The Blade Heir (Book 1) (3 page)

Lucius and Siegfried stood quietly observing Kiret make quick work of the competitors, each hoping to gain victory and the acceptance of the
Cyngorell
. Many elves eagerly met the elven warrior in combat and came close to defeating him, but neither their graceful sword strokes nor their phenomenal speed could match Kiret's prowess with a D'aryan blade.

"This is madness. No one will overcome Kiret," Lucius whispered into Siegfried's pointed ear.

"Do not fret, Lucius. A battle is not always measured by victory. Put trust in your skills as a swordsman and the grace in which you enter combat. These will aid you in dealing the fatal blow. Search for the gap in his defense," Siegfried advised. The elf scrutinized every parry and thrust made by Kiret.

His words did little to boost Lucius' confidence. He watched each match with dread, knowing his name would soon be called and he might suffer the same defeat as his peers. Practice in elven swordplay had become a ritual for him in the past year. He had sparred with Siegfried for countless nights, learning every thrust, swing, parry, and counterstrike known to the elven masters of the D'aryan blade. Despite his diligence, Lucius had never scored a victory over his brother. Siegfried was more cunning and graceful with a sword than any elf Lucius had known. If anyone could defeat Kiret in a contest, it would be Siegfried.

Athri suddenly called Lucius' brother to the center of the seal where Kiret had just vanquished Isis, the daughter of Quetulya. She stood up in shame as her father glowered at her from his seat. Siegfried approached the Protectors calmly without any hint of emotion. Lucius rubbed the back of his neck as Athri handed Siegfried a sword. The blade's edge was dull, and should the competitors fail to restrain an attack, the weapon would not cause serious injury.

"At the ready!" Athri yelled. Both elves drew up their swords and took their stances, glaring at each other with restrained intensity. In an instant, Kiret charged toward Siegfried with an upward swing of his blade. Siegfried gracefully blocked the charge and dashed behind Kiret, to his bewilderment. Kiret quickly turned to face Siegfried, who arrogantly smirked at the Protector. Kiret scowled and swung his sword at his side, but it was a feint. As Siegfried hurried to parry it, Kiret immediately arched his blade and swung at Siegfried's other side. With little time to react, Siegfried jumped backwards, but the edge of Kiret's blade still slashed the surface of his jerkin, exposing his undershirt. Lucius and the crowd gasped. Siegfried did not let his opponent's move deter him. He quickly charged Kiret with a series of short thrusts, but the Protector was able to block them. And after parrying the last of the strikes, he sidestepped then placed his right foot behind Siegfried's and tripped him. Siegfried fell on his back, and Lucius knew Kiret's next move would be the last if his brother did not act swiftly. Kiret drove his D'aryan blade downward, aiming at Siegfried's neck, but Siegfried shifted his upper body to the side. He then grabbed the hilt of Kiret's sword with his left hand and pulled the elf's sword to the ground. The blade struck the stone floor with a clash. With one swift move, Siegfried brought his blade up with his right hand and the tip stopped just an inch below Kiret's throat. Kiret's eyes widened as he realized he had been defeated.

Athri looked at them in surprise and announced, "Siegfried is the victor!" The previously silent crowd erupted in applause and cheered enthusiastically for the younger Silverhart elf. Siegfried was helped to his feet by Kiret, who looked rather flustered. Siegfried turned to face the dais and bowed before the Council and his father. Helmer smiled at his son, but only for a brief moment to avoid any suspicion of partiality among his fellow councilors.

Siegfried walked back to his place beside Lucius, who expressed his joy at the victory more than anyone else did. But Lucius' wide grin quickly turned to a frown when Athri called him to the seal. Siegfried reminded Lucius to trust in his abilities, but his brother's words did not prevent the knot forming in Lucius' stomach. He took a deep breath and walked up to the Protectors who glared at him. They saw a young, dark-haired human—one incapable of defeating a Protector of the Great Tree and unworthy of the respected role. The race of men had been a thorn in the side of the elven realms for centuries, and no victory or kind words from Lucius would change the intense disdain he sensed coming from Kiret and Athri.

Athri handed him the D'aryan blade. "Prepare yourself."

Lucius grabbed the sword and faced his opponent, who was still anguished at his previous defeat. Lucius took a defensive stance and breathed calmly. Kiret's stare bore into him, whether to intimidate him or communicate a deeper dislike, Lucius could not tell. Athri yelled for the match to begin, and Kiret immediately dashed forward. His first attack caught Lucius off guard, but he managed to parry the elf's vicious strike.

Lucius reared back, took a breath, and charged at Kiret with a broad swing to the elf's shoulder. Kiret ducked beneath the blow and thrust his sword at Lucius' neck. Lucius leaned back, away from the tip of the blade and desperately blocked the thrust. The move annoyed Kiret, who expected a quick victory over him. The Protector took a few steps back and twirled his sword with both hands as Lucius watched.

Kiret was taunting him.

Lucius scowled, then with a cry swung his sword at Kiret's side, anticipating a parry. Kiret did so, and Lucius quickly whipped his sword at the elf's head. The Protector barely blocked the ambitious swing, but lost his balance for a second. Lucius capitalized and swung his blade in a downward arc that caused Kiret to fall backward while blocking the force of the blow

A sudden silence fell upon the crowd, and everyone watched in anticipation of a human besting an elven warrior. Lucius swiftly tried to position the dull point of his sword at Kiret's heart, but the elf was too quick. Kiret rolled from his prone position with cunning grace, lifted himself to his knees, and flicked the edge of his blade beneath Lucius' jaw all in a matter of seconds. Lucius sighed in frustration and dropped his sword.

"Kiret stands victorious," Athri announced.

The audience applauded Lucius and Kiret's spirited contest, but Lucius felt unworthy of any applause. He sauntered back to where Siegfried stood, glancing at the Council dais toward his adoptive father. The white-haired elder Silverhart nodded slightly at him without a hint of disappointment.

Siegfried stood with his arms crossed and a smile on his face as Lucius approached. He knew what Siegfried wanted to say.
My technique was rushed and too erratic to defeat a Protector.
But his brother said nothing. He only bowed his head at him and continued to watch the remaining contests.

Only two more elves were able to score a decisive victory over Kiret when the tournament was over. The short Protector looked flushed after the fighting had finally ended. When the entire assembly of competitors had lined up as Athri commanded, the
Cyngorell
spoke quietly amongst each other. Lucius felt more than a few glances from the Councilors on him while they conversed. After a few minutes, the whispers atop the dais ceased and Quetulya stood up.

He looked at the row of prospective Protectors before him solemnly. Lucius felt uneasy whenever Quetulya's stare fell upon him. The wise elf sighed deeply and looked to the heavens for a brief moment before he finally spoke.

"I congratulate every one of you for competing in this tournament, which has been a tradition of Evingrad for ages. You have all fought with great honor and valor this day. Nonetheless, the
Cyngorell
has come to a decision on whom among you are worthy to guard the Great Tree of Verdania," Quetulya said. The councilor paused briefly and let the anticipation in the crowd reach its full limit. "Siegfried, Mora, and Isis step forward!"

The three elves stepped forward in near perfect sync, arms at their sides. Lucius grumbled in disappointment as Quetulya began to speak again.

"You have all been deemed worthy of defending the Great Tree and land of our ancestors. Your grace and skill with a sword has placed you above your kinsmen. However, in order for the burden of the Protector to be bestowed, you must now prove your skills with a bow. For the rest of you, the archery tournament will be a chance to redeem yourselves. The D'aryan bow is the heart of an elf on the battlefield, and a Protector of the Great Tree is required to wield it proficiently. The bow always precedes the sword. After a brief rest, you will all compete, and we shall determine who will join Siegfried, Mora, and Isis in the ranks of the elite."

Quetulya signaled to Athri and Kiret. The two Protectors dismissed the competitors for a short time. The elves dispersed, talking among themselves and their family clans who stood watching a few feet behind the green seal. Lucius walked up to Siegfried and patted him on the back.

"Well done, brother. It is quite an honor, and I see no elf more worthy of it than you."

Siegfried nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Lucius. But I have yet to bear the armor of
Breninmaur
."

"I have no doubt you will after this next contest," Lucius admitted.

"Have you not seen what is happening here, Lucius?" Siegfried's tone grew serious. Lucius looked at him quizzically. "Isis was chosen over you."

"So? What of it?"

"Isis is Quetulya's daughter, Lucius. She suffered a quicker defeat than you."

Lucius followed his logic. "You're suggesting the Council was biased in their ruling?"

"Yes. You fought more valiantly than she did. Go present the matter to our Father, or Quetulya himself. The honor is rightfully yours," Siegfried persuaded.

"No, Siegfried, I don't wish to get involved in the
Cyngorell
's decision. It's not my place ... I am not even of elven blood." His voice trailed off.

Siegfried shook his head and walked toward the dais where the councilors were chatting and laughing. Lucius realized what his brother planned to do and he reached out to stop him, but it was too late. Siegfried called to his father.

Helmer abruptly stopped his conversation with one of the councilors and turned to his son. Quetulya, who had been writing on a piece of parchment, looked up at the fair-skinned elf.

"I do not agree with the
Cyngorell
's decision," Siegfried said, eliciting a few gasps from those nearby.

"Why not, my son?" Helmer asked.

"Father, it is clear to me that I should be honored by this Council for worthy display of skill with a D'aryan blade and the defeat of a Protector. But it is unclear why Lucius, who displayed the same skill and valor as I, should not also be bestowed this honor."

Before Helmer could answer, Quetulya interrupted, "young Silverhart, it is not your place to question the rulings of this Council. We alone will judge who is worthy of recognition for such a prestigious honor as that of a Protector of the Great Tree."

"As a descendant of the great sage Ellyllei of the ancestral line of Silverhart and heir to my father's seat in the
Cyngorell
, I have every right to question your ruling, Quetulya Elvinstar," Siegfried challenged.

Quetulya stood from his seat and turned to Helmer. "Is this the manner of respect you have taught your son, Helmer?"

"Siegfried speaks for himself, Quetulya. He is not a child anymore. The decision has been challenged. Now what does the Grand Councilor suggest?" Helmer retorted.

Quetulya clenched his jaw. "The decision to honor Siegfried, Mora, and Isis was fair—"

"Fair?" Siegfried interrupted. "How fair was it that your daughter, Councilor, should gain honor when she was defeated quicker than any other elf who faced Kiret? Surely, if she is worthy of the Protector's armor, then so is my brother."

"Enough!" Quetulya snapped. "One more insolent word from you, Siegfried, and your honor shall be stripped of you."

Lucius swallowed hard and put his hand on Siegfried's shoulder, pleading for him to stop. But he did not.

"There is no need, Quetulya. I forfeit my honor since you have chosen to withhold my brother's."

The faces among the crowd of elves who had formed behind them looked on, aghast at Siegfried's words. Lucius couldn't believe what his brother had just done.

"Very well, Siegfried," Quetulya said with noticeable satisfaction in his tone. "You will no longer be considered for the role of Protector—unless, of course, this Council nominates you again after your performance in the archery tournament."

Siegfried scoffed. "Even if I shoot my bow with the grace of a seabird of Und, you will not nominate me again, nor will you consider Lucius, who I dare say, shoots an arrow with skill rivaling the best archers of Verdania."

"Alright, Siegfried," Helmer spoke before Quetulya had a chance to chide his son. "You have had your say in this matter. Go and compete, if you so choose."

Siegfried sighed and glared at Quetulya one last time before he clutched his bow and walked away from the green seal. Lucius followed him reluctantly, asking whether he would compete or not. Siegfried didn't answer and kept walking away from the square toward the Royal Road. Lucius stopped at the edge of the seal and watched him for a while until the blast of Kiret's horn filled the air. The archery tournament was about to begin.

The elves grew silent and hurried to their positions, both spectators and competitors. Lucius did not wish to compete without Siegfried present. But he knew this would be the last chance to show Quetulya and the Council he was worthy of being chosen to be a Protector. He hurried toward the green seal, grabbing his bow from the spot on the floor where he had left it. He pulled the bowstring a few times to prepare his arm muscles for the contest while he listened to Kiret and Athri state the rules of the tournament. It was nothing new to him. Various targets would be set up at differing distances and had to be hit within a predetermined time limit. Accuracy, speed, and grace were of the utmost importance.

After another poem to D'arya was recited by one of the
Cyngorell
, Lucius and the rest of the competitors lined up. Athri commanded them to nock their arrows and aim. The tall, attractive elf raised her hand as the contestants readied themselves. A few seconds later, her hand dropped and Lucius released his arrow.