The Dragon's Champion Read Free

Master Lepkin, we
have gathered all students here to witness his apprentice, Erik Lokton, adopted
son of Lord Lokton, honor an open challenge that he issued to the other
Apprentices of the Sword.”
    A murmur ran
through the crowd. Master Orres raised his hand to silence them, but pockets of
students in the crowd continued to gossip. That is, until Master Lepkin crossed
his arms and cleared his throat loudly. Then they were all silent.
    “Now,” Master
Orres continued. “We have invited all students of Kuldiga Academy to attend. I
wish to acknowledge the presence of each and every department, and welcome
them. First, let me welcome the Apprentices of the Hand, we are glad to have
our healers-in-training here at this event. Let me welcome the Apprentices of
the Way, we will be happy to have our priests-in-training pray for Erik’s
safety as he battles each of the other ninety-seven Apprentices of the Sword!”
    The crowd
laughed and snickered. Erik looked up to Master Lepkin, but his master remained
stone-faced and silent.
    “I would also
like to welcome our students of alchemy, the Apprentices of the Snake; our
rangers-in-training, the Apprentices of the Arrow; our soon-to-be wizards, the
Apprentices of the Staff; and our budding scholars-to-be, the Apprentices of
the Eye. I hope all of you enjoy today’s spectacle.” Master Orres bowed a few
times in response to the cheers of the crowd.
    After a few
moments Master Orres brought Erik’s first opponent, a boy about fourteen years
old, to the center of the courtyard. Orres checked the boy’s training armor,
yanking on it and smacking it, before raising his arm to silence the crowd
again.
    “The rules are
simple,” Orres shouted for all to hear. “If an apprentice falls on his back, or
his stomach, he has lost. If an apprentice drops his sword and it touches the
ground, he has lost. If an apprentice yields, then he has lost. Also, you must
stay inside the box, outlined in white chalk in the grass. Are these rules
clear?”
    Both of the boys
nodded.
    “There are two
more rules,” Orres added. “A swing at the head is acceptable, but do not thrust
your sword at your opponent’s face. The last rule is that, by order of Master
Lepkin, if Erik loses or yields a duel, he will continue the challenge until he
has dueled all ninety-seven Apprentices of the Sword,
except in the case of severe injury. If Erik is hurt, then Master Lepkin will
decide whether Erik can continue the challenge.”
    Erik turned back
to Lepkin. He was both surprised and frightened by the prospect that he would
finish all ninety-seven duels even if he was beaten every time. He questioned
whether a broken bone would even persuade Lepkin to stop the duels. Just then,
as Erik contemplated how he would live through the day, Master Lepkin knelt
beside him and whispered three things.
    “Keep your eyes
open, listen to understand your surroundings, and fight honorably.” Then Lepkin
stood up and backed away.
    Master Orres
stood between the two boys.
    Erik quickly
studied the boundaries drawn on the grass. As Master Lepkin had taught him, he calculated
the space of the box. He knew exactly how many steps he could take in each
direction before crossing the boundaries. Next he concentrated on his opponent.
He saw the boy’s brown eyes. They were wide and frightened. Then he heard the
boy’s breathing. It was fast and shallow. Erik knew that his opponent was as
afraid as he was, perhaps even more so.
    Erik knew that
this first fight would be pivotal. This duel would set the pace for the rest of
the challenge. Erik prepared himself. He was going to lay into this opponent
like a bull. He watched as Master Orres lifted his arm, signaling the boys to
get ready. Erik narrowed his eyes on his opponent and gripped his sword.
    Then he heard
something. At first Erik wasn’t sure if it was a wheeze or cough. All he knew
was that his opponent made a weird sound. Then it dawned on him. His opponent
was Hal Sarmt. Erik