Shalace - A World of Fae

The men shall fence

Chapter 25

(The men shall fence)

Callista sat in the stands next to Amara watching as the competitors entered the field. She smiled seeing her brothers and Embry. A few moments later, she watched Aidan enter the competitor’s area. Aidan looked at her and she smiled and nodded luck to him. He returned the nod and turned to face the field.

Two at a time took the field and faced off. The young princess watched as each of her brothers faced off with an opponent and won their matches. She was pleased when Embry won and watched as The Goblin King entered the arena for the first time. She was more than a little surprised when she saw he would be facing off with Prince Frazzier.

Callista and Amara looked at each other and had the same thought. They both wanted Aidan to win. The announcement was made to begin and both men circled. Frazzier lashed out first but Aidan easily deflected him. This continued for a couple more turns and then as if bored the Goblin King lashed out so quickly Frazzier lost his sword and fell to the ground. Callista got the distinct impression that Aidan had allowed the match to continue longer than need be.

“What was that about?” Moryn asked as Aidan approached him.

“Your sister,” The Goblin King whispered. Moryn seemed to understand what he meant and didn’t question further.

The competitors continued until it began to weed down to the strongest. Callista watched as Moryn and Embry both took the field. “This is not good,” The teenager said and looked over at the Dragon Princess. Amara shrugged. “You going to console him if he looses?” Amara smiled but didn’t reply. Callista shook her head and turned her eyes back to the field.

Embry appeared calm and collected as he faced the Dark Elf Prince. Moryn however looked like he wanted to hit something. Both men glanced at Callista. She shrugged telling them she’d root for both. Embry chuckled at her dilemma. Moryn looked upset. To him she should root for him. He was her brother.

“Begin.”

Callista watched as the two men began to circle before Moryn lashed out. The swords began to clang violently as the match between the fae and dark elf continued. Callista glanced over at the winner’s side and noted Aidan was watching the fight intently. Aidan seemed to get along with both men. Callista was glad for it. She looked back in time to see a sword fall. Embry had won.

“Yeah, you console him,” She whispered to the Dragon Princess. Amara shook her head without reply.

Finally the last match of the competition had come. The Dark Elf Princess watched as Embry and Aidan both entered the field. Callista leaned over to Amara and asked, “Who normally wins?”

“They’re very evenly matched. It changes back and forth. Could be either of them,” The Dragon Princess replied. “I think King Aidan has slightly more wins.”

The Dark Elf Princess watched as her betrothed and her uncle face off. Neither seemed surprised they were facing off with each other again.

“We seem to find ourselves in this situation quite often,” Embry remarked.

“In deed,” The Goblin King agreed. “You could have let Moryn win.”

“You could have let Norad,” Embry retorted. Aidan smirked and then glanced at where his bride sat watching. Embry looked at her as well. “This really isn’t fair to her,” The Fae added so only his opponent would hear.

Aidan shrugged. “It is what it is. She can console me if I lose.” It was Embry’s turn to smirk this time.

“Begin.”

It seemed almost instantly that both men seemed to attack each other. Callista watched as the two seemed to enjoy the challenge of their opponent. She cringed a few times as both seemed to get to close to the other for her taste. This match took longer than any other that day. In the end it, was Aidan who stayed standing.

Callista watched as Aidan walked over and offered Embry a hand. He accepted and the Goblin King helped him to his feet. Several cheers erupted. Callista smiled and left the stands. First she went with Amara to see Moryn.

“You did so well,” Callista said proudly.

“I lost to Embry!” He pouted.

“And Embry lost to King Aidan,” Callista reminded him as she hugged him. Moryn didn’t know why but found he couldn’t be upset with his little sister. He hugged the blonde woman back and released her. She smiled at him and Amara and then headed off a different direction.

“You really did well,” Amara assured the Dark Elf Prince. Moryn let his eyes look her over from head to tow. “You have to wait.” Moryn sighed but nodded.

“Embry!” Callista called. The Fae Prince turned just in time to have the young woman throw her arms around him. “You were amazing!”

Embry smiled at his niece. “Thank you. Not as amazing as Aidan was today but thank you for the compliment.” Callista smiled at him making him feel a tinge of happiness. The fae wondered if the girl had any idea how special she was. He glanced to the field and saw Aidan standing there watching him. He was about to send the girl the Goblin King’s way when he saw Aidan shake his head. Embry knew this was his time with the teenager.

“Let’s take a walk shall we?” Embry told her. Callista nodded and they left the field. They headed for the lake on the side of the castle and sat on a bench to watch some ducks.

“What happened is not your fault and you should never feel it was,” Embry said after several minutes of silence. Callista looked at the man next to her. “Abron and Beven wanted the betrothal. Alana went along with it because she wanted her immortality returned to her.”

“Where is she Embry? Where is my grandmother?” She inquired.

Embry shrugged. “No one knows Callista. She disappeared during the battle. No one took her she left on her own. I fear she may have gone to someone who could give her immortality but at a horrible price.”

“Who?” Callista asked.

“There are demons that could,” The Fae Prince sighed. “Callista listen to me and listen good.” She nodded and gave her uncle her full attention. “If she comes to you and calls you to come to her don’t. She was willing to hand you over for her immortality once she might do it again. No matter what don’t go to her. If she looks younger, run from her!”

“I’ll keep my distance,” Callista assured him.

Embry nodded pleased. “I’ll walk you to your room. You need to dress for dinner.”

The young princess didn’t argue and allowed him to lead her to her room. She needed to be dressed well when her engagement was announced.