I fly through the gap of the closing door, angling sideways to make it through. I roll on the other side and bounce up onto my feet.
Elwyn Elder pauses on the dais as my arrival causes a stir. His hand hangs mid-air as if he was about to give the signal to begin. He’s definitely not happy to see me.
An hourglass rests on a table beside him. It’s full of sand at the top which already drizzles to the bottom. I’m guessing that means our time has started. It’s too late for me to scream a veto at Rhydian Valor. Even if I could, eliminating him won’t do me much good—he has too many friends.
The arena has been set up so that there’s a protective shield around the dais at one end—a grand viewing area for the Elven Command. The rest of the crowd sits high above me on the upper levels, also protected by a shield. I’m assuming that’s in case of wayward arrows.
Down at floor level, the space has been spellcast to resemble a forest. The other champions stand at intervals around the arena. I count twelve, including Baelen, Jasper, and Sebastian. I take note of Rhydian Valor, especially the fact that he seems to have been placed in an advantageous spot behind a boulder where he can take cover.
Well, I guess that makes me lucky thirteen.
“Princess,” Elwyn says, his voice still amplified. “We thought you were too injured to continue.”
I stride through the grassy, green forest, twisting between the spreading trees and sparkling moss. It would be all unicorns and rainbows in this place if it wasn’t for the blood about to be shed.
I don’t have the advantage of a spellcaster to make my voice heard, but as I reach the dais, I give it my best shot. “You mean you hoped I was.”
My comment draws gasps from the crowd, but I’m beyond caring. I ignore Elwyn’s spluttering and lift my arms in defiance at the other champions.
“Well now, which of you boys is going to be brave enough to attack me first? Because we all know that’s why we’re here.”
Despite my bravado, I have a big problem: I don’t have a weapon.
That’s okay, Marbella,I tell myself.You’ll just have to steal one. And let it have metal in it.
