The giant’s smile faded as he roared in pain, dropping a sword again to remove the knife. He then charged after Brax, who kept his feet planted and waited until the very last second to jump to the side as the giant crashed into the wall.
Brax ran to the general area, where his other knives had been buried, and frantically dug, thinking he would have time to find them before the giant recuperated.
“Behind you,” a female screamed just as the giant grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground.
Brax swung a knife out, but because his back was to the giant, he couldn’t reach him. He couldn’t slam his knife into his hand because if he went too far, they would go through the other side and into his own neck.
The crowd gasped as the giant threw Brax across the arena. He landed with a thud and groaned, rolling to his side.
The giant dropped his sword and ran over to him, kneeling. He pushed his arm under Brax and helped him to his feet. He then bounded back across the arena, picked his sword back up, and crouched once more, smiling. The world needed more giants.
Brax regained his bearings and limped toward the giant in the middle of the pit, took a knee, and held his sword up to him. It was the most honorable forfeit I had ever seen.
The crowd jumped to their feet and applauded as the two fighters shook hands. They came to stand before the stage, and Inok and I walked to the steps to greet them.
“What’s your name?” I asked the giant.
“Greywolf, sir king,” he answered
“Where do you come from, Greywolf?”
“The Winterlands, sir king.” He pressed his lips together.
“I’ve not heard of them. How do you like it here?”
“It’s hot. But nice, sir king.”
“You fought with great honor today.”
“Thank you, sir king.” He bowed low.
I turned to the roaring crowds. “It is my pleasure to name the winner of the tiered fights, Greywolf of the Winterlands. The very first fae from the north to ever win the Trials. Please join me in congratulating him.” Again the crowds cheered, and I looked to Brax. He grinned from ear to ear and patted Greywolf on the back as the giant also clapped for himself. “And now is the most special time of all,” I called. “Should any of you wish to join the guard, please come stand in the middle of the arena.”
The crowds shifted as males and females made their way to the center.
“Brax, please join us in evaluations,” I said.
“Are you sure?” He looked between Inok and me.
“I’m sure.” I stepped down to the sandy bottom.
The folk formed a line across the arena, and I was happy to see Greywolf join them, right in the middle of the prospects. We stood before him first.
“Are you sure you want to join the guard, even though it would mean leaving the fighting pits?”
“Fighting is good. Sir king is better,” he replied.
“Welcome to the Flame Court, guard Greywolf. You’ll report to the castle tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, thank you, sir king.” He smiled and nodded his head in earnest.
“I’m happy to have you,” I reached up to pat his massive arm before I moved on.
We finished going through the rest of fae, some showcasing weapons skills, some with hand-to-hand combat skills. We then turned to the magic wielders. I thought of Fenlas and where he would rank among the gifted. I hoped he’d found his charge and would be home soon.I considered what it might mean if Morwena caught him before he could make it back to me. His prophecy had loomed over him since the day Alewyn’s Promise was born.
Through these volunteers, the world has giving us the gifts we would need to take on the northern kingdoms, should it come down to that. I didn’t collect or imprison magic wielders, but my adversaries did. I recognized how dangerous that could be as I watched a fae move the world below him.
“Are you ready?” Inok asked when we were finished, knowing what was to come next.
