The Third Red 1: The Enemy Within

Chapter Nineteen The FesitvalThey walked to Heroes Home where the Silver Plate Inn was located. As they walked, Dargin’s younger brothers argued. They reminded Eric of the Bear Boys.

“Dargin make me his Lend Hand!”

“No, me! I’m the older!”

“Agos! Agon, enough!” Killara said to her two younger sons. “Dargin will take a Lend Hand he chooses when he chooses.”

They entered the Silver Plate. It was filled with tables topped with fine cloths and silverware. Eric also saw Karia’s friend Belena who served food to the tables.

“Belena!” Karia called to her friend.

“Oh, Karia! I did not expect to see you here!” Belena said, before looking at Eric and giving Karia a smile. “Oh, with Lord Eric, I see.”

“Hello, Belena,” Eric said.

She curtsied, “Lord Eric.”

“Ah! Lord Chosan!” the man who must have been Belena’s father at the bar called. “Good to see you again, my Lord!”

“You as well Jonac,” Chosan replied.

“How many are we seating tonight my lord?” Jonac asked.

“Let me see,” Chosan looked around, counting up the group that consisted of himself, Eric, Karia, Dargin, the eight Presteegs, Lilar, and four goblins. “Eighteen.”

“We’ll get our own table, Lord Chosan,” Killara said.

The innkeeper looked at the goblins with uncertainty.

“They will cause no trouble,” Chosan assured him.

Eric sat with Chosan, Karia and Dargin. The Presteegs and Dargin’s family each went to their own tables. As he looked at the Presteegs, Eric caught Rikal staring at Belena as the girl continued to serve food and drinks.

“So how does it feel to be a Soron Knight now, Sir Dargin?” Chosan asked.

“I feel thrill!” Dargin grinned. “Now I get chance to fight strong enemies! That demon strong, I hope to fight more!”

Karia cringed. “You nearly got killed! Scago did get killed!”

“He died because he not strong,” Dargin said. “Strong survive, weak perish.”

“That’s cruel,” Karia said.

“It true,” Dargin retorted. “Ain’t that right, Eric?”

Eric hesitated. He couldn’t deny that it was the way of the world for the strong to survive. As in nature, predators preyed upon the weak. But in war it was different, the Demorians and the demons they served were evil, looking to cause pain and suffering for nothing but their own satisfaction. Eric remembered Corgo’s evil laughter when he hurt Rubara. That monster enjoyed seeing his grandmother in pain. It was sadism, pure and simple.

Eric sighed. “It’s true that the strong survive and the weak may perish. But the strong can also protect the weak. That’s one of your duties as a Soron Knight now Dargin. Protect people from evil like the Demorians.”

Dargin shrugged and grunted.

“But are we really any different from the Demorians?” Karia asked. “Onro was nearly executed for Spirakus’s sake!”

“War can leave great scars on all sides,” Chosan said.

“But some of us act no better than the Demorians!” Karia said. “Like Taro Volk, trying to kill Onro was not right! Things need to change. We need to change.”

“And how do we do that, Karia?” Eric asked.

“Have us surrender to enemy?” Dargin guessed.

“No, of course not!” Karia said, shooting the goblin a glare. “But…maybe we could befriend some of them.”

Belena came to them with a tray full of waterglasses that she passed out to each of them. As Eric looked behind her, he saw her father Jonac looking in Karia’s direction with a frown, as though he disapproved of what she’d said.

Chosan, meanwhile chuckled. “Most Demorians would try to capture a beautiful young sorceress like you on sight. You’d probably have to be very lucky.”

Soon the meal arrived as well. They stepped out feeling famished.

“Oh! I can’t recall the last time I ate so well,” Karia said. “I best get home!”

She made to walk south.

“Wait!” Chosan said. “Sorceress or not a young girl like you shouldn’t wander through Sortar after dark.”

He was right. Eric recalled the Dishonored.

“Let me take her home Chosan,” Eric volunteered.

“If you are going with her, so am I,” Rubara said. “I can fly her home quickly.”

Eric forced a smile. He’d actually hoped to enjoy a stroll with Karia alone.

“Um… alright I suppose,” Karia said.

Eric climbed onto Rubara’s back, helping Karia up. He wrapped the straps around her waist. Karia seemed nervous as she looked at the back of Rubara’s neck.

“First time flying?” Eric guessed as he finished strapping her up.

She nodded.

“Not too fast Granny Ruby!” He told her as he strapped himself up as well.

Once he was done, the dragon flapped her wings and they ascended into the sky.

“Oh!” Karia grasped Eric’s arm.

“Hey-hey it’s okay!” Eric said as his chest seemed to tense up. He reached over with his other hand and took one of Karia’s to calm her.

The ride didn’t last long as Rubara flew them straight to her house in Peasant’s Peace. The dragon barely fit in the narrow street between the many houses when she landed. Karia let out a deep breath.

“Well, that was a bit scary at first,” she said.

“You just need to get used to it,” Eric said.

She giggled. “My friends will be so jealous when they hear I flew on a dragon!”

Eric climbed down the ladder first and escorted Karia to the door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at the festival, won’t I?” she asked.

Eric sighed. “I’m not sure.”

She looked at him. “Don’t worry, you’ll be a War Caster soon, I know it. There’s always next time.”

Karia opened the door and entered her house, giving Eric a smile as she closed it slowly. Eric walked back to Rubara and climbed up the ladder into her saddle. The dragon rose above the walls of Sortar once again and headed straight to Soyagone, landing on her island.

“Good night, Granny Ruby,” Eric said as he got off.

“Love you, little one.”

Eric would have normally said Love you too. But after having Rubara follow him around all day he couldn’t bring himself to. He climbed to his tower, changed into his nightclothes and went to bed. He looked at the ink drawing of Corgo on the wall just before he did so.

“I may not be a full War Caster yet. But I will become one someday. And you will pay,” he pointed at the painting.

Tomorrow, he’d be at a festival. If only he’d gotten the title today, he might be able to enjoy it. He blew out the candle by his bed and set his head down on the pillow, for a moment everything seemed normal as he began to fall asleep. Then out of nowhere intense pain shot through his skull. He yelled and grabbed his head, sitting up.

“Arrgh! Arrgh!”

The awful feeling remained for perhaps a few seconds. But then, as quickly as it came, it was gone. He took a few breaths of relief then figured a certain someone must have caused that.

“What did you do that for, Clauwing?” Eric asked angrily.

Do what? The inner opinicus asked.

“Cause me pain just now? You agreed not to possess me.”

Wasn’t me. But the tree here in your mind is getting bigger.

“Hmph!” Eric shrugged.

Eric didn’t care about some tree in a wasteland in his mind. All that mattered was he had failed to become a War Caster today. If he’d not let his anger toward the Volks drive him to shooting Tarair in the back, he might have been one of the victors tonight and Scago would still be alive. He imagined Taro Volk holding his sword above Eric’s head and granting him the title, then saying Margery was not a traitor. Though that was probably wishful thinking. Eric sighed as his mother’s face appeared in his mind’s eye again. Then he recalled the nightmare where she called him a failure. He shivered, almost wishing not to go to sleep for fear he might relive that nightmare.

But he did have one. Not the one with Margery, but a terrible one nonetheless.

He was inside Rayzar’s Ring. Taro Volk and Sir Weldar standing there with him.

“You want to become a War Caster? Here is the demon you must face!”

A Demorian prisoner was sacrificed to summon a demon that turned out to be Corgo.

“Strike me!” the bat said with an evil grin.

“Eric, you can do it!” a familiar voice said.

Eric looked up and saw his mother in the stands, with Chosan and Karia. Rubara’s head peered over the wall as she looked over the top of the Ring down at him.

“You need my help little one?” his grandmother asked.

“N-no! I can take him!” Eric said without much certainty.

Corgo laughed and flew at Eric, grabbing holding of him.

“Arrgh!” Eric screamed as Corgo flew off with him.

“I’m coming little one!” Rubara said flapping her wings and taking off after him as they rose high above Sortar.

Or what should have been Sortar. The city was nowhere to be seen. Instead, there were two areas of light and dark, with a gray circle in the middle. Eric felt Corgo release him, he fell toward the gray, landing with a grunt. He got up and looked around. In the white area he saw Karia, Dargin, and Myra. Corgo meanwhile in the dark area.

“You have to make a choice!” the demon said. “Me or your friends!”

Eric looked back and forth between the two paths.

“Eric!”

Something red and blue flew at him.

Eric awoke with a start. He took several deep breathes, looking around. “Just a bad dream. Thanks for getting me out of there, Clauwing.”

You’re welcome. Though I wonder if it was merely a dream.

Eric wasn’t certain. He lay his head back down, fatigue overwhelming any curiosity he had. He fell back asleep and rested till morning came. Eric got up and stretched then walked down the stairs as per the new usual routine. Today, though, as he reached the bottom, there was something… or rather someone new waiting for the chance to ambush him.

“He-yah!”

“Oh!”

Eric found himself pinned against the wall. Dargin had tackled him in the hallway before the next flight of stairs to the ground floor. Since he’d sworn allegiance to Eric, the new Soron Knight had taken up residence at Soyagone in the room nearest to Eric.

“Morrow Eric!” Dargin grinned at him with sharp teeth.

The Yagaro heir tried to break free but his new bodyguard was unbelievably strong.

“Morrow! Hey, you’re supposed to be guarding me! Not hurting me!” Eric grunted.

“Eh! I just having fun!” Dargin said as he released Eric.

They went to the Great Hall for breakfast then to the bathhouse with Chosan and changed into their more elaborate tunics. Eric the red and gold, and Dargin the outfit he’d been given yesterday. Not wanting to take chances, Eric also grabbed his sword, dagger, and shield should the need arise for him to defend himself. Chosan brought several bags of gold for the festival so they could buy items. Everyone else dressed formally as well. The knights of the Presteeg family all discarded their armor for fine tunics but kept their weapons close by. Myra wore the same frilly dress she had during the welcome party.

Eric smiled at her. “That dress really suits you I think.”

“Thank you,” she said, seeming to blush a bit.

As he looked at the girl, Eric felt a sudden tinge that had nothing to do with his loss from yesterday. The memory of hitting her flashed through his mind. She understood that it was not his fault now, but Eric couldn’t help feeling responsible nonetheless. There had to be something he could do for her… a gift he could give her. He’d never be able to forgive himself until he gave something to her.

“Well, shall we?” Chosan asked.

“We shall,” several voices said in response.

Eric, Dargin, Chosan and the Presteegs all walked outside. When they came into the front grounds, Eric saw Rubara waiting.

“You’re coming too?” Eric asked.

“Of course, little one.”

Eric frowned at her. “Granny, you don’t need to call me little one! I’m not a little kid anymore!”

“You’ll always be one of my little ones,” she retorted with a smile.

Eric grimaced. “You don’t need to follow me! It’s a festival! What could happen?” he asked.

“A lot actually,” Orvalor said to Eric’s dismay. “Holidays like this are when people bring out most of their money to buy rare items coming through Sortar. More than a few thieves might try to take advantage of this and pick your pockets. Better guard your belt sack well.”

“Well, they won’t be robbing you,” Rubara said. “Not while I’m around.”

Eric sighed.

Having Rubara with them turned out to be a problem. The streets of the Market Sector were absolutely crowded. Merchants from around the kingdom were there, escorted by soldiers and knights Eric had never seen before. He could however guess where they were from by the banners they carried, some even shouted where their goods were from.

“Try on our necklaces and rings, mined and crafted in Diamare. No one crafts better than the city of the rich!”

“Come help yourself to a fine cactus soup! Will cool you down even in the Hefara Desert.”

“Animals! Both young and old from Beastival! No beast sorcerer should be without a companion! Even if you’re not born with beast sorcery you are always welcome to get the animal!”

Eric looked over in that direction and saw a variety of animals, both normal and magical. Many of them were young, though there were full-grown ones as well. The animals looked at Rubara with fearful expressions.

“Oh look, an elephant!” Myra said, pointing.

Following her finger, Eric saw a mother elephant and its calf. Eric noticed that the elephant seemed to have battle wounds all over its body. Scars on the thick hide and one eye was missing. Eric felt a surge of pity for the creature. It reminded him of dragon hunting and his promise to end the suffering of the dragons at the hands of sorcerers.

“Poor thing,” he said. “I hope it wasn’t abused.”

Myra put a hand over her mouth. “Oh, I hope not. Umm… Lord Chosan, could I have an elephant? It’s the animal whose month I was born in.”

Chosan nodded. “Aye, we did bring gold for buying things after all. But I believe it’s up to your parents.”

He looked at Vikal and Lorala.

“I say no!” Lorala said. “She’s been a very bad girl lately!”

“Aye, she has,” Vikal agreed. “Trying to learn what she shouldn’t. But she might need a big animal to protect her. I say get her an elephant.”

“As you say my love,” Lorala said in a sarcastic tone.

Chosan walked up to the beast vendor. “How much for that young elephant there?”

“Oh, those are big beasts. Usually, I would say fifty crowns for a grown one and half that for a calf,” the vendor said. “But I’d going to offer you a deal today. This elephant lost its master to a group of bandits months ago. It’s been through a lot and I’m reluctant to separate it from its calf. I hope to find a good home to the both of them, and the Yagaros are probably the best I could hope for”

“Oh, that’s a pity about how much they’ve been through,” Chosan said. “How much for the both of them?”

“I offer a good deal of sixty crowns!”

That was more than twice the price Dargin had paid for his armor and sword! Not surprising though given how big elephants were. But it was certainly better than seventy-five crowns.

Chosan stroked his beard in thought. “That seems a good deal. I’ll take it. You can count on the Yagaros to give these two a good home.”

Gilber and Gerg got off their cart and brought a few coin purses up. The vendor counted it out.

“Thank you very much!” he said as he finished. “Please take care of them.”

The mother elephant had to be coaxed out of its pen to meet Myra. She was clearly afraid of Rubara.

And it should be afraid of us as well. Clauwing’s voice said in Eric’s head.

“You behave yourself now!” Eric said.

“What?” Myra asked, looking at him.

“Not you! Him!” Eric pointed to his head.

“Oh!” Myra understood he meant Clauwing. “Yes, you stay away from my elephants you evil opinicus!” She glared at Eric, though her words were clearly meant for Clauwing.

Evil seems a bit harsh. Clauwing lamented.

“Can’t blame her since you hit her,” Eric reminded him.

The mother elephant finally came forward and looked at Myra.

“Hello!” the girl greeted.

“This will be your new owner Trupa!” the vendor said handing the rope around the elephant’s neck to Myra who smiled.

“Hello Trupa.”

The elephant flapped her ears. Her large eyes seeming to brighten as Myra stroked her. Eric did the same. The skin was rough, though not as much as Rubara’s scales.

Eric saw the many battle scars on the animal. “You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?” he asked her.

Trupa turned to him then spoke in a sniffling voice. “Yes!”

Eric looked at her sadly. “I’m sorry. Don’t worry. You’re with us now. We’ll take care of you.”

“And my baby?” she asked looking at her calf.

“Yes,” Eric promised with.

“What’s she saying?” Myra asked, not understanding since she didn’t have beast sorcery or any items that gave it.

“Asking if we’ll take care of her baby too.”

“Of course, we will,” Myra said as she made her way to the baby as well.

The larger elephant snorted and blocked Myra’s path.

“Slower,” Eric instructed his cousin.

Myra walked slowly around Trupa and held a hand out to the baby elephant. The calf took her hand in its trunk. Then both were escorted to Soyagone by some of the servants. Walking further down the line of animals Eric soon found some-

“Eggs!”

He looked over them, hoping to find an opinicus. But there were none.

“Sorry young Lord, we don’t have any opinicus eggs. The griffon is more revered. It shouldn’t be a problem for you to substitute though,” another beast vendor said.

That didn’t sit well with a certain someone.

No griffins! Clauwing said. Those stuck-up birds think they’re all high and mighty.

Eric shook his head. “Thanks, but I think it would best to stick with precisely the beast I’m born with.”

Rubara laughed. “Why get a new beast at all? You have me, and I’m much bigger than an opinicus or griffin.”

Eric looked at his grandmother.

“Beast sorcery becomes more powerful when a beast sorcerer has an animal companion.”

“You can never have too many friends!” Chosan said.

“I’m far more capable of protecting you than a mere horse. They would not rush to your side as I would. Those overgrown deer would simply stand by if you were in danger. They only help you when you are riding them. I would come anytime,” Rubara replied.

“I know Granny Ruby,” Eric said with his mouth, while his mind thought But I don’t need you following me around everywhere.

“Well, is there anything anyone else wants?” Chosan asked.

Dargin spoke now, “I need new poleaxe. Other one lost blade on demon.”

They headed over to Smith Street where Dargin purchased a new poleaxe in much better condition than his old one. He still had a crowns from slaying the demon last night.

“Remember, only use sorsteel weapons against demons,” Orvalor advised Dargin who nodded.

As they left Smith Street, Chosan offered a suggestion, “Well, why don’t we go to the Happy Hall! I think Karia mentioned she was going to be singing there last night. That should be mighty good.”

Eric nodded. He would like to see Karia again. They walked south to Savior’s Square where Happy Hall was located. But as the building came into view, Rubara put a wing out in front of Eric.

“Oh no!” she said. “You are not going anywhere I can’t fit in!”

“What? But you said I could go as long as I had other protection!” Eric reminded her.

“We have plenty of guards,” Chosan said trying to assure her.

“No! You were nearly killed by a demon last night when you jumped in that arena!” Rubara said, seeing to ignore reason.

Eric’s mouth fell open at the absurd and completely false statement.

“Nearly killed? That demon didn’t even put a scratch on me! I would have destroyed it if Karia hadn’t cleansed its soul!”

“I don’t care, I’m not going to let you go anywhere I can’t fit from now on!” Rubara said.

Eric grimaced. What had gotten into her. She’d always been protective but not like this!

“I’ve had absolutely enough of you getting into danger! You are not going in there!”

“Rubara, please don’t anything troubling!” Chosan started.

The dragon just growled in response, silencing Chosan. Lilar stepped forward.

“Don’t growl at Lord Chosan!”

“You stay with me, Eric.” Rubara said, ignoring the soldier.

Eric looked at his grandmother, the dragon he’d felt could always protect him. But now, her protection was the last thing he wanted.

Get away. His brain seemed to tell him. Go in.

“No!” Eric said to Rubara. “You’re going to far! I was the one that nearly killed the demon last night not the other way around! I’m going in to watch Karia perform!”

“Come back here!” she exclaimed

Eric ran into the theater, thinking that since Rubara was too big that it would prevent her from coming in. He turned and looked back, thinking he was out of her reach.

But she lunged at the building!

Eric’s mouth fell open in complete surprise. A crash sounded as the dragon broke through the small opening with ease, breaking the second floor full of the seats above. People seated up there fell out of their chairs.

“Granny Ruby no!” Eric shouted.

Too late. Rubara was already making her way in after him. The sudden sight of a dragon breaking into the theater caused many to scream and panic. They must have thought Rubara was attacking! They dashed for the other exits, soon there was no one left in the theater, only Karia and her friends on the stage in the back. They stood in shock for a moment. Then the building began to shake.

“Run!” Nedela shouted.

And everyone else ran out of Happy Hall as it collapsed.

“Is everyone alright?” Karia asked looking around.

There appeared to be no injuries, everyone made it out in time. But Eric still felt a bit guilty.

“I’m sorry Karia, I didn’t expect my grandmother to do that.”

Karia glared at him, an expression that caused Eric a pain nearly as bad as losing his mother. “Go away, I can’t talk to you right now. This place is special… to all of us!”

She turned away and began walking.

“Karia!” Eric exclaimed.

“I’m sorry Eric, but I need to be alone right now!” she said as she walked.

Eric looked after her for a moment then rounded on Rubara who had managed to pull herself out of the building before it collapsed as well.

“Now look what you’ve done!” he said.

“I’m sorry little one!” Rubara said. “I’m just trying to make sure you are safe!”

Eric had never thought he could be angry with Rubara, but he was now. “You just upset one of my friends! I don’t need you to protect me all the time! I’m not a little boy anymore!”

“But you get in danger almost every time you leave the castle!” Rubara pointed out. “It makes me feel as though I’m not doing a good job protecting you!”

“Well, your protection caused more harm just now!” Eric snapped. “You ruined Karia’s play and now she’s mad at me! I got to find her and try and make things right!”

“You want me to come with you?” Dargin asked.

Eric shook his head. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. I think I’ve had enough protection for one day.”

Eric followed in the direction Karia had walked, hoping to reach her and make things alright somehow, maybe he could offer to pay the repairs for the hall. He sniffed the air, catching her sweet scent. He spotted her heading toward the South Gate. But she wasn’t alone. A figure in a yellow robe seemed to be following her.

Eric trailed after them, a haunting feeling in his chest. The robed figure slowly caught up with Karia, then grabbed her from behind as she almost reached the gate. She let out a yelp as he pressed her against the wall.

“You’ve done something that’s gotten you into quite a bit of trouble beautiful,” the robed figure said as he turned her toward him.

That voice…

Karia’s eyes widened saw under the hood.

“Tarair!”

Eric’s face twisted in anger, his suspicions confirmed.

“That’s Lord Tarair to you my dear. But you are right,” the Volk heir said. “I heard a tip off you said we should make friends with the Demorians? That sort of talk is the kind of thing that could get you into trouble you know.”

Eric remembered Karia talking about that just last night when they had been at the Silver Plate. Someone there must have tipped off the Volks! But who? One of the Yagaro’s own men? Or a patron? Belena or her father Jonac? Eric pushed the idea away, it didn’t matter right now.

“Fortunately for you, I’ve convinced my father to let me handle this,” Tarair said. “If you were to say… kiss me… I might be willing to forgive this transgression.”

Karia’s face twisted up in disgust, as did Eric’s. He watched his rival’s hand travel behind Karia’s back down to her-

“Aah! Get off!” she screamed.

Then slapped him across the face. Tarair grunted.

“Oh, you’re in trouble now! You could have gotten off easy. But now we’re doing things the hard way!”

He pressed a hand glowing with sorcery to Karia’s chest, performing a suppression spell to prevent her from casting spells. She shrieked in pain. Tarair then hoisted her up over his shoulder.

“Arrgh!” she screamed. “Help!”

“Gustas levras kodu!” Tarair said in Soron. Eric knew it meant, Wind raise me.

Tarair flew up with Karia who whimpered as she saw the ground get further away. Tarair landed at the top of the wall, still holding Karia.

“Let me go!” she shouted, kicking and punching on his shoulder, but to no avail.

Eric grunted as he watched his rival spirit away his friend. Channeling sorcery through his body down into his legs, he called up on his Greater Body.

“Grito kodu suprere velos!” Grant me greater speed.

His legs glowed, and Eric took off. He sprinted through Savior’s Square, looking for some stairs that would lead him to the top. He found them and climbed up as fast as he could. He saw Volkaron, the castle on the front in the south. Continuing to channel sorcery into his legs, Eric sprinted down the wall towards to it.

Saviors Square was far away from Volkaron, but Eric eventually reached it, panting hard and the first of his sorcery cores depleted. As he got near the entrance, a pair of Volk soldiers cried out, “Halt!”

Eric didn’t listen. He passed through the gap between them and entered the grounds of Volkaron. With one glance he could tell this was not a big castle. While Soyagone was square with four equally sized walls, Volkaron was rectangular and only as long as one of those sides. It was also not nearly as elaborate. Chosan kept a garden around their castle to grow food and decoration. The Volks had no plants or a garden of any kind, just bare gray stone stretching along the entirety of the castle. Two pointed towers stretched into the sky, barracks surrounded the castle, more soldiers and Soron Knights covered the area. Despite today being a time for celebration they were training hard, and ferociously. Many of them yelled as they struck at each other, and some lay on the sides with injures. For a moment, they were unaware of his presence.

“Halt! How dare you enter Volkaron without permission!”

The two soldiers Eric had forced his way past came behind him. Eric turned to face his pursuers.

“I’m Eric Yagaro, here to see Taro Volk!” he stated.

The soldier’s look softened as he realized who he was dealing with. “Fine. Young Lord Tarair just arrived with a girl that crossed him, please wait until-“

“The girl didn’t cross Tarair! He crossed her!”

Eric walked to where the soldier pointed. Only a single door was on the front of the castle, but in front of it stood Taro Volk. At his side was a Soron Knight with an orange feather protruding from the top of his helm, a captain. Facing the two were Tarair and Karia who was still being restrained.

“Here’s the girl that was speaking out against us, father!” Tarair said. “She said we are no better than the Demorians!”

“She dares to say such things, does she?” Taro looked at Karia furiously.

“Yes, I do!” Karia said. “The way you cut up people who’ve been captured by the Demorians is barbaric! You should be saving them!”

“Save them? They are traitors who allowed themselves to end up in the hands of the enemy. Better to break a sword than let it be wielded by a foe.”

“People are not weapons!”

“They are in this war!” Taro said. “Now for saying these things and slapping my son you are hereby sentenced to six months of unpaid servant work in our household!”

“Wait!” Eric yelled, anger in his voice as he ran up to them. “Tarair is lying! Karia slapped him in self-defense!”

“Well well, Eric Yagaro,” Taro said, sounding pleased. “Surprise seeing you here.”

Eric just frowned at him.

“What do you mean self-defense? You dare accuse my son of attacking a girl?”

“He was touching her!” Eric told the Volk Lord. “Running his hands all over her when she didn’t want it!”

Taro shook his head, smiling and chuckling. “I don’t believe you.”

“I saw it!” Eric stated. “I can’t lie!”

“Are there any trustworthy people who saw the incident?” Taro asked, ignoring him. “I can’t take the word of a traitor’s son alone.”

Eric’s face scrunched up in anger. Taro insulted his mother and Tarair treated Karia like a possession without feelings.

“No,” he admitted through gritted teeth. “I was the only witness.”

Taro scoffed. “Well… there’s nothing you can do to prove this girl’s innocence. Except… Truth by Battle.”

Eric knew what Truth by Battle was. A system in which two opposing parties who told different stories had to fight when neither of them could support their claim in a crime.

“If you win, the girl goes free,” Taro said. “If you lose, she comes to my castle to serve her sentence and you shall join my personal recruits.”

Eric realized this was what Taro had been hoping for. He didn’t care about justice, he just wanted to get Eric under his control.

“Eric don’t!” Karia said. “I’ll be fine!”

“I’m not going to leave you to slave for a crime you didn’t commit!” Eric told her before turning back to Taro. “I’ll do it.”

“Very good then,” Taro said, pleased. “Get the dueling weapons!”

One of the Volk soldiers walked over to the barracks. He returned with a pair of swords, one he handed to Eric. The blade itself was not sharp, but seeing a set of runes on there, Eric could tell it was enchanted with pain inducing sorcery like the ones in Rayzar’s Ring.

“Who am I fighting?” Eric asked.

The Volk captain stepped forward. “I’d be happy to deliver this boy to your feet Lord Taro.”

“No, Cragar,” Taro said. “I believe my son has a score to settle with the Yagaro heir! Tarair, now is your chance to prove you are stronger than him.”

Tarair nodded. “It will be my pleasure father. He will not be so lucky this time.”

“Good. Don’t disappoint me.”

Tarair took the other dueling sword. “This way.”

He led Eric further down from the main castle where they would have more room. They then stood facing each other.

Eric took his shield off his back then considered what fighting style to use. With his hands both holding something, he couldn’t use them to cast spell. There was his sight sorcery, however. One problem though, he didn’t know how to use sight sorcery to do all its abilities at one. He had to choose one of the four. But which would be best in this situation? It was still daytime, so he wouldn’t need the see through darkness. That left seeing through walls or other things people, he wouldn’t have a need for that. The remaining options were seeing into the future or channel sorcery through his eyes. Those two would have been best in this current predicament? But which was more important?

“Get ready!” Taro ordered.

Tarair spoke in Soron. “Soron chanela impala visekos e viset la fortua!”

His sight sorcery lit and Eric saw two orange rings in the now yellow iris. Tarair had managed to get two effects into his sight sorcery, and they were the ones Eric had thought would be most beneficial to him! Yet… they were just the same as when Eric said them individually. Sorcery channel through eyes, See the future. The only thing added sounded like e or and. He could do this.

“Set!” Taro continued.

Eric knew he had to act fast.

“Soron chanela implala visekos e viset la fortua!”

He channeled sorcery into his eyes, and both effects took place just like with Tarair. He could now channel sorcery through his eyes as well as see what Tarair would do before he actually did it. The larger boy’s mouth fell open, and Eric saw a shadow of that happenin split seconds before it did. No doubt Tarair was surprised by Eric copying him.

“Begin!” Taro said, raising a hand in either.

“Grito kodu suprere velos e muscon!”

The yellow diamond on Tarair’s glove glowed, his body lit up with sorcery, then he moved at high speed. Eric drew power from his own Greater Body gauntlet, the only piece of armor he had on right now. But he wasn’t quite quick enough, the energy didn’t travel to his feet fast enough for him to get away.

Tarair came at him, but Eric saw the blades future path… quickly followed by the actual blade! He raised his shield and blocked. The sorcery he’d gathered from his gauntlet had managed to travel down to his legs now, he leapt back several feet, caused Tarair’s a moment of surprise to widen. Eric then ran, moving so fast he slipped past Tarair’s sigh sorcery enhanced guard. It was a good thing this was a wide-open space or Eric might have crashed into something. He appeared behind Tarair. Now was his chance, with Tarair’s back to him the Volk heir would not be able to block.

“Litar!”

A spark of lightning shot from his eyes at Tarair. But before it could connect, a shield of blue sorcery appeared behind Tarair who even hadn’t moved. Eric glimpsed a sapphire on the back of Tarair’s armor. He grunted, Tarair’s armor had protective enchantments just like Eric’s shield. Tarair had an advantage thanks to being protected from behind as well.

Tarair turned around as Eric attacked again.

“Litar matan!”

A sustained lightning attack shot from his eyes, Tarair’s armor put up another barrier, this time green from an emerald on his chest in the right. Eric’s lightning at least stopped him in his tracks for the moment. Eric let out a shout of determination and pushed more sorcery out through his eyes, the electrical beams increased in power. Tarair’s barrier began to crack like glass, forcing the Volk heir to step out of the path of the attack.

Tarair shot his own spell now, a beam of yellow light. Eric raised his enchanted shield. The barrier its ruby projected stopped Tarair’s attack. Tarair tried doing the same thing Eric had against him, maintaining his attack to try and break through Eric’s shield. Eric stood there, but his defense didn’t break. His rare red sorcery was stronger than any the others alone! Eric smirked at his rival, and with his sight took control of the red wall shielding him. It flew out and rammed against Tarair, throwing him backwards. The armored boy grunted and got up on his knees. This time Eric went on the offensive, charging forward with his much too fast Greater Body again. He appeared in front of Tarair, holding his borrowed dueling sword to his opponent’s throat. Tarair froze for a moment.

“Yield! Admit what you did!” Eric ordered.

Tarair took a few deep breathes then.

“Gustas!” he shouted.

A sudden burst of wind came from Tarair’s sorcery enhanced eyes. It sent Eric flying just as he’d done to Tarair moments ago. His sword and shield clattered to the ground.

“I think you should yield!” Tarair said grinning as he got up and walked forward casually.

Eric drew deep breaths now. He didn’t have time to retrieve his sword. What was he going to do? A thought occurred to him and he raised both of his now free hands.

Let me help you take down the griffin man! Clauwing said in Eric’s head. I did it before!

Eric grunted. “Stay out of this!”

“What’s that?” Tarair asked, stopping just short of him.

“I can handle this on my own!” Eric said. “Don’t interfere! I don’t want your help!”

But you need it, boss! I’m just trying to look out for us!

Tarair scoffed. “You really shouldn’t let yourself be distracted by inner beasts!”

He tapped Eric’s stomach with the dueling sword. It was a light blow, but Eric felt as though he’d been stabbed with a sharp balde. He screamed and collapsed.

Some cheers and mutterings filled Eric’s ears.

“Yeah!”

“Lord Tarair won! He got him!

Taro laughed and clapped his hands together. “And my son is the winner! You girl…” he said to Karia. “…shall serve the Volks for six months as penance for slapping my son and telling those despicable lies! And you!” He pointed at Eric. “You will be trained under me… to become the weapon you were meant to be! The weapon that shall slay Corgo and destroy the Demorians for good!”

Note to Self: Need to Add a Scene of the New Character Lilar who hasn’t appeared since Chapter 10 in the modified version.