Element Wielder (The Void Wielder Trilogy Book 1) by Cesar Gonzalez
Authors: Cesar Gonzalez
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Rohad for the stunt he’d pulled.
“Do you know why you’re here?”
“I have an idea.”
The eyes of the grandmaster gleamed with the reflection of candlelight. “You’re here to discuss today’s events. We never had such a large group of students simply give up inches from victory. You put us in quite a bind, Mr. Hyatt.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“That’s quite all right. No need to apologize. You united the students in a way I’ve never seen before. In the end everything turned out for the best. Truth be told, with the exception of a few professors, most of us were impressed by the way you handled yourself.” The professor puffed away at his long carved pipe as he spoke, filling the tent with a blend of sweet and woodsy smells. “It’s true that you broke the rules by wielding, but you did not do it for personal gain. Even more impressive, you led not only your team but also most of the other students to victory. For the first time in history every student who attempted the jungle exam has passed. Good job, Mr. Hyatt.”
Falcon allowed himself to breathe. “Thank you, sir. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“Don’t thank me. I did nothing. You accomplished this yourself.”
A surge of excitement rushed through Falcon. He was one step closer to becoming a Rohad mercenary.
~ ~ ~
The good news spread quickly through the camp. They all passed!
Aya was happy for Falcon; he deserved a break, even if it was temporary.
She lay in the meadow, looking up at the stars and taking in the aroma of wet grass. Falcon, Lao, Chonsey and a few other students accompanied her. A dwindling fire, their only source of warmth, was more than enough to keep everyone happy. But Aya knew that it was a fleeting happiness. She could already see it slipping away in Falcon. The excitement that had filled him just moments ago was now almost non-existent. He stared blankly into the sky. He always had that hollow look in his eyes when he thought of his brother or that cold-blooded killer, Shal-Volcseck.
Aya wanted to comfort him but decided against it. Better to leave him to his thoughts. Besides, she needed to concentrate on what would happen the next day. They might have passed the jungle test, but that was only one part of the graduation exam. The upcoming duels promised to be far more difficult.
CHAPTER 15
The coliseum was filled to capacity. The smell of the baked bread the vendors sold through the stands filled his nostrils, causing his stomach to growl. The last time Falcon remembered the coliseum this packed was a lifetime ago, when his brother defeated Mathias.
Once again the emperor turned out for the occasion. Even from the far back side of the coliseum, where all the hopeful Rohads waited, Falcon made out his bright-green robe. No doubt he would be Hiromy’s loudest supporter.
The announcer, a tall man with a large build, strutted to the middle of the sun-soaked arena.
“Silence, please.” His oversized white mustache danced as he spoke. “The following is a one-on-one battle between two potential graduates. The rules are simple. Element wielding is allowed; additionally, each fighter is allowed a weapon of their choosing.” The announcer took a breath. “The person who makes their opponent yield to them will be declared the winner. Contestants at the ready!”
Falcon’s heart pounded as he picked at his fingernail. He hoped nothing more than to be called up first.
The announcer continued. “The first match of the day will be between Chonsey Meloth and Delita Norrington.”
With a loud “Yes!” Delita raised his fist in the air. He took large, confident strides to the middle of the arena, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. Laars and Putin cheered him on.
Chonsey, to the contrary, remained frozen in place next to Falcon, his face unnaturally pale.
“Chonsey Meloth? Where is Chonsey Meloth?” asked the announcer.
No one stepped up.
The announcer let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Do you know why you’re here?”
“I have an idea.”
The eyes of the grandmaster gleamed with the reflection of candlelight. “You’re here to discuss today’s events. We never had such a large group of students simply give up inches from victory. You put us in quite a bind, Mr. Hyatt.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“That’s quite all right. No need to apologize. You united the students in a way I’ve never seen before. In the end everything turned out for the best. Truth be told, with the exception of a few professors, most of us were impressed by the way you handled yourself.” The professor puffed away at his long carved pipe as he spoke, filling the tent with a blend of sweet and woodsy smells. “It’s true that you broke the rules by wielding, but you did not do it for personal gain. Even more impressive, you led not only your team but also most of the other students to victory. For the first time in history every student who attempted the jungle exam has passed. Good job, Mr. Hyatt.”
Falcon allowed himself to breathe. “Thank you, sir. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“Don’t thank me. I did nothing. You accomplished this yourself.”
A surge of excitement rushed through Falcon. He was one step closer to becoming a Rohad mercenary.
~ ~ ~
The good news spread quickly through the camp. They all passed!
Aya was happy for Falcon; he deserved a break, even if it was temporary.
She lay in the meadow, looking up at the stars and taking in the aroma of wet grass. Falcon, Lao, Chonsey and a few other students accompanied her. A dwindling fire, their only source of warmth, was more than enough to keep everyone happy. But Aya knew that it was a fleeting happiness. She could already see it slipping away in Falcon. The excitement that had filled him just moments ago was now almost non-existent. He stared blankly into the sky. He always had that hollow look in his eyes when he thought of his brother or that cold-blooded killer, Shal-Volcseck.
Aya wanted to comfort him but decided against it. Better to leave him to his thoughts. Besides, she needed to concentrate on what would happen the next day. They might have passed the jungle test, but that was only one part of the graduation exam. The upcoming duels promised to be far more difficult.
CHAPTER 15
The coliseum was filled to capacity. The smell of the baked bread the vendors sold through the stands filled his nostrils, causing his stomach to growl. The last time Falcon remembered the coliseum this packed was a lifetime ago, when his brother defeated Mathias.
Once again the emperor turned out for the occasion. Even from the far back side of the coliseum, where all the hopeful Rohads waited, Falcon made out his bright-green robe. No doubt he would be Hiromy’s loudest supporter.
The announcer, a tall man with a large build, strutted to the middle of the sun-soaked arena.
“Silence, please.” His oversized white mustache danced as he spoke. “The following is a one-on-one battle between two potential graduates. The rules are simple. Element wielding is allowed; additionally, each fighter is allowed a weapon of their choosing.” The announcer took a breath. “The person who makes their opponent yield to them will be declared the winner. Contestants at the ready!”
Falcon’s heart pounded as he picked at his fingernail. He hoped nothing more than to be called up first.
The announcer continued. “The first match of the day will be between Chonsey Meloth and Delita Norrington.”
With a loud “Yes!” Delita raised his fist in the air. He took large, confident strides to the middle of the arena, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. Laars and Putin cheered him on.
Chonsey, to the contrary, remained frozen in place next to Falcon, his face unnaturally pale.
“Chonsey Meloth? Where is Chonsey Meloth?” asked the announcer.
No one stepped up.
The announcer let out an exaggerated sigh.
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