Alex waited anxiously, expecting to feel pain from an arrow, but it never came. He cautiously opened his eyes and saw an arrow sticking out of a hole in the rocky wall. When he turned to face the direction the arrow had come from, Marjun was standing there with a bow and arrow. Alex was surprised that Marjun could shoot that far. Marjun fired another arrow, but it missed and bounced off the rock. Alex picked up the lying arrow and felt the hot tip. He smirked, wondering if Marjun was trying to hurt him before their duel started.
He turned towards where the other man stood, trying to be discreet.
Alex took the two arrows and went back into the cave. He climbed up in his bed and laid down, thinking about his life before the dragon issue.
How were his people?
Marjun stood at the hillside, using the rocks as shelter. Even after three arrows were fired, Alex was nowhere to be seen.
Did he not hear the sound?
Was he not bothered that there could be a potential threat to the dragon?
Marjun had exhausted all of his arrows trying to call him. Coming out of his hiding location, he gently set his bow and arrow bag on the ground and slowly walked towards the cave since he was furious with Alex for not responding.
Alex was a crafty young man and could have laid a trap for him. But alas, when he reached, he found Alex lost in his thoughts.
"You don't seem to be preparing for the duel. It begins by dusk tomorrow." Marjun said as he entered the cave. He raised his voice to wake Krystal, being reckless about the noise level, not caring about the consequences it might have.
"You don't seem to be preparing either," Alex stated. "Seeing how you only know how to show up here and interrupt my peace."
"You know, you should have a life outside serving her," Marjun said suddenly.
"Marjun, for the love of God, leave this place! Leave now! Get something busy to do with your own life!" Alex exploded. He was starting to dislike the man and disliked having to do with anything that involved Marjun.
"Are you getting angry? What have I said to get you angry?" Marjun teased with a dirty smile.
Alex took a deep breath to suppress his rage. "I'm canceling the duel, Marjun. Since you won't keep your mouth shut or your feet in your father's house, I'm canceling it."
Marjun's smile faltered. "What do you mean? Are you afraid? You finally realize I will beat you, right?"
"The only thing I'm afraid of is what would become of you when it's over. Marjun, I have nothing to lose. Remember that. You're the one who wants the position. You can't get the job without my permission, just like I can't." Alex explained nonchalantly. "You are just being a fool here."
Marjun gritted his teeth in anger. "Fine, I will leave you. But the duel must happen! I won't come back here until it's time for the duel!"
Alex watched him leave. He exhaled again and relaxed in his bed till it was dusk. He went back to the top of the cave and resumed his training. This time around, he practiced throwing and catching sticks and other stuff.
Since he didn't have any now and arrow, he decided to learn in the best way he could. Alex rehearsed until it was the break of dawn. He was surprised that he didn't feel tired too. Sitting down on the rocky hill, he felt hardness against his butt bone. After sitting a while, he got up and went back to the cave. He finally had something to look forward to in his life.
Alex was looking forward to this event. If he could even beat Marjun by the first half, he would win the duel and wouldn't last for a week. He smirked.
By evening, a few villagers gathered at the plain that surrounded the dragon's cave. As Alex was incognizant of the happenings outside, he took his sweet time to have his bath in the cave lake and even ate two fruits from the plant in the cave. He felt very energetic. All of his suppressed fears vanished.
When he emerged, he saw that the people had gathered and were waiting for him, prompting him to smirk.
The way they waited for him patiently, made him feel like a king.
Was he now their king? Wait... where were his thoughts going?
The king walked over to meet him.
"Alex, I want to express that I do not endorse this. If you're not interested, we can also cancel it." King Philips said.
King Philips was not actually worried about Alex but his village. Even if Marjun prevails in combat, there's no assurance that the dragon will accept him. It's better to let Alex be the mediator than return to square one. The more he thought about it, the more annoyed Philips turned towards Marjun and Neron. If Neron could stop his son, he doesn't have to come all the way to this filthy cave to plead with this peasant. As if adding a cherry to the top, he has to act kind in front of his villagers!
What a pain!
"It's alright. I can handle it. Marjun is like a brat, who needs scoldings now and then." Alex said lightly.
Marjun, who was in the crowd, overheard what he said, which made him even more furious and afraid. He was terrified because he had heard that Alex had a little fighting experience but didn't seem worried.
"Are you certain of this, Alex? You were the one who woke the dragon up, so by right, this position belongs to you. But if you're okay with someone else challenging you, then it's fine as well."
"Yes. Let's get it done and over with."
The king nodded and returned to his carriage to sit and watch the fight. His right-hand man arrived and took a position between the two combatants.
"Brothers and sisters, we gathered tonight to watch the duel between Marjun, son of Neron, and Alex, with no last name, the dragon mediator, the hero of the village, for the position of the dragon's mediator. Now, I declare the beginning of the duel. We start with a fencing game. Men, draw your swords."
Marjun drew his sword and made a defensive stance. Alex simply carried out the motion he had repeatedly practiced, even at the same speed. The swiftness of Alex's action made Marjun's heart race.