People crowded onto rooftops. It seemed everyone carried a torch, lighting up the night sky. The balconies had people hanging over the rail, clinging desperately to their bit of space and vantage point.
Seth and Captain Brodst circled, back to back. The opposing trio pressed from the outside. Seth had finally gone beyond restraint, vowing he would not hold back anymore.
The dark orange flames on the rooftops reminded him of the battle at sea. The hungry black flames rising from the sinking ships. The battle that only four had survived.
Seth lashed out at laterally at Geoffrey, eyeing Shalimar as he moved. He thumped Brodst’s right side, indicating a change.
The captain turned, lunged at Geoffrey.
Seth swept around the captain, arcing with his blade. He jumped into the air, kicked out at Shalimar with his left foot. His foot made a clean blow to the side of Shalimar’s head. Shalimar went down.
Captain Brodst took a step back, hit Shalimar’s head with the butt end of his sword. Shalimar’s head slapped the dirt. He didn’t move.
Men rushed into the circle to carry him out.
It was a two on two match. Father and son against the captain and the warrior elf.
Geoffrey and Nijal squared off against Seth and Ansh. Geoffrey made a quick move to separate the pair.
The crowd roared.
Both pairs were visibly fatigued. It became a struggle to make simple attacks and counters.
Then, as swiftly as it all began, it nearly ended. Brodst fell, taking Nijal with him.
Seth and Geoffrey had to sidestep to avoid going down as well.
The two circled.
Seth took measure of the Lord of Solntse. His movements were catlike and precise. He used the momentary lull to gather his strength, focus.
The Lord of Solntse’s moves were sluggish. He bled from a wound in his side. He held the mid-length blade like a club.
Seth studied his eyes, trying to see if it was some sort of trick. He jabbed with his sword, whipped around, turned back, intending on elbowing Geoffrey, only to find the man wasn’t there.
The lord had ducked out of the way. His blade was coming up to gut Seth from navel to sternum.
Seth saw the blade, had only an instant to react. He feinted, shifting too far back to support his weight.
He went down. Geoffrey pounced on him, pummeling him with the side of the blade.
The crowd grew quiet. The silence was apparent to Seth even as he struggled to break Geoffrey’s grip.
He stared into Geoffrey’s eyes. Geoffrey clearly wasn’t afraid. He surely thought he held the strongest position, that he was moments from victory. Seth knew, however, that he could reach up and snap Geoffrey’s neck in an instant. The lord would never have suspected Seth capable. He wouldn’t even know what happened to him as his life ended.
Seth broke Geoffrey’s grip, brought his hands up to the man’s neck. He knew the next heartbeat would change everything. He promised Prince Valam he wouldn’t hold back. But would Geoffrey’s death bring the thing he sought?
He brought his fists down.
Geoffrey collapsed.
Seth pushed the other off, spun around, found his sword. He got to his feet, watched Geoffrey struggle to his knees.
Seth gripped the sword. He could end this with a single blow. Geoffrey expected it. Seth could tell.
When Seth didn’t move, Geoffrey struggled to his feet. Geoffrey looked at Seth, his eyes seeming to ask, “What are you waiting for? Strike, end this.”
The image of Redwalker Tae flashed through Seth’s mind. Loyalty to his cause is what he needed, not a dead lord. Geoffrey dead at his feet would solve nothing.
Seth tossed his sword to the ground at Geoffrey’s feet. Geoffrey stared at Seth, awe written in his expression.
Geoffrey stumbled, fell forward, clinging at Seth’s waist as his legs collapsed. Seth held him up.
The two walked from the circle.
At first the crowd did not roar or cheer. They simply parted. The viewers were as awestruck as Geoffrey had been. Men and women reached out to touch Seth as he passed.
Chanting began. In the hearts and minds of those who had seen the match the victors were clear. The Kingdom trio had won. They had won in grand style.
Seth assisted Geoffrey. The two went to the place Valam had been taken. A girl with long black hair followed in the shadows. Seth saw her out of the corner of his eye.
Seth helped Geoffrey to a bench just inside the door.
Valam lay near death. Keeper Martin and Father Jacob were gathered around him.
Valam motioned Seth to come closer. “They told me what you did,” he whispered. “I believe. Word will spread. You will have your army.”
“Save your strength. Rest,” Seth said wearily.
The door opened and closed. Seth turned to see Princess Adrina enter. He had felt her presence in the shadows. There had been sadness in her mind and tears in her eyes then too.
“He dies,” whispered Jacob to Seth, hardly looking up, “I pray, but there are no answers.”
“Oh, there are answers,” Adrina said wiping tears from her eyes as she found sudden resolve. “There is poison in his veins.”
“Poison?” asked Jacob.
“That’s impossible,” Geoffrey said, “Weapons are all checked and cleaned before each use.”
“Trust me,” Adrina said. “Anything is possible.” She unshouldered the bag she was carrying and knelt beside her brother. She reached into the bag carefully, making sure to grab the tiny dragon just behind the head. “Give me your hand, brother,” she said. She took Valam’s left hand in her free hand as he offered it. “Don’t give in to the fear,” she whispered. “It will be all right, I promise.”
Geoffrey turned to Seth. “Know this,” he said. “You’ve earned my respect and that of the Free Peoples.”