Author's Preface
Samuel stood with his hands planted firmly on the table in front of him. Across the table, Prince Al stepped forward. "Why is the weak half-man speaking?" He turned to Vaelor, who opened his mouth to speak.
"Because I am the representative of Elyndor at this summit," Samuel said. "My brother has no right to speak for Elyndor."
"The crown prince has no right? How amusing," Prince Al said. "Do you have the strength to back up your words? Only the strong can speak the truth."
Ryan took a step forward, his fists clenched. Samuel looked back at him and smiled. "Let me stand up for myself," Samuel whispered.
Samuel turned back to Prince Al. "If that is the case, how about we delay this proceeding? You may contact my father and ask him who is meant to speak here. I am sure his strength will suffice."
Every other delegate sank into their seat as they looked at Prince Al, who suddenly appeared visibly nervous.
Ryan looked around the room. Is the King of Elyndor really that strong?
King Aldemere cleared his throat. "Your crown prince is merely trying to establish a peaceful trade that would benefit both kingdoms."
"According to whom?" Samuel replied.
Vaelor walked around the table and stopped in front of Samuel. "One more word."
Ryan grabbed Vaelor's arm and leaned in. "Yes, one more fucking word. I dare you."
Vaelor ripped his arm from Ryan's grasp. He looked at King Aldemere. "I will contact my father and have this matter settled. Shall we delay the proceedings until then?"
King Aldemere looked around the table. The other delegates nodded. "Very well. We shall wait for a response from Elyndor."
The king slammed his gavel down, stood, and walked out. Vaelor stared at Samuel for a moment, then scoffed. He turned and hurried to catch up with Prince Al and King Aldemere. Samuel let out a loud gasp, as if he had been holding his breath the entire time. He looked at Ryan.
"Holy shit, my heart is beating out of my chest."
Ryan reached down and rubbed his head. "You did well, Prince."
Auntie reached down and squeezed Samuel's shoulders. "Amazing. Now let's pray that your father doesn't give him any authority here."
Samuel nodded and walked out of the room. A moment later, Haldrek ran up to him.
"SAM! Wait up!" He threw an arm around Samuel's shoulders. "That was awesome, but aren't you scared of retaliation? Your brother won't take this humiliation lightly."
Samuel turned toward Ryan and smiled. "Just a little, but I have guards who will handle what comes after."
The next morning, before the meeting began, Samuel looked at his aunt. "Did it work?"
"No. I tried all night. I'm not entirely sure why the communication crystal isn't working."
Ryan looked at Auntie, then back at Samuel. The prince was obviously nervous. His leg bounced beneath the table as his fingers tapped against its surface. Just then, King Aldemere and Prince Al walked in, followed by Vaelor, who took his seat beside Samuel.
King Aldemere looked across the table. "Have we handled the dispute over who is representing Elyndor?"
Samuel started to speak. "No, my comm..."
Vaelor stood and spoke loudly enough to cut him off. "We have. I have reached the king's ear, and he has granted me the voice of the Kingdom of Elyndor."
Vaelor looked down at Samuel and grinned.
Samuel stood. "That is impossible. My communication crystal hasn't worked all night."
"Seems Father truly has spoken, then. He answered my call and is ignoring yours."
Samuel's expression fell. Prince Al stepped forward, drew his sword, and pointed it directly at Samuel.
"Only the strong speak the truth. Do you wish to fight your brother to prove your truth?"
Ryan put his hand on Samuel's arm and pushed him gently to the side. Samuel glanced at him. Ryan's eyes were glowing purple. Ryan looked back at Samuel and winked. "I'll take it from here."
He turned toward Vaelor, who had retreated to Al's side the moment Ryan stepped forward. "The prince's crystal didn't work last night. It hasn't worked today. Vaelor claims his works just fine and that he actually spoke to the king. There is fuckery about. And now, suddenly, you seem very interested in the business of elves."
Ryan stared at the two princes. "My truth is that you two jackasses are up to something."
Prince Al stepped forward and pressed the tip of his sword against Ryan's throat. "Say that again."
Ryan placed two fingers against Al's sword and pushed it down. Every delegate in the room watched as purple mist rose from the corners of Ryan's eyes.
"Sure. No problem."
Ryan raised his voice. "YOU TWO DUMBASSES ARE PLOTTING AGAINST THE THIRD PRINCE." He cleared his throat. "Did you catch it that time, or do I need to repeat myself a third time?"
Al looked back at his father. King Aldemere nodded.
Ryan chuckled. "Don't look at him. You got yourself into this the moment you pointed a sword at another kingdom's prince. So let's fight and see whose truth holds up, shall we?"
The delegations stood and followed King Aldemere and his son out of the hall and down toward the training facility.
As Ryan began to follow, Samuel tugged on his arm. "Are you really about to do this?"
Ryan nodded. "He has disrespected you enough. I told you before, right? Let me handle the aftermath. Well, this is me handling it."
Samuel looked back at his aunt.
She shrugged. "I can't stop it now. Let the wannabe knight handle it."
Ryan turned. "Oh, Auntie, you are starting to like me, huh? Now I'm a wannabe knight?"
She scoffed. "I'll have more respect for you as long as you don't embarrass the prince and lose."
Ryan stepped onto the training grounds and climbed onto the platform opposite Al.
King Aldemere stood between them. "This is an official duel. Death in combat is unavoidable, but we shall maintain some dignity as nobles. If one party gives up or can no longer fight, the duel is over."
"Fine by me, Father," Al said.
Ryan nodded. Dignity as nobles, my ass. I'll show you how poorly you planned all this. Ryan thought to himself.
The king raised his arm. "Begin!" He jumped from the platform.
Both men stared at each other for a moment. Then a red outline of magic appeared around Al. He disappeared. Before Ryan could react, Al was behind him. His greatsword slammed into Ryan's ribs and sent him flying across the platform. Ryan hit the stone and skidded to a stop, clutching his side.
"What the fuck was that?" He looked down at his ribs. Good thing I had this shadow armor. I might have been fucked right there.
Ryan struggled to push himself up. Then a tingling sensation crawled through his body as he felt his broken ribs knit back together.
"Thanks, Thimble."
"Of course, Master," Thimble's voice answered in his mind.
Then Meatloaf spoke.
"Big man uses aura. Aura strong like Meatloaf."
"Yup, I gathered that."
Ryan lowered both hands to his sides as shadows gathered around them. Two shadow katanas formed in his grip. He lowered himself and pushed off the platform, launching himself toward Al. Ryan crashed down with both swords. Al's greatsword blocked both blades. Al laughed and shoved forward, forcing Ryan backward. Ryan watched as Al focused aura onto his blade. Al leaped into the air and swung. Ryan deflected the sword, sending it crashing into the platform beside his foot. The greatsword sank deep into the stone. Al grunted and swung upward. The greatsword ripped free, sending chunks of stone flying. Too fast. Ryan couldn't bring his swords up in time. The greatsword scraped across Ryan's mask, sending sparks flying through the air.
Ryan jumped back. Al stood there laughing.
"Okay, this guy is no joke."
As the words left Ryan's mouth, Al swung his sword. A red arc of aura tore from the blade and flew toward him. Ryan ducked underneath it. He turned his head just in time to watch the aura slam into the wall behind him and explode, leaving a massive crater.
The delegates in the stands looked at one another. This fight was obviously over. The knights of Aldemere who had been training before the duel began chanting Al's name.
Ryan looked up at Samuel. The prince had his head buried in his hands. Ryan exhaled and moved again. Their swords clashed over and over. Again and again, Al's aura demolished Ryan's blades, forcing him to summon new ones just to keep fighting. Eventually, the two separated after another violent clash. Al stood across the platform with his greatsword planted into the stone.
"Give up. My truth stands tall."
A voice entered Ryan's mind. "Master weak. Aura strong. Use demon dicks."
Ryan shook his head. "They are fucking tendrils!"
He stared at Al. Meatloaf is right. I can't fight him straight up with swords. I need to fight him on my terms.
Al didn't wait. He grabbed his sword and leaped into the air. As he came crashing down, his blade met Ryan's tendrils. Two tendrils caught Al's greatsword. Another appeared behind him. It slammed down. Al's face smashed into the platform. Gasps filled the stands. Samuel shot to his feet, a smile appearing on his face for the first time since the fight began. Ryan jumped back and allowed Al to recover.
He lifted one hand and curled his fingers toward himself three times. "Come at me, bro."
Al screamed and rushed him. Ryan's tendrils appeared again to intercept the strike. Al poured aura into his sword and sliced through one. Ryan jumped back and summoned another. Same thing. Aura tore straight through it. Al swung wildly. Ryan dropped low and slid beneath the blade. A ball of shadow gathered in his hand, forming into a dagger as he slid past. The dagger tore across the backs of Al's thighs.
"Getting flustered, huh?" Ryan laughed as he stood.
Al stared at him and took a deep breath. Then he reached deep into his core and pulled out every ounce of aura he could. It exploded outward. The stone beneath Al's feet shattered, leaving a crater beneath him. Ryan obliged and summoned the remaining tendrils. Al surged forward. He swung through one. Then another. Then another.
"STOP FUCKING HIDING, YOU COWARD!" Al swung one final time. His sword went flying through the air. It landed outside the platform.
Al froze. Ryan's sword was against his neck. "Who's hiding?"
Al slowly fell to his knees. Then he grinned. His hand reached behind his back and pulled a dagger. Too slow. Ryan was already swinging. His blade tore through Al's bicep. The prince's arm fell to the stone. Al screamed. Ryan stared down at him, a smirk hidden beneath his mask.
"Next time you draw a sword, be prepared to lose an arm."
Ryan bent down as Al clutched his stump and screamed. He leaned close to the prince's ear.
"Remember. Only the strong can speak the truth... asshole."