Midnight Duel

Three days later at midnight, the battle was held. After it was decided Chris saw Oziyat and Vasilisa looking uncomfortable. Oziyat even tried to warn her but Chris didn't wait for him. She wasn't naive, she knew what she was getting into. She knew Rosaline was very powerful, after all, she was the one, who detected Chris even under the invisible spell. Not to mention how scary she was. Chris had felt power around Rosaline. Chris was never going to underestimate the First Princess but she was not going to back down from a challenge either. Especially when her entire mission was on the line. She needed to get those vampires' trust to know more about Malgino. And this challenge was the fastest way to do it, though it was a difficult way.

Chris went back to her room that night and started practicing all kinds of spells she could use in the battle. The next two days, that's all Chris did. Finally, in the afternoon of the match, Chris came out of her room and went to meet Zil.

Chris watched the sun setting at the horizon as she stepped outside. She could feel the vampire world waking up around her. The number of guards increased quickly and servants started to run here and there. Chris noticed that today especially, the servants and the guards both glanced at her from time to time and whispered among themselves. The news of the match must have been spread in two days.

Ignoring the looks Chris walked to the gazebo and found a vampire guard feeding Zil. Chris was surprised by the way the guard paid attention to Zil. He didn't look scared or disgusted like other servants or guards. But as Chris approached them the guard noticed her and instantly changed expression into seriousness. So Chris walked past him and leaned towards Zil.

"How are you today, Zil?" Chris patted Zil's head.

Zil looked at Chris then went back to eating the meat. Chris smiled then turned to the guard, who was watching her and the thestral curiously. He looked more or less in his forties. He had long blond hair covering most of his oval-shaped pale face, and he was very tall. Chris had to crane her head up to look at his face.

"She seems happy. Thank you for taking good care of her." Chris felt it was important to tell the guard.

"Is she happy? She looks the same," the guard replied with a heavy voice.

"Oh, thestrals are like that. They barely looked bothered by anything around them," Chris explained. "But I lived with them enough to know that she is happy."

"That is good to know." He nodded at Chris and started to turn around then stopped. "Best of luck with today's challenge, Lady Christina. As one of the guardians who captured you, I am very interested to see your performance today."

Chris stared after him as he walked inside the castle.

Okay, now I am feeling anxious. Great!

⁂

As the evening rolled into night, Chris heard footsteps and glanced around. Gweneth stopped at the edge of the gazebo.

"Lady Christina, I was asked to escort you to the arena."

"Arena? We are dueling in an arena? Where is that?" Chris asked surprised.

"It's just outside the castle walls. We had to hold the challenge there because of the larger audience." Gweneth tried to smile but the nervousness was visible on her face.

"How many people are we talking about?" Chris asked self-consciously straightening up.

"All of the Titian, of course," Gweneth frowned. "You didn't know?"

"No," Chris replied shortly patting Zil's head to a goodbye gesture and stepped outside the gazebo.

Gweneth and Chris started walking in silence as Gweneth led Chris around the castle. Chris noticed Gweneth was glancing at her from time to time.

"You want to ask me something?" Chris finally inquired.

"I . . . know why you want to fight the first Princess, but aren't you worried about what will happen if you lose?" Gweneth stared straight ahead and muttered. "Everyone is scared of the First Princess, she is the only one who has complete mastery over magic, both vampire and wizarding kind."

"I know," Chris nodded calmly. "Oziyat told me." Gweneth looked at Chris sharply at the mention of the Prince's name, but Chris continued, "And I do know about the consequences, Gweneth. I even considered the fact that I could die in this match, but I am ready because it is important."

Gweneth just gave a respectful nod and led Chris outside of the castle walls and to a massive arena. Under the light of big fire torch lamps, many vampires were taking their seats. As soon as the crowd saw Chris a loud murmuring broke out. Chris ignored them and focused on the fighting ground itself. Vampire guards were in alert positions all around the arena and two tall big guards were guarding a table full of weapons at the other end of the arena.

"So is there any rule, I should know?" Chris asked Gweneth.

Before Gweneth could answer, a horn bellowed announcing the Queen's entrance. Every vampire stood up and bowed as Queen Vasilisa entered with Prince Volker, Oziyat, and a few other important-looking Vampires Chris had never seen before. Vasilisa gave a nod of acknowledgment as she passed Chris, and Oziyat gave an uneasy smile. Chris nodded back at them.

After they were seated in their special box, Princess Rosaline entered and a loud cheer went through all the arena. But without even sparing them a glance, Rosaline stepped forward to the middle of the arena, her eyes locked with Chris.

"Witch."

"Princess Rosaline," Chris answered Rosaline's call.

A very old vampire with long silver hair and a beard stepped in front of Rosaline and gestured for Chris to stand face to face with her. Chris did as she was asked.

"The First Princess of Dragozera, the Royal Vampire bloodline, Princess Rosaline Dragozera, daughter of Queen Vasilisa challenged the witch, Christina Norton for a duel. Am I right?" The old vampire's booming voice rang through the arena and everyone fell silent. "Princess, am I right?" He looked at Rosaline, who nodded.

"Yes."

"And the witch accepted. Right lady Christina?" The old vampire turned to Chris.

"Yes."

"Very well. Now as the oldest member of our Vampire clan of Titian, I ask to commence this dueling challenge. Fighters choose your weapon and remember, you are not here to kill."

The oldest vampire stepped back and Rosaline went to chose a weapon from the table, while Chris pulled out her wand. For this, she was using her wand, the wand which was with her from the beginning and the one who knew her well.

Rosaline came back with a long dagger with a golden hilt and looked at Chris's wand.

"Now."

As soon as the words left the old vampire's mouth, Rosaline raised her dagger and it literally crackled with magic.

"Hell!" Chris muttered raising her wand to create a shield.

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To be continued. . .