Runecarver Volume One

Chapter Fourteen

The energy at the breakfast table was excited, to say the least. Everyone was speaking about how they thought the duel would progress. The vassals were energetically discussing how eager they were to see the rare display of Pendragon dominance this duel would afford (the last had been my father's exploits in the last war), while our relatives were largely split. Many were proud of us for upholding the old traditions and settling our disputes in this matter, whereas some were unimpressed, holding out meager expectations for two teenage wizards.

For my part, I was nervous. I found it difficult to stomach the delicious food I was eating, worried as I was over what was to come. All of these dignitaries had gathered to watch my duel with Eleanor. What if I lost? There was nothing officially at stake — it was in essence a duel purely to determine who was the better wizard. But I had a four year lead over Eleanor in my studies, and now I was Exalted. My defeat would be a great humiliation, probably even greater than hers would be, since the extent of my previous deficiency had been a well-guarded secret. Still, it was too late to change anything now. All I could do was my best.

The Princess was displaying immaculate decorum, expressing only a mild interest in the coming event compared to the fervor consuming most of the rest of the table. She did speak with me, saying, "I am excited to finally be given a chance to witness your magic, Lady Annabelle. Lord Edmund has always had high praise for you, even before you became Exalted"

I felt a twinge of pride at her closing remark. "I am honored, your highness," I replied, keeping a steady smile despite my roiling emotions. "No matter how great your expectations, I shall live up to them without fail." It was a bold claim, but appropriate when speaking to royalty. Even if I failed to deliver on this promise, it would not do much to worsen the disappointment.

She seemed pleased at my apparent confidence. Her husband was not so overtly biased. "While there can be only one victor in a duel, I am certain that you will both make for fine wizards. While I pray there is not another great war in your lifetimes, I am comforted with the knowledge that House Pendragon has no shortage of magical talent. Your father the Duke's presence in the last war made my duties far simpler thanks to his overwhelming might."

My father accepted the compliment, and the conversation quickly turned to the two of them swapping stories of the conflict. I had heard them many times by now, but the two of them seemed to be enjoying themselves, and so no one saw fit to redirect the conversation.

When breakfast was finished, the painstaking process of transporting forty nobles to the arena began. The arena was not in Castle Malechan, but in the surrounding town, and so a slew of carriages was prepared to bring everyone. I rode with our father, Clarice, and Sir Keith in the first carriage, while Eleanor rode with our uncle, her lady-in-waiting, and her bodyguard in the second. This was to give us as much time to prepare as possible.

On the ride over, father had a surprising set of instructions for me. "Bella, I know you are not as confident as I am in your chances, but listen carefully. Rumors of your status as an Exalted are already spreading through the Kingdom's nobility, and I am concerned that it will be troublesome for you if people understand the extent of your powers. While members of House Pendragon are always offered positions in other Houses, as an unmarried woman with no fiancée, you will be the ideal target. I believe it would be best for you to appear to struggle against your sister, rather than beating her handily."

His belief in me was reassuring, but his instructions were not. While the depths of my inadequacy had not been known to anyone outside my immediate family, it was common knowledge in the Kingdom that I had been the weakest Pendragon in generations. Now I could finally shake off that stigma, but my father wanted me to struggle? And against Eleanor, no less. A fire was beginning to burn in my chest, a sweltering desire to assert my status as the elder sister.