A Game of Chi Book I: A Crown of Blood

Chapter 13: Eris III

ERIS

Eris and Ewar were given a room to stay in, if one could call it that. It was really nothing more than a rocky alcove, facing inwards to the Gods' Circle and Mount Cavora. The ancient mountain sat in the exact centre of Chima (Eldon had checked); its religious significance had no doubt grown with the propagation of this discovery. It was even said that the Seven Gods, Leoric, Croctus, Evalor, Wylda, Gornay, Reava and Rhagnar, lived at the impossibly tall mountain's peak. Many had tried to climb Mount Cavora to verify or disprove the gods; none had ever returned. Not even eagles or ravens could fly up there, for its peak was surrounded by a perpetual storm known as the Gods' Wrath. But where are the gods now? Eris mused. Here I am, trying to fulfill my destiny, and I'm being held captive by the rhinos. Chi law compelled the rhinoceros, whose name Eris had discovered was Rinona, to allow Eris the chance to choose a champion to defend her innocence. Rinona could do the same, and the gods were said to be able to make their will known through glorious combat. Eris already knew who she would ask to defend her. Unfortunately, so did he. "What were you thinking?" demanded Ewar. "Trial by combat? Are you insane? They're rhinos, Eris. They'll kill us. They'll kill both of us!"

"You were the one who said we should land in the first place, Ewar!"

"I'm not the one who decided to leave the Aerie!" Eris bit her tongue. He has a point, she thought. "I assume you'll want me to defend you?" Eris nodded. "Think about it logically," she said, thinking back to their conversation. "If we do nothing, we're guaranteed to die. But if you fight, we have a chance!" Ewar thought about it for a moment before sighing. "You're right," he conceded reluctantly. "But after this we're turning back. No arguments." Eris burst out laughing despite herself. "Maybe not for you," she said between giggles. "I'm heading to the Outlands, and you can't change my mind. When are you going to admit defeat and just join me?" Ewar shook his head. "Never," he said firmly. "Never."

A few hours later, a rhinoceros came to fetch them. His horn was made of metal; no doubt he had broken it off in a fight. "Time to go," he said in an unusually high voice. "Are you who I'll be fighting?" asked Ewar. The rhinoceros shook his head. "No," he said unnecessarily. "Now no more questions." He led them out of their rocky room and back out to the Gods' Circle. Eris could see a half dozen rhinoceroses lifting a huge slab of stone up between the two edges of the Gods' Circle, no doubt to use as an arena of sorts. Many more rhinoceroses were filling the rock bleachers above, getting ready to see a slaughter. The rhinoceros with the metal horn left them in front of the slab as Rinona and another rhinoceros walked up to them. The other one was very large and burly, with a crack in his horn held together by a metal plate and stubble around his mouth. Scars were sprinkled about his body, like stars on a night sky. "You should have taken the swift execution we offered," said Rinona, smiling. "At least you wouldn't have seen your friend's head squished like a melon."

"I don't think he'll be the one dying today," Eris replied, unfazed. "We shall see, eagle. We shall see." Rinona grabbed Eris by the hand and led her away, towards the bleachers. "What about Ewar?" she asked. "He's meeting his opponent," replied the rhinoceros. Eris turned to see the huge rhinoceros talking to Ewar. He's fighting him? Eris suddenly realized the futility of her plan. Ewar was muscular and strong; there was no denying that. But the animal standing opposite him looked like he could lift Ewar with one arm and throw him like a dagger. "Who is that?" she squeaked. "That's my brother, Rogon," she said coolly. "He agreed to fight for me and validate our righteous execution of the two of you in the sight of the gods." I wish I could wipe that smug smirk off her face, thought Eris angrily. Still, knowing her situation, she chose to keep quiet and join Rinona in the viewing gallery. She was aware that she was surrounded by rhinoceroses; it would be impossible for her to escape. She sat down and watched as Ewar was handed a long, five-pointed spear and sent into the makeshift arena. Rogon was given a stone hammer, which he wielded with one hand. "I am Rogon, brother of Rinona, chosen champion of the gods," declared Rogon in a booming voice. "I fight to determine whether or not you and your companion are guilty of spying on our great tribe, and for the great and powerful Gods of Cavora. Who are you, and what do you fight for?" he demanded. "I am Ewar, brother to no one," he said, twirling his spear. "I fight for justice and for truth. My companion and I were passing through during a storm and we sought shelter when it grew too powerful. If the Rhinoceros Tribe is as just and fair as we have heard, please understand our mistake and allow us to pass." Eris knew the answer before Rogon even spoke. "It is not for us to decide, Ewar. It is for them," he said, glancing at the mountain. Then, he looked at Rinona for a long moment. Realizing that he was supposed to do so as well, Ewar turned his head. Rinona stood up. "Let the trial by combat begin!"