Chapter 3: The Tournament

Interrupted from eating Brom grew angry at the arrogant voice, leaving the table he made his way to the door.

With a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, Brom opened the door to greet his guest.

"How can I help you dear sir?" asked Brom.

In front of Brom stood a tall stalky man dressed in leather and plate armor, he had the look of a royal guard. Though there was no color insignia that could tell Brom which house he was from.

The guard had an arrogant face with eyes that scrutinized Brom as if he was less than a man.

"Are you Brom Dracos?"

In a harsh demeaning voice the guard asked Brom. However, though most people would cower in fear when meeting this guard while showing him due respect. Brom was no such man, as he heard the question he first showed a slight annoyance on his face before responding.

"Aye, that is my name. Now if you do not mind can you tell me what business you have in disturbing my breakfast?"

Hearing Brom's reply pissed off the guard who always expected respect wherever he went.

"How dare you…"

Before he could continue his sentence Brom's eye's flashed with anger and from his body came an aggressive aura. Around his body rose a light red aura that emitted a slight heat, for those who saw Brom they would say that it looked as if there were a great fire surrounding him.

As the guard stared into Brom's eyes a sense of dread seeped into his bones. His body began to shake while sweat started to seep from his brow. Never had he met someone with such an overpowering presences as the man before him.

"Clap… clap…clap."

"Ha...Haa…Haaa… That's enough Hartley you can back down. Brom it seems your personality has not changed."

From a black carriage came a hearty voice while a man who was built like an orc with bulging muscles and a body that reached to the sky stepped out from the carriage. He was dressed in fine aristocrat clothes and walked with a beautiful black cane that had a dragon head atop it. Though he walked with a cane he did not have any disabilities in reality he walked as if the world belonged to him.

Seeing this man Brom's aggressive aura changed while a bright smile appeared on his rugged face.

"Zorin you old fool is that you? Damn of course it's you, only you would play a dirty trick like this."

As Brom laughed he grabbed the royal looking man and tightly hugged him and even though he only had one arm the other man felt his body ache as if he was being squeezed to death.

The guard Hartley felt his jaw drop as he watched this brotherly love between the two go on. He was badly startled, prior to coming here he was ordered to receive this man Brom even if it meant to take him by force. Never could he imagine that his orders were meant to be part of a silly prank.

"Zorin come inside and eat. Mary has just made a delicious breakfast."

"If it's not too much of an inconvenience than I will definitely have some. It's been too long since I last tasted her food." After agreeing the duo headed into the house for some breakfast. "Hartley you did a good job. When we get back you will be rewarded, but for now please wait for me out here," yelled Zorin as entered the house.

"Yes my lord!"

Hearing that he did a good job and that he would be rewarded Hartley could not stop smiling as he responded.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

As they ate Brom introduced the guest to Trint and Rodrick. He explained that this man was his best friend from back in the day and that they used to serve together under the king.

While Brom told fantastical stories of their exploits Trint scrutinized the man his father treated as a brother. Zorin was in his mid to late forties though he was older he still had a wild air about him. Though at the same time he held himself with a type of authority that could not be learned, it had to be bred into the person.

Zorin was an earth mage from what Trint could guess due to his hair and eyes being forest green. What Trint was not sure about was how strong of a Magus he was.

Finally, as breakfast was coming to an end Zorin remembered why he had come in the first place.

"AH! How could I forget, silly me I meant to invite you all to the tournament that is being held tomorrow. What do you say Brom this is a good chance for your boys to see what real fighting looks like. Plus your son Rodrick will soon be old enough to enter a tournament so he should see what one is like, this way he can have a goal to aim for. "

"That's tomorrow ha…ha I totally forgot about it. Hmm if it's alright with Mary I see no reason why we can't go. What do you think honey?

"Of course! We should go look at our sons they won't be able to sleep a wink now." Replied Mary as she smiled at her children.

"Good since it's decided I will send my driver early in the morning to pick you all up. Well now I must be off I am sure my wife will be wondering why I have yet to return." With that, Zorin stood up to leave. At the door he looked back and said, "Thanks again for the wonderful meal Mary and I will see you two youngins around."

For the rest of the day the two boys could not help but day dream about the coming fights. Especially Trint, he was already impressed with this world's combat prowess. Yet he had only seen his father demonstrate a few moves, never had he seen a real fight between warriors.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Early the next the day Trint and his family readied themselves for the tournament. Trint and Rodrick did not have to do morning practice this morning, besides today other than the tournament it would be Rodrick's first day of warrior school.

As the family got ready a knock was heard at the door, rushing down the stairs Trint flew toward the door.

All night he tossed and turned in anticipation for the tournament, this was the most exciting event for him since being reborn.

Opening the door Trint was greeted by the tall guard from yesterday. However, unlike yesterday the guard was all smiles today.

"Young master Trint I presume, are you and your family ready to depart?"

Before Trint could reply he heard footsteps arriving behind him.

With them all ready the Dracos family entered the carriage while Harley ordered the driver to set off.

Since the tournament was being held within the city it did not take long for them to reach the tournament. However, long before they could see the arena the noises of people yelling and weapons clashing could be heard.

All around outside the carriage were tons of people from all over Woruc and even from neighboring towns that were heading to the tournament.

As they drew near to the arena the carriage driver veered off toward a section that was reserved for honored guests. Waiting off to the side was Uncle Zorin and beside him was a stately woman who was quite beautiful for her age. While on the other side of Zorin was a young boy around Trint's age. However, next to the woman was a beautiful young girl.

When Trint gazed at the girl, the young girl seemed to have sensed his eyes because she turned toward him. Though it was only for a moment that their eyes met, Trint could feel his heart beat faster as he lost himself for a moment in her eyes.