“Intriguing. I shall have to suggest similar courses to my friends,” Mageeyes said.
“Sean, are you taking this seriously?” Eva finally cut in. “Cuander is not just any cuon and Aria Huntress is experienced in fighting for her life.”
Sean stopped walking to look at her. “I’m done letting bullies think they can push everyone around, Eva. Bet your business on me, and have trust that I’ll reward your faith in me. Ryann and I will not lose this fight.”
“I’ll back you,” Ryan said.
“As will I,” Italice said. “There are a few here who I would love to take money from.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
Aria was brought to the yard with a chain attached to her ankles. Cuander walked alongside her, his teeth bared and a soft growl coming from him as he eyed the guard holding the chain.
Babbitt came in the yard behind Sean. “It was a brief meeting, it seems. Acquit yourself well, MacDougal.”
“I’ll be winning,” Sean corrected the Commander.
“Hard to beat any cuon, much less an alpha like Cuander,” Babbitt said as he walked past.
“Commander Babbitt,” Lady Sharpeyes said as he stepped past Sean, “you are to make sure that the duel is fair. Aria Huntress and Cuander will be fighting Sean MacDougal and his wife, Ryann. There are to be no weapons involved beyond what nature has gifted them. All Talents and energy are available for use. The fight will come to a stop when one side has been prevented from continuing. Death will only occur if the crowd asks for it after the fight has come to a conclusion.”
“I would suggest a ward,” Babbitt replied. “My sword has already been used tonight.”
“My guards will be making the ward,” Lord Sharpeyes said. “Just make sure that no outside interference happens and that no weapons are used.”
“Can I get a knife?” Sean asked as he took off his jacket and handed it to Fredrick. “I just need to alter something before the fight.”
“You may borrow mine,” Mageeyes said, supplying a small knife.
“Thanks,” Sean smiled, taking it and giving the stupid stock tie he had been wearing to Fredrick.
With everyone watching him intently, Sean went to one knee next to Ryann. Taking the dress in hand, he pulled it away from her leg and cut from just below the hip to the floor. Ryann turned her other side to him, and he finished cutting that side for her.
“Freedom of movement,” Sean said, handing the knife back to Mageeyes.
“You just ruined a dress made by Silkenhands,” Italice said in shock.
“We’ll be fighting for our lives,” Sean shrugged. “The dress is just frippery.”
“Quite right,” Ryann said as she took a couple of steps to test her movement, her long legs flashing into view.
“MacDougal?” Aria asked, staring at him. “You are my opponent?”
“Seems that way,” Sean replied back. “You’re Denmur’s champion for this duel. I’m Gertihs’ champion.”
Aria looked down at Cuander, then began to laugh softly, “I see... this is my last flight, after all.”
“Giving up before you fight? Disgraceful!” Denmur snarled at her. “Lord, if she is refusing to fight, it proves she doesn’t serve loyally.”
“Aria, this fight is for your life. Fail and I’ll have your head,” Lord Sharpeyes snapped at her.
Aria drew herself up to her full height, the chain going taut as she did. “I have never fought at less than my full potential. You insult my long service to the city, Lord Sharpeyes.”
“As you insulted my family by refusing to do as instructed by my son.”
Aria shook her head, “I will fight.” Head still facing Sharpeyes, one eye swiveled to look at Sean, her head following a second later. “I’m sorry for it to come to this, MacDougal. You seemed a decent person.”
“I enjoyed your puns,” Sean told her seriously.
Cuander stopped growling when he heard Sean’s voice and stared at him. A single loud woof echoed in the courtyard as Cuander pulled at the three guards holding the line he was on.
“Cuander,” Aria said softly, “he is your foe. If he lives, I die.”
Cuander whimpered, looking back at her, then to Sean. Sitting down, he raised his head and let out a mournful howl. Everyone in the courtyard shuddered at it. Sean bowed his head, having understood the intent behind the howl.
Focusing on the sound, Sean made a few soft growls and woofs under his breath.
Cuander’s howl faded and he looked at Sean with sharp eyes before sneezing and getting back to his feet. A deep, menacing growl came from Cuander and he took two steps forward, the three guards unable to hold him back.
“Wait,” Aria commanded, “wait for the start.” Her own eyes were locked on Sean, her head tilted at an angle as if trying to figure out his play.
“Unchain the Huntress and Cuander,” Babbitt commanded. “I need to make sure they are unarmed.”
“But he’ll charge,” one of the guards said.
“No, he won’t,” Aria corrected him. “Cuander will do as I tell him.”
“Sean, are you sure about this?” Fredrick asked, holding Sean’s jacket and stock tie.
“Yes. The real problem will be after I win. Tomorrow, I’m going to give everyone in the association who wishes to know the truth the chance to find out. Things are going to get very bad.”
“Oi, Gertihs!” a man called out. “I’ll give you ten-to-one odds.”
“I’ll take those odds,” Mageeyes smiled. “Care to cover my one hundred gold?”
The room went silent at her words, before people began to clamor about odds and bets. Fredrick and Eva looked on in shock as Mageeyes continued to place bets on Sean winning.
“Trust me,” Sean said. “I’ll win. Go soak them for all you can.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it,” Ryan smiled as he moved off toward a group and started asking about odds.
“I will, too,” Italice grinned. She headed for a pack of golden-haired women who sneered at her. “Vernine, care for a wager?”
Babbitt turned away from Aria and Cuander, heading for Sean and Ryann. “MacDougal, your friends certainly seem to be backing you,” he said, motioning with his head at the people taking bets. “I need you to let me search you for weapons.”
“Go ahead,” Sean said.
It only took Babbitt a minute to search Sean and Ryann before he walked to the middle of the courtyard. “Both parties are unarmed and ready to fight. Guards, bring forth the barrier so that I may officiate this duel.”
Sean felt the energy that surged around him. A very light gold dome appeared, taking up most of the courtyard and arching thirty feet into the air. The partygoers pressed against it, eager for the duel.
“Are you both ready to fight until you can’t fight any more?”
Cuander growled and dug at the ground with a paw. Aria patted his neck. “We are ready, Commander.”
“I didn’t want this fight,” Sean said firmly, “but I will do everything in my power to bring it to a conclusion.”
“Get on with it,” Ryann said simply, her hands curled into fists.
“On three,” Babbitt said, stepping away from the center.
Golden brown wings of energy sprang from Aria’s back, and she began to flap them gently. Sean’s jaw dropped; he had not expected her to be able to fly.
“One,” Babbitt called out.
“Can we use the terrain?” Sean asked.
“Allowed. Two.”
“Don’t kill her, Ry,” Sean said softly, “but bring her down.”
“Three.”
Aria shot into the air at three. “Get the woman, Cuander!”
Cuander was already rushing at Sean, his foam-flecked muzzle opened wide. Sean braced himself on his back foot and waited. Ryann had taken four steps to the side where a decorative fountain with stones sprayed water gaily into the air. Snatching a few stones, she had drawn back her arm, aiming for Aria, when Sean’s cry of pain caught her e
ar.
Cuander’s jaw clamped down on Sean’s arm as he shoved it into the open maw of the cuon. Sean screamed when the teeth scraped against his bones. Wrapping his free arm around Cuander’s neck to hold him still, he dropped his head quickly, head-butting the cuon.
Cuander let out a muffled yip as Sean held him in place, quickly followed by a startled yelp when all four feet left the ground. Sean leveraged the dog into the air by the arm around its neck, falling backward with it.
“Sean,” Ryann cried out, spinning and throwing a stone at Cuander.
Sean winced when the stone hit him in the back as he rolled over the cuon. “This fight is mine. Handle her.”
Ryann grimaced, but looked up just in time to dive to the side when Aria came flying past her. Twin lines of blazing pain made Ryann gasp. Looking over her shoulder, she found the dress torn and blood leaking from two cuts in her back. Rolling to her feet, Ryann grimaced. “Fine, you bloody bird. Come on.”
Aria glanced at Cuander and Sean rolling back and forth on the ground. Something is wrong there… he isn’t fighting like he normally would, Aria thought. Why did MacDougal growl when Cuander howled? He can’t… he couldn’t possibly… could he? Her thoughts were wiped away by pain when a rock hit her in the forehead.
Sean heard a distressed squawk followed by a dull thud, and hoped Aria was okay. Cuander chuffed and licked at Sean’s bleeding arm as they rolled back and forth on the ground. Sean chuffed back before he got his arm around Cuander’s neck. With a soft growl, he applied pressure and Cuander surged to his feet. The crowd gasped as Sean rode Cuander around the yard, his arm slowly tightening on the cuon’s neck as it threw them into trees, trying to dislodge Sean from its back.
Ryann advanced on Aria, who had dropped from the sky with the one throw. “Stay down, and this can be over,” Ryann said.
Aria sprang out of the underbrush, a large red mark on her head. Grabbing Ryann, Aria pivoted and threw her into the fountain. Spluttering as she came up, Ryann grabbed another rock, intent on braining Aria with it. Aria had not been idle, however. When Ryann surfaced, Aria grabbed her from behind and forced her back under water.
“Give up! Surrender so you don’t die,” Aria said as she pulled Ryann up briefly before plunging her back under the water.
Sean glanced at the fountain and his blood ran cold. Growling, he yanked on Cuander, forcing the cuon to the ground. Cuander’s legs flailed for a few moments before he stopped moving. Staggering away, his arm still bleeding so he would not give away that he could heal, Sean ran for Aria.
Pulling Ryann back up, Aria leaned in to speak, only to stagger sideways when she got hit in the head by the rock Ryann held. Aria did not let go, even with the new bruise forming on her temple.
“Fine... I’m sorry,” Aria spat as she pushed Ryann back under the water. Aria’s bare foot came crashing down on the hand holding the rock, the large talons on her toes slicing deep into Ryann’s hand.
Sean started to jog toward Aria, “Let her up, Aria.”
Aria looked back to see Sean coming at her and grimaced, suddenly throwing herself back into the air. Eyes wide, she flew higher up to see Cuander unmoving off to the side. “Cuander? No…”
Sean jumped into the fountain and pulled Ryann up. “Ry!?”
Coughing and spluttering, Ryann gasped, “I need a minute, Sean.”
Looking down at her mangled hand, Sean winced, “Don’t heal it.”
“I’m trying, but it hurts... Morrigan, it hurts,” Ryann whispered. “Can you finish it?”
“I’ll manage. Just rest.”
Sean had just set Ryann down outside the fountain when he threw himself to the side. Aria screeched and flung herself back into the air, having just missed him.
“Come down here and we can settle this,” Sean said.
“Why should I when I control the air?” Aria replied. “I can wear you down.”
“Probably,” Sean admitted. “If you don’t want to come down, though, I’ll bring you down, and I’d rather not do that.”
“Try it,” Aria said as she flew higher, stopping just short of the barrier.
Reaching into the fountain, Sean pulled two rocks out. “You asked for it.” The rock left his hand and flew at Aria, who shifted to the left. The second rock, which was flung right after the first, caught her in the gut.
Gasping, her focus wavered and her wings vanished as she plummeted toward the ground. Knowing acceptance showed on her face as she closed her eyes. A soft impact, followed by a harder impact, jarred her and made her groggy.
Sean grunted as he rolled them over and put his arm around her neck, pinning her to the ground and choking her into unconsciousness. When she went limp, Sean released the hold and sat on her rump.
“Damn you for making me do that Aria,” Sean complained as he took a shallow breath, his body complaining about what he had just done. Raising his voice, he looked back at Babbitt, “She’s out, and so is Cuander. I think it’s over.”
Babbitt had been looking over Cuander, but he came over to them and checked Aria quickly. Nodding, he stood up, “The duel is over. Healers are required.”
The barrier came down, revealing the stunned crowd. Anger, resentment, and glee accounted for every expression. Lady Sharpeyes spoke into the silence, “The duel is over and MacDougal has been victorious. Debts will be paid, but before we go further, as this was a sanctioned duel, we must reward the vic—”
“Hold, mother,” Evan snapped. “What of the crowd being able to choose death? Should we not ask them first?”
“Yes,” Lord Sharpeyes nodded. “Cuander is exempt from this as he is my property. Make sure he is revived and taken back to the kennels. For Aria Huntress, who has lost, what say you, our guests? Death or life?”
As many had just lost small fortunes, the crowd was heavily in favor of her death. The only ones who spoke against it were those associated with Forged Bonds, and a handful of others.
“Well, it seems obvious as what—”
“I want her life,” Sean cut off Lord Sharpeyes. “You wish her dead, and I am granted a boon. I’ll Life Bond her. She’ll be dead as far as you are concerned and be forever tied to me, reminded of her loss every day.”
“Preposterous!” Denmur shouted.
“No, Denmur,” Lady Sharpeyes smiled. “MacDougal has a valid point. Life Bonds are viewed as death in a sense, as your life is tied to the holder. I approve of this Bond. Who will speak against me when I hand out the requested reward?”
“I do,” Evan snapped, stepping forward. “Her death is mine. She deliberately let my prey escape and refused my orders. You step on my honor with this, mother.”
“As you step on mine now,” Lady Sharpeyes replied as she began to radiate energy. “I ask our guests, is the Life Bond enough to cover both death and reward?”
“It is,” Magus Giralt spoke up first. “I would never willingly Life Bond to another. Would any of us here do so? No, and why? Because your life is no longer yours when you do.”
Babbitt nodded, “Do the magistrates not give out Life Bond sentences in place of death? Lady Sharpeyes has the right of it.”
Others in the crowd began to agree, and soon, the majority swung in favor of a Life Bond. Lord Sharpeyes stepped forward, raising his hands, “Enough. I will accept it, but only if the Bond is taken now. Otherwise, Knight Sharpeyes will take her head.”
Sean nodded, moving toward Aria and pausing to check on Ryann as he went. “You okay, Ry?”
“I’ll be fine. Are you really going to Life Bond her?”
Hearing the uncertainty in Ryann’s voice, Sean kissed her cheek. “Just the Bond. Nothing more than that.”
Exhaling, Ryann gave him a weak smile, “As long as that’s all.”
“Excuse me, sir. I’ll heal her,” a young woman wearing a white uniform said. “Oh, and you, too.”
Sean waited while the woman got his wounds to stop dripping. “That’s enough, thank you. Please see to the others.”
Sean worried at her reaction as he moved toward the slowly waking Aria. Kneeling down beside her, Sean was acutely aware of the audience listening in. The loudest sound was Evan’s angry footsteps coming closer.
“Aria, you okay?”
“I lost... my life is forfeit,” Aria said weakly. “Why did you save me? I would have broken my neck when I hit the ground.”
Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Page 39
