34. Sorcha

Chapter thirty-four

We walked hand-in-hand to the arena. It was a large building at the edge of the castle, made for big events. Zarios told me they used to host fights to the death there often over any silly dispute, but that tradition had long since passed. Now, it was mostly used for performances and any Clarak arena that had to take place.

Even from outside, I could hear the large crowd roar. "Everyone's excited," I said, trying not to let my nerves bleed through.

"Very," he said. "Grand Claraks are meant to claim a mate in the first five years, and I'm the first one to almost push the full five."

"Really?" I asked. "Wouldn't it be when you find someone?"

He shrugged. "It's about producing heirs, I think. Not because they will automatically become Grand Clarak, but because reproduction is seen as a strength."

My nerves came back thinking about that. What if I never wanted to have kids and he was looked down on for it ?

"Hey," he said, squeezing my hand through my gloves. "Don't worry about that. We have plenty of time. And if you haven't noticed, I'm not one for sticking to rules."

I smiled and nodded. He was right. We could figure it out—together.

We stepped up to the edge of the arena. I looked out at the dry, dusty ground and the crowd I could see from the other end. "There will be a neutral referee," he told me. "I'm not allowed because I'm on a side. The two opponents chosen to challenge will fight first, and then you will compete against the winner."

"Got it," I said.

"And the ref is there to ensure no one does anything lethal. No magic, no head swings, no attacks if your opponent is already down."

"Sounds like training," I said.

"It is," he affirmed. "But be sure to stay on your guard. The people sent out are usually here on behalf of their parents, and they've been training for this contest for a long time."

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Believe it or not, the few times the intended has been beaten, the Grand Clarak chose the challenger."

My eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, this kingdom has an obsession with the appearance of power." His words were bitter.

I leaned against him. "Then I better win, huh?" I said, trying to lighten the mood.

He kissed me on the forehead. "I'm going up to the box with the rest of the Claraks." He gestured to where they were. "I'll see you on the other side."

With that, he turned and left. I jumped in place, hyping myself up for what was to come. I was ready. Zarios had been training with me, and I'd been studying up on minotaur fighting styles.

I would win.

An announcer sounded through the stadium. "People of Valcor," they said, their deep voice booming through the space. "It is time for the challenge of the Grand Clarak's intended one."

The crowd roared, and I let it hype me up, bouncing on the balls of my feet. "Let's bring out the current intended, Princess Sorcha Yulean!"

I stepped out, keeping my chin held high. I stood next to the large minotaur who was meant to be the referee.

"And our first challenger, Eshni of the Sperani family." The crowd went wild once again as a deep brown female minotaur emerged. She had a sword in her hand and waved to the crowd.

"And our second Rayon of the Catoryn family." The crowd was even louder this time. She was part gray, part white, with a long braid falling down her back.

"The challengers will face off first, and the winner will face the current intended."

They each sized me up, barely glancing at the other. It made sense. I was just a small human, and ultimately, the one they had to beat. I looked them right back, unafraid of them. To them, I was just a princess, but in reality, I was so much more.

I was escorted back to the edge of the ring to watch while the other two prepared to fight. When the bell rang, they began slowly circling each other. I bounced between them, unsure who I thought would have the upper hand. Rayon was the smaller of the two, but that didn't mean anything.

Eshni swung first, aiming for the left side. Rayon easily blocked, countering with a slash to the middle. It was blocked, but just barely.

The crowd was yelling, excited for the outcome. Eshni went again, this time aiming lower, but she was blocked. This continued on, the opponents trading blow for blow, no one seeming to have the upper hand.

I watched them both, taking in their different techniques. It looked like Eshni was a bit more offensive yet only went for safe moves. While Rayon was more defensive, she struck, she went for harder-to-land moves.

Watching them, they were both very skilled fighters. A match with either would challenge me.

Eshni went for a classic backhand but left her right side fully exposed. Instead of blocking, Rayon went in for the swing. If Eshni would have followed through, she would have hit first, but she changed tactics, trying to block.

Rayon struck her hard. She fell to the ground, and Rayon pointed her sword down to her throat, effectively ending the fight. The crowd went wild, cheering for Rayon .

When the ref called it, Rayon tucked her sword away and helped Eshni up. She took her hand, and they shook, the crowd going wild.

Rayon was definitely a crowd favorite, but when I looked up, Zarios' gaze was firmly on me. He believed in me, and I believed in me.

They took a brief break for Rayon to rest, and I stretched off to the side, replaying the match in my head. I needed to get in early, but I hadn't a clue what I would do.

The announcer came back, telling everyone the next match was up, and I got to my feet.

I could do this.

I walked out into the arena. The sun was beating down, making the back of my neck sweat. Rayon and I met in the middle, and she cut me with a fierce gaze. I had to look up to see her, but that didn't matter. "Here are the rules," the ref said while we both stood. "No lethal moves. No magic, no head shots, no chest stabs. If I see a move I think will cause lethal damage, the match will stop and a winner will be chosen. Understand?"

"Yes," we said in unison.

The referee backed up to give us room. I clenched my sword in my hand, getting into my stance. When the horn rang through the arena, I was ready.

I went for the first move quickly, an easily block-able jab. She did but made no move to counter. "Be careful, wouldn't want to tire yourself too early," she taunted.

I ignored it. I didn't need words. I swung again, a cut to the right. She blocked, but I went for a combo, swiping down to her legs then over to the left in quick succession. She dodged but was a bit thrown from her feet.

This time, she attacked, feinting left then drawing right. I countered, thrusting my sword straight towards her. She had to spin to the side to avoid it. I tried to swing then, but she predicted the move, blocking, even being off balance. Though she needed more than strength to win the match, right now it kept her up where someone of my stature would have most likely been brought down.

She used that force to try and throw me back, but I bore down, holding my ground. The minute I was off balance, it was over. She was just too strong.

Though I wanted to keep pushing her, I had to back off slightly to keep my footing. She righted herself and charged, slashing out of irritation rather than skill. Getting her off balance obviously upset her, and that, I found, would be my in.

I twisted to the side to avoid her and elbowed her in the side as I did. She didn't expect a hand-to-hand move and went to block sloppily, missing entirely. With her back to me, I pressed out and kicked her, hard. It wasn't enough to send her to the ground, but when she turned, I could see her anger got the best of her.

Now, this was just like any other day. Fighting against someone using no tact, only strength.

The crowd buzzed around us, dust kicking up from our every motion, but the only sound in my head was the beating of my heart.

Rayon turned and ran for me, yelling in the process. That was when I knew I found my moment. She tried to undercut me, but like before, instead of going for the block, I went for an offense of my own.

I ducked down and dropped my shoulder just enough to catch her at the knees. She went tumbling over me to the ground, her sword flying from her grasp.

I ran to her, scrambling on top and pressing my sword to the back of her neck. She stopped fighting in defeat, tapping the ground once to signal it was over.

The ref walked over and held my hand up in victory. The crowd roared around us, sending dopamine rushing through me. When I looked up, Zarios, Atalin, Kiaza, and Naram were all on their feet, cheering. When I looked closer, I realized they weren't the only ones.

There, next to them, stood my mothers, Mama jumping up and down screaming, and Mother clapping with a massive smile on her face. Tears welled in my vision. Not once had they come to see me train. It felt as if I proved something not just to myself, but to them.

Rayon brushed herself off and walked over to me, giving me a bow. "You fight well, Sorcha."

"Thank you," I said, my back straight. "You were a worthy opponent."

She scoffed. "Thank you." She walked to the other side of the arena, as did I. When I got out, Zarios and my mothers were waiting for me. I rushed into his arms, and he caught me easily.

I kissed him as if no one was around. "I knew you could do it," he said.

"Me too."

He set me down, and I turned to my mothers. I ran to them, wrapping them both in a hug. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

They pulled away. "Kiaza sent us an invitation," Mama said. "We didn't know at the time that it was a fight, or we may have intervened, but you were amazing out there. We're so proud of you."

"Yes," my mother said. "You've become a fine warrior."

"Thank you," I whispered to both of them. "That's all I've ever wanted to hear."

They smiled down at me.

"Come," Zarios said as I pulled away from them. "A win like this should be celebrated. I know the perfect place."

He led us back inside, my heart full of love.