Death Is Not The End (2)

As the bells of IIrywn rang at dawn, the people couldn't say whether it was for triumph or mourning.

They waited with bated breaths, many praying to the goddess that Princess Imogen would win the battle and conquer the kingdom of Grywod. But shadows of doubt lurked behind such prayers for Prince Kaelor's fame and valor was known to all.

As the royal archers shot a set of flaming arrows igniting the six great braziers positioned around the amphitheatre, the crowd began to file through the gates and take their seats.

When the second set of flaming arrows were shot into braziers, there was the call of a big bronze trumpet silencing the crowd. The king and queen preceded by their guards and maids in-waiting took their seats.

Then Princess Imogen stepped into the fighting arena without a tremor in her step. Her amour was firmly in place, moulded to her form while her helmet rested beneath one arm.

She lifted her gaze to the king and queen, bowing respectfully before turning a warm smile to her mother. The queen's eyes sheened with unshed tears. She answered with a nod and blew the princess a kiss. The king sat stoic, his expression unreadable.

Somewhere in the crowd, a few nobles had stirred some people into a wager. If Kaelor of Grywod won the battle, her father's crown would pass to him. The ancient covenant recognised only the victor of the Blood Tournament. These nobles had doubt about Imogen and prepared to work out a favourable station for themselves in the new order to come.

At the blast of another trumpet, Prince Kaelor strode into the arena clad in black armour lined with living gold that visibly glowed. He stood two inches taller than Imogen, his handsome features drawing audible sighs from more than a few women in the crowd.

Part of the crowd broke into loud cheers, chanting his name. “Conqueror! Sorcerer! Dragonspeaker! Hail, Kaelor!”

He drew close to Imogen with a smile that revealed a fine row of white teeth, his hazel eyes glinting with quiet amusement. The hairs on her arms and neck tingled, her inner defenses rising to resist the allure that radiated from every part of him seeking to wrap around her.

“We need not fight, Princess,” he said, “You may still kneel.”

[To be continued]

I hope you enjoyed reading this short fantasy. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "death is not the end”.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

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