Frieren: Twin Souls

Chapter 8 Tournament part 2 A race of daredevils

The starting point of the race.

— Brave knights, noble ladies! Look at who we have here! These are the flower of knighthood, riders as fast as the wind. They came to us from afar with pleasure! Let's see if everyone is here with us! We will sing their names for years to come!— The herald read the names of all the participants in the race, and when he finished, two powerful knights appeared next to him, their faces hidden by helmets.— Special applause for the brothers Gregoire of Gorgon, better known as Goliath and Talos, champions of the last tournament, and it is with him that the winners of the next competition will have the opportunity to fight.

Himmel looked at them and they did indeed look powerful, and their thick armor and two-handed sword and axe are not worn for show.

 *This is going to be a tough ride.* Thought Himmel, who, despite fighting powerful opponents, these two would certainly cause them trouble if he managed to take a good place and advance further.

When everyone had already taken their places, the trumpet sounded giving the signal to start and they set off. The route was quite winding and variable for most of its length, from a beaten track to running through a stream. Control over the horse counted more here than its speed. Until halfway through the route Himmel was in 5th place, taking advantage of the fact that the two knights in front of him had lost control of their horses and let themselves be thrown off them. The fact that he managed to learn the route allowed him to react at the right moment, and Fauna's advice allowed him to optimally use his horse's strengths and weaknesses. The last 500 meters was a straight road to the finish line, and the opponents did not give up, but fate, as fate can be, is fickle.

Geisel appeared in the sky, diving towards the two knights fighting for first place.

— Above you! — Himmel shouted, as loudly as he could.

And fortunately for him, they heard his call and dodged in time, but they had to stop the race. They dismounted and began to provoke the beast into another attack, and when it was preparing to attack, the woman in third place stepped into action, who pierced the beast's head with a shining sword.

— By a close call. — One of the knights sighed. — Does anyone know what this damn thing is?

Then Himmel joined them with the rest of the competitors, who in solidarity decided to check if anyone was hurt.

— It's Geisel. — Himmel replied.

— Geisel? — The surprised woman who killed him repeated. — Correct me if I'm wrong, but they live further north, what's one of them doing so close to the capital?

Everyone was silent, but Himmel had a theory, but he preferred not to mention it. In his opinion, the demon they were hunting had set up an ambush, but he had no proof of this, nor did he know if any of the knights were working for him.

At that moment, a large dog with black fur and eyes the color of blood jumped out from behind the trees. Its appearance scared the horses, which scattered in all directions. The knights formed a circle and watched as the beast prepared to attack.

— Hey Layla, maybe you could use your light magic. — One of the knights turned to the woman who killed Geisel.