Alum rushed at Roran, becoming a black blur. It lunged straight at Roran's face, snarling and snapping. On instinct, Roran put his arm out to shield himself. Alum latched onto it, slamming into Roran and forcing him to the ground. Panicking, Roran struggled against the hound. He tried pushing it away, his hand pressing against Alum's belly and ribs, but the hound forced it's way past Roran's arms and clamped its jaws around Roran's throat.
The hound bit down, chomping through leather and steel. The guard around Roran's neck became tight, choking him.
"Alum, break!"
The pressure disappeared and Alum hopped off Roran. Chase hurried over, helping Roran to sit up.
"You okay?" he asked.
Roran nodded. "Just startled me."
"Yeah, they will do that. Let me see the neck guard."
Chase examined Roran's neck guard. He readjusted it slightly but appeared satisfied.
"Is it damaged?" asked Roran.
"It's got some teeth marks but they didn't even get down to steel."
Roran sighed, relaxing. He was sweating profusely. Reigning his breathing under control, Roran asked, "Are we doing it again?"
"Are you up for it? It would only be twice more."
Roran nodded. "I can handle two more times."
"It will be the same as before. All hounds are trained to go for the throat when ordered to kill."
Roran nodded again. "I can handle it."
Chase clapped him on the shoulder. "Attaboy, I knew I picked the right kid. Alright, let's go again."
Roran stood back up and Chase backed away. Once more he pointed his sword at Roran. "Oda, kill."
One of the hounds rushed Roran, attacking him again. Again, Roran threw his arm out and was dragged to the ground. On instinct, he fought against the dog but it latched onto his throat and Chase ordered it to breakaway.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Roran climbed back to his feet. He caught Chase's eye and nodded, ready to go again.
Chase pointed his sword at Roran one last time and said, "Torra, kill."
Roran was better prepared this time. He put out his arm and Torra latched on to. Instead of letting the hound drag him to the ground, Roran spun and shoved on its belly, throwing the hound off.
It hit the ground and rebounded, once more latching onto Roran's arm. This time he couldn't shake it and was pulled down. Instead of shoving at the hound with both hands, Roran let it chew on his arm while he tried to shove it off with his free hand. The hound didn't give him an inch, it let go of his arm and slipped past his guard. The hound bit down on Roran's neck just as Chase called, "Break!"
The hound backed off and Roran fell limp to the dirt, sweaty and exhausted. Chase came over and squatted next to him.
"You okay kid?"
Roran nodded.
Chase handed him a waterskin and Roran drank deeply, chugging the water and spluttering when it went down his airway.
"Easy kid, I know that can be a rough exercise but you handled it like a champ. I can't believe you managed to throw Torra off like that."
Catching his breath, Roran said, "They all come at you the same way. It gets predictable after a while."
"Most people only get attacked by a King's Hound once."
Looking up at the three hounds that attacked him, Roran could see why. They were large and fast, with powerful jaws that had torn the leather guards apart. Looking at his arms, Roran could see bits of steel peeking out. Across from him, Torra was sitting on her haunches, grinning and panting at him.
"Come on kid, let's get you cleaned up."
Chase helped Roran to his feet and started undoing the straps and buckles. Pulling off the leather hides. They were all ripped and torn, with visible teeth marks in them. Even the metal braces below had scratches and small dents from the hounds biting them.
Free of the gear, Roran stretched and relaxed, enjoying the cool air on his skin. Chase bundled the gear up and stowed it back in a bag. He then spent a few moments tidying up the sacks and adjusting his uniform. Finally, he pulled a thin leather jerkin out of a sack. It was stamped with the seal of the three kings and the emblem of the wardens. Chase tossed it to Roran.
"Here, put this on."
Roran slipped the jerkin on and adjusted it. It was close enough to his size that it fit comfortably. "What's this for?"
"We're about to have visitors, want you to look the part."
"Will I need to do anything?"
"Just stand by and be polite. Now help me get this stuff on these three goofballs over here."
Chase pulled out some leather harnesses and small pieces of armor. Picking up the armor and harnesses, Roran realized they were armor plates made for the hounds. Chase called over one of the hounds and started putting a harness on it. Roran helped him adjust the straps and then buckling the armor plates to the harness. By the time they were done, the hounds were covered in light plates of metal, and their joints protected by pliable leather guards.
"There we go, just about ready for war." Shielding his eyes, Chase looked upwards. "And it looks like they're just about here."
Roran followed his gaze to the sky. He blinked at the sun and was forced to shield his eyes like Chase. Directly above the Crucible was a black spot growing larger and larger.
"What's that?" asked Roran.
"Something cool, just you wait and see."
Roran waited and watched the spot continue to grow. As it got closer, Roran realized that it was a ship. A large boat, but floating in the air instead of on the water. It descended on the arena, coming closer and closer until Roran could make out the fine details.
It was made of wood, thick and well polished. He could make out three masts but the sails were furled. Focus markings ran along the underbelly of the ship, likely what was keeping it afloat. Along the side of the ship were small gondolas. One of them jerked and started descending.
Chase stood up and fixed his uniform, then he double check Roran's, straightening it a little.
"There we go, just go stand over there with the other hounds. Alum, Torra, Oda, come."
The hounds came and lined up beside Chase. They looked even more imposing in their armor.
Chase looked back at Roran and winked. "Time to impress some bigwigs and rub elbows."
The gondola reached the ground, settling as the rope went slack. A man in a crisp uniform opened the door and gestured for others to exit as well. Three more people walked out into the arena, their red and gold uniforms glistening in the sun.
Chase gave them a salute. "Welcome, Captains of the King's Army. I have gifts for you."