The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 34

Hunter is confused as everyone follows Annabelle as she leads the crowd over to the confines of the ruined castle, once within its crumbling walls Emerald sees something that makes her blood run cold a large fighting pit. Annabelle says, "it is said there's an ancient human tradition, when two people face off in battle, and fight to the death." Emerald looked shocked saying, "no... mistress, that tradition is barbaric and ancient for a reason." Annabelle says, "really? well, we will just have to see for ourselves, won't we?." Annabelle snaps her fingers and a hulking, grunting wild man is brought forward in chains drooling and snarling like a rabid dog; he growls as Annabelle asks, "doesn't he look fun to play with, Emerald?." Emerald doesn't have time to answer as Annabelle grabs her and shoves her in front of the huge man, his gnashing teeth and huge fists are just inches from her. Emerald decided to assert her dominance thinking, 'I am not going to cower or show any fear.' As the man lunges for her, Emerald steps toward him staring him down as he screams. He yells out a monstrous roar however at the very last second he is pulled back, Emerald's hair blows back with the force of his planned attack; Annabelle says, "not frightened? We can give his leash a bit slacker." Hunter says, "that is enough!." Annabelle says, "oh, don't worry, my lord I would never dream of having your precious slave damaged by such a creature." 

Annabelle walks over and shoves the wild man into the pit and then beckons more guards saying, "bring out the opponent." The guards soon drag the opponent forward as Emerald's body goes cold thinking, 'what is she doing here?.' Lily pleaded saying, "please spare me! please no!." Emerald sees her best friend struggling in her chain completely powerless and afraid. Annabelle turns to Emerald saying, "the ancient humans like to make two unlikely opponents fight, to test brawn over brains, they were smart and creative, weren't they?." Emerald says, "mistress, please, Lily getting ripped apart will make you sick." Annabelle says, "I have a pretty strong stomach, you'll see." Hunter says, "Annabelle, you have gone too far." Annabelle replies, "why, your Grace? you don't have any ties to this uncollared slave, do you? and you certainly wouldn't happen to know what befell her previous master, would you?." Emerald feels the threat in Annabelle's tone as Hunter backs down as she thinks, 'there goes my last remaining hope..' Lily pleads with her hands together saying, "please, I will do anything." Annabelle turns to Lily saying, "the only thing we ask of you, my dear.. is that you give us a great show!," without a hesitation Annabelle shoves Lily into the pit. Lily screams, "AAAAHHHHHHH!!." The barbaric Dragons laugh as Lily plummets ten feet into the pit, cut up by the rocks and roots. Emerald says, "LILY! NO!." Lily claws desperately at the side of the put as the monstrous man advances on her, he raises his huge fists before roaring as Emerald thinks, 'I promised her I would keep her safe and I am not going to break it.' Without any fear Emerald grabs a spear from a guard and leaps into the pit as Hunter says shocked, "NO! Emerald!." In the pit Lily saw Emerald by her side as she says, "Em, you should not-." Emerald says, "OUT! Lily, Now!." 

Emerald gives Lily a leg up and launches her out of the pit as Annabelle sneers down at her before she asks, "what do you think you are doing?." Emerald replies, "not letting my best friend get hurt and giving you the show you desperately wanted." Annabelle grits her teeth at her words as Emerald barely has time to think as she sees a huge fist about to attack her as the wild man roars again; Emerald dodges in time as the attack sends a crack all the way up the pit. Emerald thinks, 'he could have ended my life, with just that one blow.' Emerald grips the spear in her hand thinking, 'I have a chance with this.' Emerald leans back and launches the spear with her all might to attack just as the wild man sprints towards her. The blade sinks into his shoulder as he roar before charging towards Emerald at full speed. Emerald realises her attack did not work as the wild man at once slams into her knocking her flat on her back as the wind leaves her body and she chokes. Hunter calls out, "EMERALD!." Emerald feels her Dragon mark burns with Hunter's panic voice as the murderous monster of a man looms over her, pulling the spear from his shoulder. Emerald slowly gets up thinking, 'how did it not even affect him...?.' The wild man roars again as Annabelle says, "it was so noble to take the place of your friend, Emerald." Annabelle grins with delight as the man raises the bloody spear over Emerald who looks scared. Hunter calls out, "fight, Emerald! NOW!." Emerald hears Hunter's voice as she knows either she will survive or die. The wild man is about to bring the spear down to attack Emerald as she rolls out of the way; Emerald catches her breath as she watches the blade sink deep into the earth thinking, 'oh god, that was close.'