Chapter 305

When breakfast was over the four of them headed in the direction of the training grounds together. Leo and Isis wanted to watch over the duel between Vorbuk and Chase. Ashley was already waiting there to make sure that the place remained cleared out.

They would both be dueling against one another in their human forms. It would be dangerous to have others gathered around. If there was a crowd it was a higher chance of someone getting caught in the way. Ashley had made sure that no outsiders were involved and only the necessary servants were left in the surroundings in case they were needed.

The two of them took separate sides of the training grounds. A weapon in their hands as Daryl had been training the young Chase to wield a weapon like any other average prince because it was something he would one day need. I was not merely a symbol of royalty to know how to fight but rather a way to protect himself in the future.

They kept their eyes on one another. Ashley stood out of the way while preparing to call out the start of the match.

"The match will continue until one side is deemed unable to continue," Ashley called out loud enough for them all to hear, "Begin!"

The boy's beast form was his strongest form however he could not always go around in the form of a large tiger. His training was crucial to help Chase learn to not rely on his animal instincts so much.

"Why do I need to use my human form during battle?" Chase asked as it was difficult for him to understand. When the world was stronger then his human form. Why should he not take advantage of his stronger form and just wreak havoc?

Why must I lower myself to fight at equal footing at the enemy?

My beast form could easily win in the fight against the sword.

CLANG! Shhhhk!

The dual bladed sword in Vorbuk's hands scraped against the blade of the sword in Chase's own hands. As the metal from the training weapons scraped against one another sparks scattered in the air. The prince had been so distracted by his own thoughts that he barely managed to block the sudden attack from Vorbuk.

"Do not get distracted, Chase." Vorbuk warned the boy.

Swinging his weapon again and again the young boy blocked each attack that came at him. He could tell that Vorbuk was still taking it easy on him. They were on equal footing with one another in terms of strength. It made him want to shift into his tiger form and fight against Vorbuk. When he fought, even in duels, he always had to bite back his instinct to shift and end the fight more quickly.

Vorbuk knew that the boy depended too heavily on that instinct and wanted more for him, "You are not a beast and should not consider every fight you have as one that should be won as if you are no better then that beast inside you."

CLANG! CLANG!! CLANG!!!

Chase struck at Vorbuk with everything he could only to be blocked time and again. Sweat dripped from Chase as they fought long and hard. Both of them pouring out everything they could muster up into the duel against one another. He did not want to disappoint the king as his son and as a prince. It felt like he had a lot on his shoulders as he fought back against the king.

"It feels like Prince Chase is fighting with a heavy heart. You can see it in the way he moves. Every swing he takes is desperate. It is like he is putting on a show in front of Vorbuk." Prince Leo uttered his thoughts as he watched the two of them fight. At his side was Princess Isis who watched the duel with him. The vampire Ashley had even stepped over to their side to watch as he supervised the situation in case something was to go wrong.

A servant came rushing over to whisper something to Ashley in private. It seemed to the prince that Ashley was being informed of a situation outside the training area.

"Is something wrong?" Prince Leo asked Ashley once the vampire had sent the servant away.

Ashley glanced over at the prince and replied, "You and master seem to have a visitor."

"Who would come at this time?" Prince Leo asked him.

"The cambion known as Chete has arrived at the palace." Ashley spoke with slight killing intent behind the tone in his voice. The Prince got chills just listening to those words even though he recognized the name of the cambion.

Prince Leo thought out loud as he wondered what the cambion could possibly want from them at this time, "Should we end the duel?"

"There is no need." Ashley responded.

Prince Leo agreed as he felt like the cambion could wait for them this time. The cambion had failed to protect his father as initially promised. No, that was not it. Chete was only meant to protect his father. In the deal they'd had; no promise was broken.

When the king had accepted his fate and told Chete to leave him alone to his fate the cambion had not broken the rules of his own trade. Chete was a half blooded demon that knew how to twist the rules of his own trade to his own benefit.

CLANG! CLANG!! CLANG!!!

Thud!

Prince Chase fell onto his back. Vorbuk's weapon colliding with his had sent his own sword flying. Chase's sword landing into the ground. The blade impaling into the ground as Chase breathed heavily. Gazing up into Vorbuk's eyes with a face full of exhaustion from the duel. He was incapable of beating the king in a duel because he was still learning.

"You did very well, Chase." Vorbuk complimented the child's hard work to learn.

Chase did not know how to react to those words, he swallowed embarrassed by the praise as he turned his head away, "Thank you, father."

Vorbuk lowered his hand to help the boy up, "You will do well in taking care of the palace while I am away."

"I will get better!" Chase wanted to impress the man who brought him out of the darkness. He wanted the king to look at him with pride. The last thing he wanted was for Vorbuk to have a reason to regret saving him from the dungeon.

Vorbuk felt like Chase was pushing himself too hard lately. There was no reason for the child to overwork himself to the brink of exhaustion. It was one thing to practice and get better at something. However it was very different for him when the child put his talent above his own health. Pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion was only going to have the opposite affect. It would only deteriorate the child's health.

Placing his hand on Chase's head he said, "You have the time so just pace yourself for now. I will have Daryl continue to train you in the future."

"Yes, father." Chase responded. Vorbuk asking him to pace his training was not something he would easily listen to. It was something that others would have to carefully watch out for. If someone was not making sure Chase properly rested it felt like he would push himself even if it meant collapsing.