After a very satisfying meal of Stuffed Devil Scorpiods Amiel and Ches went and chatted in her bedroom. Any residual mess from the egg had been cleared up and an area had been set up with large sleeping furs. Amiel wanted to talk about what was happening as it was obvious to her that a lot of political manoeuvring was being undertaken. She quickly became seriously annoyed with his refusal to tell her what was happening and his constant urging to go to sleep "while you can." According to him a fifteen minute power-nap would help her regain a lot of strength.
"Little lizard syndrome probably. Needs to be in control." She mumbled this to herself but made it loud enough for him to hear.
Ignoring her Ches took his own advice and went and sat near the door, instantly falling into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Jarleson was nowhere near as reticent in answering Mranie's question, "Why don't we just kill them already?"
"Once upon a time we were unthinking animals. Killing and eating was all we thought about. We've evolved into something far greater. Once we would have simply killed Ches, Amiel and Jresh then eaten them. This is no longer enough."
Before continuing Jarleson paused with what he considered a regal bearing.
"My goal is victory. Random killing is fun but useless. If Amiel dies it achieves one important goal, Jresh has lost her last successor. But she can still reign, and unhindered, drakes live for a long time.
"If Ches dies in the arena we have accomplished a second goal. To show Jresh's incompetence. Once this becomes blatantly obvious the Empress will announce a new monarch for the province.
"If we could have killed them in the forest then both goals would have been achieved. She arranged a tutor that lead her daughter to her death. Incompetent!
"Unfortunately, Amiel survived. If we just killed them now our actions become a coup. No emperor wants leaders under them who organise coups.
"The final goal is to rule legitimately and to keep that rule long term.
"So, we need to kill the chameleon and the little drake princess at Jresh's order. Once I manipulate Her Golden Ladyship into putting them both in the arena, your fun can begin. No more monkeying around. They must die today."
Over the following hour the arena filled quickly with news of a coming battle. Ches was an unknown entity but he had been made the Royal Tutor over many experienced candidates. It was also widely rumoured that a representative from the Empress was to attend.
In the Draken Dining Room a golden drake sat sucking the last vestiges of devil scorpiod meat from the tip of a pincer.
"So good!" Jresh exclaimed with her mouth half full.
Jarleson walked in and handed her a serviette. "Good news Your Gracefulness. Kraem, the Empress's Advisor, has arrived to celebrate the birth of your daughter. This is such a wonderful opportunity for you."
Looking perplexed Jresh asked him, "Opportunity?"
"Of course, you can show him what a wonderful tutor you've organised for your little drakeling."
Seeing Jresh slowly thinking things through he slyly added, "And how much he's taught her in just one day.
"Can you believe, she already fought off a bear by herself?"
Jresh stopped thinking and looked proud.
"We should give her a chance to show her skills shouldn't we?"
Jarleson took Jresh's self-questioning as permission. "We should and we will . I will organise a round robin challenge under your orders. Three teams should be best."
"Three teams?" she asked in a confused manner.
"Yes Ma'am!"
He saluted her. This was something he hadn't done for over two years.
"Three teams. Highest level of competition. It shall be as you say. The battle begins in twenty minutes."
Waking Ches from his own power nap Adrian knocked on the door.
"Battles begin in five minutes, make sure you're ready. Oh, and bring Amiel. Her Golden Grace has decided that she should fight too."
Behind Ches Amiel definitely looked worried. She wasn't sure what was going on but she could feel the killing intent coming from the Alpha wolf.
"What's happening?"
"You and I are about to go out and fight for our lives. If you want to live you just do everything I say perfectly. Then every second time do exactly the opposite. If I say duck, jump. If I say go right, go left. No matter what if I yell "Attack!" you must attack with everything you have. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Oh, have I mentioned how pretty you look today? It's just as well, this should be quite a show and you should look your best."
Amiel blushed.
Three minutes later they walked into the arena.
"Make sure you keep your promise and everything should work out fine." Ches assured her.
It was one thing to say this, but waiting quietly, on the opposite side of the half a hectare arena stood a buffalo and a hippopotamus.