The Chronicles of Swords and Sorcery

Perseus Blackwood

The sun crept over the horizon steadily, casting a golden glow down the tunnel where we waited. 32 of us stood in a line, adjusting and making last-minute checks on our horses as we got ready to go through the entrance, to be announced in front of the King and Queen.

I tighten my gauntlets, a nervous energy crackling, which had settled over us earlier while we were getting ready. We were still determining exactly what the tournament was about, and why only 32 of us were chosen.

I look ahead 5 horses to see the green and gold banner of the Hunter house. Underneath the colors was Eryx. I roll my eyes, of course, he was here too. His father had undoubtedly secured him a spot in the tournament, being a duke close to the king himself.

I rest a hand on the hilt of my sword, ready to exit and get the tournament started. I took a breath, trying to settle my head.

I straighten once our names start to be announced, moving forward with the group, muffling a growl when Eryx is called.

When I exited the tunnel, I was engulfed in sunlight, shining off my armor. Roses were tossed to me when my name was called, and I caught one, the crowd roaring in happiness.

I hadn't always been a crowd favorite, but in the past few years as a knight, I'd gone on multiple dangerous quests and been successful each time. It felt good to hear the chanting of 'Blackwood'. I hope my mother and father were watching.

We each line up in formation, the way we split off and crossed each other put me next to Eryx. I roll my eyes, trying to focus and look forward. He, unfortunately, did not care, "Ready to lose, Blackwood?"

I scoffed, glaring at him before turning back to the Queen, congratulating each of us and going on the usual speel of how the tournament would work. "You'll be losing, Hunter, again," I smirk, giving him a pointed glance.

For the past 2 years, I have won the tournament, much to his increasing annoyance. Though last year I had been the one to personally defeat him in battle- the year before he had been defeated by a knight I knew named Corey Arthur. He was three horses from us, wearing the red and black of his house.

Eryx leaned over slightly, "Not this time, you're going down. I'll make sure of that." I chuckle softly, "You should worry about your own fights, eh? Eryx. Hope to see you at the end so I can beat you like I did last year."

He seethed, and I could see steam escaping from him. Making me recall that his magic happened to be elemental. "You cheated last year." I roll my eyes, my horse shifting underneath me, though I swiftly calmed him, "Easy big guy." I murmur, patting his neck.

"I did not." I snap back at Eryx a moment later, almost too loudly, because a few knights cleared their throats, giving us both hard looks. The older knight next to me chuckled softly, "Save it for your swords you two."

I nod at the senior knight, wearing the green and white colors of his house, notable throughout the kingdom as Sir Galahad. "Of course, Sir, our apologies." Eryx echoed the apology and we fell silent, just in time to hear who we would be fighting against.

I got a feisty young knight named Sir Daniel, who wore red and yellow. I didn't catch who Eryx was fighting against but by the looks of it, it was a knight known as Caulder, an older knight known for fighting dirty. I wonder how Eryx would do.

When we were all paired up, we faced our opponents, bowing to each other in respect, before a horn sounded and we clashed forward.

My horse surges forward, and I draw my sword to Clash with Daniel. He fought enthusiastically but sloppy- and the battle was over quickly after I knocked him from his horse after he unbalanced himself trying to slash me.