a diamond studded toroid.
“As the Captain of the Fable’s Arch Dragons, I deliver this trophy into your hands, Heath Ironist for the period of two years and the next Southern Kingdom Toroid Championship”, said Baird loudly.
Heath took the trophy and held it aloft so the cheering fans could see it, at least those near the center post where the most influential people were.
“Beware Owen. We will leave for Dragon Mount in two days. Say your goodbyes soon.”
“I agree, Baird, though it makes me sad. I must get away from my friends and loved ones or they will suffer.”
The team remounted and headed back across the field to the locker rooms and stables. The ten Royal Guardsmen mounted and followed.
“Heath, it’s Owen”.
Heath started and looked over at Owen in surprise.
“Don’t be alarmed, Heath. I am learning a few new skills. I needed to speak privately, and this will be our only chance for a while. The King has assigned these guardsmen to us tonight. Five will stay close to me, and five will guard you and your family tonight.”
Heath did not have a clue how to organize his thoughts for projection, so simply gave Owen a questioning look.
“Those men we saw earlier are pawns of the dark lord, and they are hunting me. I am sorry, but they are not certain exactly who to look for, so you are in danger as well because we both are famous athletes and because Baird is here. They know he is a wizard, and so do you now. I cannot tell you all of why I am hunted; yet it is because of whom my real parents are. We are sworn front line enemies of the dark lord Belaros. Take the five guardsmen and be alert this night. The King will hunt those men on the morrow.”
Heath gave Owen a wide-eyed nod.
Upon reaching the stable and locker rooms, they were surprised by their families. Everyone was there in the large hall outside of the lockers. So after a quick shower, where Owen had to be very careful and a change of clothes, the party started. Owen had been leery of giving Gander over to the squire, but the ’horse’ had given him a clearly content mental image of napping in his stall after a bath, so he relented. He did warn the squire to stay away from Gander’s head and feet.
“Gander will kick or bite you if you fool with those”, he had warned.
After Sophie disentangled herself from Heath, she came over and gav
e Owen a big hug, mindful of his arm. “You were magnificent, Owen! I am so proud of you.”
Owen blushed. He had always been nervous about hugging Sophie, and now it was worse. She was young, beautiful and kind. He loved her; she was now married and was supposed to be his sister too.
Angie nuzzled Sophie away and gave Owen a bear hug. “I was so worried when you went down. Did you break it?” indicating the arm. Sophie went straight over to Tom and got between him and Suzy to get a hug.
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