Elemental Mage Book 3 (Tarieth)

Thirty-eight: Duel & Markings

Finally the day of their duel arrived. It was Moonsday, the 15th day of Old Moon. Malamig sa labas, sa wakas dumating na sa university ang taglamig.

Pagkalabas ng silid, nakita ni Tara that Seregon was already outside his room, leaning on the door frame, sa tabi nito ay nakatayo si Reavel.

Kumain muna sila. Mismong si Master Rylon Stillblow ang sumundo sa kanila. Mahalata ang matinding tensiyon sa paligid. Walang kahit isang Master doon sa dining hall.

Pagkatapos ng maraming goodluck's and goodbye's galing sa mga kakilala at kaibigan, they are on their way to wherever the duel will be held.

Hindi maintindihan ni Tarieth ang nararamdaman. She felt a very strong urge to see her parents. Pero hindi alam kung paano gawin iyon.

Pumasok sila sa Halls of Masters. Derederetsong naglakad si Master Rylon. May kinapa ito sa dingding at sa kanilang pagkamangha ang sahig sa harapan ni Master Rylon ay bumaba hangang sa tumambad sa kanila ang hagdanan. Bumaba doon si Master Rylon kaya sumunod sila.

Pababa ng pababa ang hagdanan na bato, at sa bawat hakbang ay may umiilaw na globe light sa kanilang dinadaanan, giving light to their path.

Pagkababa ay pumasok muli sila sa isang pintuan. There are strange symbols on the door but no time to study it. Sa loob ng silid ay naroon ang mga University Masters wearing with what she thinks their ceremonial robes. This time kilala na ni Tara ang mga naroroon. Master Quiren Brightglow na suot ang parang umaapoy ang laylayan ng red robe ng isang FireMage not his usual black robe. Master Wanda Shadowwater wearing a dark blue robe as WaterMage, swirling water designed her robe. Master Welrien Alamanda wearing dark green robe as EarthMage with a banyan tree at the back of his robe and the roots spreading. And lastly the High Lord who's wearing a gray robe, nothing special with his robe except it blends with the color of the wall. Sa lahat iyon ang gusto ni Tara, because the robe could be used as a camouflage. Napangiti si Tara sa naisip. Always thinking as a warrior.

Master Bris Cadwallader was there as well, Master Rainstorm, ang mga magulang nina Tempest at Brynna. And of course the King and Queen. At Commander General ViticiPrema na tatayo bilang elders niya dahil ang alam ng mga naroroon ay isa siyang ulila galing sa La Fun.

Inside the huge chamber was only bare floor full of symbols. Sa pinakagitna ay ang napakalaking pentagram symbol sa sahig. It was written in gold color.

Tahimik ang laht ng maglakad sa gitna si High Lord Firen saka nagsalita.
"Narito tayo ngayon para alamin kung karapat-dapat ba ang apat na student mage para sa Markings, making them a full pledge Mages sa pamamagitan ng duel. Master Quiren Brightglow has agreed to take the challenge of Prince Seregon Valerius Narmolanya Anvamanwe, son of his majesty King Camthaleon Anvawanme and her majesty Queen Nienna Anvamanwe. And all of us will stand as witnesses."

Umalis ito sa kinatatayuan at tumango kay Master Brightglow. Naglakad patungo si Master Brightglow patungo sa gitna, sumunod si Seregon. Both first bowed to the king and queen, then to each other.

And the fight begin.

Umatras ng bahagya ang mga naroroon sa silid na nakapalibot sa dalawang manlalaro. Noon lang napansin ni Tara that, at the edge of the room have another symbol. A rune of protection. Hindi niya alam para saan iyon at kung bakit kailangan iyon. Pero ng magsimula na naglalaban si Seregon at Master Brightglow, she understand why the need for protection. The rune act as a barrier, para hindi lumabas ang kapangyarihan ng dalawang nag-aaway and to avoid anyone inside the room getting accidentally hurt.

Master Brightglow was firing at Seregon with what looks like daggers made of fire and every time it reach Seregon, another red fire leapt to protect his brother. Nang marealized ito ni Master Brightglow he started to get serious. A volley of tiny fires that looks like tiny needles bombarded in his brothers direction.