Cassa struggled in my arms as she watched her Father stroll around the open area and look up to us. He saw Cassa and yelled, "You exiled! Why you back?" She growled at his words then shouted, "I come to kill you. Take my birthright!" The King laughed at her. His grating voice hurt my ears and i almost let go of Cassa to cover my ears but i held tight. "Calm down. Anger clouds the mind." Alzi whispered to her and she did stop thrashing around but continued to growl.
"You no threat. My Son will take crown. Not you!" He shouted and the other Goblins in hiding cheered at the Kings words. I leaned my head down close to her ear and whispered something to her and her eyes lit up, glowing brighter at the idea, "I challenge you, King Father!" That statement caused total silence from all the hidden voices, which was a small relief to my ears. "You not win. I accept!" The King shouted back to her and she stiffened in my arms.
Alzi jumped down to the next ledge then again to the floor. I let go of Cassa and she jumped down next to Alzi. I clumsily slid down the walls and thudded against the ground. They King noticed me and screamed and all the other Goblins came back and surrounded us. I used my fire spell again and blew up a few of the Goblins causing the others to scatter once again and this time the disappeared down the closest tunnels. Only a handful were left standing next to the King.
He stepped back from me as i walked into the clearing with Cassa right beside me. "How your ears normal again?" The King spoke in a surprised tone and Cassa pointed at me, "Ered healed them. And gave me shinnies." She turned her head from one side to the other, showing her little chain and the small gold hoop. The King crouched down and growled a low, throaty rumble when heard this and saw the new jewelry.
I didn't realize at the time, but when i healed her ears and gave her new 'shinnies' as she called them, i restored her claim on the throne. So now the King had to honor her challenge as it has legitimate merit now. Cassa stepped on front of me and puffed out her chest, "I, Princess Cassa, challenge King Kezz for the crown." Oh she looked so beautiful like that. I wanted to grab her up and kiss her but i had to contain myself.
This caused another round of yelling and hollering from Kezz. I leaned close to her and whispered, "Don't move. Just be still until the fight starts." Cassa slightly nodded then i put a hand on her back and started the healing spell and I kept it very light. I don't want to make her 'stupid' before the fight of her life. She wasn't injured but i wanted to make absolutely sure she would be at her best for this.
When the King was finished with his outburst he crouched down, clawed hands flared out and slowly stepped to the side. Cassa imitated his movements and matched his steps. The circled each other a few times before Kezz lunged at her. Cassa jumped with a flip and stomped on his back and forcing him down onto the dirt. He quickly righted himself and lunged again at Cassa, catching her arm with his claw. Four slice marks appeared on her arms and she howled in pain.
I wanted nothing more then to blast the little bastard into the either with my fire but Alzi stood in front of me to block me. I took a deep breath in frustration and let a sigh as I had to watch. Kexx was about to bring his other claw down on her face but Cassa ducked down and kicked him right in the guts. Kezz wretched up some black and dark green fluid that almost made me and Alzi wretch ourselves.
She jumped up from the floor an caught his side with her claw and tore out four long strips across his ribs. He howled and screamed and grabbed his side. "I will kill you!" He screamed at her then leaped at Cassa with both claws pointed directly at her face. When he was within a few feet of Cassa, she reached up behind her cloak then spun around his attack and he slipped past her then fell forward as she quickly slammed her fist against his lower back.
I could not believe it when i noticed the handle of her dagger sticking out of Kezzs' back. The few Goblins that were watching ran over to the King as he lay gasping on the ground. Cassa stood straight up when they looked at her. She proudly stepped to the surprised Goblins, trying hard not let her pain show through. She bent down and removed the bear skull from her fathers head and he growled as his layed face down on the dirt. She held it high above her head and screamed at the top of her lungs.
A pealing shriek that made me cover my ears and Alzi did the same. "I claim victory!!" She yelled after she caught her breath again and the Goblins knelt down to her. The rest of the Goblins that were hiding came out and were shocked by what they saw. They slowly walked towards her then they knelt down to her as well. She moved toward the throne and as she fitted the bear skull on her head she sat down to affirm her claim.
The Goblins stood up and stared at her as she sat there watching her father on the floor as his breathing became more labored. I walked up to her and bowed. I spoke in a hushed whisper so that only she would hear, "Should i heal him or let him die?" She pointed to him, "He will be healed at my mercy." I walked over to Kezz and put one hand on his back near the dagger then gripped the handle with my other hand. I started the healing spell waited a few seconds, then quickly pulled the blade out.
The glow of y hands almost caused a panic amongst the assembled Goblins as they shouted curses at me. I watched as the puncture started to mend. "Stop! Only heal inside wound. Let it scar over. Then do the same for my arm." I kind of liked the commanding tone in her voice but i did as she said. I presented her dagger to her, still covered in her fathers greenish black blood, then i healed the under-flesh of the clawed area on her arm. "I don't want to see any marks on your perfect body" i whispered to her and she just smiled at me, "Mark of pride and honor to Goblins."
"All Hail, Queen Cassa!" The Goblins shouted and cheered for her victory...