It's been a while since I've done any SxJ. Everyone who knows me and reads usually...hello again! I'm still alive! If you're new…hello also! I hope you enjoy this.

This was not my entire idea. I've spent months trying to plan a decent story and I knew I wanted Dragons and something medieval but I wasn't sure what. I casually mentioned it when doing the dishes with my boyfriend and he went into a frenzy with dramatic arm movements and exaggerated arm kissing. So this story line, is mostly his.

To save times on flames this time I shall point out now- I rarely have time to write nowadays so research on medieval will be minimal and based off fantasy and stuff I already know. Also…don't hassle me on my spelling. I'm English. I use the original spelling and lots of colloquialisms…if you find a mistake other than that (I'm sure there's some…tell me…but don't tell me I'm missing out letters or using an 's' not a 'z'…please?)

Anyway this…is DUEL

Joey sat in the hay, dusting strands off his sandy boots. It was getting to twilight on a Thursday and the air had become heavy. Outside the mountains stretched for miles, topped with green grass and sheep. He had never been beyond them. He had always hoped to go, imagining that just beyond the hills and valleys was the sea. A long swaying ocean that led to faraway kingdoms and distant places. He one day hoped to build a boat and sail there himself. It was his own quiet dream. He smiled silently to himself. To be free. To runaway from the place he was born, leaving behind the poverty and the chores and live life the way he wanted. He sighed. Maybe one day it would happen. But not today. No, today was Thursday. Today was the last day of cleaning the stables and the castle grounds. Tomorrow, tomorrow would be the most important day of the year. The most iconic event in any kingdom in any country. Tomorrow would be the Duel event. It would start on the first Friday in July and end on the last. It would start with a fantastic banquet to which Dragon riders from all over the world would attend. Royalty, nobility and knights would turn up on their dragon, banquet, party and dance before finally duelling to the death (or near death) in the final week for a fantastic prize. The first person to die would loose their kingdom to the winner as well as anything else the victor may desire. Servants, women, armies…nothing was out of bounds for the contest winner.

The kingdom of Domino hosted the event every year. They were regarded as the central kingdom which meant everyone else would fly out to them. Since the tournament had begun 200 years ago, inns and lodges had dotted up around the city walls offering various levels of luxury to the visitors for an interesting fee.

Joey pulled himself up and looked around at the empty stable. Tomorrow it would be full of Dragons from all across the world, fighting and scrapping until the final week, and as the royal keeper, it was his job to look after them. As he left the barn, footsteps crunched under the bristle grass. Looking up he saw the amethyst eyes of his best friend and king.

'Yugi.' He smiled walking over, embracing the other in a strong hold.

'Joey.' The smaller man pulled away and smiled. 'How are the preparations going?' The blond nodded.

'Alls well. Stables are prepped and ready to go. The chef has the meals prepared for the opening banquet and of course the folk band have been practising. Are you ready for the events?'

'As always. We haven't lost in 20 years. I don't intend to start this year!' He smiled looking around as his older friend patted him on the head. 'It doesn't get any less nerve wracking though. New talent arrives every year and they become more and more brutal with less morals.' Joey sighed, frowning at the pessimistic king.

'Aw don't worry about it, you'll be fine Yugi.'

'I hope so. It's dusk anyway, you should head back to your quarters, we have a long month ahead.' The blond nodded his farewell to the king and headed back towards the castle.

Once he had arrived back in his room, Joey splashed himself with water before looking out of the window into the red sky. Stars had begun to push through the darkening veil promising a fantastic summer sky. He pushed his hair from his honey eyes and smiled to himself. One day, he was going to leave the Kingdom, fly over the mountains and lie under that gentle breeze under the stars. He didn't care how long it took but he was going to do it…he just knew it.

Ok so short first chapter as it is 1am and I'm tired but wanted to get started. There will be more up in about 14 hours.

R&R

Much love

AB

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