Daughter of Medusa

13

Archer bowed his head: If I may, my king. It wouldn't have worked, not in her case

Crystal: If you will allow me to speak, my league

The dragon king nodded his head

Crystal: I believe Archer is right, it would take a lot to break her spirit, and if it breaks it will do so completely, rendering her of no use

Dragon king: Insolent child, how fast are you in both your gargoyle transformation and petrification. How good are you?

Avery: Honestly, I do not know. I never had anyone to compare them with

Dragon king: Then you shall. Bring her here tomorrow at noon. She will compete with Jaera, so we can measure her usefulness

He landed to the ground and entered the cave

The shifters nodded at Archer and left, all except Crystal

Archer looked grim, and Crystal lost her sardonic smile

Avery: What is it?

Archer: Jaera is the strongest and fastest daughter of Madusa we have

Avery: What about the gragoyle transfoation

Archer: We dont have any gargoyles here. He might be forgo it.. This isn't good. You must've really pissed him off

He grabbed her shoulders and shook her: Why did you say that? Have you no self preservation? You have to understand this, NO ONE CAN HELP YOU HERE

Avery: But..

He cut her off: No buts, I cannot help you. You have to go along or you might die..

He left, leaving her with Crystal

Crystal: His Majesty has been reigning for a long time. He's a full dragon, not a dragon shifter like us. He's ancient.. Another ruler is born only when the previous one's reign is nearing its end. Do you think he'd look kindly upon Archer, when he feels he's here to replace him, a symbol of weakness, especially with him being a shifter, not a full dragon. Do you understand now?

Avery nodded numbly, a lot of things just made a lot more sense

Crystal: You better pray you're stronger and faster than Jaera, that's the only way you're going to survive. Oh, and that he finds no gargoyle to compare you to, or that at least you could keep up with one if he did. Because if he feels like it, he will find one

She took her into a small hut, locked her in and left
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Avery hardly slept, tossing and turning all night, there was a lot to think about, but would it do her any good if the king decided to off her tomorrow?

Despite her anxiety, at one point she succumbed to exhaustion at one point

Only to be woken up by Crystal, when she felt like she had just closed her eyes

Crystal: Wake up

Avery: Wha.. Is it noon already?

Crystal: No, but it's close enough. Hurry and get up. We're going

Avery: Where?

Crystal: Your competition with Jaera has been moved up

Avery: What, it's right now?

Crystal nodded: Don't keep his Majesty waiting. It's an affront and you can't handle one right now

Avery: But I haven't washed up or eaten anything

Crystal snorted: You think you'd get the luxury to? Only after you defeat Jaera will you be allowed any of those things

She muttered: Archer has turned you soft

At hearing his name, she turned looking for him

Crystal: He's not here. He's waiting with the spectators. Do not expect him to acknowledge you or react to anything on your behalf. From this day onward you two are strangers. Don't even look at him for a long time

Avery: But!

Crystal gave her an icy glare

Avery retorted with a glare of her own

Crystal: Don't. For both f your sakes, just don't..