Stolen Princess

6. Now Where Is My MooseBear?

"Do we have any ideas what this morning's trial will be?" Leif asked as he and Alder trudged through the camp with me in the early morning light.

The place was abuzz with activity -- today was the first day of the tournament.

"It'll be an easy one," Alder guessed, the giant's steady presence setting me a little more at ease despite the dark looks and curses we received as we went.

"Where are Talon and Sosha and Naatan?" I asked distractedly. I was clenching and unclenching my sweating palms, running through the different possibilities of the morning. Would my father begin with something ceremonial like Alder suggested?

"They'll be here for the second trial," Leif said it in a closed-off kind of way, but with his usual friendly smile for me. I scowled at that vagueness, but it was too late to wonder anymore -- we'd arrived at the arena once more.

The crowds were all wide awake, though less rowdy than they had been that first day as everyone seemed to be murmuring conversations about the same thing we were. I took my place in the arena beside the pennant with Oren's family crest and tried to breathe calmly.

This time Leif and Alder were allowed to stay beside me until the trial actually began, and each of the other knights was also in line, all of us waiting for this morning's challenge. I scanned their faces, many of them were shifting their weight, glancing around like I was -- they were wondering what I was... all except for Alek.

Aleksander was leaning against the wall of the arena, relaxed and smug, that winning smile in place as he joked with his two attendants. II hadn't been watching Alek so closely for much of my life, I might've assumed he was putting on a brave front for the competition. But no one knew his expressions like I did, I knew them to survive. And this morning? He knew what was coming next.

I huffed a sigh and turned my attention back towards the arena, wondering just how a Blackwater had gotten a step ahead in a Montpelier's tournament... it seemed like the very last thing my father would be willing to do. So then how did Alek just... know?

But then the trumpets were blaring, we all turned towards the Royal platform where my father and Sothia stood to take their thrones. I wondered if they even noticed I hadn't come today. I'd cried off again to my maid, but it wouldn't last much longer if my family actually wanted me in attendance. Though there was a better chance no one had even noticed my absence.

"The first trial will test your judgment, as well as your steadiness with delicate creatures. What better skills to have with a wife?" Here he paused and a soft wave of laughter came through the place at his humor. I clenched my jaw in irritation. Leif chuckled beside me, and I shot him a dirty look that silenced him just as quickly.

"Each contestant will choose an animal companion, hand-selected by our princess to judge each man's worth and discernment..."

I snorted a little too loudly that time, and Verlin standing next to me looked over as if I were mad.

Alder made a show of coughing quite loudly to cover for me, and I faced forward again.

"Contestants -- choose wisely," and with a lift of his palm, a gate on the opposite side of the arena swung open.

I'd lived in Eagleton my entire life, and what came through that gate? It didn't come from our countryside.

In an instant, there was a stampede of claws, horns, and fangs -- all racing towards us.

"Shield up!" Alder warned from behind me, safely tucked on the other side of the wall now. I turned and caught the round metal disk he tossed my way.