A/N: Hi again. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. We'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed so far, like Nab450, Tempest of Reach, WingedArcher1, Mew Aqua Spirit, uh-oh-5-O, Zero612, I'm Not Mad-I'm Alice, ultimateCCC, The Guy in the Background, cood9, Mike Prower the Fox, Ember the Flame Guardian, Freakiegal, Comment Person, SilverDawn2010, 01SonAmy01, The Andromeda Rose, Blaze-Fire10, and TammyHybrid21!
Sword: I wonder what will happen next! I'm so excited!
Pen: Just get on with it. All Sonic material belongs to Sega. Sword and I unfortunately belong to the fool writing this.
Sword: This is a request by I'm Not Mad-I'm Alice, who asked us to continue this! Let's go! I want more fights! More fights!
Chapter 6- A Joust of a Good Time
Silver woke much later. What time was it? By the tiny glimpse he had from a barred opening high in the cell, he could see the moon was out. He wriggled his chains around. The iron snakes coiled around, hissing their clanks. He dropped his arms and shook his head. It's my fault, he thought. I messed up everything. It's my fault.
How could he have been so selfish? So blind? Now he was trapped and Blaze would be in danger. Blaze! He had to escape. He had to save her.
He struggled against the chains again. He tried to use his telekinesis to break his bonds, but he could not concentrate. His side burned hotly and he had trouble using his power. Even if I could break these chains, I would have to get past the bars up top. He looked at the opening above. Or them. A pair of guards stood in front of his cell. Neither paid Silver any mind, only throwing an occasional glance his way when the chains rattled.
Silver thought his efforts were hopeless. By the time he would be able to free himself, the tournament would have ended. And Blaze. Blaze would be gone either way. "I'm sorry, Blaze," Silver said to the dark. "I'm sorry."
Blaze paused. She laid her book on her lap and stared out the window. Nothing was outside, except a quiet, sleeping castle. "Your Highness?" Blaze turned to her squire, who was arranging her armor in the corner. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, fine," Blaze said, nodding. "I just thought I heard someone call me." She set aside her book and looked out the window once more. She had an uneasy feeling. It was not pre-round jitters. That was a familiar state of mind she had had since the beginning of each tournament round. No, this was worse. So far, she had avoided detection, blending in perfectly among the knights. Therefore, Blaze was not quite as frightened at being discovered as she had been.
Was she anxious about delegating her duties? No, that was well in Thomas' hands. He was capable after all. Then what was it? She had not seen Silver since the tournament started either. Then again, Blaze had scarcely enough time for anything during her charade. As she halted on that thought, the tension in her muscles strengthened. Was she worried about Silver? Was that it?
"Drouet?" she asked.
"Yes, Your Highness?" her squire replied, finishing up with the armor.
"Have you seen Silver around?"
"Can't say I have, Your Highness," Drouet said. "Would you like me to find him for you?"
"Yes, please," Blaze said. Drouet bowed and left the room. Blaze faced the window again, biting her thumb. She hoped whatever fear clutched at her heart was all for naught. "Silver."
A renewed energy coursed through Silver. He yearned to free himself and he fought against his chains again. He focused as hard as he dared on arm. The clasp glowed brilliantly. His side was splitting, threatening him with another black out. He pushed through, concentrating as hard as he could. The inner mechanisms of his shackle began to undo itself. Crink, crank, crink. Then pop! Off came the chain. It fell to the ground.
One of the guards turned lazily toward the sound. Silver had kicked the chain into the dark side of the wall. He held his arm up, pretending to be trapped like before. The guard grunted and faced away, sitting down against the wall outside.
Silver turned to the other chain. The glow around his trapped wrist was weaker. He was losing focus. The wound ached fiercely, ripping his ribs apart. His vision was dimming, tunneling to a mere sliver. He could not continue. He was fading out.
He stopped and dropped his head, moaning softly. It was no use. Even if he could make it out of the chains, he had neither the strength to fight the guards nor the energy to pry open the barred hole above. He was trapped, defeated.
No less than I deserve, he thought, moping on the floor. This is my punishment for betraying Blaze. He stopped at the word. Betray. Yes, he had betrayed Blaze, her trust, her desires, and for what? For his own wants. For his own desires, he had abandoned his commitment to her. And now he had betrayed his oath to protect Blaze. The sun would be rising soon, as told by the stars disappearing in the sky. Soon the tournament would start again and he would not be there to protect her. He had failed, doomed to waste away in the dungeon with his shame as company.
He heard a chipping sound. Perhaps some other poor soul, come to life for a moment in the dungeon to let everyone know they were still trapped inside. At least that person still had the will to move. Silver could only lay there for the better part of an hour, listening to the constant tink, tink, tink as the sun began to rise.
"I'm sorry, Blaze," he repeated. He laid down as far as the chain would allow. Then he closed his eyes, preparing for the worst to come.
"No, I will not calm down!" Gardon! Silver heard Gardon. He was outside, down the hallway. "I demand to know what proof Lord Alans had other than his word."
One of Silver's guards left the cell door and walked down the hall. The other glanced at Silver, then watched the argument unfold. Someone slammed a table and at the same time, a loud creaking from above like twisting metal accompanied it. The remaining guard eyed Silver once more, saw nothing, and turned away.
But from the guard's position, he could not see the window above. Silver could see that the bars had been yanked off cleanly. A rope was tossed down, coiling on his leg. Then Slate slid down it, twirling around and landing in a flashy finish. "Ta-da!" he mouthed. He pulled out a lockpick and set to work on opening Silver's last chain.
"That's not good enough!" Brimble had joined the argument. "Did it ever occur to you that those guards could have been beaten by someone else?"
The guard checked on Silver once more. Slate hid in the retreating shadows, flattening himself against the wall. It was enough since the guard turned away once more. Slate went back to fiddling with the chain.
Silver pushed Slate back and concentrated on the chain. He summoned whatever energy lingered in his bones. His cuffed hand began to glow eerily. The chain shivered and shook as Slate crossed his fingers. Then pop! It clattered to the ground. Silver collapsed, rubbing his wrist.
Yet Slate would have none of Silver lying down. He helped the hedgehog up the rope, pushing him along the climb. Silver kept his arm close to his bad side so as not to stretch it. So the process was slow. They constantly looked down, wondering if the guard would see them. But they were never caught.
Gardon and Brimble continued to argue, even as Silver crawled out of the opening. He fell into the wet, morning dew, inhaling all of its fresh, natural glory. Ahead, he saw two pairs of horses tied together. A rope was harnessed to them, dragging the bars from the window. He was free. Free of that horrible dungeon. Free now to help Blaze.
Blaze! He hopped to his feet and stumbled. Slate steadied him again the wall. "Gardon said you were committed to taking out the competition, but I didn't think you would attack them in their own room," Slate said as he coiled up the rope. He picked up a hammer, chisel, and other tools.
"We have to hurry," Silver said, coughing.
"I know, I know. You have to compete in the last round. Don't worry. We'll get there," Slate said, packing away the tools in a bundle on one of the horses.
"No, you don't understand. Blaze is in danger!"
There was less uproar over his escape than Silver believed there would be. Gardon pointed out that it would be an embarrassment to the castle and cause a panic. Instead, security was very tight around the tournament field. Soldiers were stationed all over the area, their presence more imposing for the final round. Silver was glad he had his helmet and armor to hide his identity. The soldiers were making inquiries of everyone. They held up crude sketches of Silver, asking everyone, "Have you seen this man?"
According to Gardon, Brimble and he had been trying to reason with the warden after they discovered Silver had been arrested. "Finding out you were arrested took a long time," he had said. When persuasion failed to free Silver, Slate had been signaled for a jailbreak as they distracted the warden. So far, no one suspected their involvement. The warden merely thought Silver was trying to avoid punishment.
"I'm fine with that," Silver said, eating the quick breakfast they provided him. "As long as Blaze is safe."
"So you said she was in danger?" Gardon asked.
Silver nodded and proceeded to tell them everything: how he overheard Stewart and Alans, how he was framed, and what Alans planned to do. "So if we don't act, Blaze could be killed."
"My word," Gardon said, covering his mouth. "This is horrible."
"I say we work him over," Slate said, punching his palm.
"We can't. I don't have any proof," Silver said. He wished Tails had been there. That little inventor would have had some way to record the conversation. "All we can do is make sure Blaze stays safe."
Brimble raised his massive arm. "Question: Why were you hanging around Lord Alans room anyway?"
Silver looked at him, then hung his head. "Because I thought Stewart would make a better candidate to support than me. Alans seemed alright too, before I overheard his plans. So I was going to make them an offer to fight for Blaze. I thought it would be better for everyone. Stewart is more honorable after all."
None of his team members said anything. "I'm sorry for how I acted. I promise to rededicate myself to Blaze. I will only fight for her sake and I won't cheat. I don't think I can anyway." He pointed at his bandaged side. "It hurts too much when I use my powers."
Brimble clapped Silver on the shoulder, smiling at him. "Then let's do this."
Thomas marched onto the field, flanked by a pair of guards. The audience calmed their fervor when he raised his hands. "Ladies and gentlemen! We are at the end!" Cheering, applause, and stamping of feet from the crowd. "What a tournament this has been," he said when the noise died down. "Now we arrive at the toughest part of the competition- the jousting round! Will one of our two winners so far come out on top? Or is there another here who is ready to prove himself with a win? The one to stay on his horse throughout will be the victor. Let the round began!"
Silver straddled his horse. He was thankful he could hold his green lance with his good hand. His other held the shield, but only barely. If he was hit in his side at all, it would be dangerous. "Perhaps even lethal," Brimble said. "Make sure you keep that shield firm."
"I'll try," Silver said.
"For Blaze?" Slate smiled.
"For Blaze."
He directed his chocolate horse to the field. The rings from yesterday had already been dismantled. In their place were a series of simple wooden barricades, cutting each section of the field in two equal parts. At the other end, he saw his opponent ready to begin. Both their horses were equally eager, trotting back and forth.
"Let's do it," Silver said, muttering to no one. He spurred his horse forward. His opponent's was faster. They galloped down the barricade, lances held out. Silver adjusted his to aim for the shield. The audience was on pins and needles. The enemy's white lance was right in his face. Silver braced for the impact.
It never came. The crowd groaned, sitting back down. They had missed one another. His opponent immediately rounded the corner and came full force at him again. Silver did the same, aiming further out. He had to hit first. Had to hit first. The audience was overwhelming in their cheers.
Crash! Splinters flew into Silver's face. Green splinters. The opponent lay back on his horse, then tumbled off. Silver received countless whistles and praise. He trotted back to his team, who congratulated him.
The rest of the round proceeded in Silver and Blaze's favor. Each managed to edge out the competition. It was not until the latter half when Silver confronted Wincott that any real problems arose. Wincott, atop a shimmering black horse and bearing a deadly dark lance, had proven to be pretty skilled at jousting.
"Aim low," Brimble said, advising Silver as he handed him a new lance. "Keep head low as well."
"Got it," Silver said, positioning himself at the barricade. He and Wincott stared one another down for a few moments. Then Silver spurred his horse. "Hyah!" he ordered. He raced down the barricade. Wincott moved forward like a bolt of lightning. Their horses were brown and black blurs. Silver aimed at Wincott's shield, sticking his lance out horizontally. Wincott's lance was tipped high.
No sounds. They missed one another. They turned and dashed toward each other again. Again, Silver aimed low and Wincott high. The black lance tip closed in on Silver's helmet. They narrowly missed one another.
"No more playing around!" Wincott shouted. He held his lance low on the third run. Silver stuck his out more, hoping to hit first. They neared each other. One of them would be struck down. One would lose on the third time.
Ker-ack! The vibration shook his shield at first. Then his whole body was jiggling like jelly. It was not until Silver fell off his horse that he felt the searing impact. His side made him writhe on the ground. Brimble and Slate rushed over, carrying him off the field. Wincott held up his broken lance, lording over Silver. The audience applauded and cheered.
"C'mon, c'mon. Here you go," Brimble said when they had Silver off to the side. They seated him behind a crate.
Slate pulled away his shield and grimaced. "That looks pretty nasty." Silver glanced at his wound, but turned away. Just looking at it was making the pain worse.
"You're going to need help," Brimble said. He threw Silver's arm around his shoulder. "Let's get you to the infirmary."
Silver gazed back at the field over his shoulder. "I hope Blaze will be alright."
"She will be," Slate said. "You've done all you can. She'll win now for sure."
He smiled, nodding as he watched another match begin. "Good luck, Blaze," he whispered.
"Silver has been what?!"
Blaze lifted her helmet's visor up. Drouet stood before her, upset and staring at the ground. She handed Blaze one of the wanted posters the soldiers were passing around. "Silver has been arrested, Your Highness," she said again, whispering as the tournament stopped for lunch.
"Why?"
"I don't know the specifics. Something about attacking one of our guests. He escaped soon after. As soon as I found out, I came over to tell you."
Arrested? Silver? A fugitive? It made no sense. Blaze panicked. "I have to go then," Blaze said. "I have to make sure he is okay."
"He is." Gardon ran up beside her horse. "He's well-hidden, Your Highness."
"Why was he arrested?" Blaze asked.
"Trumped-up charges," Gardon said. "Brought against him by Lord Alans. He also convinced the warden that they would not bother you with it until after the tournament."
"We will see about that," Blaze said, growling. "I will confront Lord Alans myself."
"You can't," Gardon said, standing in front of her. "Lord Alans has been plotting your demise. That was what Silver discovered when he went to Lord Alans' room. That was why he was arrested."
"So we should bring the evidence-"
"There is no evidence, Princess," Gardon said. "Only Silver's word. That is enough for us, but not for anyone else." Blaze settled down and listened to him.
"We don't know what Lord Alans plans to do," he continued. "If you reveal your identity, you'll be out of the tournament. Then Lord Alans' chances will be even better to win you or kill you before someone else wins. He could be prepared to kill you as soon as you show your face. Right now, you're safer staying in your armor. If you would like, I could arrange for Silver to meet you late tonight."
"Thank you. I would really appreciate that." Blaze felt a little better. But she continued to worry about Silver. As they headed to lunch, trying to act as normal as possible, Blaze posed another question to Gardon. "What was Silver doing around Lord Alans' room anyway?"
"He was hoping to help you by recruiting others to your cause." Gardon did not look directly at her. There was more to the reason behind Silver's actions, but Blaze dropped the matter. She was concerned about Silver. He had done so much for her. He truly cared enough for her to go through such trouble and that made Blaze's heart swell. Everyday, she seemed to fall more and more in love with him.
When the tournament resumed, Blaze found herself unable to concentrate very well. She had barely managed to scrape by in the past few rounds. The remaining competitors were fierce. Even though Gardon insisted he was fine, she worried for Silver's safety. The guards everywhere were on patrol, searching solely for him. One could only imagine how the situation was in the castle and town.
I have to focus, she reminded herself as her next opponent trotted to the barrier. I cannot allow everyone's help to be in vain. She tightened her hold on her yellow red-striped lance. This is for you, Silver.
She galloped forward, careful to use her legs sparingly. The one Wincott injured had failed to fare any better after a night's rest.
She held her lance high. Her opponent aimed low. They neared one another. He would hit first, unless Blaze changed tactics. She had no time to change her aim. She had to commit to a high blow. She jabbed her lance out, hoping to hit first. The lance went too high! It looked like it would miss!
Crash! The point connected with the tip of the knight's helmet. It was enough. He rolled off his horse. As he laid face-down in the dirt, Blaze held her broken lance triumphantly. Only a handful of rounds until she claimed victory.
As the matches went on, she claimed win after win. Blaze had several close calls, but was lucky that some of the better jousters had been eliminated. Most notably Wincott, whom Stewart took out. However, soon it was down to Blaze and Stewart.
Gardon had chosen to accompany Blaze for the final joust. As Drouet handed her a lance, he advised her to be defensive. "He has a strong arm. Look for an opening, but watch yourself first and foremost. Keep your head down too. Remember that even though he has to use his weak arm, he is well-versed in jousting. So he is no less a threat."
"Got it," Blaze said, guiding her horse to the barrier.
"Good luck," he said.
Last one, Blaze thought. All she had to do was defeat Stewart. Then she could be finished with the whole silly mess of an arranged marriage. That way, she could concentrate on more important matters. Like clearing Silver's name and taking care of Lord Alans.
Silver. Why could she not marry him? That would have made everything so much easier. She had entertained the idea over the past couple of days. She had wondered if she could ask for that at the end of the tournament. After all, she could claim anything she wanted as her prize. A marriage, even to Silver, would at least satisfy her advisors. So everyone would win.
The thunderous roar of the crowd broke her thoughts. Focus on the here and now, Blaze reminded herself. She would worry about what to ask for after she won.
She held her lance straight out and shot forward. Heading down the barrier, Stewart aimed for her head. Blaze ducked low like Gardon had told her. If she could at least hit his shoulder, she could win. She tucked her lance under her arm. She was committed to the shoulder.
But Stewart changed his lance's angle. At the last moment, he went for her torso. Kee-rash! The wind was knocked out of Blaze. She could not breathe. The lance had found its mark directly on her chest. She leaned forward, but did not fall. Blaze circled around to Drouet and Gardon.
"Are you alright?" Drouet asked, running to her side.
"Fine," Blaze said, gasping for air. She was dizzy, yet she held the reins tightly. "Quick. Another lance."
"You can do it," Gardon said, encouraging her as she was handed another lance. Blaze nodded and took her position.
The second run down the barrier started much the same. Blaze took the shoulder, Stewart took the head. The horses dashed toward the colliding middle. It was there that Stewart again changed tactics. He aimed low once more. Blaze blocked his attack with her shield. Then she struck his shoulder. It was not much. A passing glance at most, but it was enough. He wobbled before righting himself on his horse.
"Third time's the charm," Drouet said, handing her another lance. Blaze agreed and galloped down the barrier. Somehow, she knew the third run would be the last. She felt it in her bones. She clung her lance close to her body. She was going for the chest. She spurred the horse forward, wincing at moving her damaged leg.
The shield gleamed in the sunlight. The tips of the lances crossed like oddly-shaped swords. For a brief moment, the crowd was dead quiet. All was still as Blaze met Stewart. She saw the end slowly unfold before her, the resulting blows taking ages. Her lance shattered, splintering off his shield. She drove it fully into the painted warring, onyx swords until it was a stub.
He attacked her chest. The lance knocked her into the air. At one point, he was supporting Blaze on it like a curious acrobat. The world halted as Blaze watched her horse disappear from under her. No. She was falling. No. The dirt was cradling her. No!
Then the world resumed its normal state. Everyone was chanting Stewart's name. Blaze was on her back, staring up at the sky. She had lost. Lost after all the help she had been given.
Gardon and Drouet helped her up and off to the side. The field was quickly cleared. Thomas walked onto the field, calming the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen! It appears we have a tie! Fear not! For we have planned for such an occasion. We will hold a tiebreaker tomorrow, starting at the crack of dawn. For now, we laud our winners and ask that you have a pleasant evening."
"I lost." It sounded more like a question. Blaze could hardly believe it. She should have won. That was how things were supposed to have worked.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Drouet said.
She shook her head. "I will just have to win the tiebreaker then. That's all there is to it." Blaze turned to Gardon. "Set up the meeting. I want to see Silver."
"You're lucky you don't have an infection, Sir Locksley," the doctor said. He clipped the string and put away his supplies. "You should have come and gotten these stitches days ago. Fortunately, it's nothing serious. Should heal in a few days with proper rest."
"Thank you," Silver said. All the blood had been cleaned from his fur. Looking at the wound, it was hardly noticeable, save for the blue string holding it closed. Silver swung his feet over the bed. Brimble helped him sit up.
"I hope everything turned out alright," Silver said after the doctor left.
"I'm sure it did," Brimble said, helping him lean forward. Silver grunted. "You took out a lot of people. So it must have been an easy win."
"You're probably right," Silver said. He held his side, running his fingers along the stiches. "Still, I'm concerned about Sir Wincott and Sir Stewart. They hadn't been taken out when I left."
"Well, Slate will be back soon." The infirmary door opened. Brimble turned around. "Speaking of which," he said. Slate shuffled in. He appeared distressed. Gardon was following him, looking equally distraught.
"Are they finished?" Silver asked. "Is the tournament over?"
"Yes and no," Slate said. "Uh, I don't know how to say this, but Sir Stewart won."
Silver collapsed onto the bed. "W-What?" he said, choking out the words. That was not how everything was supposed to end! Blaze was supposed to win and be free!
"Sir Stewart won," Gardon said, reiterating the announcement. "But there is a tiebreaker that will be held tomorrow. No one knows what it will entail." He looked at the stitches thoughtfully. "Will you be up for it?"
"I'll be fine," Silver said. Truthfully, his side continued to stretch when he walked around. He was well enough to move normally, but anything more strenuous than that and he would cause further damage. Of course, the tiebreaker would be more taxing than anything before, or so he believed. Therefore, he could not worry about his personal health. Blaze's life was on the line.
"One more thing," Gardon said. He nodded to Slate to close the infirmary door. "I had to tell the princess about your escapade. She's really concerned about you and has asked to meet you tonight. I promised I would set up a meeting." He looked at the closed wound again. "I'll make sure it's somewhere dark."
"Alright," Silver said. He instinctively moved his hand to hold his side. But when he saw Gardon watching him with a troubled expression, he retracted his arm. He faced elsewhere and daydreamed of the coming night. After all their time apart, he would finally be able to see Blaze. He could not wait.
There was only a sliver of a moon that night. It hardly shed any light and for that, Silver was thankful. He was able to move unseen around the stables. Brimble and Slate were mere shadows outside, guarding the entrance.
Gardon had deemed midnight to be appropriate for a choice meeting. Late enough for every competitor to be resting for tomorrow and early enough that Silver and Blaze could still catch some shuteye he had reasoned. Although Silver was nodding off, he constantly shook himself about, paced, and did whatever he could to stay awake. He did not mind the time. Whether late, early, or whenever she wanted to see him, Silver was happy to do so.
Eventually, he heard someone approaching the stables. Two sets of feet. Brimble and Slate stood in their way at first. Then they allowed one to pass by. The figure wore a dark cloak, much like Silver did. Reaching up, the figure pulled down the hood, revealing Blaze's face.
"Blaze!" Silver said, his heart skipping several beats. He strode as fast as possible to her.
"Silver!" she said, running to him. She smacked into him, embracing Silver around his neck. He was happy she could not see him bite his lip over her hitting his stitches. "When Gardon told me what happened, I could hardly believe it. That was all I thought about throughout the rest of the tournament."
"So it's my fault you lost," Silver said. He parted with Blaze and held her hands.
"Not at all," she said. "Sir Stewart was simply better." She squeezed his hands.
"How are you? Is your leg okay?" he asked.
"I'm surviving." Silver doubted that. Every step she took had an ounce of careful tenuity to it, like she was trying to avoid upsetting any part of her body. "It is nothing I cannot handle. Really, I'm fine. And do not worry. I will sort out this whole matter with Lord Alans. I will have him banned from the kingdom once the tournament is over. He will not hurt you again."
"What if he wins?" Silver asked. "What then? He plans to murder you."
"That will not happen," Blaze said. "I will not let him win."
"But what if he does?"
"I do not know yet," she confessed. "We will think of something. I assure you though that I can handle those two knights tomorrow."
"Sir Stewart is pretty tough," Silver said, pulling her closer.
"I am more concerned about the other one," Blaze said. "Sir Locksley was certainly a force to be reckoned with. Almost like he knew what I was going to do before I did."
"Oh?" Silver gulped. Was she on to him? "Maybe he studies his opponents really well." She stared Silver in the eye. He fretted as to whether she was catching on. His sewn side was shrouded by the shadows, but could she see his wound anyway? "Silver." She was watching him, unblinking and solemn.
"Y-Yes?" He turned his body ever so slightly, trying to conceal the stitches more.
"Thank you," she said, standing next to him. She buried her chin in his tuft of chest fur. "For all you have done. I really appreciate it."
"Anytime," he said. He dropped her hands. Slowly, their arms wrapped around each other's waists. "Anything for you."
She smiled. Not that smile that she put on for greeting her subjects, even when she was having a bad day. Not that smile used for royal affairs that was a tight-lipped grimace holding back a frustrating screech. No, her lips curled, showing the barest hint of her teeth. Her true smile, the one only she had allowed a select few to witness, matched her thankful eyes and lit-up face. For Silver, the sight was a wonderful reward.
He lost himself in her eyes. He did not care where they were. He wanted then and there to oust his involvement in the tournament and his love. Pulling her as close as possible, he matched her smile. "Blaze?"
"Hm?" She was as lost as he was, her eyes glazed over. Silver would have laughed if he was not the same way. The stables faded into a blurry mess until only Blaze was left, outlined against the chaos. The perfect constant whom he set his focus on.
"Blaze, I-"
"Your Highness!" Blaze's squire entered, taking aside her ear. "We must hurry back. Someone is coming."
Blaze sighed and nodded. "Very well." She disentangled herself from Silver, lingering their visit with a brief handhold. "Stay safe," she said. Then she leaned close to his ear. Silver listened closely, but she did not whisper anything. Instead, she pressed her lips delicately against his cheek. "Good night." She was walking out of the barn. Silver had frozen at the kiss. Had she said anything else?
Brimble and Slate entered, helping Silver to start moving. He followed their lead, sticking to the shadowed areas cast by high ramparts and neighboring buildings that cuddled together. As they headed back to his room, Silver touched his cheek. I'll never wash this again, he vowed, uncontrollably grinning.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the final day of the tournament!" Thomas had proven very effective at working up the crowd, no matter what the mood. Even when that mood was fearful. The guards were continuing their search, now enclosing the tournament on all sides. Lord Alans was nearby, watching over the final three participants. He was trying to appear pleasant, but his sneer bubbled up, causing a revolting concoction that resulted in a strained smile which anyone could see through.
Silver had taken some time to study the field before Thomas had begun. Completely cleared of all barricades, targets, and rings, all that was set on the field was a painted white line. Above that was a red banner. Silver assumed the tiebreaker would be some kind of race. It would explain why they were told to stay mounted.
"These three knights have fought bravely, showcasing their skills to everyone here! Apparently, one round for each to win was not enough!" Thomas joked, earning laughter from the audience. "So today, they will prove who is the swiftest, the most cunning, the most enduring, through a race! But not any sort of race. They must climb Mount Rohesdow, grab the flag we placed atop it, and bring it back here!"
Mount Rohesdow? Silver looked up at the tall mountain. It did not stretch high into the heavens, but climbing it was no easy feat. Rockslides were common and parts of the journey to the peak were extremely steep. The race would take all day, unless one flew up to the top. But Silver could not risk that. After all, he had promised not to cheat and he was in no condition to anyway. He had to use all his strength just to stand normally. Also, he figured that if he suddenly showed up within the hour, flag in hand, he would raise everyone's suspicions.
"There will be no fighting. This will be a fair, clean race. So at this time, we ask that the knights hand over their weapons." Silver unstrapped his shield and sword from his horse, handing them to Brimble.
"Good luck," Brimble said.
"Who will claim the final victory and Princess Blaze's hand? Sir Stewart the Stout, who lived up to his name with the sturdiest lance?" Thomas asked the crowd. "Sir Percival the Keen, who proved to have the sharpest aim around? How about Sir Locksley the Unyielding, the strongest swordsman in the land?" People were shouting for their favorites. Overall, the spectators were split into equal thirds, cheering on their champions.
"Let us begin!" Thomas said. "Will the competitors please approach the starting line?"
Silver nudged his horse to the white line. Stewart and Blaze were on either side of him. A referee stood near the line, holding a checked flag. He raised it high into the air. Silver leaned down, holding the reins tightly. When the flag came down, they were off.
A/N: Hope you guys like it so far!
Sword: Oooo! Who will win? I can't wait! *jumps onto Pen's back* Let's race!
Pen: Get off of me, you dolt!
See you guys later.
Pen: That does it! En garde!