“Do you know who I’m fighting for the premiere trial?”
“I don’t. They kept that information secure. My guesses are either Pollo, Demerick, or Sederick. They’re of equal age and won’t go easy on you.”
“What weapons should I choose?”
“Two shortswords or the trident laser gun. Both match your fighting style. Fi…”
“Yes?”
Matheas takes my trembling hands in his and kisses my fingers.
“Don’t be nervous. Remember your training, stay calm, breathe, use your wits. And if it’s Demerick, he won’t hesitate to hit you in the face. He’ll show no mercy, so go for his tender spots immediately.”
“What if I fail?”
Nodding to Alayna and Ria, he gestures for them to leave. Once out, he lifts my chin, gently pulling me to him. With his kiss, my body relaxes, and I forget the multitude of thoughts rushing through my mind. Raising on my toes, I move in closer, wanting more. Pulling away, he brushes his hand over my cheek, caressing me as he stares into my eyes.
“What was that for?”
“To distract you and calm you. You need your head clear to think about battle strategies.”
“I’m not sure that helped. Now I’m thinking how much I want you to kiss me again.”
Licking his lips, his cheeks swell with his smile.
“You’re a dangerous beauty.”
“Have I ever told you, you have a way with words?”
“A few times. It’s part of my charm.”
“It is. All right. I need to put my boots on and go out there. Wish me luck, I’m going to need it.”
Sitting on a chair, I tie the laces and stand, visibly ready for battle, but inside, I’m anxious. Picking up a hair band from the vanity, I pull my loose hair into a ponytail. A few dainty flowers fall to the floor as I whip my hair through the band.
“I’ll be able to walk you to the weapons room and to the door leading to the stadium, then you’re on your own.”
“Good, I want you with me as long as you can be.”
“You’re far too nervous.”
“A lot is riding on my success. I’ll be viewed as a weak monarch if I don’t win.”
“You’re an Anaukin warrior Princess. It’s in your blood to be strong and lead. I have complete faith in you. It’s the other guy I’m worried about.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “That was a good pep talk. Let’s go.”
Through the corridor, monitors reveal the outside stadium. A few additions have been added, changing the terrain into a battle zone equipped with walls, barricades, rocks, and more.
“What happens to the soldier I beat?”
“He gets drunk and lays with a lot of women to make up for the blow to his ego. By the next day, he’s in enough pain from his hangover, he doesn’t remember the embarrassment, and no one mentions it, ever. Not unless they want to spend the night in a healing chamber.”
“That’s something we’ve never spoken about.”
“What?”
“The women you’ve laid with.”
“It’s not something I’ve wanted to share with you.”
“Have there been many?”
“We can talk about the subject later tonight when you’re resting.”
Arriving at the weapons room, our mastery of weapons, Alic, ushers me inside.
“Princess Fiora, that was a great speech. We’re all eager to see what you have in store for us during your House’s premiere trial. Your potential opponents have selected their weapons. Would you like to know what they chose?”
“No, it’s better I don’t.”
“All right, Princess. Two weapons, your choice.”
Eyes roaming over the weapons showcased on the walls and tables, I find a shortsword and slide it into the sheath sewn into my pants. Matheas watches me with interest when I don’t take the second one. Walking around the room, I find the trident laser gun and lift it off the table.
“My choices are complete.”
“Excellent. May your trials be successful, Princess. I’ll be cheering you on from the stands.”
“Thank you, Alic.”
Looking to Matheas, I await what he has to say.
“I expected two blades or two guns. Good choice taking one of each.”
“Best to have short and long range.”
“It is.”
Leaving the room, we follow the corridor farther down toward the entry room. Stepping inside, Tether, my father’s right hand, holds a bag out for me.
“Reach in and find out who your potential opponent is, Princess.”
Nerves bunching in my chest, I slowly lower my hand into the bag. Finding a piece of paper, I pull it out and look at the writing on it.
“Sederick,” I say aloud.
Matheas seems to breathe a breath of relief it wasn’t Demerick. With Tether holding out a second bag, I reach inside. Pulling out another piece of paper, I read the names aloud,
“Carla and Rose.”
“Which opponent do you choose, Princess?”
“I choose Sederick.”
With a smile revealing his approval of my decision, he closes the bag and steps to the unit on the wall. Pressing the monitor, he speaks into a speaker for the stadium to hear.
“Princess Fiora has selected Sederick as her opponent.”
Through the walls, I can hear the cheers and foot stomps from the stadium.
“From here,” he points to the door behind him, “you enter the stadium. You and Sederick will be released into the stadium at the same time in different areas. Good luck, Princess.”
Matheas takes my free hand, raises it to his lips and kisses it.
“I’ll be in the Royal tent during your fight. I’ll return to the preparation room as soon as you’re finished.”
Both men leave the room, and I await the light above the door to the stadium to turn green. When it does, I take a breath and step forward. The automated door slides open to a cacophony of sounds and scents. Our Anaukin cake is popular, sweet with sugar, and very aromatic. The scent is heavy in the air. Stomps of feet and chants are a chorus around me, increasing the adrenaline rushing through me.
Attention switching to the battlefield, I observe my terrain and search for a vantage point that offers cover and a good view. Spotting one, I bolt for it, moving between boulders for cover. A laser beam contacts my leg. I feel the heat of it burn through my pants, but thankfully it doesn’t reach my skin. Peering out from behind a boulder, I catch a glimpse of Sederick ducking behind a wooden wall. It was enough for me to see he’s carrying a blaster laser gun with a dual equipped scope laser for narrowing in on small targets. Our weapons have been modified to lower the intensity. Our battles aren’t life or death, and I’m thankful. Otherwise, his blaster could burn a hole right through me.
With him behind the wooden wall, I take the opportunity to move through the boulders in his direction. After two, I duck, stay hidden, wait, then move again. Then another two, keeping to a pattern. On the third, I switch my pattern, move once more and see the laser shoot toward the boulder I would’ve hidden behind had I stuck to the pattern. I knew he’d catch the pattern and expect me to follow it, but Matheas is an incredible trainer and taught me how to fool my assailant.