Ugh. I feel like I rewrote this chapter like four times. Since I'm at home a lot I'm able to pump out these chapters quickly, hopefully that doesn't mean the quality is dipping. Plus I'm having so much fun writing this story. Torturing characters is fuuuuuuuun.
Anyways.
On with the show.
Chapter 13: Mugunta
He remembered sunlight, an anthem of cheers and applause, followed by hands hoisting him to his unusable legs and ushering him towards a waiting room beneath the stands. These rooms were meant for the champions to prepare and rest before and after trials, where Dirgelaff would meet them to give instruction or congratulations.
His glazed over eyes were staring aimlessly at the ceiling as he was brought onto, what he thought was, a cot. Shapes passed by his line of sight, Voices sounded muffled in his ringing ears and his limbs felt like ghostly noodles. He felt someone take his hands and after some twisting and jerking, felt the iron cuffs being taken off his wrists.
He could feel a river of soothing magic slowly begin to flood his veins, repairing damaged flesh, recovering lost energy, and soothing the aches and pains in his muscles. Apparently the process was taking too slow as he felt two hands, scorching hot, touch the sides of his face. The sudden exposure to high heat accelerated the process, permeating his entire being and filling his soul with fire.
He shot up in his cot screaming, but still feeling woozy and in pain, and slowly floated onto his back.
"Drake? Drake can you hear me?"
Blinking a few times Drake finally met the violet pink eyes of his fellow Knight, Arabella.
"Ari?" His recognition of her made her drop her head in relief.
"He's okay!" She called out, and Drake heard the incoming footsteps of the Raptor standing over him.
"Thank god. You had us worried." They helped him get into a seated position, Drake running through the events of the trial in his mind.
A horrible pit formed in his stomach. "Dusan. Dusan he….he…"
The Raptor put his hand on his shoulder. "We know. I lost my companion too."
Drake looked up. "Kwamie?"
"He was my partner," Arabella said, "he made it out with me, but barely. They had to rush him to the infirmary."
Drake took a minute to truly examine his fellow winners. Each were dressed poorly, decorated in dirt, burns, scratches, bruises and blood, dry and wet. Drake lifted himself up off the cot, buckling under the weight of exhaustion until Arabella caught him.
"Take it easy. Your powers will heal you, but it'll take time." She gave him a shirt to dress himself.
Once He quickly threw the shirt on, Drake pulled her close, keeping his voice low. "Dirgelaff is trying to kill me."
Her brows narrowed. "What—what do you mean? Why? I mean technically he's trying to kill all of us."
Before Drake could adequately explain, Dirgelaff and Bernard entered with joyous praise and adulation.
"There are the ones my crowd adores! The spectacular champions, four." He did a quick count then frowned. "Bernard shouldn't there be one more?"
He nodded. "Master Kwamie sustained serious injury and had to be rushed to the infirmary."
Dirgelaff cringed. "Oh dear, now that is one tough break, but at least we have these three, including Drake."
Drake ground his teeth, hissing in his throat like a cobra waiting to strike. Smug was too soft of a word to describe Dirgelaff's grin. Clearly he knew that Drake was aware that his life now at stake, and he relished it. The sorcerer strolled closer to him, neither one of them breaking their stare down even when they were inches from each other.
"You are a worthy opponent, and for that you've earned my respect, but the games are not over. No, not yet."
Drake snorted into his face, smoke billowing around his nose. "Bring. It. On."
Blinking away the smoke, Dirgelaff's grin only grew. "Oh Drake. I'd watch what you're saying, because if you haven't realized yet, you're not the only one playing." He turned to Bernard. "Bring in their sponsors, their champions have been through much strife. Then notify me of Kwamie, to see if he is still with us in this life." With a curt nod he exited the room, Dirgelaff following right behind him.
Finally being able to relax, Drake staggered back, leaning against a nearby table. "Wow you weren't kidding. He wants you dead."
He rolled his eyes at Arabella. "Ya think?"
"Why," the Raptor asked, "why does he want you dead?"
"Bathsheba and David." Was his short response.
"What does a biblical story of a king have to do with you?"
"David saw Bathsheba bathing in a fountain, then wanted her for himself, but she was already married. So David sent her husband, Uriah, into battle knowing full well he was going to die, thus leaving Bathsheba for himself."
Arabella scrunched her face. "That still doesn't explain why he wants you dead."
From the entrance the remaining sponsors entered to meet with their respective champions. The young empress bowed her grateful head to Raptor, Hans and Landon pulled Arabella aside, and Last were the Arendellians.
Everything, Dirgelaff, the trials, the death of Dusan, faded away when he saw Elsa, her eyes shining with the same relief in his own. As much as he wanted to run to her, hoist her into the air, and spin her around, he needed to steady himself, and by the look on her face, she felt the same way. To many eyes potentially watching them.
Comfort shifted to horror when she saw how fast her sister was coming towards him.
"Oh my god Drake!" Anna was inches from tackling him like a bull taking down a matador, if Kristoff hadn't held her back.
"Remember feisty pants. Gently, like a newborn baby."
Drake almost seemed offended. "I'm not THAT weak."
"Alright!" Kristoff gently set her down. "I'm calm." Gently, she put her arms around his neck. "But seriously I'm super happy you're alive." She leaned closer to his ear. "And she may not look it, but Elsa is super happy too, but we have to keep it hush hush."
Gazing passed her at Elsa, she was situated in her typical queen like pose, but her eyes spoke volumes.
"Your majesty," he bowed.
"Drake." She smiled back. "Congratulations."
Leaning on Kristoff, Drake hoisted himself to stand up straight. "I'm tired, maybe we should go back to the rooms so I can rest."
"Yes indeed, rest you must take so be on your way, for my next game will be at the closing of this day."
"Wait, What?" Anna stood up in a hurry. "Later today? That's not enough time!"
Dirgelaff waved away her concern. "Two of them are healing knights, so they will be okay, and I'm sure they'd be able to assist the self dubbed, 'bird of prey'. Tonight at eight, I'm sure we can agree, for the second to last challenge for you three."
"Hold on. Three? What about Kwamie?" Raptor asked.
Dirgelaff dipped his head. "Unfortunately, he didn't make it, it really is a shame. So go rest up for my eight o'clock game."
Dirgelaff finally vanished through the doorway, The air heavy with his news.
"I, uh, vote we go back to the room and sleep." Kristoff raised his hand.
Anna, always the psoriasis one, agreed. "A bed sounds wonderful right now. Huh Elsa?"
Elsa nodded, but her focus was on Drake. He had wandered away, his hands grazing the tables and chairs that occupied the room. Without warning he grabbed a nearby chair and threw it into the wall with a thundering, "SON OF A BITCH!" The chair shattered into a hundred pieces, but with his rage still dialed to eleven he began throwing his fists into the wall until the exhaustion caught up with him.
He put his back to the damaged wall and slid to the floor, not caring about the eyes that were on him in confusion and alarm.
As much as he didn't want them, particularly Elsa, to see his angry side, he couldn't stop himself. Kwamie was a good man, a great man, who cared about his people and his home and wanted nothing but peace. Dusan wasn't the best at first, but he came around, and in the end even he didn't deserve that fate he was given. Fresh tears stung the back of his eyes and he buried his face into his arms and knees.
With his eyes hidden, he was only aware that someone was near when he could feel the temperature around him drop, and it didn't take a Dragon Knight to know who it was. He felt cool hands touch his own, sending a pleasant chill into his body that began to quell his temper. Embarrassment kept his face hidden, but she beckoned his eyes with her own.
Soft and inviting he went adrift in her sapphire pools, and she gave a small, understanding smile. He wiped his eyes and nose. "I'm sorry. I… I."
"Impressive display," Hans used his pretentious tone of voice to interrupt Elsa's attempt to calm the Dragon Knight. He sauntered towards them, another comment on the tip of his tongue when his champion, Arabella, stopped him dead.
"I wouldn't." She glared. "Unless you want to be extra crispy, and not from him." She hissed.
"Agreed." Landon put a hand on his shoulder. "As much as I'd love to see you a burnt husk of your former self, you should probably hold your tongue, before it's ripped from your head."
Hans snorted with contempt, clearly wanting to press his luck, but seeing Drake's face contort as he snarled with serrated teeth and fiery eyes, made him think twice. He put his hands up and backed away, defeated and embarrassed, but in one piece.
Once he had gone, Elsa and Drake worked to settle him all over again. Even though his rage was subsiding, his guilt was close to the surface of his mind. He lifted his head towards the exit, seeing Elsa's confusion in his peripheral vision.
"I need to do something." Elsa helped him get into a standing position, while his hands patted his pockets until he found what he was looking for.
—:0:—
It wasn't hard to find him.
After Dirgelaff greeted the winners of his trials, he usually would then give his condolences to the sponsors that had lost their champions. He had finished with Kwamie's sponsors first, then the German soldiers and lastly a man dressed in a bright red, high collared tail suit with bright gold buttons. Out of all of them he was the one who was taking the news the hardest.
Drake, once again, fell back on his training in mediation to soothe his nerves. Still, nothing he could do was going to be able to prepare him for this.
He thought of what Dusan had said, trying to think of his name. "Jeremiah?"
The young count turned around, eyes already red and flowing from behind black rimmed glasses. They widened slightly with recognition and he struggled to right himself. "You were with Dusan Williams, yes?"
Drake exhaled, dipping his head in shame. "Yes I was. He risked his life for me, and I am… so sorry. Nothing I can do will be able to repay that." Jeremiah hung his head, slowly losing his composure. "He surprised me, in the end, His parents would be proud."
Jeremiah shook his head. "His parents disowned him a long time ago. He joined this tournament for the chance to get back in their good graces." He lifted his head, tears already falling, and lips quivering uncontrollably. "Was—was he brave?"
Drake reached into his pocket and pulled out the scratched up, but still ticking, pocket watch, And he handed it back to its rightful owner.
"Till the end."
Jeremiah held it close to his heart, gave a grateful bow and excused himself. Drake watched him leave, the heaviness still ever present on his soul.
—:0:—
Elsa had a hard time looking away from the Dragon Knight while he exhibited behaviors. He stood with his chest out, shoulders back, heels together and chin held high, but she knew it was a smokescreen. She spent many hours perfecting the very pose, while hiding her true pain. His outburst was frightening, and out of character for him, but in her mind she knew it was warranted, after what he had been through. He had lost two people he had respected and liked, and all for the sake of a so-called game. Her heart broke for him, but was not sure how to best support him.
It was midday at the tower docks, a small group of African natives had gathered along with Drake, Anna, Elsa and Arabella. Drake had insisted that they didn't have to join him, but Elsa and Anna, having grown to like King Bongani, felt it best to show their support. Kristoff on the other hand made his way back to their room, not wanting to overcrowd an already dreary occasion.
They had waited no longer than five minutes when Anna leaned closer to Elsa. "Why are they using a British ship? Do they not have any from their home country?"
Elsa glanced at the trading vessel used commonly by the British empire. Whatever ship they used to get from their home country mattered little to Elsa and she responded in such. "I guess not."
Anna shuffled on her feet. "Sorry, I'm just trying to, erm, lighten things up."
"I know." Was her sister's curt response.
Silence passed for a moment, before Anna nudged her sister again, this time motioning to Drake. "Don't forget what we talked about. Support?"
Elsa glanced back at the knight already missing his usual cheerful, yet sarcastic disposition, replaced with a hardened and stoic expression. She knew it, not personally, but she recognized the defense mechanism. Conceal… don't feel. Was it her turn to help break someone of such a damning mantra?
The Nigerians stood tall and bowed as King Bongani and four men came down the docks. Kwamie was being carried by the men on a long plank of wood, with a purple colored cloth draped over his body, but left his head exposed. In reverence, the African people stood on one side of the dock as Elsa and the others stood on the other side.
Elsa saw the two knights whispering to one another, then Arabella addressed the king. "Your majesty, we would like to honor your son with a practice we Dragon Knights use for our own fallen warriors."
Bongani motioned for one of his men that had been standing by the ship to approach and help translate. Once he finished translating Arabella's words, king Bongani spoke through him. "He says 'I would be honored, however Kwamie is not my son by blood. His parents were killed in one of our conflicts with our fellow tribesmen. We took him in and raised him as our own'."
Arabella nodded respectfully. "That is find. He doesn't need to be blood for this. Do you or one of your own have a sword we can use?"
Bongani looked around and shook his head. "We have come unarmed." His translator said.
"I may be able to help." Elsa waved her hands, conjuring ice and snow to form a beautiful crystal-like long sword with the head of a dragon at the hilt. The Nigerian people began clamoring and muttering amongst themselves, unsure to be afraid or in awe at what they had just seen. Elsa even picked up on the words, "kankara mayya", which, if she remembered right, was "ice witch".
"Shiru! Shiru!" With a death glare, Bongani scolded his people until they had hushed their murmuring. He turned back to Elsa with a remorseful stare and dipped his head. "Gafara."
"He apologizes," the young man translated.
Elsa waved him off with a pleasant smile, telling him that all was well. She handed the sword to Drake, her fingers grazing his hand as he took it in a way to draw his eyes to her own. Laced with sadness and anger, she knew better than to ask if he was okay.
Quietly he asked her, "Is this the fire proof kind of ice?" She tinkled her fingers, encasing the sword in permafrost. "Thank you." He turned sharply back to Kwamie, Elsa thinking that he was back to the way he was when she first met him. A proper, all business type person. She didn't like it.
Arabella stood on the other side of Kwamie and both lifted the sword into the air so it hovered above Kwamie's body. They held the sword until white blue flames began dancing from the blade. There was silence for a moment, only hearing the crackling of flames and the steadiness of breaths, before Elsa saw Arabella mouthing something to Drake. She couldn't make out what she was saying, but she caught the words, "I can't do this,"
He took a deep breath and released it slowly. They closed their eyes and Drake began to speak over the crackling of flames.
"May you enter the halls of your fathers on the wings of mighty dragons. May you keep your spirit warm in the hearts of those you've left behind like dragon fire. May your memory be hard in their minds like dragon scales. May you find peace in the hereafter, for a warrior has fallen today. A good man. A good son, and a good friend." The flames extinguished on the sword and they placed it onto Kwamie's chest, and both silently stood back, giving them the chance to take his body onto the ship
Bongani turned to the knights, tears streaming down his dark cheeks. "My king, thanks you. Kwamie spoke very highly of you." Bongani spoke through his translator, this time addressing Arabella. "He does not fault you. We were still able to see the life in his eyes one last time, and for that we thank you."
She bowed her head, trying to conceal the tears she was beginning to shed. "I only wish I could have done more."
The young man translated, king Bongani nodded in understanding and spoke again. "My king says, 'we knew the risks when we came here, as did Kwamie, but if he was victorious he would have wished for peace in our lands. Something he's wanted since he was a boy. We may not have gotten that wish, but we have made friends that could possibly help bring that wish to light'." Bongani motioned to Drake and also to Anna and Elsa.
"We are honored to be considered your friends." Elsa bowed.
"And know that Kuarlong will always come when called." Drake added.
The young man beside the king scoffed, now speaking for himself. "If that were true, your people would have come years ago when our lands were ravaged by Invaders, both from foreign soil and our own." Bongani may not have known what he was saying, but his tone was enough for the king to chastise him. "If they were truly our friends they would have destroyed the invading ships with a single breath—!" The king bellowed, this time receiving silence from the young man, and a bow of apology from the king.
Bongani decided it was time to take the voyage back to their homeland, but Before he took his leave, Bongani motioned to the tower, muttering the word, "Mugunta."
His translator clarified. "It means, 'evil'." He translated and Bongani continued to speak. "'There is evil in that tower, and if anyone is going to put a stop to it, it's going to be you'."
One by one the ship was loaded with the Nigerian people, and farewells were had by the King. Drake stood at the edge of the dock, watching as the ship sailed into the distance, either ignoring, or unaware of what was going on around him. Elsa wasn't sure how to respond, he didn't seem like he wanted any conversation or attention, and yet Elsa felt the need to do something. Anna and Arabella were chatting with each other, Arabella thanking Anna for helping her the other not, so Elsa was alone with her thoughts.
Elsa's mind was very analytical, something she attributed to enjoying mathematics and geometry. This being the case she thought about this problem from a different angle. If she removed Drake from the equation, what would she be doing? A sly smile crept onto her face at her own cleverness, trying to keep the little voice in her head from telling her this may not work.
She stood beside him on the edge of the peer, removed her heeled shoes, set them to the side and took a seat, letting her feet dangle inches above the water. Staring out over the ocean, she had missed the sea air and the crystal clear view of the blue water. With the waters of her kingdom poisoned, she had longed for the piece it used to offer, and even though they sat in the shadow of Dirgelaff's tower, the sea was still the sea.
She could feel his eyes on her, but she kept to herself enjoying the water grazing against her toes. She released small snowflakes from her feet onto the top of the water, giving the fish a chance to breach the surface for an icy treat. A few colorful, foot and a half long fish poked their heads out for snowflakes, one brave creature jumping a bit too high to try and get at her toes.
She "eek'd", pulling her foot away, but still giggled. "No, no. Just ice." She wagged her finger.
"Don't worry," said Drake, "they're friendly. Maybe a nibble, but no missing fingers or toes."
She nodded looking down at the swimming colors beneath the water. "They're beautiful."
"Indeed." He cleared his throat. "May I, uh, join you."
Mission complete. She scooted over and gathered her shoes. "Of course."
He took a seat beside her, but didn't bother removing his boots. "I'm not a huge fan of the ocean. I tend to get seasick."
"I don't mind traveling the ocean, but I can sit and watch it for hours if I could. It's always been amazing to me that something so powerful can also be so gentle."
He "hm'd" with a smile. "A personal observation I assume?"
She shrugged. "Not really." She moved her feet back when another fish went for her toes.
They continued watching the vanishing ship, when he abruptly stated. "I've never lost a friend before."
Elsa left more snowflakes on the ocean surface before tucking her legs to her chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you Dusan, or Kwamie were close."
Drake looked into the water, trying to be mesmerized by the fish biting at the top of the water. "We weren't the best of friends mind you. It was more like 'brothers in arms'. Doesn't change the fact that in the end, they were good men that didn't deserve the fate they were given."
Elsa couldn't argue with that. The ship had dipped below the horizon a while ago, now they were just looking at the afternoon sun shining its yellow hue against the water.
He cleared his throat and leaned forward on his knees. "I'm, uh, sorry about my behavior earlier today."
She spoke candidly. "I won't say it wasn't frightening, but upon further reflection, I can understand your reasons." This time it was her head that dipped in shame. "If anything I should be sorry. I'm the one that brought you here in the first place."
"Yeah well it was my choice to come." His voice was stern. "So none of that 'self blame' stuff you like to do."
Her eyebrows rose. "Fine, but you can't blame yourself for Dusan either."
His eyelids drooped, but at least he was smiling again. "Deal." They made a comical handshake, but didn't release each other's hands. "Also we should probably talk about—"
"—our kiss?"
He snorted a laugh. "Yup. I wanted to talk to you about it this morning, but for obvious reasons that didn't work out."
"Yeah, I might have been thinking about it for a while, especially when I told—". Glancing behind her, Arabella and Anna were nowhere to be seen. "—Anna."
He shrugged. "Maybe it's best she not be here."
"I agree." She let her feet dangle above the water again. "I just think, uh, that we—"
"—should cool it?"
Her eyes widened slightly. "You feel the same way?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Don't get me wrong. Under different circumstances, I'm sure I'd feel differently. Actually I'm positive I would. It's just…"
Trying to continue the "Finish each other's thoughts" train, Elsa said, "you're confused how you might be feeling?"
This time he shook his head. "I'm not confused about how I feel about you." This caught her off guard, and only managed to respond with a frazzled, "oh". "But I know you might be."
"Well I wouldn't say that," she said quickly, "I care about you, I trust you, you're my friend and I like you… a lot." She flushed, but was just trying to be honest. Her eyes fell to the ocean and the fish underneath. "You have to understand. I've only studied to be a good queen, hiding my powers and myself, I've never thought about," she waved her hand between them, "any of this. Boys, kissing, love, or anything like that."
Meeting his hazel stare She was concerned that she may have hurt him, but rather his eyes flickered with understanding. "I get it. I do. Which is why I think we should put a pin in this until this tournament is over."
While Elsa was not a negative person, she was practical, which could come off as negative, and right now her mind was filled with one "practical" thought. "What if after tonight, the tournament is over for you?"
The implication was frightening, but something they both had to face as a chance. Drake looked out over the ocean, both of them aware that they were still holding hands. "Well then, I better make the most of today."
They slid closer to each other until their hips met, their hands going from casual holding to now intertwining fingers. "You mean 'we' should make the most of today?"
Cold and hot clashed again, but only served as a soothing balm for the pain, guilt, shame and tension that had burdened themselves with throughout this tournament. As they sat simply enjoying each other's company, Elsa's head drifted to rest on his shoulder.
"And yet I'm satisfied with just doing this."
He gave her hand a squeeze as he lowered his head onto hers. She wasn't sure, but she could have sworn he was smelling her hair. "I couldn't agree more." Right here, right now, nothing else existed.
Awwwwwwwwwwe.
I hope you guys enjoyed this little taste of fluff, because next chapter I'm back to torturing characters, specifically, Drake.
I know everyone wants Dirgelaff's head on a stick, I do too, however I'm not exactly sure how to do that? Any suggestions? Good suggestions?
Also we are down to three champions? There are some obvious ways this could all end, but what are some things you'd like to see happen, as the tournament nears its end?
Until next time.
