So, I lower my bow. The dragon makes a soothing sound, between a low growl and a purr. I’m so taken aback, I blink rapidly. When it repeats the noise and jerks its snout at me, it clicks.
I drop my bow to my feet.
“I mean it. I don’t want to kill you,” I say and my voice comes out calmer than I expect.
The dragon huffs, as if it truly understands what I mean. It throws its head back and roars so loud the ground under my feet trembles. Then the dragon takes off into the wind and flies away. I watch it until it disappears behind the peak of the mountain.
I release a breath I was holding and pick up my bow. My knees are weak, and my hands tremble. Suddenly, I realize that the whole clearing is dead silent. I look up to find everyone’s attention on me.
Quickly, I make my way down the boulder. Getting towards the edge where the crowd is a bit harder. The rocks are laced with blood and are extremely slippery, and the copper scent makes me sick to my stomach. I manage to keep myself from retching, though.
When I finally reach the end of the clearing, a rope ladder waits for me. I climb up, every muscle in my body straining, and two Ezkai help pull me over the edge when I reach the top. I’m grateful for their support because I don’t think I can do it by myself.
I’m the last one to make it back.
“The Trial of Wisdom is officially over,” Noire announces, breaking the silence. “Congratulations to all the winners. We will mourn those we lost in today’s fight.”
I search the crowd for Vera and Jax. They stand at the edge of the crowd. Vera’s eyes shine like I’ve never seen before, and Jax is grinning from one ear to the next. I can’t help but smile at them, relief flooding me.
“Nonsense!” a voice in the crowd shouts. “This human didn’t win the trial! She hasn’t slain the dragon, proving her strength as the future ruler of Ekios. She simply let it slip away!”
The crowd parts and a familiar man wearing Ezkai leathers steps forward. Daegel’s father. They’re painfully similar. The only difference is the silver streaks lining Daegel’s father’s dark hair.
I tilt my chin up and clasp my hands behind my back. My blood boils in my veins. I knew he didn’t approve of me from that one brief interaction we had. But this? Humiliating me in front of everyone? Who does he think he is to question my decision to let the dragon go, rather than spilling blood for nothing.
Chatter goes through the crowd. Daegel’s father meets my gaze. I don’t look at Daegel. I don’t want to see his reaction. He says nothing to his father, of course, and some small piece of me crumples to bits.
I would hope a man who claims to love me would stand up for me.
“I let the dragon go because it’s an honorable thing to do,” I say. Daegel’s father arches an eyebrow. “These creatures are regal and more powerful than any damn living Ezkai. Spilling their blood for the entertainment of people is vile, and I don’t care to participate in it. You were not there. You don’t know what transpired between me and the dragon.”
I square my shoulders, preparing for a fight. I don’t know what’s to come next. Am I to be eliminated for my choice?
“Ezkai Reizei, the Trial of Wisdom’s rules don’t require the participants to slay the dragons they face,” Noire says, amused. I don’t understand what he finds funny in this situation. “They are only required to prove their strength by conquering their opponents. In what manner they choose to do so is up to each participant. Some choose to use brutal force, while others use other gifts to show off their strength.”
Ezkai Reizei glances over at Noire. A muscle in his jaw ticks. “It’s disgusting and weak. You want us to stand and watch an Ezkai pass the trials by avoiding fighting like they are supposed to? Avoidance is a sign of weakness. How can we let someone like this rule our country? I call for elimination—this human doesn’t deserve to take part in these trials!”
I’m stunned. The audacity of this man. I want to smack him in the face.What a fucking asshole?—
“A true, powerful Ezkai General knows when it’s the right time to fight, and when it’s best to use other methods of winning,” Noire says.
One of the monks clears his throat. He has an old parchment paper in his hands. He recites the riddle on the invitation for everyone:
Blood earns you passage.
Brilliance earns you glory.
I fall to either blade or mind?—
but only one path proves wisdom.
Show me which one you walk,
make the gods bow to your name.
Once he’s done, he looks up and says, “As you can see, the official Trial of Wisdom rules outline that Ezkai taking part have two ways to deal with a dragon, sir,” he says. “A dragon is a Ezkai symbol, and for some great Ezkai, dragons are lifelong partners. The point of this trial is not to kill the dragon to show off your skills. The point is to find the delicate balance between the strength of a soldier and respect for nature.”
Another wave of chatter goes through the crowd. Some people cheer for me.
