Ch. 26: A Good Life

Our messenger Viktor arrived on his beautiful chestnut horse. He reigned in the steed with obvious skill and hopped down to rush into the tent with us. Kneeling down on one knee, Viktor humbly said, "Greetings Sir Kovin and Champion. Please allow me to inform of the meeting with the Gorvant nobles."

"Rise and report," Kovin ushered him up. I was still VERY new to all this bowing and title non-sense; it seemed so unessential.

Viktor addressed only Kovin - as if he were trying to avoid looking at me directly, "The King of Gorvant is willing to agree to the pro-offered single combat of champion warfare. They are willing to send their best - the distinguished Lord Rodair to fight our Champion." Viktor lowered his eyes and voice as he continued, "The King was somewhat displeased when the letter stated that our Champion was a woman however, I explained that she was appointed by Crown Prince Baymun himself. Their King is very interested in speaking with our Champion before the combat commences - that was his only stipulation. He agreed to everything else that was stated in the terms letter including their unwavering loyalty if we were to win."

Kovin's face showed his astonishment. He turned to me and smirked, "I guess you got your wish. Looks like you will be getting to fight alone after all."

I smiled confidently, "Looks like it."

Kovin turned back to Viktor and told him to round up all the men. We would meet the Gorvant King at the edge of the border with our army standing at the ready in case anything were to go amiss; not that it would since Gorvant was well-known for their dedication to high moral codes.

I left the tactical tent with Richie on my heels as we headed for our own tent. All around soldiers scattered as they mocked and condemned me under their breath. It was like they didn't want to be near me but they had no issue with degrading me. I could faintly hear one of them say 'tools aren't supposed to go against their born purpose'. Ignoring everything (since this had been going on from day one as the Champion) we entered our tent as Richie started in, "Ez I don't think this is as 'wise' as you made it out to be. You didn't tell me nothing about this Rodair - Does he really chop people's limbs off?"

As he was talking, he assisted with my battle preparations. We easily got me into some leather light-armor that still highlighted my womanly figure - If I was going to be the first woman to fight in the Bodach Empire then you best believe I was going to make sure everyone else knew it.

Richie knelt to strap on my boots, then began working on strapping my holsters in place as I finally responded, "I don't know, but it doesn't matter. I HAVE to do this Rich."

"No, you don't HAVE to - you WANT to. That's the difference luv." Richie placed a hand on his hip admiring his work as I was going through my weapon stash. I prepped everything like before, only this time I had a few poisons to tuck away in my waist belt pouches. Richie had been holding on to them since we left Eurosia, and I figured now would be as good a time as any to carry them myself since you never knew if they'd be needed.

"Alright Rich - I want to. It's the only way I can easily obtain the army's respect. If I don't do this now it could take months before they finally listen or even LOOK at me with some ounce of civility. If that were to happen, I'm afraid that it would negatively affect future victories."

"Yeah yeah, ramble on with your reasonings, but do remember that if you die I'm probably going to be executed." Richie stood in front of me while placing a cape around my shoulders. His lips were pursed making him look like a cute little kid again. I smiled wistfully and would have ruffled his hair if I was tall enough but instead I mockingly replied, "Oh, so you're only thinking of your own skin. I see how it is."

Richie turned his head away while crossing his arms, "I am not. Can't a guy care about his future demise when a woman is putting both their lives in danger?"

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, "Guilt-tripping me won't help you this time Rich. Even if it seems like a gamble, I'm actually doing this for us."

"Oh?"

"Yes - If I win as many battles as possible, I can finally try to make a difference. I will be allowed to express the change that is needed, ask for help and try to end Eurosia's cursed future." I was determined to make Richie understand as well as myself. We needed this chance!

"You honestly think that cutie Baymun is going to listen to you?" Richie turned back at me and rolled his eyes, "Grow up sweetie. No one wants to hear about change. Just be happy that we are alive and just try to live a good life. That's what Corbin was trying to get you to do - not try to change Eurosia's fate."

Shaking my head in denial I firmly replied, "This IS how I will live a good life." I quickly finished grabbing my things and hurried to the entrance. My back was to Richie as I said, "I won't allow Baymun or anyone else to destroy our race. I WILL fix it - that's how I choose to live." I didn't listen to another word Richie might say as I headed out to the Gorvant border.

--------------------------

We stood under the setting sun looking at the massive army before us. Gorvant sure knew how to look intimidating, I give them that. All of their men were extremely tall, like seven foot and were of a shimmering ebony hue. No shirts could be seen which allowed each man to glisten in all their masculine glory - thank heavens they had the decency to were some leggings. Gulping I realized I wasn't used to so many shirtless men and it was rather disconcerting.

"Wow!" Richie's appreciation could be heard a few feet away on his horse. I gave a small chuckle and headed with Kovin to the small group at the front of the Gorvant army. When we reached the presumed leaders, we descended our horses.

A tall bald man walked up to us. He was wearing a simple silver crown and had a flowing purple cape. Beside him was an even taller man (had to be close to seven foot five inches) whose biceps matched the size of my head. The crowned man began to speak in a boisterous rumble, "In all this King's days, this King would have never believed that Bodach would allow a woman to enter war much less represent as a Champion . . . this King had to come and see it for himself." His language was a little different from our own, but I kind of liked it - and the man himself was warm yet powerful. I was now very glad that I had chosen this course of battle - if this man would have been harmed it would be very saddening.

"This King welcomes you to our border! From what this King has deduced, this woman must be the aforementioned Champion?" His striking blue eyes looked at me.

"Indeed, m'lord." I bowed my head courteously and looked up to see a pearly white smile. "Never has anyone from Bodach been so respectful and so very beautiful. Surely this woman doesn't come from there?"

He was sharp, "You are correct m'lord."

"Hmmm, then why is this Champion representing the Empire?"

"The Bodach's crown-prince asked if I would be the new Champion after his brother, the former Prince Derrick was exiled and the crown-prince had to overtake the royal duties. I am here to win this battle for the Empire's welfare."

The King smiled again, "This Champion is interesting. In the term letter, it stated that if this Champion were to win, Gorvant would form an unwavering alliance. No other land has made such a direct request - other lands only try to take Gorvant by brute force. Bodach Empire surely has plenty of well-trained men to throw at Gorvant forces?"

I smiled slightly, "That we do, however a single-combat would lessen the amount of fatalities which would be beneficial to both sides, correct?"

The King nodded his head approvingly, "Correct." He gestured to the extremely tall man beside him, "This is Gorvant Champion Lord Rodair. Rodair is eager to prove Gorvant's power." Rodair smiled proudly showing off a big toothy grin. 'Of course the biggest guy they had would be the Champion,' I thought.

"So terms are agreed and settled - If the Gorvant Champion wins, we will leave your territory unharmed for now. If the Empire's Champion wins, your race will be a willing ally under Bodach rule." Kovin made sure that everything was in order - such a meticulous guy.

The King nodded in agreement, "Gorvant loves challenges and always honors agreements. If this Champion can defeat Rodair, then Bodach Empire is deserving of Gorvant's loyalty." The King looked at me again and matter-of-factly asked, "Before Rodair pulls this Champion apart, could this Champion please allow this King a name to remember? This King is regretful that a beauty such as this Champion won't be alive much longer, but a name can live on."

Holding my head high I replied, "I am Ezran of Eurosia."