Bonded Spirits 2

by Jake Daniel

  A voice came from somewhere behind me. “There we go. He’s coming around. Grab that water over there.” It was Amos, and as I cracked my eyes open, I glimpsed Mona’s purple wings. Amos leaned over and put his face inches away from mine. “Welcome back.”

  I struggled to a seated position and took a drink of a potion as Mona brought it to my lips. “Thank you, Nymona.”

  Mona paused and looked into my eyes as if something had stung her.

  I furrowed my brow and let out a grunt as I pushed myself up against the wall. “Is something wrong?”

  “You called me Nymona. I’m not used to that.”

  I took another drink of water and let it slide down my desert dry mouth. “Sorry, I’ll stick with Mona.”

  “No, no. I like how it sounds when you say it.”

  Amos pushed past Mona and leaned over again. “Can you stand?”

  I brought my legs up close to my chest and pushed myself up with help from the wall. Whatever potion Mona had given me, was already beginning to work. Each second that passed seemed to heal another of my wounds. “I believe so.”

  Amos watched me intently and nodded. “Good, good. Now, would you mind telling me what in the hell happened?!”

  I was no longer in the corridor next to the arena, but in a small room with several torches casting light across the area. “Where are we? Where are the others?”

  Amos walked across the room and rubbed his chin. “To answer the first question, we’re in the port district in one of my houses. When we found you in the arena, I thought you were done for. Mona had to fight off the hellhounds while I got you out of there. They have been starving them for the past few weeks so honestly I’m surprised there is anything left of you.” He paused and shook his head. “As for your second question. I don’t have a clue, they were already gone when we found you. Unfortunately, we were unable to save that male wolf-kin warrior. His wounds were too great.”

  I clenched my jaw in anger and wiped a dried streak of blood from my forehead. “How were they able to attack? I thought there was a peace treaty while the tournament was going on?”

  Amos shook his head. “You were inside the arena. There are different rules inside versus when you are outside.” He paused. “You wouldn’t have been able to save your bonded’s father anyway. He was already halfway to death when they brought him to the Capitol. The wing of the arena that you were in, was the infirmary. Everyone inside there was healing from a wound of some sort. I found out from a sponsor friend of mine that Striker has been looking for a replacement for the wolf-kin since the trials at Kilney. Sounds like he found three of them.”

  I took a deep breath. “Where did he take them?”

  Amos shook his head and shrugged. “There’s no telling. I imagine even he knows better than to do anything to them, at least not yet. One thing I’m sure of is that he is going to be taking them to see my brother, if he hasn’t already. For now, we need to get you healed up and ready for the tournament.”

  “Amos, how the hell do you expect me to fight when three of my bonded have been captured?”

  Amos pulled his cane up off the ground and pushed into my chest. “Listen, you agreed to become my champion. I’m sorry about your girls, but there’s nothing you can do at the moment. Your best chance of reuniting with them is to survive the tournament.”

  My mind flashed to Striker and I hoped he’d not made it far. “Take me to the arena.”

  “You need sleep.” Amos shot back.

  “No, I’m fine, take me to the arena.” I stepped forward and nearly fell over, still uneasy on my feet.

  “It wasn’t a question. You must sleep, or you’re not going to be worth a damn inside the arena. The healing potions that we have given you are much more potent while you sleep.” Amos waved me off and Mona helped me across the room and sat me down on the bed.

  “Do you think I’m actually going to sleep while Striker has them?”

  “Now is not the time. Even that protection rune on your chest wouldn’t save you if you ran into him again.” Amos fixed his eyes on mine. “You will have your chance for revenge. I know Striker and you have more history than you may even realize at the moment, but you will not get a chance to exact that revenge unless we heal you.” He exhaled slowly. “Do you think you could do any damage to Striker in your current state?”

  “I’d do enough.” I sat on the bed and let out a log breath.

  “Yes, but would that truly honor your bonded? Or your family?” He trailed off and shook his head.

  “What about my family? What do you know?” I asked. A new sense of urgency rose within me. “What do you know about my family?”

  Amos nodded slowly. “I will tell you everything I know once you survive this tournament. It won’t matter if I can’t even get you to the first round alive. Now please, rest, I give you my word.”

  I stared straight ahead and tried to calm my breathing. My shirt had been removed, and all I had left was a pair of blood stained pants. I glanced down to my chest. Several new scars were mixed with fresh bruises and dried blood. All three sides of my triangle shaped scar were now black, and it looked a little like it was spreading.

  Mona walked over with a bowl of clean water and cleaned my wounds. Genuine concern had replaced the look of desire normally worn on her face. She pulled out a small square bottle that glowed a deep purple and handed it to me. “Here, drink this, I promise it will allow you to sleep and when you wake, you’ll feel refreshed.”

  I pushed it back toward her and shook my head lightly. “Thanks, but I think I’ve tried enough potions and elixirs from you and Amos to last me for a while.”

  Amos limped over and stopped in front of me. “Logan, I’d be losing my investment at this point. Do you really think I am interested in not only losing my chance to earn my share of the pot, but garner the wrath of my brother as well?” He didn’t wait for me to answer. “No, the answer’s no.”

  I grabbed the potion from Mona and popped the cork out with my thumb. It tasted like pine scented bug spray as it sloshed over my tongue and went down my throat. “Ugh, that tastes like ass.”

  Mona accepted the bottle back and shrugged. “It’s probably the centaur semen. It’s more of an acquired taste.” The dragon woman smiled and placed the empty bottle back into a small pouch before standing.

  “Centaur what? Nevermind. How soon...” Before I could continue, a sense of calm hit me and everything became blurry. Mona hurried back over and lowered me down to the bed. I let out a resigned breath as I realized much of my time since arriving had been spent in a bed. This was after a life back home where I’d be lucky to get three hours of sleep each night.

  Amos walked over and stood at the side of the bed. “Sleep well, first light will be here before you know it.”

  I fought against sleep, even though I knew it was all but inevitable. The last thing I saw was Mona climbing into bed with me and then sleep overtook me. I dreamt of all of my bonded. Even in sleep I felt like I was letting them down, that I needed to be there with them. I felt my resolve strengthening, and the sense of desperation was soon replaced by determination. Wisps of spirit danced across my vision, and I felt my body healing itself from the inside. The spirit faded and I drifted into a deeper sleep as everything went dark.

  I woke and Mona was asleep next to me, still fully clothed. Her hand rested on my chest, but I didn’t believe she tried anything while I was asleep. I shot up and sat on the edge of the bed. She stirred and propped herself up behind me. A quick inspection of my chest and arms let me know that the potion paired with rest did the trick. All signs of any injury were nearly nonexistent except for where the snake’s fang had grazed me back at Amos’s castle, and the slightly blackened scar on my chest.

  “Good morning,” Mona said with a smile. She sat up and stretched, her purple wings spread out to her sides while her perfect breasts were pushed together in front of her. I finally met her gaze and she gave me a small smile. “You have a busy day ahead of
you, I suggest we get started.”

  I quickly equipped my armor and followed Mona out of the room. We met up with Amos, who was smoking a cigar in the main area. He turned and rose from his chair with enthusiasm. “Good morning, good morning! The day of the tournament, there’s nothing like it. How are you feeling?”

  I walked toward the front door. “Let’s go.”

  Amos gathered his belongings and followed close behind. “Yes, yes. I have the cart ready to go. You may want to hear the bit of intel I received this morning.”

  I paused and spun to meet his eyes. “What did you hear?”

  “Well, do you want the good news or the bad news?” He caught my expression and didn’t wait for my response. “Well, good news is that your bonded women are still alive.” He hesitated slightly before continuing. “The bad news… Striker’s planning to force your girls to fight in the tournament.”

  I relaxed slightly. I knew as long as they were alive, there was hope. “Will they be together? No one will stand a chance against the three of them in a fair fight.”

  “See, that’s the problem. Fights in the tournament are rarely fair.” Amos shook his head and shrugged. “Striker does not like to lose, I can guarantee you that. There was word that he placed a large bet this morning, and I bet you it was on them to win it all.”

  I clenched my fists. I hated that he hid behind his guards like a little bitch. If I just could have freed myself one last time, it would’ve been his throat that’d been cut.

  I nodded. “That would make sense. I’d put my money on them as well. I feel better with the three of them together than separated. If he does have money on them to win it all, then I feel sorry for the other champions in the tournament.”

  Amos nodded and hurried to the door. “Let’s get going. Mona will drive and we will discuss the first round of the tournament which kicks off shortly.”

  I leaned into the carriage and looked around. It looked like the setting of a bad 1970s porn. Pink and purple frilly pillows lined the seats on each side with dark red shag carpeting on the floor and ceiling. Amos climbed inside and I followed. The inside smelled like cheap cigars and sex. “How does anyone ride in here?”

  Amos let out a small laugh. “Oh, this carriage has seen many an adventure, I can assure you. There has not been a lack of riding. Sure, it could use a little updating.”

  “A little?” I shook my head and tossed a couple pillows over to Amos’s side, revealing several large stains on the seat next to me. “I’m not even going to ask.”

  Amos craned his neck to see what I was talking about. “Yeah, probably best I don’t tell you about that story.”

  “You’re right.” Mona gave the horses a snap of the reins and the cart lurched forward. “Anyway, tell me about this first round. What should I expect?”

  “Ah, yes. Well, I was a bit off on my estimation of what the first round was going to comprise.” He paused and let out a long breath. “Remember that labyrinth?”

  I furrowed my brow. “Yeah... how could I forget?”

  “Well, it’s been moved up in the order of events. My brother heard that it was the most talked about thing this year, and him being one for dramatics, started the whole damn tournament off with it.”

  “So, what’s the problem? I was going to have to run the labyrinth regardless, right? May as well get it out of the way.”

  “I guess you could say that, but he has, well, changed it up a bit.”

  “So what you’re saying is everything that I went through back at your castle, was for nothing? Got it.”

  Amos gave me a half-nervous smile and shifted uncomfortably. “Um, not exactly. But the way you flew through that labyrinth gives me hope that you can handle the challenges to come in this one.”

  I spotted the arena and reached down to my side. I quickly realized I didn’t have my rifle with me. “Shit. My rifle. I bet Striker has it.”

  Amos chuckled and pulled up a cushion next to him, revealing a small arsenal. “No, he doesn’t.” He pulled out my rifle and handed it to me.

  I flipped it over and gave it a quick inspection. I still had four rounds loaded. “Thanks, Amos. I’m not sure how you got it, but I appreciate you keeping it safe.”

  “Thank Mona, she knocked a guy out when she saw he had it. Well, knocked out may put it mildly.”

  “I’ll remember to thank her.” I set the gun on the seat next to me, careful to avoid any stains. I looked back out the window and the massive area in front of the arena that was filled with champions and vendors the previous night was now a sea of towering stone walls. “That was quick.” I closed my eyes to use my Sight, but I couldn’t see past the first row. When I opened my eyes, Amos was staring straight at me.

  He cleared his throat and eyed me curiously. “You’ll not be able to use your core abilities in there, at least not in the way you have in the past. The king has some powerful guardians under his employ. They are there to ensure everyone remains on the same level and doesn’t have any unfair advantages.”

  “They must be some pretty powerful guardians. Sight’s my highest ranked skill, for them to cut it off altogether, they’d have to be.”

  Amos craned his neck out from the carriage and pointed into the sky. “Look for yourself. They’re up there. I guarantee you’ve seen nothing like this in your life.”

  I looked out the window in the direction he was pointing and saw several winged women hovering in midair. “What are they? They look like angels.”

  “Oh, those are no angels. Those are griffons. They may look innocent enough, but they are some of the fiercest warriors in Aurilon. If there’s one monster I’d not want to tangle with, it would be a griffon. Look at those talons on their feet!” Amos sat back and matted his forehead with his handkerchief.

  I watched them for several seconds before returning back inside the carriage. “They are magnificent. Are they here by their own free will?”

  Amos scrunched up his face and scoffed. “I wish I could say no, but they are fiercely loyal to Ambirn. They have been the king’s guard since the great war.”

  I furrowed my brow. “Why didn’t they stop the Corlinius family from taking the throne away from the Whitehalls?”

  Amos shook his head. “King Whitehall told the Griffon Guard to stand down. He didn’t want them to have to die needlessly. They protected the Whitehalls fiercely all the way to the end. King Whitehall knew that there was no way to save the throne, so instead of costing them their lives he told them to go back to Griffon’s Roost. They obeyed, and that same day my Grandfather took the throne. Since they swore to protect the Capitol, no matter what, once our family took over, the Griffon Guard swore their allegiance to my Grandfather.” He let out a long sigh. “I’d imagine if they knew how they would be treated by my brother once he became king, they would’ve thought twice about keeping that vow.”

  “From what I’ve heard about how your brother has treated the monsters of Aurilon, I still think it’s amazing that there hasn’t been a revolt.”

  Mona called out from the front as the carriage came to a stop. “We’re here, boys. Come on out.”

  I let Amos exit the carriage first and followed behind. I strapped my 30-30 on my back and surveyed the gathered crowd.

  Brightly colored banners fluttered in the air, stretched as far as I could see outside of the walls. I inspected a few of the closest banners as we walked to our assigned area.

  Amos pulled out a bag from a small compartment in the carriage and a long wooden pole. He unfurled a bright yellow banner with an image of my 30-30 on it. It was by far the brightest of all the banners around. He attached it to the end of the pole and set it upright. “There we go. This is your banner.”

  “Why is it so... bright?”

  “My mother always told me why fit in when you were born to stand out.” He pulled on his extra white suit coat and smiled. “Appearances, remember?”

  We continued over to a small area where we could set up. I adjusted my armor and
exchanged glances with several of the other champions.

  Many of them looked nervous, and I could tell they wouldn’t last long at all. I seriously wondered how some of them were even selected as champions. Although, for every nervous or scared champion, there was another that was the complete opposite, hardened and fierce.

  I turned back to Amos as he was trying desperately to stick the banner in the ground. “How many champions are there?”

  Amos gave up and handed the banner to Mona. “Two hundred.”

  “Two hundred? I didn’t realize there were that many fighters. It’s going to be crowded inside the labyrinth.”

  “Well, yes, but probably not as bad as you think it will be. There will be four waves of champions. You’re in the second wave.”

  “What about my bonded?”

  Amos shrugged. “Just hope you’re not pitted against them in your wave.” He finally got the banner to stand upright and turned to face me. “The labyrinth shrinks over time, forcing everyone toward the middle. It only stops once one champion remains.”

  “And say they place us together. What then?” I asked.

  “If that happens, which could be a very realistic possibility, well, then you’ll have a decision to make.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The officials came through the crowd handing out small squares of colored cloth. They were the same color as the districts of the capitol. Yellow, blue, green, and violet. An official stopped as he reached me and handed me a blue square of cloth. “You’re part of the second wave. Make sure you line up with the other blues and prepare for battle.”

  I tucked the cloth into my pocket and tightened my grip on my rifle as several loud horn blasts filled the air. As the horns faded, a man’s magnified voice boomed across the area. “Welcome one and all to the 100th tournament in Aurilon’s history!”