Arwick (A Light Of Roria Sequel)

Chapter Four

"If we surrender, what will happen to my friends?" I asked, with my sword and shield still held in front of me.

The man smiled and waved an arm for his men to lower their weapons. He glanced me up and down before looking toward Staci, who scowled back with her hands in tight fists. Her reaction only fueled his enjoyment, giving her a wink. "If you choose to participate in my arena, for I have never had the pleasure of seeing a fairy wield their divinity gifts, I will set you all free. You must win, of course."

His words seemed to strike a chord with John and Elijah. Their eyes were filled with terror as an obvious realization became clear. John shook his head violently before speaking. "No, you mustn't—"

"The she-fairy seems quite capable of making her own choice," he interrupted, with his finger pointed firmly at John's face. The two men behind immediately raised their bows at his voice, aiming directly for John.

Be careful, Princess Addisyn. Bargaining with dark magic wielders is not wise, I heard Aasim say, still looking toward the stranger.

My focus turned to my friends once again. Staci's eyes were filled with fire, but her slouched stance told me she knew we'd reached a point of defeat. Elijah's breathing seemed to get heavier, and I noticed a significant amount of sweat was beginning to trickle down his face. Realizing a fever was beginning to set, I turned to the man. If I wanted to save Elijah, I needed to do it fast.

"Let's say I agree to this," I started out. Elijah quickly moved to protest, but I raised my hand to silence him. He didn't have room to speak. If the situation had been reversed, he would have made the same choice. "What will happen to them while I participate in your arena?" I asked.

With a smirk, he crossed his arms and moved toward me. "You have my word, she-fairy, that they will not be killed. That is, as long as you remain alive."

I looked at each of my friends. Inside I feared that Jake's vision had become inevitable, and the arena this man spoke of was none other than the Trayeu Trade, the place Jake had envisioned me chained and fighting for my life. Still, what choice did I have? He promised me they would all stay alive, and we could leave if I won. Maybe it wasn't true. Maybe everything he had said was a complete and utter lie, and within seconds we'd be thrown into the very hands of Kane himself. Maybe I was taking too big of a risk, but I knew if I had any chance of saving their lives, I would take it.

"Okay," I quickly agreed before I could change my mind. Letting go of my shield and sword, they fell toward the hard ground, shimmering as they quickly dissolved before making impact.

With a gratifying grin, the man outstretched both his arms. "Welcome to my kingdom. I am Ahab, ruler of the kingdom of Trayeu." He turned to his men before continuing. "Have each of them bound, and lead them to the cells. Call for my healer, and give the young man the antidote." His men immediately moved into action. Their dark smoke was now forming swords as they forcefully shoved my friends forward. "Your name?" Ahab asked, moving closer to me.

"Addisyn," I replied sharply before facing Elijah. His pained and apprehensive expression had me realizing I needed a chance to say goodbye. A chance to express my genuine care for each of them. If I didn't win, and this was the end of our journey, I wanted one final moment with each of them. "Wait!" I begged Ahab with my hands clasped together. "Let me say goodbye to them, please."

Ahab raised his hand for his guards to stop. They did so without question. "I couldn't deny the last requests of such a beautiful creature," he said smugly. Something in the way Ahab spoke seemed to make my skin crawl. His voice flaunted the power he held over us, and I was reminded of the way a cat's eyes light up when it finally catches its helpless prey—we were trapped in his claws, and Ahab loved it.