179 The Challenge 2

CHAPTER 179

As soon as Cyrena rode away, everyone's gazes followed her form into the distance.

"HMM!" Prince Owen cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention to the matter at hand."

"Yes, where were we?" King Bayard asked thoughtfully.

"You were about to announce the final challenge, Your Majesty," Gerald reminded him.

"Ah! Yes. Very well then, and the final challenge is…"

Everyone strained their ears subconsciously as they awaited the last challenge to be called. Seconds later, King Bayard's expression changed as he took one more look at the paper in his hand.

"Hmm," he took in a short but shallow breath as he read out what was in the paper. "The challenge would be on, swordsmanship."

His gaze trailed the eyes of the competitors and then the soldiers, before coming to land on the competitors again.

Everywhere had an eerie silent round about it. No one spoke. Their gazes were fixed on the Prince and the young General.

This was due to the fact that they all had one thought running through their minds. 'Who would win?'

On one end was the Prince. He was skilled in hunting and couldn't be rivalled by anyone. On the other hand was Cullen, he excelled in all that he did and was the best in archery.

But this time around, they were going to see a duel between both men.

No one knew who was best between the two of them when it came to swordsmanship, so the outcome couldn't be decided by just mere speculations alone.

They needed to duel, for the outcome to be gotten.

Prince Owen was the first to speak and break the deadpan silence in the area. "Alright, father. When do we begin the match and which of the challenges do we start with?"

Their gaze moved to the Prince at once. Everyone least expected such words from his mouth. They had just one thought going on in their head, 'Was the Prince so itchy to get this over with? How confident is he of winning?'

They all thought he was brave for what he said just now. Well all, except the King. King Bayard knew better than anyone that his son was not so confident in winning this match.

His eyes caught sight of Owen rubbing his fingers by his side. It was one thing he did when he was a bit nervous or unsure of something.

They both did not know the other's strength and weakness when it came to the art of swordsmanship.

Although King Bayard had requested Cullen's help in training his son, Owen wasn't completely useless and he knew that.

He also hoped that in doing so, he would make his son angry, then Owen would channel that rage into behaving well and taking things more seriously as Crown Prince.

And if by peradventure he ended up still tutoring him, he would probably learn from Cullen and top his fling with the ladies and be behaving in a proper manner.

"Alright, we would take two of the challenges today and do the last one tomorrow. I believe everyone already knows the event for tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"The hunting challenge would be held tomorrow at the forest. For today, the archery and swordsmanship challenge would be held. Get ready all the things necessary, the match begins in thirty minutes."

"Yes, Your Majesty," everyone chorused.

The soldiers, hurried away to get the arena and weapons set for the match, leaving Prince Owen, King Bayard, Cullen and Gerald behind.

"And what are you two waiting for? An invitation?" King Bayard asked them sarcastically. "Hurry along and get prepared. We do not have all day."

"Right on it, Your Majesty."

"Yes, father."

********

Somewhere in the palace, Lady Erwina is seen strolling the corridors with her godfather as they conversed about matters of the Kingdom.

"Godfather, I know of what that Minister is planning. It is funny and silly at the same time seeing him behave like a kid fighting over spilt milk."

"Well, you cannot blame him. He dreamed too big and look at how he has fallen. He gambled with the big cards. He played with fire when he wasn't resistant to fire," Lord Ferdinand replied her.

"True. That would teach him not to mess with just anyone. With this loss he encountered, there's no way he wouldn't come running to me. I would act as his saving grace and his help in time of need."

"Truly sly, goddaughter. He would never suspect that the one who caused his downfall is the one trying to help him now. No one is slyer than you are my dear."A smile decorated his face as he praised her.

"It is what must be done in order to get him in support of Cyrena and leave that old witch's supporters," she added.

"Good, good. We must garner as many supporters from the ministers and Lord as much as we can. My great goddaughter must be the heir to the throne and be the one to rule after her father conquers the magic realm."

As they walked, they came across some servants who halted and bowed down their heads till they walked passed.

After they were out of ear's reach, Lord Ferdinand raised a topic that has been troubling him.

"That reminds me, how did it go with the Sorceress?"

"She still hasn't given me a favourable answer."

"Do you think she would tell Bayard if she disagrees with you?"

"She wouldn't dare. I would simply deny all of her claims. There is no way to prove that I did, anyway," she shrugged her shoulders as she spoke.

"Besides, it is her word against mine. Who do you think Bayard would believe? I have him wrapped around my fingers, he knows better than to go against me."

"Yes, I trust you. But then again," he started to say but paused in his speech. He brought his fingers to his lips as his eyes deemed and the other hand moved to his back in a thoughtful manner.

"What is it, godfather?" Lady Erwina asked. Her eyes were full of concern at his sudden attitude.

"It is just that we have little news about the hybrid so far. We need to get close to Lady Lorelei and get all information necessary about the hybrid."

"Indeed. She is a necessary tool in gaining total control o the magic realm. That is why I want to make an alliance with Lorelei, but she is proving difficult."

She let out an exasperated sigh, releasing her frustration a bit.

"It is okay, she would come around soon."

"I hope so."

They got to the balcony overlooking the training grounds and found King Bayard and the soldiers in the training arena.

"What is the King doing there? Don't tell me he is training for the battle against the hybrid?" Lord Ferdinand said sarcastically, drawing Lady Erwina's attention to the scene.

Her gaze trailed his line of sight and landed on King Bayard. He was dressed in his tunic and trousers as he sat leisurely on the only chair in front of the arena.

"Hmm!"

*****

Back at the training grounds, King Bayard gave the order and the challenge began. Prince Owen went up first.

Immediately he stepped his feet on the arena with his bow and quiver, everywhere became silent instantly. There were six targets with a center red mark on each to hit and it would be classified as a win.

Swiftly Prince Owen drew an arrow from his quiver and aimed for the first target.

Swoosh!

The arrow hit the red mark and everyone clapped for him. He moved forward towards his right, all the while not taking his eyes off the next target.

Pulling out another arrow, he strung his bow and aimed for it.

Swoosh!!

Another hit landed, earning him the cheers of the soldiers. He hit two more and the claps became more audible than the last.

The next thing that happened shocked everyone.

He had drawn out two arrows from his quiver and strung them. Right before their eyes Owen raised his bow and released the arrows.

SWOOSH!!

Both arrows hit their mark and an uproar of deafening screams resounded in the background as the soldiers raised their hands in praise of the Prince.

Prince Owen turned his head towards the crowd and smiled at them. 'Yes! You are not the only one with some skills Cullen. The first challenge is done, two more to go," he mentally noted.

Finally, his gaze came to land on his competitor and he gave him a nod before leaving the arena. Cullen had a pleasant gaze in his eyes as he stared at the retreating figure of the Prince.

He was not the slightest person to be bothered by the Prince's victory. He was confident in his own abilities.

Taking up his position on the arena, he readied his bow and arrow and then took his shot.

Swoosh!

The first arrow hit the center of the red circle. He took some steps forward and moved on to the next target. Cullen strung two arrows on his bow and aimed at the target marks.

Swoosh!!