The boy found his spot back on the bench, and the next duel was announced.
Now that our first duel was over, it would be a while until we faced our next opponent. Depending on how many duelists there were overall, it could take into the next day. After all, Thorne didn't want to tire out his audiences. He would want to keep them invested in every fight.
I watched the chamber more closely now, trying to pick out who would be easy prey.
And those that would be predators.
There was a mix of both. From opponents that obviously heralded from the Slums, as well as those with shiny armor, clean hair, and white smiles.
The next two opponents were called, and a woman passed us. She had tightly braided hair against her scalp. She carried two hooked blades that clinked against her armor with every step. She walked with confidence and flashed smiles for all of her opponents.
That one was a predator. I knew it immediately.
Her Aether was off as well. Like a scent that didn't match the object it was coming from.
She was hiding what she truly was.
And what it was, I had no clue. Something powerful.
She entered the arena as the announcer spoke her name. "Terris Firden vs. Balro Hake!"
Her opponent…Balro…was a lumbering farmer. He even carried a rake to show his confidence in farming tools.
"That doesn't seem very functional," the boy whispered. He glanced to the side and locked eyes with Flint, who gave him a lazy two-fingered salute.
The duel ended just as quickly as it had ended: Terris standing above Balro with her curved swords locked around his neck.
The horn blared and Terris walked back to the chamber, her armor still clean and shiny. Not a single blow had been exchanged in the fight. And she had yet to show what she was hiding.
I supposed that would take a much stronger opponent to bring out that side of her.
The next ten fights took place over the next hour, and none of them introduced anyone that seemed of consequence.
There were still a few fights to go. I was sure there were a few more monsters hidden in this group. And they would be winning their matches with the blink of an eye.
The next fight was the most surprising. I hadn't seen him in the group. And I hadn't expected him to know or even join these duels.
"Cale Typhlotic!" The announcer called.
Cale. The blind man.
The boy stood up, gazing through the crowd. He found the old man near the entrance, already stepping out of the chamber.
"Vs. Terrence Princeton!"
Terrence was a younger boy, who wore a crown and had a hand resting against the hilt of his bejeweled sword at his side.
I could hear the announcer faintly describing the fight, which had not been done before. "Terrence is part of the Princeton family! Heir to the Princeton crown in the region of Kaleese, he rode all night in order to join this duel and showcase his skills for all of Pralis!"
The boy remained quiet, watching as the blind man took his place in the middle of the arena. How he knew the correct distance was beyond me. But I'd since learned from meeting him that his senses were beyond normal beings in everything but sight.
The crowd murmured in confusion as Cale reached the center of the arena.
A blind man did not belong here. Not in a place soaked with blood and spectacle. Not against a crowned heir with polished steel and practiced posture.
Terrence Princeton smirked as he drew his sword, lifting it just enough for the gems to catch the sunlight. He bowed shallowly toward the stands, soaking in the cheers, then turned his attention to Cale.
"You shouldn't be here, old man," Terrence said loudly. "I'll make this quick."
Cale tilted his head slightly, cane resting against the sand. He smiled.
"I would appreciate that," he replied.
The horn sounded, and the duel began.
Terrence moved fast, eager to prove his position in the world.
The blind man stayed completely still. Surely, he had heard the horn?
Terrence's sword flew toward the old man's neck, and he shifted to the right, just out of the curved arc of the sword.
The sword passed through empty air, and Cale's cane was swinging in the blink of an eye, tapping lightly against the back of the boy's head.
The crowd went quiet, confused.
Terrence frowned and attacked again. He still felt as if he had the advantage. That I could tell.
Cale stepped away from it, the attack just barely missing. This happened three more times in a row.
Terrence was beginning to grow visibly frustrated.
"He's listening," the boy said, stepping closer to the entrance. 'But not to the old man. He's listening to the crowd. To everything else. But the old man is only listening to him. That's why he has the advantage."
Terrence's frustration became visible. It was impossible for him to land a single hit on Cale.
His strikes became sloppier and slower as exhaustion overcame him.
Terrence committed to a downward slash.
Cale spun and hooked his cane against the boy's right knee. This threw him off balance and stumbled into the sand.
Cale stepped onto the boy's chest with a heavy boot and leaned in, pressing the cane against his throat.
The horn sounded, and just like that, the battle was over.
The crowd was left stunned. It seemed they had expected a lot more from a trained fighter who was heir to a kingdom. But it had all been undone by a blind man.
The prince would be sent home with little confidence, but strength in continuing to train to be stronger. This experience would either send him down a dark path or lead him to becoming the perfect leader.
Cale walked back into the chamber, his cane navigating the way forward.
He stopped across from the boy.
"I see the two of you are still alive," he said, not looking in our direction. "Let's keep it that way."
He continued forward.
The final horn sounded, and the voice announced the end of the first round of duels. The next round would take place tomorrow at the same time.
I wished I could breathe a sigh of relief. Half of the contestants were gone. But the half that remained were the strongest of the group. It would only get worse from here.
The boy and I had to be prepared.