The Hathway Kingdom. (Book 1)

Chapter Ten.

~Ten. ~

Larissa winced as she tugged on her blouse. After explaining to Theodoras about why she was doing what she was doing, he had gotten Elissa to go and get the ingredients that Rosaleen needed to make a healing balm from the healer. Rosaleen had then applied it to the wound that Larissa had gotten during her fight with Terrance. She knew that it would take a few days to heal properly but it was no longer bleeding, which to her was a plus. It did, however, smart something horrible each time that there was any kind of pressure applied to the area.

She finally managed to get her blouse and then the undershirt over the tip just before Elissa came into her tent with the rest of her armour. She looked at Larissa as she saw her wincing and she bit down on her lip.

"Are you sure that you want to complete against the Emperor's champion, Princess?" she asked, and Larissa nodded her head.

"Yes, Elissa. If I don't, two things will happen. One: everyone will find out that something is wrong. And two: the Hathway kingdom will be completely embarrassed. I cannot do that to my uncle, and I refuse to do that to my own pride either," she said as she stood up to help her into her armour.

"As you wish, Princess," Elissa said quietly as she helped her into her armour.

She sat down once her armour was in place and Elissa began to braid her hair the way that she had the day before. Once the braid was finished, Elissa pinned it in place at the back of Larissa's head. She stood up and picked up her helmet and put it on her head before she picked up her sword and sheathed it.

"Ready?" Elissa asked and Larissa let out a shaky breath.

"As I'll ever be," she said as she heard trumpets and she looked towards the entrance of the tent.

Taking in a deep breath, Larissa left the tent and made her way out into the arena. She looked up towards the Emperor's throne and she frowned beneath her helmet when she didn't see him sitting there. She looked around the arena carefully, hoping that she would be able to spot him somewhere in the crowd, but she was unable to see him anywhere. She looked up towards the Speaker as he stepped up and cleared his throat, causing the entire arena to fall silent.

"Ladies and gentlemen! My lord, ladies, and highnesses! Welcome to the final round of the tournament. Today, Lieutenant Larry, who won yesterdays tournament, will be competing against the Emperor's champ..." the Speaker began to say before he stopped as someone came up to talk to him. Larissa looked at the person before her eyes widened when she saw Theodoras was speaking to him.

She swallowed heavily as her heart hammered against her chest. She hoped that Theodoras was not taking the chance to tell the Speaker what was happening, and she hoped that he would keep her secret. She watched the exchange between them carefully, holding her breath before she watched as the Speaker nodded his head and turned back to the arena.

"Pardon the interruption. There has been a slight change in who will be competing against Lieutenant Larry. Instead of General Xun as it was originally planned...His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor has decided to compete himself against Lieutenant Larry," the Speaker said and Larissa's eyes widened before they flew over to one of the entrance's of the arena as trumpets sounded and the Emperor walked into the arena.

Larissa swallowed heavily as he walked out into the arena, dressed head to toe in his royal armour and Larissa couldn't take her eyes off him. He looked every bit the Emperor that he was claimed to be, and she knew that she was in deep trouble. Her eyes darted towards her uncle in the crowd and she saw that he had risen to his feet.