Ancient Times Book 1

Chapter Three

A/N: This image is my description of Drew Dalton just in case you are wondering. I will put a full image on the next chapter.

The next morning Drew woke up with the smell of alcohol in his mouth for the first time and it tasted horrible. His uncle had made him try it last night at the festival, turns out the riccon center were celebrating a festival to thank the gods for the gift of life. Lots of dances, drinks, and food for everyone.

His uncle never informed him that the place they were going to  was actually a festival. He walked up to the window to look outside and found out there was no one, it was quiet and the bright light of the day filled the sky.

This was strange. It is hardly not to see anyone in the break of dawn except there was a gathering or meeting or....

The announcement!!!

It hit him, Rigo told him the Queen of Deverous was arriving today in riccon that's where they all are. He left the window and rushed to wash his mouth without bathing changing into a new cloth rushing outside yelling his uncle's name, Rigo or his wife but didn't get a response.

Why would they leave without telling him?

He wondered as he ran to the stable but to his surprise there was no horse.

" Bloody hell!!" He yelled out his temper rising.

How is he suppose to get to the meeting now without a horse.

He ran back inside to grab his sword and sheathed it by his side before coming back outside left with no other choice, he began to run to the meeting center....

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The meeting center was crowded with people of riccon waiting the arrival of the Queen of the north.

Cyrus himself and his family were present as well, his wife at his side in the midst of the crowd Rigo at his back.

" You left Drew at home wasted after last night festival just to ensure he didn't make it to the announcement today" his wife Lora whispered to him.

" He is not meant to be here" he said without turning his attention to her

" It is his decision if he chooses to be here today or not" Lora replies.

" One way or another he is going to hate you for this you do realize that right father" Rigo cut in from behind him.

" I am not having this conversation both of you. He will hate me but this is for his own good" Cyrus stated changing his stance.

Rigo sighs.

" This is his destiny you can't deny him that"

It took Drew a long time to realize how important this tournament meant to him that's why Rigo told him about it in the first place. Rigo has never seen anyone fight the way he does apart from his father, he wished he had disobeyed his father and left Drew a horse but it was too late now.

The Queen's howdah was here.

The horse riders pulled up to a halt steps away from the dais made for the Queen to stand on. The riders dismounted and one went to open up the door of the howdah. The Queen of  Deverous stepped out of the howdah in a blue strapless gown that covered her legs, a coat made out of wolf skin covered her neck down to her arms, medium length brown hair, blue eyes and a fair skin tone.

Everybody present at the meeting went down on their knees to welcome the Queen as she climbed on the dais.

" Rise people of Riccon!" Her voice smooth.

Her royal guard stood at her right hand side, the Queen's hand at her left. The people stood back up.

" People of Riccon. It is my pleasure to stand before your presence today. As you all know the tournament is approaching and just like any other kingdom , I am opportune to pick those who will represent Deverous as fighters of the north. Now I know we don't engage in anything concerned with fighting and warfare but, see this as a way of promoting our fighters both old and new to experience how other kingdoms fight and if by any chance one of our true son's win. Then it will be one of our greatest history in the making" She continued....

Drew was already tired after reaching eight hundred kilometers away from the Riccon meeting center. It was a two mile journey there and he was only half way there. He couldn't go any further and drops to the ground, he didn't drank or ate anything before running all the way here in the middle of nowhere.

He was putting his life at risk again for the second time by being in a situation he can't get out off. How was he going to get there on time, how would he know if the Queen has delivered her message or not and pick the fighters she sees fit. All he ever wanted was a chance at protecting his kingdom and now everything is fading away. There was no way he was going to make it to the center now without enough strength or a horse.

Suddenly he began to hear a voice, he was too tired to listen or know where the voice is coming from. In spite of his tiredness, sweat dripping his face, muscles crying for a rest, he managed to stand up in a one knee position searching for the voice the alcohol still messing with his head.

Then a smile formed on his tasty mouth when he saw a brown coloured stallion just like his, making it animal noise approaching him. How did the horse got here? He had know idea but thank the gods, he stood up carefully putting his left foot in the stirrup. Still holding the reins, he stood on his left foot, swung the right leg over the horse's back and landed smoothly in the saddle.

" Damn! Deverous is cursed. Here I come meeting center" Drew exclaimed before kicking the horse at it side with the strength he could muster and the horse charge forward...

Miri Cherin. Queen of Deverous was done with her speech and now it was time to pick five members who will be joining other cities of the north for the tournament. The men were separated from the women.

" This is a thing of choice, if you can't handle a sword step aside now. Women not involved" the Queen's guard mentioned and the crowd complied.

Those that were left were not more than twenty.

" Test their abilities" Miri ordered.

The tryouts began. After several sword techniques testing, the final five were chosen on behalf of Riccon city. The Queen was getting ready to leave when they all heard the sound of a horse coming through until it stopped steps away from the Queen.

" He made it" Rigo muttered out.

Cyrus was surprised.

Drew dismounted from the horse and approached the Queen but he was stopped by her guard. He had to admit, she is beautiful.

" Let him through" she said.

There were whispers within the crowd. He knelt down.

" Rise who are you" she questioned.

" I am Drew Dalton son of.. Edwin Dalton" he answered rising. There were gasps around.

" Edwin Dalton the fallen king of Welzynn right" she asked.

" I don't really know if he was a king" Drew answers again.

Miri glance at the crowd and her eyes fell on Cyrus leich, he saw her too but both said nothing.

" Why are you here Drew Dalton" she looks back at him.

" I want a chance to enter into the tournament" Drew said.

" I already picked the five I need why should I consider you" she replies.

" I need this opportunity to prove to my uncle that I can be a member of the warriors clan in Vos. Please you can't let this pass me by my Queen" he pleaded. She was impressed by his words but didn't show it.

" Hmm..I see....I have made my decision. Drew Dalton son of Edwin Dalton you will have to defeat one my guard in a sword context to earn yourself a final spot in the Riccon selected five in the tournament" Miri announced.

" I accept" Drew said.

She nods and pointed out one of the guard to come to stage. The crowd gave way allowing both men enough space to spar.

The guard was the same size as him, only difference was the way he swings his sword. It showed he was an expert. Drew needed to kill his doubt within, this is it.

" The first to hit the ground, looses. Begin!" The Queen ordered.

The guard charges first with a swing, Drew blocks immediately but the guard wasn't done. He kicked him in the gut allowing Drew to loose his balance with the block. The guard stuck again, Drew side step his attack, the guard grins and try elbowing him but again Drew ducks avoiding another attack.

The guard was growing inpatient and Drew could tell. He was a bit tired after that eight hundred meters run, so if he was going to win this. He have to play the defense and not offence waiting for the right time to strike.

The guard changed tactics.

He began striking without holding back not allowing Drew any time to counter. Drew manages to block, duck and moved behind him to deliver a hit but the guard saw it coming, dodging sending a spin kick to the side of Drew's face.

Drew was stunned by the attack and forced himself from dropping to the ground, hanging on to both his legs.

Miri was getting impressed.

The guard didn't waste the opportunity as he saw an opening and charged in like a wounded lion, sword hung high.

" You are finished lad!" He yells.

But what the guard didn't realize was that, this was also Drew's awaiting moment as well. Immediately the guard drew close to end the fight, Drew Dalton planted the head of his sword into the guard's face with enough force and due to the guard speeding momentum.

He hit the ground hard.

Drew was the winner.

The crowd went wild with excitement.

" Good boy" Cyrus muttered.

Drew helped the man to his feet. The guard nods at him showing a sign of respect before returning back to his post in pain.

Miri approached Drew with a smile on her face, she had only one thing to say to him.

" Make me proud Drew Dalton"

The guards escorted her back to the howdah to return to Deverous. The crowd were praising the Queen as she departed. Drew didn't know what to think at that moment, it was like everything happened so fast. He was actually in!

Rigo was the first to run up to him with a hug.

" Man! You are in! I thought you weren't going to make it after I forgot to wake you up" he exclaimed.

Drew didn't buy the excuse. He knew when his friend was lying.

" Cut it Rigo I know when you are lying just tell me why" Drew glared at him for the first time.

" I think I can help you with that" Cyrus cut in from behind and both turned to see him and Lora.

" It's time you know the truth about yourself Drew Dalton" she said. If it were Cyrus who said that Drew would have doubted.........

A/N: This is the third chapter sorry it came late. So far we've reached 7 reads and 18 votes, thank you to everyone who have read this story but I will need more in order to move forward.

I really need your comments on what you think so far. Next chapter I will be introducing a new character in this story and posting the next kingdom info tomorrow.

Thanks.

*****Deal4n******