THE ROYAL FLAME

CHAPTER 4

Eric was seething with anger as he sat alone in his tent, thinking about the argument he just had with Robin. He couldn't believe how stupid Robin was being, and he was tempted to go back and give him a piece of his mind but he knew that would only make the situation worse. As Eric sat alone in his tent, he couldn't keep still, He began to pace back and forth, his thoughts racing with rage. He knew he needed to calm down before facing Robin again, but his blood was boiling, and his face was red. He tried to take deep breaths, but it was no use, he was too angry to think straight. Finally, after a few minutes he managed to calm himself down enough to stop pacing. He lay down on his bed and tried to think about something else, anything to take his mind off Robin and his infuriating arrogance.

Just then, Eric heard someone outside his tent. He got up and opened it to see Claire standing outside. "Hey," Claire said, "Are you okay? I saw what was going on out there, and I wanted to make sure you were alright." She walked into the tent, looking at Eric with concern. Eric glared at Claire, his fists clenched. "I don't need your pity," he snarled, "I can handle myself. "Claire frowned, crossing her arms. "I'm not here to pity you," she said firmly. "You and Robin were acting like children out there, and you're risking getting kicked out of the Dragonflame Trials because of it. It's not worth it, Eric." Eric turned away, his hands still clenched tightly. He knew Claire was right, but he didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to admit that he was wrong, that he let his temper get the best of him yet again. Eric's shoulders were tense as Claire stood there, looking at him with that concerned expression. He didn't want her pity, he didn't need it. He had been through worse, after all. But still, her words cut through his anger like a knife through butter.  

"I don't need your lectures," he snapped back, crossing his arms. But Claire stood her ground. "It's not a lecture, it's the truth". Eric's eyes narrowed, and he looked away, his jaw clenched. Claire's words stung, but he knew she was right. He had let his temper get the better of him, and it had almost cost him his spot in the Dragonflame Trials. "I don't need you telling me what to do," he said gruffly, still refusing to look at her. But there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice, a hint that maybe he did want her comfort, even if he didn't want to admit it. Claire sighed, sensing that Eric was too stubborn to fully admit his own shortcomings. She knew that he was feeling vulnerable, but pushing him would only make him angrier.  "Look, I'm not here to tell you what to do," she said, softening her tone. "I just want to make sure you don't do anything stupid that you'll regret later." Said and she left from there he somehow felt guilty and thought of apologising to Claire for his rude behaviour but his ego came in between and he did not.

Eric woke up the next day, still feeling the weight of the argument from the previous day. The words that he and Claire had exchanged echoed in his mind as he got ready for the day ahead. Eric stepped outside the tent, the bright morning sun hitting his face. The camp was already bustling with activity as participants prepared for the day's challenges. He didn't think of the previous matters much and decided to train for The Dragonflame Trials as he did not have much time for the first round. Days passed quickly everyone was busy in the preparation for the competition and lost the track of time Eric and Robin just avoided each other not wanting to be involved in any future trouble.

THE ROYAL FLAME