The Midnight Storm (A New Dawn #2)

Chapter 55 - Alex (Part 2)

The crowd stood up from their seats, cheering and clapping, as she entered the arena together with the General, right after Queen Crystal and Lana. A hot rush coursed through her veins, and not just from the heat radiating from her armour.

She followed the General's staggering pace, the result of a recent battle wound from his misfortune in the mountains. Men, women, and children alike were pointing at her, temporarily making her forget her sluggish, limited movements. Without all the worries swirling around in her head, she would feel as heroic as the people whose statues now stared down at anyone passing by in the castle's Hall of Heroes.

No, this was her moment. She pushed the thoughts of an uncertain future away and tilted her head, waving back. Making history.

Lana and the Queen parted from the group, each going to a separate shield from behind which they would follow the execution.

More oh's and ah's came from the stands as Alex remained with the men. Silly—as though her iron uniform hadn't been shiny enough for them to realise that she was one of them. And nobody could take this moment away from her.

King Thomas halted a good twenty yards from where a sturdy iron pole had been planted into the sand. Four wooden stakes, as well as a plethora of chains, kept the pole from falling.

"Sundale!" King Thomas bellowed.

As the crowd quietened down, Alex stopped waving. She lifted the helmet over her head to slide it down without making a noise. The heat drummed down on her iron shell. Gods, she was sweating so much.

"Sundale," the King repeated, fierce yet stately. "Did you enjoy the first summer games?"

A heartbeat of silence, then applause and joyful whooping reverberated from all sides. There came some shouts, mostly comments about the fighters, and one greying man on the right lower ring hollered, "My ass is rock-hard and baked, though!"

"So is mine, my friend," the King returned the banter. He gesticulated at a merchant on the stairs in between two rings. "Please, give that man an ale to soothe his sore—you-know." He scratched his throat before continuing, "I'm well aware the arena is far from finished. Allow the God of Patience to bless the builders. By next summer, I promise a more comfortable seating arrangement for all of you. A market right outside. More ale and wine. And more men defending the honour and glory of this country!"

Applause and long salvos of acclamation came in reply.

"But!" He waited for the mass to stop their deafening noise. The atmosphere shifted from bantering triumph to silent seriousness. "But, there is one last thing to do before I invite you back into Sundale for a continuation of this summer celebration."

The King put an armoured arm around Seb. "Today, I was reminded again of the northern threat, of the forces of Sin that wish to destroy everything we are, everything we stand for. Three seasons ago, on a lazy Sunday afternoon not unlike today, a magician came to Laneby. He burnt the town to a crisp, including my brother, my sister-in-law, my nieces, and all of their beloved friends and their families. Three escaped the inferno, two of them are standing with me today. And one, one was sent by the Gods to prevent a similar massacre from occurring right here in Sundale. He was here, the monster of Laneby, and she stopped him." He paused and turned to her. "Alex, come here."

She strutted towards the King's outstretched arm, her stomach leaping into her chest. Scattered, hesitant applause that broadened. Ten thousand pairs of eyes followed her, then gasps of awe rippled through the rings as he enveloped her into his embrace.

"She's your saviour, Sundale. Keen eyes, a cool head on very young shoulders, and a killer instinct. You'll see." He patted her on her backplate, then stepped forward, his arms behind his back. "Bring the magician out. We're gonna execute him."