The Third Red 1: The Enemy Within

When Eric went to Rayzar’s Ring the next morning for the Proving Times, he had Rubara with him. His dragon grandmother caused people to point in their direction. Her feet pounded the road as she walked behind him. Eric could hear the gossip.

“Look it’s a dragon!”

“Whoa, its big!”

“Stay back! It might eat you!”

Rubara had to fly above the walls since she couldn’t fit through the gates. When they arrived got to Pupils Path, she landed behind Eric, her tail swinging back and forth, nearly hitting Myra who yelped and ducked.

“Careful Granny Ruby! I hurt her yesterday, and I don’t want her or anyone else hurt!” Eric said.

“Sorry little one,” she said. “But I don’t want you hurt either.”

“I’ll be fine!” Eric insisted.

“Those Proving Times can be troublesome,” Chosan said. “They have a lot of challenges that can get young sorcerers and warriors hurt or at least in pain.”

Rubara growled. “Well, they better not hurt him too much or I will certainly have something to say about it.”

“Please don’t eat anyone, Rubara,” Chosan said. “I may be able to pay for a cow but not a person.”

“Fine.”

They came to the fork between Castle Scholar and Rayzar’s Ring. Eric usually went to the Castle when first arriving, but since it was the Proving Times, they would be going to Rayzar’s Ring first. If he could pass and earn the right to go up against a demon tonight, he could grant him the title of War Caster.

“Well, good luck Eric!” Chosan said. “I’ll be staying to watch.”

“What about your Potions class?” Eric asked.

“I have a substitute filling in until I arrive.”

Eric gave him a nod and headed toward the ring, barely able to walk with Rubara by his side causing the ground to rumble. He kept stumbling from side to side. Finally, he made it to the tunnel leading into the main arena, which today was guarded by a pair of guards in red tunics with a silver sword on the chest. Blood Guards, holy soldiers of the Blood Chapel! They only appeared outside of their religious sites during major events like the Proving Times. If they were here, then a Chief Blood Priest had to be here as well. And walking up to them in front of Eric was-

“State your name,” one of the soldiers said.

“Dargin Saru,” the goblin said.

One Blood Guard looked over a list in his hand.

“You’re on the list. Go in.”

The other soldier inserted a key into the gate and allowed Dargin to enter the ring. Eric then approached. He was about to say his name when-

“Ah, Eric Yagaro. You’re on the list!”

They opened the gate for Eric as well. Rubara flew up while he walked through the tunnel to the other side. Eric hadn’t thought he would ever want to be separated from his grandmother. He loved her but having to go everywhere with her from now on was rather annoying. Now he was starting to feel like the baby Clauwing saw him as.

When he entered the ring, Eric saw at least twenty boys around his age present for the Proving Times, Dargin making his way toward them. Rubara suddenly landed in the middle of the ring. Up in the stands sat a handful of people, the families of the participants no doubt. Tonight, it would no doubt be packed for the main event. Overseeing the morning event was Weapon Master Sir Weldar, Spell Master Varapos, Lord Taro Volk, a Chief Blood Priest (as Eric suspected), and Queen Razana herself.

Taro looked from Rubara to Eric. “Why is your dragon here?”

Rubara growled, more ferociously than she had moments ago. “Do not speak of me as though I am a pet, Sorcerer Lord!”

She looked at Taro with bared teeth, Eric knew what she was thinking when she saw the armor Taro wore that was lined with dragon scales. A dragon killer.

“I’m here to look after my grandson and make sure he does not come into any harm!” Rubara roared, glaring at everyone present.

“This is unacceptable!” Taro said. “The Proving Times are for warrior sorcerers, leave dragon!”

“I will not!” Rubara extended her neck so that her teeth were directly in front of Taro.

Eric facepalmed. “Panarus! I trade one beast for another.”

Varapos, the Head Blood Priest, and Weldar all took a few steps back. Queen Razana watched calmly. Taro looked at the dragon teeth mere inches from his head she blew smoke in his face.

“You wish to challenge me?” Taro reached for the gems on his armor.

“Granny Ruby, no!” Eric ran forward. “Just go home!”

“I’m not leaving you,” she said without looking at him.

Eric thought quickly. “If you’re staying, just watch from outside. Please!”

She growled softly then said, “Fine. I will be right outside. Yell if you need anything.”

Rubara took off, sending some of the participants stumbling back with a powerful flap of her wings. Eric let out a sigh of relief, he used to believe his grandmother was invincible, but now he knew better after the encounter with Corgo. Sorcerer Lords like Taro were said to have enough magical energy in their gems to kill a dragon in a single spell if they desired to.

“Well, tis not every day we have a dragon come to the Proving Times!” Master Varapos said to himself before addressing everyone. “Let us get started!”

Eric grinned, eagerness filling his heart. Today he would become a War Caster… he hoped.

“Welcome all to the Proving Times,” Weldar said. “You have all shown sufficient skill as warriors in my dueling classes and earned the approval of a noble. We shall have three initial challenges. First, one-on-one duels to show your skill with a weapon. There are twenty-four of you now, only half will advance to the second round. Sorcery will not be allowed during the duels, aside from the enchantments on our weapons.”

All twenty-four of the participants armed themselves with a weapon from the Ring’s armory. Eric of course went with a sword and shield, while Dargin chose a poleaxe. They looked at each other.

“I hope we don’t have to go against each other,” Eric said.

Dargin nodded. “You be thrilling opponent. But I rather earn title with you.”

Fortunately, they weren’t assigned to go up against each other.

“Choose your opponent!” Taro called.

Eric eyed Tarair, he’d beaten Taro’s son once. It would be a pleasure to do so again and deny him the chance to advance to the next round. Taro would likely be embarrassed when he saw his son losing with his own eyes. That would be some revenge against him for labeling Margery a traitor. But Eric hesitated as he remembered his last match with Tarair. He’d only beaten him because Clauwing had intervened, and Tarair had been holding back as well. Eric had grown stronger from sparring with Dargin, but could he hope to win now?

He didn’t get the chance to find out. Tarair picked someone else as his opponent, Morum. Someone then walked up to Eric who gaped. It was Sclem, Tarair’s own goblin friend.

“You beat me and Lord Tarair once!” Scelm said. “I’m not gonna let you ruin his chance to become a War Caster!”

Eric frowned. He fell into a stance. For several seconds there was silence, then Weldar called.

“Attack!”

Scelm charged at Eric with a shout, Eric didn’t let the sound scare him, his mother’s war cry was worse. He held his ground and stepped back out of range of the goblin’s shorter blade and struck. Scelm blocked then charged in recklessly once again, raising his short sword. Eric brought his shield up and blocked the quick blows. A thud echoed in his ears from the impact. Then Eric struck with his longer blade, slashing Scelm across the chest. Scelm screamed and fell as the pain enchantment took effect. Eric looked down at his opponent with disappointment. Just one strike and he’d passed the first round!

Soon others began to fall as they were hit with the weapons pain enchantments. Dargin managed to knock his opponent off his feet and deliver a final blow with the wooden axe blade. Eric was pleased to Dargin win, less so when he saw Tarair bring down Morum, striking the lion boy’s wrist with the smooth wooden stick meant to stand in for a mace. Morum grunted and dropped the sword he held. Then Tarair caught him in the chest. Morum fell to the ground as he was hit. Eric could imagine it must have felt as though his bones were broken. He felt something he never thought he would for the lion boy. Sorrow. Not long ago he’d hated Morum. But that time was gone since Morum saved his life yesterday.

Morum sighed and looked at Tarair then bowed. “You are strong Lord Tarair, I will have to have your father train me for a while if I expect to compete!”

He left the ring. Eric didn’t like seeing him bow to Tarair and salute him with such respect. He shrugged. It didn’t matter. The numbers were now cut in half by the first event. He had to focus on the now. He’d become a War Caster, then he’d… Eric wasn’t sure what he’d do after that. But he would be proud of himself.

For the second round, the remaining dozen participants had to demonstrate skill with their sorcery. One by one they were called forward to do so. Eric waited and watched.

Sorcerer after sorcerer demonstrated core spells to Spell Master Varapos. He would stand and ask them to perform spells, such as firing a beam at him or in the sky. As well as manifestations. Eric passed this tier with ease thanks to all his mother’s training. He blocked Varapos’s spells as the Spell Master flung low level beams, created a sorcery manifestation, shot several blasts at Varapos when he asked. The Spell Masters shield cracked as Eric did so, but he pulled back before it could break.

“Very good Lord Eric!” Varpos said. “Now if you can just get to me and suppress my sorcery that will do.”

Eric did so. Keeping his sorcery shield up as he advanced toward the Spell Master who flung more low-level beams at him. Eric’s shield cracked slightly. Varpos moved back as he got closer and Eric was forced to run after him! But he caught up swiftly, covered his other hand in sorcery and pressed it to Varapos’s chest.

“You pass!” Varapos said with a smile. “Well done! Next!”

Dargin came next, didn’t have it quite so easy. He hadn’t received formal sorcery training as he didn’t go to Castle Scholar. He didn’t create any sorcery manifestations as he didn’t know how. But he did know shields and beams. He blocked Varapos’s attack on a bright green shield then retaliated with a shout! He fired a strong beam of sorcery that forced Varapos to use a greater amount of sorcery to defend against!

The Spell Master shook his head and clicked his tongue.

“Control is an important part of sorcery, goblin. You might have killed a less experienced partner! Apply the right amount of sorcery for the situation. That is not a level you would use on a comrade. However, it would be enough to kill a demon we would summon tonight. Therefore, I will allow you to continue. But do try to work on control.”

Dargin scoffed.

With their core sorcery done, they turned to inherited powers. Many of the Soron Knight candidates had Greater Body, which wasn’t surprising considering that was the power of the Soron Knights. These sorcerers could break a row of at least three bricks with one hand, or run around the entire ring in seconds, leaving trails of magic behind them. Eric even saw a person summoning spirits of his ancestors and silently wished he could do that. If only he could summon his mother, he could prove she had not gone to Panarus and become a demon like Corgo. That person also shot a spear of white light into the sky.

Dargin performed the strength session without even having to channel any sorcery into his fists, as his Soron Morsu allowed that. Combining Shapeshifting and Greater Body powers allowed sorcerers to always have incredible strength or speed, but at a price. By acquiring the ability to use that strength and speed constantly, Dargin sacrificed some of the sorcery he could use. He still had some magic of course, but not five cores of it. With one strike of his fist, he turned the entire row of brinks into dust. Eric shivered, hating to imagine Dargin using that strength on him. It also reminded him of how much Dargin had held back during their hand sparring matches.

After turning the stone to dust, Dargin demonstrated he also had a good amount of speed. Without even using his Greater Body, he ran around the ring as Weldar counted.

“Twelve!” the Weapon Master Landed on. “Well, you didn’t use your power.”

“Prefer not to rely on it,” Dargin said.

“Good. Though there will be times when you have too.”

When it was time for Eric’s turn again. He showed all his knowledge of nature sorcery, the power he was most familiar with.

“Fyra Gola Kodu!”

He was surrounded by a circling shield of fire.

“Litar matan!”

Lightning flew from his fingers and flew into the sky. Eric continued to channel his sorcery and maintained the attack.

“Aga levris!”

Water flew up from the river through the bars. As Eric brought his hands back down, he spoke the incantation “Fris,” for freeze. It turned into a block of ice.

“Very good, young Yagaro!” Varapos said. “Your core and nature sorcery skill is superb. Silver badge! Now, if you can merely show me a Soron Morsu of some kind or something from another of the powers I believe that will suffice.”

Eric hesitated. The only Soron Morsu he knew right now was combining Beast and Nature Sorcery. He’d only had one chance to practice it, and that was last night. If only he hadn’t had to deal with Clauwing and Chosan didn’t keep looking for other things for him to do, he might have been able to practice more. Arvis had had to tell him where the opinicus was before. Eric could feel the sorcery from his enchanted objects flowing through him.

When he closed his eyes, he could see white light from the spirit pendant on his neck, he could feel the energy from his headband just waiting to travel down the path to his eyes. The strange energy in the two rings he had, the feeling of boulder crushing power in the armband. Each object he wore gave him a new feeling, almost overwhelming. But these powers were things he was not used to, since they were not naturally with him and came from the objects he wore instead. Still, whenever Eric used his nose, he called upon the senses of the beast. Whenever that happened, he could feel its presence.

Eric sniffed, focusing on his sense of smell. He could catch the scents of Dargin’s less than clean stench, the perfume worn by Lorala in the stands. Rubara’s scaly dragon scent. As he inhaled deep, Eric could feel it. A slight sensation in his chest. That had to be Clauwing.

Focusing on the sorcery in his chest, Eric channeled it up his right arm into his hand.

“Fyra Carniv!” Fire Beast!

The incantation for the fire spell and the beast soul being channeled with his sorcery resulted in the same thing as yesterday. An opinicus made of fire.

“Ah! I’m fire again!” Clauwing chirped as he looked around. “Is this going to be an everyday thing?”

“We’ll see,” Eric said.

He repeated the procedure with each of the elements that he could. A white cloudlike opinicus made of wind appeared, as did a crackling electrical one, a large chunk of stone from the floor of the ring got up and moved about. Unfortunately, there were no plants in the ring for him to use that element. But five out of six was fine.

“A good display,” Varapos said. “You’ve proven yourself a decent nature sorcerer and warrior, well done. You shall have a silver badge for nature and a steel arms belt buckle. Beast sorcery itself is tested outside the Proving Times, you will need to take the Savage Steps to earn a silver badge for Beast Sorcery.”

Eric didn’t know what the Savage Steps entailed, but it sounded dangerous. The Spell Master walked up to Eric and with a wave of his fingers telekinetically removed the bronze nature badge from his robe and replaced it with a silver one. Weldar also approached and handed him a steel belt buckle with a sword, axe, and armored boot on it. A few students clapped.

“Excellent work all of you. Now…the final event. A sorcery and weapons duel until only three remain,” Taro finished. “Add three finger sorcery suppression spells to yourselves.”

Eric put his three middle fingers to his chest and ran sorcery through them. The familiar stinging sensation filled him as he weakened his sorcery, though at least he would be able to undo it once the time came. This would allow him to use sorcery, but he wouldn’t be able to use it at its full potential. Any spells he cast would only maim rather than kill.

Varapos went around and checked all the students. Once he was satisfied their sorcery was adequately suppressed, he stepped back and raised his arms, surrounding the judge’s area with a shield of his sorcery.

“Prepare yourselves!”

Eric went back to the weapon racks in the ring and picked up his sword and shield. He put the sword in his belt, keeping his right hand open for sorcery attacks. Around Eric, the sorcerers began to mutter incantations. Tarair and the other nature sorcerers put up barriers of wind to try and protect themselves from opponents getting in close. Sight sorcerers activated their sight sorcery. Eric did the same, with both.

“Gustas gola kodu! Wind guard me!

A barrier of wind surrounded Eric. As he looked around at the sight sorcerers, Eric remembered that thanks to the headband he wore he could use that power as well.

“Viset ecu fortua.” See the future.

Eric’s gaze didn’t light up red this time. He wasn’t seeing in the dark, but rather, into the future.

“Begin!”

Eric looked around for Tarair. He wanted to defeat his rival again, to prevent him from advancing. He spotted Tarair locking blade and mace with another boy. Eric walked closer, only for one of the other participants to get in his way. Matthon Dominas, Tarair’s human friend. Panarus, all of Tarair’s cronies were protecting him!

“You’re going down today Yagaro!” Matthon said brandishing a longsword. “You may have been able to overcome Scelm and got lucky against Tarair! But I can’t let someone who has been taught by a weakling woman advance! It would look bad for the natural order!”

Eric gritted his teeth, anger sparking in him. “You think women are inferior?”

“They are weaker than us! That is a fact! We men are superior!” Matthon declared.

He raised a hand in Eric’s direction. Matthon was unable to attack him up close thanks to the barrier of wind protecting Eric. Eric raised his shield, but it didn’t put up a magical barrier like he expected as a purple beam shot toward him.

The borrowed shield shattered and Eric cursed. This one didn’t have sorcery blocking enchantments. Eric’s concentration faltered and his shield of wind dropped as well.

Now that Eric was open, Mathon charged in close. Eric dropped the handle of his broken shield, and drew the sword, barely managing to get it out in time. They clashed intensely and a new bout began.

Matthon spoke as he struck more blows, words ringing with his strikes. “A woman’s role is to feed our pleasure and bear our children, and cook and clean! We fight and protect! If they try to step out from behind our protection though, they will be hurt. We can’t have it otherwise!”

Eric grit his teeth as he backed up, out of range. “Why not? Woman may not be as strong, but strength isn’t always everything! Some men are lean and quick, like me!”

He jumped back out of range, and Matthon switched back to spells. He sent another purple beam at Eric who put a sorcery shield easily absorbed the attack. Eric then thrusted out with his palm, sending the shield flying forward. It struck with enough force to knock Matthon off his feet. Eric saw his opportunity and ran to seize it, slashing his foe across the chest before he could get up. Matthon groaned and fell, the pain enchantment on the blade making him feel as though he’d been cut from shoulder to hip.

With Matthon out of the way, Eric looked around. He saw Dargin trading poleaxe attacks with another boy, and Tarair doing the same with a swordsman. Eric smiled, now was his chance. Tarair’s back was to him, the Volk heir would have no idea what hit him. Eric grinned as he raised his free hand, taking careful aim. His sight sorcery determining the exact path to his target was an extra benefit. He saw a line going from his hand directly to Tarair and spoke the incantation.

“Litar!”

Lightning flew from Eric’s hand and caught Tarair in the back. Tarair screamed as Eric zapped him from behind with the lightning for a few seconds than closed his hand. The crowd gasped as Tarair fell to the ground, groaning. Eric relished in defeating the son of the man who’d labeled his mother as a traitor and walked forward, looking at Tarair’s opponent. The boy had blond hair and wore a dark brigandine similar to Weldar’s executioner tunic. Eric noticed the Armanos insignia on the front. Eric guessed he was Weldar’s son.

Eric was only a few steps away when-

“Eric Yagaro! You are disqualified for an illegal attack to the back while a competitor was fighting someone else!” Weldar said.

“What?” Eric exclaimed.

“Have you not read the Soron Knight’s Code, boy?” Taro Volk asked. “It is dishonorable to stab… or shoot an opponent in the back! And duels are supposed to be one on one while in competition!”

“Ah Panarus!” Eric cursed.

“You wait until two competitors are done fighting,” Taro continued. “You do not interrupt their battle. Now… off with you! How dare you attack my son like that! If you were any but the sorcerer that can kill Corgo, I would cut off your hand!”

Eric looked down to the ground in shame. He’d earned a silver badge for a power and a buckle marking him as a gifted warrior. That was a decent victory, but not enough. Eric’s anger had gotten the best of him and made him forget his honor. He would not be allowed to earn the title of War Caster tonight.

“Tarair Volk will be allowed to partake in the Demon Slaying Tonight!” Weldar declared.

Eric moved off to the side of the ring with the other defeated participants. Eric watched the remainder of the duels and was slightly happy when Dargin was one of the three still standing along with Tarair who had been healed by Varapos. That left Dargin, Tarair, and the boy he had been dueling before Eric intervened.

“Congratulations to all three of you, tonight you shall have the chance to slay a demon single handedly and prove yourselves as capable warriors deserving of prestigious titles,” Weldar said. “Let us give them a round of applause!”

The ring filled with the applause which Eric slowly joined. He slapped his hands together softly. But he was happy for Dargin.

The Blood Priest walked in front of the chosen trio and recited his blessings. “May the Protector shield you tonight when you face your demons, may the conquer give you strength to beat them, may the Lord reward you, so you may help the executioner bring them to justice. May you have the Warrior’s honor!”

“May you have the Warriors honor!” Many voices recited in return.

Everyone began to walk outside, and Eric followed. There was a loud thud as Rubara got off her hind legs and her head lowered down below the walls of the ring. As Eric got out of the tunnel, she stood there waiting for him.

“Eric, wait up!” Dargin called behind as he caught up.

Eric looked at his goblin friend who had an expression of sympathy.

“Sorry you not earn it.”

Eric sighed. “I’m so pathetic! I couldn’t save my mother! I couldn’t control my inner beast! And now I forgot the rules!”

“But you earn silver badge and buckle! You be War Caster some other time!” Dargin thumped him on the shoulder than looked back at the ring. “I can’t wait to fight demon tonight!”

Chosan emerged from the stairs leading up to the stands of the ring along with the Yagaro attendants and Dargin’s family. He looked at Eric with a frown.

“Eric, I know you don’t like the Volks, but you should know that attacking an opponent when his back is turned during a duel is frowned upon. You’re lucky this was only a competition or Taro would have used you attacking his son to draft you. Remember, he has it out for you!”

Eric nodded. Chosan then turned to Dargin.

“Well, congratulations Dargin. You’ll be knighted tonight if you can slay a demon. Speaking of which, you’ll need a sorsteel weapon for that. As well as a suit of armor. Not a good idea to go into battle without protection. We could go Soyagone, our Smith Alvan should have something you could use, or the Market Sector. But it is your choice,” he said.

The goblin thought for a moment and said, “Go to Yagaro Smith.”

They made their way to Soyagone. As they stepped inside forge, they saw Alvan pounding metal with his hammer. The clang echoed through the room. He stopped when he saw them.

“Ah! Good morrow mi Lords. How can I be of service?”

“We have a new Soron Knight about to take on a demon,” Chosan said. “He’ll need a sorsteel weapon and a suit of armor.”

“But of course, he’ll have to have the finest armor,” the Smith said with a smile. “I’d say my steel is the best in all Sortar! Except for those made by the Queen’s smith perhaps! Well, who is the knight?”

“That be me!” Dargin said coming forward.

“Right!” Alvan smiled, not seeming to care that he was selling to a goblin.

Dargin looked over a few suits of armor and picked one out. All the suits worn by knights, Soron or not, had coins embedded in their breastplates bearing the five symbols of the Battle Patrons. The wearer commonly kept the Patron they most favored in the center. Since the Yagaro’s favored the Protector, they tended to wear the shield there, but Dargin switched the shield with the sword.

“I prefer warrior.”

He didn’t take the pauldrons that came with the set, instead keeping his spiked goblin ones. Onro and Gerg (with a look of uncertainty as he approached the goblin) helped him put the armor on as it required more than one person. First, the greaves to protect the legs, then the cuirass for the upper body. Dargin put his goblin pauldrons back on his shoulders, the gorget around his neck, metal gauntlets on his hands, and heavy boots on his usually bare feet.

Once all the pieces were on his body, Dargin grinned.

“I feel like knight already!” he said.

“You could still use a helmet and cape,” said Alvan.

Dargin shook his head. “I prefer to show opponents face so they know who they fight! I a goblin so I will wear something goblin instead of human cape!”

“You might get hurt on the head! But I can’t force you to take them,” Alvan said. “Do as you will Sir Goblin. But you do need a sorsteel weapon.”

Dargin looked over the weapons in the forge. The racks holding the shining silver coated sorsteel weapons were kept on either side of a tapestry showing a horned monster being stabbed by a sparkling sword. One rack contained the more common one-handed set of weapons that the Yagaro’s traditionally used such as daggers, arming swords, war axes, and maces.

“I not use one handed weapon, prefer both hands.”

He turned over to the rack on the other side which contained two handed weapons. Battleaxes and long spears or poleaxes like his own, longswords, warhammers, even a massive greatsword.

Dargin grabbed the poleaxe for a moment, then put it back. “Can’t carry two poleaxes at once. Need something I can hold on belt or back.”

“I would suggest the longsword,” Alvan said. “Swords are the principal weapon of the Knight, Soron or not, after all.”

The goblin looked over the longswords, there were five variants, each bearing leather on their sheaths and hilts colored in the five core magic hues. Blue, green, purple, orange, and yellow. Red, of course, was reserved for members of the Royal or Holy guards and the rare sorcerer like Eric.

Dargin reached out, taking the longsword with the green leather, it reminded Eric of Orvalor’s sword. But while the Head Knight’s sword was an enchanted weapon, this blade was shining sorsteel like Eric’s. But it was only the standard variant and lacked a gem to store sorcery in on the pommel. The sword guard still held the Yagaro crest in the center though.

“Knights weapon matches first magic core, right?” Dargin asked.

Orvalor nodded.

“Traditionally, yes. If you become an officer, you get a colored cape and plume for your helm as well.”

“Right then!” Dargin said. “I’ll take this one.”

Dargin picked up the green handled sword as well as a black sword belt he found nearby. He placed his new buckle onto the belt then put the sword in the holster.

“Let me see, the cuirass is five Crowns, the sword and greaves are four each, boots are three, gloves are two, and belt is one. So that brings your total to nineteen Crowns.”

Dargin grit his teeth. “I not have that coin!”

Eric frowned. “Didn’t my uncle give you some?”

“Oh aye! I forgot!” Dargin said as he reached into his money bag, the one that Chosan gave him when he’d saved Eric and Myra.

“One, two… what after that?” Dargin asked.

Eric walked over and helped him count.

“Three, Five, Seven, Eight, Ten, Twelve!”

“Well, you’re seven Crowns short,” Alvan said. “But I can put this on collect. You will get twenty-five crowns as a prize when you slay the demon. You can pay me then.”

The armor was removed and stuffed into a pack that Dargin carried on his back. He put the sword on his belt. As they walked back to Sortar, Dargin’s mother Killara looked over her son in his sleeveless dirty shirt and torn pants.

“You will soon earn the title of Soron Knight, my son. But a knight needs more than just armor to wear. Something more than those ragged pants and shirt.”

Dargin grumbled.

“Fine, if you think.”

“A knight is an upstanding warrior. They need to look the part even when not in their armor.”

Like they had for Eric. They went to Silkas robes in the Upper Market Sector. Dargin removed his ragged clothing, and with a small frown, put on a green shirt similar to Eric’s, as well as gray pants, and black boots to cover his bare feet.

“Well, we have everything we need. Now to wait until the Proving Times tonight,” Killara said. “We’ll see you then, Lord Yagaro.”

Dargin and his family left. Eric, still lamenting getting disqualified, looked at the ground. What would his mother think now? Would she be disappointed in him?

Chosan looked at him.

“Don’t get down just because you didn’t make it this time Eric. Be happy for your friend.”

Eric didn’t reply.

“If it makes you feel better you could go and spend some time with Karia,” Chosan suggested. “She usually spends time in the library or outside the school reading.”

Eric shrugged. Seeing Karia would probably be better than nothing.

“Karia?” Rubara asked.

“Oh, that’s right you haven’t met her yet!” Chosan said to the dragon.

Eric had forgotten he’d never introduced his grandmother to Karia.

“She’s really nice, Granny Ruby. Would you like to come meet her?” he asked.

“Certainly, but only if she’s in a place with room for me. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

Eric sighed.

“Orvalor, go with Eric. If something happens you are the best knight to face a crowd of adversaries with Armybane,” Chosan said. “That way Eric will not be alone if he goes someplace you can’t Rubara.”

“Right,” the old knight said standing beside Eric.

Rubara considered the captain. “Very well, as long as he has someone looking out for him. But I’m not leaving.”

With a knight and a dragon guarding him, Eric headed back to Castle Scholar. He found Karia reading in the shade of one of the trees. She looked up from her book when he approached.

“Oh, Eric!” she exclaimed.

She noticed Orvalor and Rubara. Her golden eyes widened at the sight of the immense dragon. Rubara extended her neck and sniffed Karia who shrank back.

“It’s alright,” Eric told her. “This is my grandmother, Rubara.”

Karia looked uncertain as she looked at Rubara.

“Um, hello,” she said.

“Hello,” Rubara said. “You smell very nice. And are quite lovely.”

“T-thank you,” Karia replied with a blush. “I heard Eric had a dragon for a grandmother. He told me about you when I came for dinner,”

She then looked at Orvalor. “Sir Orvalor, is it not?”

The captain nodded. “Good day to you Miss Karia.”

Karia smiled. She looked back to Eric. “How did the Proving Times go?”

She looked at his chest and saw the new badge pinned to it.

“You got an Adepts Nature badge!” she said.

Eric nodded. “Yes, and a steel buckle too. But I didn’t advance to the final event.”

“Oh, you lost in the final round?”

“No,” Eric said. “I was disqualified for attacking Tarair Volk when his back was turned.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Karia said. “That boy is such a jerk, always boasting about himself. He’s one of those men who looks down on us girls and gives us no respect. One time he touched Belena and made her uncomfortable.”

Eric cringed. “He said he thought girls were too weak to fight when I first met him. He should treat them with more respect. That Matthon Dominas too!”

Karia smiled. “Well, you are certainly nothing like them. You’ve been nothing but nice to me, unlike Tarair, Matthon and Ritara. Those three are all so spoiled.”

Eric smiled back. “I’m glad you think well of me.”

They spent time talking, as well as reading in the library, Orvalor went inside with Eric (linking his mind with Rubara’s through illusion magic to allow her to know that Eric was safe). After that Eric invited Karia to ride on Rubara.

“Um, maybe some other time.”

All too soon the sun started to set.

“Well, I guess I better head to the ring and watch Dargin compete,” Eric said. “I don’t suppose you want to come?”

Karia shook her head. “Not really. I don’t care much for watching bloody things.”

“I understand,” Eric said. “Well, we’re going to the Silver Plate for dinner afterwards. You’d be welcome to come to that.”

Karia hesitated for a moment than giggled. “A chance to dine at the best tavern in Sortar? How can I pass up an offer like that? Alright, I’ll come to the Proving Times.”

She took his hand and they walked toward the ring where they found Chosan and the others were waiting. Dargin stood in front of the entrance to the tunnels.

“Good luck Dargin!” Eric said.

With that, he followed Chosan into the stands. Karia took the seat next to him. They looked down into the ring and saw Sir Weldar in his black executioner uniform with a basket and chopping block at his feet. Also, in the ring were several members of the Armanos house guard, black shirts covering their mail, with the white weapon emblems on their shirts. They held down three other men in ragged clothing.

“Demorian prisoners,” Chosan explained. “They will be sacrificed to summon demons in the same manner that the Demorians themselves do.”

This distressed Karia who gasped.

“A knight’s path is wrought with danger, my dear. If we do not slay some of the demons the Demorians will summon them sooner or later and they will hurt innocents,” Orvalor said.

“Welcome everyone. We are pleased to inform you that our initial events yielded us three worthy candidates today who will have a chance to earn great titles,” Weldar said. “First… Dargin of the Goblin Clan Saru!”

The gates opened and Dargin walked into the main part of the ring holding his poleaxe, the longsword in his belt. There was little applause as he entered. Silence prevailed for a few seconds, and Eric felt the need to show support.

“Come on Dargin!” he shouted with all the enthusiasm he could muster.

Dargin looked in his direction and grinned before looking at Weldar. The Arms Master beckoned the guards with the Demorian Prisoners. They seized one of them by the shoulders and dragged him before the executioner. The Demorians were all gagged to prevent them from speaking. Eric could imagine if they were able to speak, they would have said something like, “May Lord Corgo kill all of you.”

Weldar drew the dagger from his side and turned it into an axe, the crescent blades that formed the guard expanding as the handle grew. The Armanos guards bent the Demorians down so that he lay on the chopping block. Eric took a breath, preparing himself for what was to come.

He felt a hand wrap around his own. He saw it was Karia’s. Seeing the fearful look on her face, Eric gave her a light squeeze.

“Don’t look,” he told her. “Close your eyes.”

She nodded and closed her beautiful golden eyes, burying her face in his shoulder. Eric blushed at the contact and felt the urge to close his eyes as well. But taking a breath, he forced himself to look. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, then the axe came down on the Demorian’s neck with a bone cracking thud. The head was severed and fell into the basket. Eric cringed at the sight but kept his gaze on it. He watched as Weldar raised his hands, white spirit sorcery flowing through them and into the body of the Demorian. He chanted words in the Soron tongue that Eric did not know, words no doubt used by the Demorians to summon demons.

The pure white magic mixed with the blood staining the ground, and a dark mist enveloped the ring. Eric shivered as Weldar and his guards retreated to the tunnels nearby while Dargin stayed, holding his poleaxe at ready. From the mist emerged a monstrous creature and Eric felt Karia’s hand tighten.

The demon had a pair of large horns on its head, it gazed around with one large green eye that reminded Eric of Corgo. He shook as he saw this demon was much larger, but somehow not as frightening. Eric felt a chill in it’s presence, but nothing compared to the feeling akin to being frozen alive when he’d met Corgo.

“I hope these two monsters kill each other,” Grella said as she passed sweetcakes to Myra.

Eric scowled at the servant girl before looking back at the ring. Dargin readied himself, dropping into a swinging position with his poleaxe. The one-eyed demon looked around at the people in the stands before turning its gaze to Dargin and charging. The would-be Soron Knight dodged the enormous fist then swung at the monster with his axe. Eric saw the blade make contact. But there was no sound of bone breaking or even flesh being torn into.

When Dargin’s poleaxe exited the flesh of the demon, Eric gaped as he saw the axe blade was gone. Not even a mark appeared on the demon, which struck again with a roar, batting Dargin to the ground. He grunted and dropped the shaft of his now useless weapon. The goblin lay there for a moment, his armor weighing him down. The demon began to walk toward him as he lay helpless. Eric looked on in worry. The goblin then glowed green as he spoke in Soron.

“Grito kodu suprere velos e muscon!” Grant me superior speed and strength!

With his enhanced speed, Dargin managed to move out of the way of the massive foot. He looked up at the monstrosity in confusion.

“Your sword Dargin!” Eric called. “Use your sword!”

Hearing him, Dargin drew the new weapon at his hip, the one made of sorsteel that would cut demons. He griped the hilt with both hands. The one-eyed terror looked down at Dargin who let out a cry of renewed determination. He then charged forward, blade raised.

The demon growled and once again sent out an enormous fist down to crush Dargin. But the goblin moved past the fist and underneath the demon, slashing at the back of its leg. Slimy One Eye (Eric silently named the demon) roared in pain and collapsed. Dargin walked around so that he faced his foe in the face before driving his blade into the monster’s throat. It gagged and fell facedown onto the ground.

The goblin stood over the demon’s body which lay there for a moment before disintegrating. Only its two large horns were left behind. It was over, the demon was dead.

Eric grinned and raised a pair of fists. “Yes!”

More cheers erupted from the stands. Eric looked around and saw everyone nearby doing the same except for Karia and Grella.

Weldar came back into the ring again.

“Very good! Though we must all remember that a weapon coated in silver is the only physical weapon that can harm the demons of Panarus! Something made of iron or steel might as well be a dull blade against these monstrosities. Do not fight with something that shan’t cut!”

Dargin picked up the handle of his now useless poleaxe with a sad expression. He walked back into the tunnel from whence he came. Then, Tarair emerged. The Volk heir had dressed in the style of the War Caster, a yellow robe covering his body though he’d left it open in the middle to reveal the chainmail underneath, a set of five gems on the chest. While commoner candidates could wear capes or robes bearing their city symbols colors, those who were of noble birth would automatically get the colored clothes to show their status. Tarair carried a rectangular shield with the Volk V in his left hand. The ritual was repeated, and another demon was summoned. This time it was a fire demon. Its very skin burned orange and black, getting close to that would come at risk of getting burned.

As the fire demon gazed down at Tarair, Eric expected he would draw the sword at his hip, but instead the Volk heir simply raised his free hand. The gems on his breastplate glowed as he called extra sorcery from them. A spear of white light materialized in his grasp. Spirit magic, the kind that could work on all demons. Tarair launched the spear, striking the burning demon in the head. The spirit spear exploded in a blinding flash which forced Eric to shield his eyes. When he looked, he saw the demon’s head had been blown off. Moments later the rest of its body disintegrated like the last one.

Eric could hardly believe his eyes. Tarair had taken down the fire demon in one strike! There was far more applause around the ring this time.

The last participant, Scago, who had been Tarair’s opponent before Eric intervened came out, he wielded a sorsteel spear like Orvalor. For a third and final time, a Demorian was sacrificed by Weldar to bring a demon. Like last time it was a nature demon, but with rock hard skin.

From the look of it, the demon’s own body was too heavy for it to move quickly like the one that faced Dargin. Scago meanwhile, charged in with the silver end of his spear. He thrusted at one of the stone legs, but the spear didn’t penetrate the living mountain. The leg Scago had struck came up and went back down onto the young warrior before he could recover from the surprise.

“No! Son!” Weldar cried.

Karia whimpered beside Eric and buried her face in his shoulder again. He felt utter shock at the sight of the demon killing the boy. He hadn’t known Scago but it was still tragic to see such an end. Worse still, he had been the one that allowed Scago to partake in this final event. Both he and Tarair had passed because Eric interrupted their duel. He felt a chill at that thought.

The stone demon looked around at the people in the stands, growling. It walked over to a seating platform near the Yagaro family and Karia. Chosan got to his feet, as did everyone else, Eric watched his uncle raise his sorcerer staff, directing it at the demon. It’s hard hand which would have crushed the platform met a purple barrier instead.

“You monster!” Weldar shouted at it from inside the tunnel. “Let me go!”

“You must not go out there, Sir Weldar! This is for young warriors to prove themselves!”

Eric couldn’t see, but he guessed Weldar’s men were restraining him.

Barriers appeared throughout the stands to defend the spectators. Then Taro Volk’s voice rose above the demon’s growls.

“Are there any young warriors who would like a chance to slay this demon, earn a title for themselves and avenge Scago?”

Eric felt his heart leap as he heard that. This could be his chance to become a War Caster even though he’d been eliminated out in the final preliminary round! He looked from the demon to the boy who had been crushed, and he immediately thought of his mother. Eric’s face twisted in rage as he took a deep breath and ran ahead, jumping out of the stand.

“Eric!” Both Karia and Chosan screamed.

“Gustas!”

Eric pointed his hands to the ground, cushioning the fall and landing softly. The demon gazed around at the stands, looking for an opening in the magic shields. Eric could tell that a weapon would be impractical. Even though demons were vulnerable to silver this one had hard skin. But Eric knew another weakness it had by nature. Stone could be broken with lightning, and Eric could use that since he had nature sorcery. It occurred to him to attack while the demon was distracted, but that would have been against the code of stabbing a foe in the back. He had to do this fairly.

“Hey!” he yelled. “Down here you Killer Rock!”

The demon he’d just named looked at him. Killer Rock growled and began to take heavy steps toward him.

Eric raised his hands, gathering sorcery.

“Litar Matan!”

Just like he had against Tarair, bolts of lightning shot from his hands. This time however, it was from both and at full power. The demon roared, his leg heating and cracking under the superheat. Soon the leg broke and the rock demon fell over just as Slimy One Eye did. Eric closed his hands for the moment, ceasing the lightning. He then moved in to finish the monstrosity with a point-blank attack to the face.

“Kill it! Kill it!” Many voices rang out from the stands above.

This was his chance. By slaying a demon, he’d become a full War Caster. Eric aimed both hands at its face with a grin.

“Stop!” a single voice called out. “Don’t do it, Eric!”

It was Karia that spoke, she looked down at him with desperate eyes.

“Let me do it!”

A sphere of orange light appeared around her and she levitated down in the main ring. There were gasps of confusion from the crowd as a girl entered.

“Does she want to be a Maiden of Mayhem?” someone asked in the stands. Eric could hear them.

“What are you waiting for? Kill it!” Weldar shouted from within the tunnel.

Karia walked over to Killer Rock. She extended her hands towards it.

“Spira Soron Morsu wi Iluka. Le mi en demas menta.”

Spirit sorcery merge with illusion. Let me in this demon’s mind.

There were a few gasps from the crowd again as they recognized the words as well. Eric looked at Karia, wondering what she could possibly accomplish by going into a demon’s mind.

“Oh, just finish it!” Weldar demanded.

Eric stood there looking at Karia who remained motionless. He wasn’t an expert on illusion magic, but he knew that if the demon were harmed while Karia’s mind was inside it, she would be harmed as well.

“I’ll do it myself!” the executioner cried in rage as he managed to free himself. He stepped into the ring again and advanced toward Killer Rock.

“Don’t you dare!” Eric put himself between the demon and the vengeful father. “My friend is inside its mind. I won’t let you harm her!”

The executioner looked at him fiercely. Eric had a feeling that soon he would attack. But before that could happen, there was a sound behind him. The stone demon was glowing white, then it shrunk, its stone body turned to a ghostly corporeal form in the shape of a human. Karia suddenly moved again. The white figure that took the demon’s place looked at her as she let out several deep breathes.

“Go. Find peace in Spirakus,” she said.

The figure bowed to her. “Thank you.”

The purified soul looked at Scago’s corpse, a look of remorse on his face as he vanished. For a moment there was silence. Then there was a sound from the crowd, but it wasn’t applause.

“Boo!”

They began pointing at Karia, some even threw fruit at her. She yelped as an apple hit her.

“Hey, stop it!” Eric yelled, getting in front of her and receiving a few thrown fruits. “Ow! Ow!”

The gates on the side opened and Taro Volk reentered the ring. He looked at Karia.

“You girl! How dare you! You interfered with the selection of a new warrior! Not only that, you changed the will of the gods! The Great Decider judged that that soul be sent to Panarus for its crimes! You have no right to interfere! And you!” he pointed at Eric. “You were discharged from the final round!”

“You said anyone who could slay that demon would become a War Caster!” Eric countered.

Taro huffed. “I should have been clear. One who was not dishonorably discharged. You will have to wait until the next Proving Times or when you slay a demon on the battlefield to earn a title. As for you,” he pointed at Karia. “You shall-“

“Enough!” a strong female voice called from the top of the stands. Queen Razana appeared looking down on her subjects from where she sat at the top. “The demon has been dealt with. That should be enough. True the girl altered the course set by the Patrons, but she follows the way of the Smiling God, not the Battle Patrons. The girl helped eliminate a threat, she should not be punished for that. I forbid it!”

Taro and Weldar both frowned at Karia but were unable to defy the Queen. Eric walked over to her side.

“Come on, let’s get back up,” he said.

Eric reached out toward the stand above the row where Chosan stood looking down at them. A red sorcery arm flew from his hand and took hold of the railing. Eric took Karia by the waist, then jumped while drawing his sorcery back in, pulling Karia and himself back up to their seats. They landed on the stands and retook their seats as Tarair and Dargin came back into the ring for their promotion.

“Well, we do not have three new warriors this Proving Times. But two is better than none,” Taro Volk said. “And there are three less demons for the Demorians to serve and fight with thanks to these two.” He gestured to Tarair and Dargin.

And Karia. Eric thought.

Taro drew his sword and held it high. Tarair and Dargin bowed.

“It is my pleasure to grant you, my son, the rank of War Caster,” Taro held his sword above Tarair’s head and then went on to Dargin. “And you, Dargin of the Saru Clan, the title of Soron Knight. Do you swear to live your lives by the ancient warrior principles and fight for the good of this kingdom?”

“Until the end father,” Tarair said.

“I will gladly fight!” Dargin said. “I shall never turn away from a challenge!”

Taro drew out a pair of new badges from his pocket and handed them to each boy.

“Rise! Knight and Caster of the Sorcerer Kingdom!” Taro said.

Cheers rang across the entire area, quickly followed by loud clapping. Eric grinned. Dargin had achieved his dream. The stands emptied out, Eric, Karia, and Chosan all went to meet Dargin as he exited the ring.

“Congratulations, Dargin,” Eric said. “You got your dream.”

The goblin nodded. “Thanks to you.”

“This mean we’re even for those times you saved my life?” Eric asked.

Dargin chuckled. “Yes. Though, I not want our partnership to end. You’ve been good friend since I met you. We’ve sparred together, gone dragon riding, fought side by side. Because of you I Soron Knight. It would be honor to continue to serve at your side. I would to be your vassal if you have me. Upon honor, I would fight alongside you, help you in your quest to take down the most powerful demon.”

Eric gasped, taken aback for a moment. But as he thought back to those times as well, how Dargin had saved Myra and him when they first met, as well as in the Goblin Tunnels, he couldn’t deny that he liked having the goblin by his side.

So, he smiled. “I accept your offer Dargin!”

“Sir Dargin! I a knight now!”

“Right. I accept your offer, Sir Dargin!” Eric corrected himself.

Eric extended his hand; Dargin grinned and shook it firmly. Eric now had his own Soron Knight bodyguard.