Royalties edge

chapter 2: the tournament begins

It was a long ride to the area, which was the other name for the place where the tournament takes place. The journey was quiet, a bit too quiet for the twins, especially after their little squabble.

Andreas: youre quiet.

Hendrix: I'm sorry, I'm tending to the leg you stabbed.

Andreas: oh you'll be fine, you're my brother after all.

Hendrix knew that he was kidding, as any affection towards him was always a joke, but for a moment, a brief moment, he had sensed the strange and uncommon feeling of sincerity from Andreas.

Chariot rider: your majesties, were here.

The man driving the chariot, stopped and hurriedly opened the door for the twins. Andreas being as childish as always rushed to get out before his brother but ended up tripping and falling flat on his face. Hendrix however didn't rush but instantly stood and marvelled at the area.

It was a large expanse of forest, filled with vibrant animals and moist trees and vegetation. The place was almost abondoned with atleast 10 people from the three kingdoms particpating. They all wore their kingdoms symbol of power, which were necklaces with pieces of wood carved into their representations. The kingdom of shep had a wooden sword that faced south with a ring around it, the kingdom of holtus had a man holding a heart in his had, no one except themselves knows exactly why they made it that way,and our kingdom, with two wings one was black, the other white. The kingdom of duplec have never competed in the tournament, fornreasons we still do not know of.

Adreas: finally! We are finally here

Hendrix: I guess isaac was right about the first time,

It's always surprising.

Isaac: I'm always right brother.

He chuckled with what seemed to be a broken Now in his hands and a fascinated Shannon behind him.

Isaac: Now the contest is about to begin, and I think It would be best if you went to the station.

Shannon: can I go too?

I would just take a second and I'd be out of there brother please.

Isaac: you know I can't let you do that sister, but I can let you help me fix this bow.

How is that?

Shannon: but thats boring,

I never get to do anything fun,

It's not fair.

Queen miranda: nothing is fair in this world, my daughter.

Hendrix and andreas: mother!

They rushed in to give her a big hug, and immediately let go after realising they had the eyes of almost everyone on them including isaac.

Isaac: embarrassed?

Andreas: shut up,

Plus we are supposed to be on our way.

And I suggest you stay out of mine, brother.

Hendrix: I'll see you in the battlefield.

Queen miranda: oh you two, don't try to kill each other...

She said as her two sons walked away to the group of young men that had gathered in the starting circle.

After they joined the group, the kings and queens of all four kingdoms gathered in the watch room where they will monitor the contestants using a locator spell and a heart monitoring spell.

The spellcasters that are responsible for the the spells had began the preparations, they laid a map of the area onto the round table where the kings and queens were gathered. They then sprayed a bit of dust onto the location of the starting circle and they chanted:

With our magic we bind

Where we place sand, we shall always find.

Then suddenly all the sand, piled up at the exact point  of the starting circle and the spell was cast.

the three organisers Isaac, prudence(the oldest daughter of the king and queen of holcust) and stephen (the Prince of the shep kingdom) began to explain the rules to them.

Isaac: the game as you may all now has been around from since the time of ancients.

And now you get to be part of it, and claim the title phoenix of the land.

Prudence: and as for the rules there is only one rule, no magic.

Stephen: any use of magical or magical equipment will result in instant disqualification.

Also no killing.

Isaac: alright.

It's now time to begin, oh and remember everyone is trying to win, meaning you're all alone.

Isaac then grabbed a burning torch from the ground and lit the edge of the circle. The fire trailed its way until it surrounded the entire group. The fire began to grow taller until it was finally time to begin.

The barrier of fire dropped, and everyone started running into the jungle, using their minds for the map they had to study and their weapons to not only defend but attack as well.

Everyone was at top speed, everyone was fast, except Hendrix whose wound began to hurt all of a sudden.But he was still able to move on, and he did

Andreas was fast and skilled, he would in a moment take out his opponent, and keep on, he wanted to win bad because if he did, he could finally convince his father he was better than his brother...

He could finally convince himself.

Hendrix however was at a disadvantage, though he was skilled in combat and sword art, he's legs hindered him completely. Especially with his next encounter, jonas (his ex).

Jonas: well well well, how the mighty have fallen.

Or are going to in this case..

Hendrix: Jonas?!,

But you weren't in the circle how ar--

Jonas: don't worry, how I got here is none of your concern,

Why I'm here however is just as good.

Hendrix: something tells me youre not here to make amends.

Jonas: no my dear, I'm here to kill you

Well you and him of course

Jonas said dragging an almost lifeless Andreas by the leg and tossing him to the ground besides him.

Jonas was here without permission, maybe they noticed him, maybe they were sending the royal brigade on their way, right?

At the round table

Prudence: no problems, no unwanted parties, not even a single fault at all.

This maybe our best work yet boys.

Stephen and isaach: I can drink to that..

King zolfer: son if you are to indulge in such acts, then I suggest you do it outside.

Stephen: yes father

Stephen and the others then went to have a merry drink outside, while in the room, the king zolfer and boult are talking about how their crop this season has done pretty well. While queen Ruth sits by herself as quietly watching the map as though it were doing the same to her.

And king Nathan was catching fresh air outside..

The queen Miranda however was feeling nauseous and sick, she was also hearing things, her children crying to her for help, it got to a point that she decided to tell her husband of it.

So she excused herself and walked to her husband...

Queen miranda: my king, I think something is wrong with the twins.

I can hear them screaming.

I can...

King nathan: it's probably just you being frightened by your dreams my queen, Plus your body feels terribly hot.

Queen miranda: I know what I feel, my children are in danger an--

Before she could finish, one of the cooks sprinkled a dust on her face that immediately put the queen to sleep. The king then advised the cook to take her to the castle, very discreetly. He then went to the table and informed them that his wife had a mild case of dehydration and she has gone to rest.

At the Outside

Prudence: your father is quite the work you know

Stephen: I get that a lot often nowadays

Isaac: you should be glad that your father even trusts you, mine can't even lo--

Shannon : brother you have to go now!

They need you,

Goo now!

Isaac: go where

And where did you run off too?

Shannon: I lef---

She then before completing fell to the ground,  her body twitching and her eyes turning as white as now, she did nothing else for a few moments until she regained her sanity.

Shannon: they are going to die

Stephen: who exactly

Shannon: Everyone in there.

She said pointing towards the entrance of the area.