Valentina of House Armstrong frowned as she rested her back against the chair, thinking about what she had been listening to. The so-called weird storm, yesterday, had produced four twisters, one each in the cardinal directions, and had destroy a number of resources the Kingdom needed in the coming months. Apparently, the twisters had appeared while the Generals were being punished by that Warrior Queen, Belladonna. Now, sometime in the morning hours, the Queens had announced because there was no Chosen King to release the funds available to help out the various people affected by the storm, they couldn’t help out until a new King was Chosen.

  It sounded like a load of bullshit to Tina. However, it wasn’t something new to her, either. She had witness many politicians claim they couldn’t help out because their hands were tied in some fashion - the money wasn’t there to help out, the person in question didn’t have the correct paperwork, or another excuse not to help out. It was the same way back home, despite the fact, it was a different type of governing. She sighed as she reached out to the small tea cup and brought it up to her lips, taking a drink. It wasn’t her problem. She was planning to leave once the new King was chosen.

  She turned her gaze around the Southern Courtyard and settled her eyes on the long line of men who desired to try to pull the Holy Sword from its rock at the base of the large water fountain of King Arthur I, giving the appearance that Arthur was watching over the Choosing Ceremony. The first man in line wore a tan tunic with dark brown pants. There was nothing else special about him - no symbol of a house or trade. Tina wondered what drove him to try to pull the Holy Sword. She knew from what History taught her, it could be something simple as trying to improve his family and his lifestyle, but it could be also the desire to be famous. Who didn’t want that? She didn’t want to be famous for pulling out a sword and be declared a ruler that way. Rich? Sure. Money did help improve lives for everyone.

  Her eyes ran over the next man in line then the next. Not one of them stood out to be anything more then the average man. A small smirk pulled at her lips. An average man? She wondered how many stories she had read over the years that took an average man and thrust him into a situation where he became something Great as a result of it. The Farmboy turn Hero trope was famous for that, she remembered with a fondness. She smothered a snort as she thought about how many Farmboys stood in line for an attempt at the Holy Sword.

  She spotted a man, obviously a lord or at least a Knight from the way he was dressed, stood tall, looking at his nails, bored out of his head. His overcoat was a rustic red leather that stopped around his thighs. She spotted a house symbol on the upper sleeve of his coat, but from the distance, she couldn’t see what is was. His dark ginger hair was combed away from his face and he didn’t have a beard, but he did have a goatee.

  “Hey, Tina,” Rose spoke up from her place across the table from Tina, “Who do you think has a best chance at becoming the Chosen King?”

  Tina turned to Rose and blinked at her cousin, “I have no clue.” She sat the tea back on the table top, “Only because one shouldn’t judge by appearance. One of the men who dress average like the man first in line may prove to be a better ruler then that fella in the rustic coat.” She licked her lips before she frowned, thinking back to the Mourning Dinner. "I think I may have met him, the other night, at that Mourning Dinner.”

  “Lord Godric could have a good chance at becoming the Chosen King,” Rose seemed a bit off put by Tina’s answer. She lend forward and said, “He’s that fella in the rustic coat.”

  Tina turned her attention in his direction, “Well, he has got an ego to match a King, despite his good looks.” She looked at Rose and explained, “He asked the others at the table to call him God. I suggested we call him Ric.” She grinned at Rose’s puzzled look and went on, “Short for Dick.” She chuckled as she turned back to face the line, eyes trailing over the various faces.

  Rose scoffed, rolling her eyes at Tina’s crude humor, “He has been on numerous quests, ordered by Uther, declaring his love for Kalliope.” Tina faced her cousin and rolled her eyes. Rose narrowed her eyes at Tina. “Not to mention, I overheard that he was on the list of possible suitors for us ladies of the White Hall family and branches.” She sighed. “I wouldn’t mind getting married to him.” She turned her eyes to Godric, with a dreamy expression.

  “And he would leave you, lonely, during the summer season, off questing for the King and the Queen where he might not come back,” Tina voiced, “If I did marry, his ass would be glued to the house, not off questing where he could die.”

  Rose gave her a look of stunned stupidity before she questioned, “You wouldn’t allow him to off on quests to increase your social standing?”

  “Nope,” Tina stated as she raised the cup of tea to her lips, taking a drink then she went on, “If I love a man and marry him, his social standing, money, or family name doesn’t mean anything to me. Yes, I can’t argue with the benefits of marrying a Lord, a Knight, or higher on the social ladder, but there are downsides to marrying a man with a title.”

  “Like what, dear cousin,” Rose placed her elbow on the table and cupped her chin.

  “Depending on the rank, assassination,” Tina pointed, waving her hand through the air, “For example, if I would to marry the Prince - what’s his name, again?”

  “Arthur,” Rose interjected.

  “Yes, Arthur, I would have to keep an eye over my shoulder when I’m among people I don’t know or trust,” Tina explained, “Many women would love to be married to Prince Arthur, but I doubt most of them have thought about the dangers they would have to face.” She set the tea cup back on the table. Something alerted her to eyes watching her. She glanced up to see another woman with dark brown hair, wearing a simply dress with gold trimmings stopped several feet behind Rose, listening to their conversation. Tina felt a surge of annoyance flash through her at the invasion of a private conversation, but she quickly squashed it. It was hard to have a private conversation when there were the Courtyard was filled with the members of the Court. Tina dismissed the mysterious woman and went on, “Assassination attempts wouldn’t be the only thing I would have to worry about. Sabotage.”

  Rose’s eyes widened. Her lips parted.

  “Think about it,” Tina started, “Going back to the example of the Prince, if he has any sisters or cousins that could produce a heir and he didn’t, who do you think would have a chance being named as an heir?” She paused, allowing the statement to sink in, “Isn’t there herbs to help prevent a pregnancy or end one?”

  Rose nodded. The brunette woman moved catching Tina’s attention and the red head watched as she approached the table before she asked both of them, in a thick accent that took Tina off guard, “May I join you for this interesting conversation?”

  Rose jerked back, looked up at the new woman, and blinked before she nodded. Tina gave the new woman a smile of greeting and said, “Sure. I’m Valentina and this is my cousin, Rose.”

  “Pleasure to meet you. I am Zhao Liling,” the brunette woman introduced herself, “I am the Ambassador for the Dōngtiān Kingdom with my husband, Zhao Feng.”

  Tina blinked as she finally recognized the thick accent. Zhao Liling was a descendant of the Chinese people and the word Dōngtiān meant Winter, if Tina remembered her Chinese lessons she was forced to take while she was attending college classes, correctly. That was one of the few classes she didn’t get a passing grade in.

  “It is rare to see an member of the Camelot Court to think so clearly,” Liling stated, “Like yourself, Lady Valentina, when they think of increasing their social standing within the Court.”

  Tina’s lips twitched into a smirk. Ambassador Liling was blunt.

  “Not everyone has the same education as I have went through to achieve such clear thoughts, Ambassador,” Tina commented, “However, it doesn’t mean clear thoughts can be only achieve through education achievements. They can be achieved through experience.”

  “Yes, I do agree,” Liling stated, “What other forms of Sabotage were you thinking of besides the issues of baring a heir?”

  Tina saw Rose’s head darted back and forth between the Ambassador and the Armstrong Lady like she was watching a tennis match.

  “Poisons, ill spoken words to spark a war, and such - really anything to make the woman, myself in this example, to look bad,” Tina shrugged, trying to relax back into the conversation. The fact this Ambassador approached and joined them caused Tina to be on edge. She didn’t know how close the Ruling Family was with the Royal Family of the Dōngtiān Kingdom or what kind of problems there could be with discussing such questionable topics with her.

  “Yes, those would be a major problem for any woman in a high ranked position,” Liling nodded, “There was a Lady in the Long Region who experienced a situation like that and was put to death as a result. It was a nasty affair for her family as well. They were exiled from the Kingdom.”

  Tina nodded. Rose gapped as the Ambassador paused when one of the roaming servants stopped by with an extra tea cup and a kettle. Tina glanced up at the Servant to blink in surprise. For a split second, Tina could have swore she saw the ninja Kikyo standing there, but after she had blinked, it was a average woman with non descriptive features, the same kind you would walk right by on the street and not take notice. It sent up a red flag and the red head could almost hear the faint alarm bells, bouncing off the boundaries of her skull. Her heart skipped a beat. She knew Ralph and the rest of the Ninja Team was in Camelot, but she didn’t think they would be this close to her already. What if they had disguised themselves as the average man on the street or the random servant, waiting for the prefect moment to execute their plan to kidnap her again? What if they managed to succeed this time?

  “Lady Valentina,” Liling’s voice snapped Tina back to the present, “What is wrong?”

  Tina tried to hid her worry behind a smile, “Nothing. I thought I saw something. Apparently, I was seeing things.”

  The Ambassador nodded slowly with a frown. Her eyes flickered over Tina’s shoulder and a bright smile crossed her lips. “Ah. Husband.”

  Tina twisted in her chair and saw a man with black hair walking toward them. He had tied up in a bun, similar to the Japanese man buns Tina had seen during her time in Japan, but the rest of the hair that wasn’t apart of the bun flow down the man’s shoulders. There was a dark colored scarf wrapped around his head, hiding some of the man’s forehead, going above the ears and down, following the roots of the hair. He wore a Tang Suit in the same colors as Ambassador Liling’s dress. He stopped by Liling and spoke in the same thick accent, “Wife.” He held out a hand for Liling.

  She took it, raising to her feet, before she looked at Tina and Rose, “It is truly an honor to meet you, but I am afraid I have to leave for matters of State.”

  Tina nodded with a smile. The Ambassadors walked away. She turned to Rose and frowned. Rose looked a little pale and her hands shook slightly as she brought up her tea cup. Her eyes darted back and forth. “What’s wrong, Rose?”

  Rose jerked. Her eyes settled on Tina. Fear and shock glimmered in her eyes. “Those two were the Zhao Ambassadors.”

  Tina blinked slowly and nodded, “Yeah?”

  “They are ruthless when it comes to foreign policy, benefiting the Dōngtiān Kingdom,” the other woman explained, “If they say they want something, they usually get it, through various means and they won’t settle for anything less.” Rose drained her tea cup before she reached for the kettle for another cup.

  Perhaps her cousin needed something stronger then tea. Tina raised an eyebrow at Rose, wondering what exactly was said when it came to the Ambassadors. A silence fell over the crowd. She turned her head and spotted the Ruling Family entered the Courtyard and went to the chairs set up on the far side of the fountain, ready to see who would be the Holy Sword’s Chosen.

  Each of the Queens stood in front of their Throne until they were all in line. The former Crowned Prince Arthur walked in front of the line to the center where High Queen Kalliope stood and joined her. They sat down in their thrones, in sync.

  A sharp gust of wind darted through the courtyard. Tina’s hair flew around her head and she slapped her hands over her head, keeping her hair out of her face as a twister dropped down in front of the thrones. The Battle Mage Merlin stepped out of the twister.

  Tina’s lips parted in awe and shock. A torch several feet away from Merlin and the Ruling Family flared and a figure stepped out of it. Tina blinked as the flames died away from the figure to reveal it was Morgana.

  Morgana walked toward Merlin who held out his left hand and she took it before he escorted her to a chair set off to the side. She sat down in the chair, sitting straight like a Princess. Merlin bent over her hand and kissed it then he let go.

  Tina glanced at Rosemary who looked impressed. The red head stated, “I take it - that usually don’t happen.”

  “Not while I’m here,” Rose admitted.

  “Either that was very well planned or it happened by accident,” Tina commented.

  “I think it was planned,” Rose stated. Her tone said the topic was over.

  Tina didn’t hear anything to be said otherwise. It sounded like from the nearby tables, there were a lot of impressed members of the Court. She rolled her eyes. It was a bit on the dramatic side. She turned her attention back to Merlin as he stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice, “It has been many years, almost 9 generations, since Camelot has experience such a problem as Choosing the Next King of Camelot. When our first King Arthur was on his death bed, he requested me to place a choosing spell over the Holy Sword, the same one I used in order for him to become King over his older brother, Robert, the First born son of King Uther.”

  Tina’s eyes widened. Arthur Pendragon had a brother named Robert? That was interesting news. According to the various legends over the legendary King, Arthur was an only son, having a single half-sister, Morgana. Tina’s eyes darted over to the named woman still sitting in a high back chair. She looked accepting and regal. The only thing missing to complete the image of a princess was a crown.

  “King Arthur’s wife was unfaithful to him and bore a child to one of his Knights,” Merlin went on as Tina thought about the knowledge the mage told, mentally, filing it away for later thought. “He feared she would be taken advantage by the power hungry nobles who filled his court. As a result, Lord Godric of the Ancient and Noble House of White Hall became the Second King of the United Kingdoms of Camelot.”

  Eyes widening, Tina’s jaw dropped. She was not expected to that. She turned to Rosemary who look proud and nodded. She turned her head, looking for Genesis in the crowded courtyard and looked up at the castle walls, but she didn’t see him. She went back, paying attention to Merlin.

  “When King Godric passed on, the Choosing Ceremony happened again and so forth,” Merlin stated, “For nearly a century, the Holy Sword has chosen the royal heirs, so there has been no need for a public choosing ceremony like this. However, the Holy Sword has deemed Prince Arthur unworthy to be King of Camelot and the various Knights of the Round Table and the Lords of the Court.” He paused, allowing that to set in.

  Tina took a deep breath. The fact Merlin was admitting that knowledge meant there was trouble brewing. It didn’t matter which Kingdom it was or who ruled it, if a Kingdom was without a King for a long period of time, the Kingdom’s enemies would be making moves to claim that territory as their own. She glanced around the courtyard, taking note of the reaction she saw.

  Fear colored many of their faces. Women who had children, drew their kids close to them. The men seemed to straighten up where they sat or stood. The children, on the other hand, looked frightened. Whatever happened in the Kingless Kingdom Period had scared the ones who lived through it. It meant they would do anything to prevent having another one.

  “In order to prevent another Era of the Kingless Kingdom,” Merlin spoke, “Lady Princess Morgana and I felt it was best to open the chance of Ruling Camelot to the public.” He waved a hand toward the line of men, “Will you be the one the Holy Sword deem worthy to rule Camelot and take your place as King?”

  The man standing at the head of the line stepped forward. He bowed his head and announced, “I am Artemis Baker, son of Boulder Baker, son of Lloyd Baker. I will make an attempt to pull the Holy Sword out of its place and become King of Camelot, Lord Battle Mage.”

  “As you wish, Artemis Baker,” Merlin acknowledged. Tina frowned as something happened to Merlin when he said those word. His blue eyes glowed, unearthly. He stood straighter and his shoulders were back. He watched on, silently. Tina lend forward in her seat, watching the Battle Mage. She didn’t see this reaction the other night when Sir Tristan, Genesis, and another Lord of the Court tried to pull the Holy Sword out. It was interesting to see in the daylight, instead of the shadows of a hidden chamber.

  Artemis walked to the Holy Sword and Tina felt the tension in the air as he stopped and put both hands on the hilt of the Sword. She watched, her heart thundering in her chest, as he tightened his grip. He pulled upward. His face, slowly, turned red with an effort. She could have sworn she spotted a couple veins appeared. He relaxed. He looked up at Merlin.

  “Twice more,” The Battle mage intoned.

  Tina felt the hairs on her neck raise. There was an electric current in the air.

  Artemis Baker tried once more. He got the same result.

  “Once More,” the Battle mage said.

  Tina saw the Mage’s eyes started to glow with magic as Artemis, once, again pulled on the Holy Sword. He got the same result.

  “The Holy Sword has found you unworthy to Rule,” Merlin announced. His voice took on a note of Power. His eyes flashed. The air seemed to sizzle with magic. “Thrice heard and witness.”

  “Thrice heard and witness,” Morgana repeated. Tina’s eyes darted over to her and saw the same magical energy reflecting in her eyes. A chill went Tina’s spine and she shivered, violently. She blinked and saw the Baker nodded in understanding. He backed away before he turned around and walked out of the courtyard, disappearing out of sight. Tina watched him go before she turned her attention back onto the line.

  The process repeated. Man after man, including Lord Godric with the rustic coat, tried to pull the Holy Sword out. After the first attempt, Merlin would tell them to try two more times before he would announced to the world, or so it seemed to Tina, that the Holy Sword found them unworthy to be King and they would walk away without a fight. They all seemed to accept their fate that they were not going to the One who would Rule Camelot as King.

  White Hall Estate

  Bardock of House of White Hall, Fourth of his name, Current Lord of the Ancient and Noble, rode his war horse, hard into the courtyard of the large mansion. He managed to shave two days worth of travel by using his war horse. He heard cries of “Lord Bardock!” and “Welcome home, Lord Bardock!” as he slowed his horse to a stop. The Stallion huffed in annoyance, desiring to run again. He swung off the back of his horse and patted the side of the Stallion’s neck, muttering, “Soon, we will have to run like that again.”

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  The stallion snorted and tossed his head. His black eyes flashed with an eagerness Bardock only saw during times of battle. The Stallion had missed running that hard. The Knight chuckled and turned away. He glanced behind him to see two of his sons, Vincent and Victor, arriving in the Courtyard. His face hardened as he hurried to the steps of the Estate. He bounced up them, a hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and pushed open the doors. His eyes scanned the room.

  The entry hall was flooded with sunlight, the open tall windows adorned with sheer white curtains billowing in the breeze. The walls were dark brown, created from an oak tree, causing the vibrant paintings of blooming flowers and pastel-colored tapestries to stand out. Freshly picked flowers in vases add pops of color throughout the room, brightening it up with shades of pink, yellow, and purple. Their scents filled the air with the sweet scent of freshly cut flowers, lingering from the freshly arranged bouquets placed around the room. The long white rug stretched down the center of the room, its plush texture inviting guests to walk barefoot and feel its softness. The atmosphere was inviting to any one returning home from a long time in the Kingdom’s Capital.

  He heard voices and a piano playing in a side room. He stormed over to the side door. He opened the door and stepped inside. Natalie, one of his younger daughters sat behind a piano, playing the keys with his mother, Freya, watching on with approval.

  “You are improving, Natalie,” Freya nodded, “Good job.”

  “Thank you, grandmother,” Natalie stopped playing the keys and turned to face the Family Matron. Bardock saw Natalie’s eyes flicker to him. They widened and Natalie stood up, knocking back the bench she had been using to sit.

  “Natalie Irene White Hall!” Freya snapped.

  “Father!” Natalie rushed over to him. She held open her arms and wrapped him up in a hug. “You are home!” she grinned. “I have missed you, Father.”

  “And I have missed you, my daughter,” Bardock whispered into her ear as he returned the hug. “I take your eldest sister isn’t here, yet.” They ended the hug.

  Natalie frowned, “Valentina?” She blinked, “She hasn’t arrived, yet.”

  “Apparently, Valentina went to Camelot, instead of coming here,” Freya stated as she used a cane to stand up, “Insolent brat.”

  “Natalie, please go see to Victor and Vincent,” Bardock ordered, “I need to speak with your grandmother in private.”

  Natalie glanced between her father and grandmother before she muttered, “Yes, Father.” She fled the room.

  “Mother,” Bardock started, “What the hell were you thinking, sending a team of Hidden Bark Ninja after Valentina like that?” He glared at his mother.

  “You will watch how you speak to me, son,” Freya glared. She tightened her grip on the cane.

  “Sending the Bark Ninja after Valentina,” Bardock said, sharply, “Could jeopardized any relations with her AND the Bark Ninja, Mother.”

  Freya rolled her eyes before she said, “Valentina will understand her place. She will be marry, soon, as soon as I can find the perfect match for her.” She turned away from her son. “You should not worry about her. I will take care of her and her future married life.”

  Bardock frowned, thinking, as he watched his mother walk away. He spoke, “This wasn’t just to retrieve her, was it?”

  “You waited too long, my son, for Valentina to rejoin us,” Freya started, not turning around, “I have took matters into my own hands.” She paused. “I remember what she did. I know who she will become due to those actions. Her time is approaching.”

  “I remember who she is, will be, and become, mother, however, she is a strong will lady. She will fight us if we push her too far. Hell, she even fought her own mother on certain issues,” Bardock argued, “We can’t afford for her to reject us entirely because your heavy-handed tactics.” He took a breath, “It is bad enough we don’t have enough heirs to make sure the alliances our forefathers created to benefit us are renewed, this time around.”

  Freya didn’t reply as she left the room. He didn’t have a doubt she was returning to her private suit. He rubbed his face with his right hand and sighed. He couldn’t believe his own mother would try to something like this. Sending Bark Ninja after Valentina like that? He hoped Annja wouldn’t try to beat him black and blue for his mother’s actions. Who was he kidding? Annja would try to do it and blame him at the same time.

  Either way, it was clear he waited too long for his eldest daughter to return on her own. He had hoped she would find love and settled down before this situation happened. If she had, she would have escaped her fate. He sighed, again. He hoped she didn’t hate him or the rest of the family. He turned and walked out of the sitting room, heading to his office. It would be a day or two before he would return back to Camelot. He was sure there was a mound of papers for him to go through over the state of the White Hall Estate and the surrounding lands. One of these days he would keep one of his sons at the Estate to go through the paperwork while he was gone, but Genesis was a General and his other two sons weren’t ready to take over lordship of the family, yet.

  Meanwhile, back in Camelot, Tina sat there, bored, after the first hour. The wonder and appeal of who would the next King had wore off by then and she could hear several conservations taking place around her. The servants had wondered through the courtyard around mid-afternoon with their sneak, brought out snacks as people waited, and as the sun set, Tina witnessed the various maids and menservants bring out the dinner. She had spotted a few women working on crafts they had brought with them. Musing about it, she realized it was not a bad idea doing that. A part of her wished she had a hobby like that to work on during the ceremony. Another part of Tina was glad she was able to get to know Rosemary a lot better.

  Rosemary and Tina had scouter closer together and spent the afternoon, talking about their childhoods. Rosemary, apparently, had been a wild child in her childhood. She had roamed the fields near the White Hall Estate, ran with the horses, and played in the stream. Tina just stared at her, with longing. She didn’t grow up like that, not even during the summer months where the schools were shut down.

  Most of her school years spent learning how racists her country was, how to combat racism, and it wasn’t until she was 12 when a civil war erupt. Thankful her mother and grandmother pulled her and her sister out of the public school system for a year until the war was over then allowed them to go back to school where Tina had a red pill moment and relearned a lot of things she had thought was correct. She did travel overseas for an Archery Competition when she was 14 and stayed with her Great Aunt Nami and got involved with an evil tournament. She didn’t inform Rosemary of anything of that, but she just expressed her feelings over it with ‘wow!’

  “We will,” Merlin’s horse voice rang out, “Continue this in the morning.”

  Tina glanced over at the Battle Mage. He turned away from the line and walked toward the line of Queens. He stumbled, slightly. One of the Knights approached his side and took one of Merlin’s arms, placing it over his shoulders before he helped the Mage to a side hallway, disappearing. She turned to Rosemary and said, “Guess we will figure out who will be King tomorrow, then.”

  “Maybe,” Rosemary commented as she scooted back her chair. “It took the magi nearly 6 months to find a worthy King.”

  “Did they ever figure out why?” Tina didn’t follow Rosemary’s example, immediately. The sound of chairs scrapping against stone rang out. Conversations rose, filling the courtyard about the chances of finding a new King soon and who it would be. She watched as Lady Morgana slowly stood up from her seat, among the line of Queens, looking tired and a lot older then she appeared to be, the other day. Tina frowned. Perhaps the Choosing Ceremony was taking out a lot of her and Merlin.

  “I don’t remember,” Rosemary admitted, “It has been a long time.”

  Howls cut off conversations. Tina froze. Her eyes widened. The howls sounded far away, but they were drawing nearer. The Knights hurried to form a line in front of the Queens and Prince Arthur. The servants had pulled away from the courtyard, disappearing into the shadows. Many of the ladies and unarmed lords paled and started to drift away, heading for the covered hallways.

  In the archway, separating the castle courtyard from the rest of the city below, General Genesis appeared. His shoulders heaved as he panted. He surged ahead with a fierce determination, not sprinting, but advancing with a relentless, urgent stride. His face was emotionless and pale, but his eyes were wild with worry.

  Tina watched him until he reached where the line had originally formed for the Choosing Ceremony. He knelt on a knee and bowed his head. Tina’s eyebrows rose in surprise. A shiver up her spine as she felt the demonic energy of a powerful lord approach. She whispered, “Shit.” She glanced around the courtyard, her mind racing with possibility.

  Tina wished she didn’t lose contact with her demonic friends. She would be able to keep up to date on who is who if she had managed talk with her friends. If she had managed to do that, she would be able to figure out if this demonic presence was a friend, foe, or stay the hell of their way. She pushed those thoughts away and turned to look at the Knights.

  “Why have you left your post, General?” High Queen Kalliope asked.

  Tina spotted Sir Tristan, standing at the end of the Knight line, pale. She knew he was remembering the last time they had faced a demon in a fight.

  “My apologies, my queens, my ladies, and my lords,” Genesis started, “They requested their right to try to pull the Holy Sword.”

  Tina moved to Rosemary’s side and whispered, “Get to the shadows and be ready to run if this turns bad. Get to the Armstrong Suit and stay there until someone you know gets you.” Rosemary turned her wide, scared filled eyes to Tina and nodded before she moved toward the shadows. Tina marched toward Tristan with fierce determination blazing in her eyes, her footsteps pounding the ground with the force of a storm.

  “Who?” Prince Arthur asked.

  “The Demonic Lord of the Eastern Plains Roga,” Genesis tried to pronounce the foreign name, “Fenrir.”

  “Rōga,” Tina corrected Genesis. Her voice rang out in the silent Courtyard. She approached Tristan. “May I barrow your bow and quiver of arrows, Sir Tristan?” She glanced over at Genesis, speaking, “It means Wolf Fang. He lives up to that name.”

  “Lady Valentina, you have heard of him,” Arthur stated with note of curiosity.

  “Yes, I have, my lord,” Tina turned her attention to the former crowd prince as he stood beside his throne. He stared at her with raised eyebrows. “I fought him in a tournament called the Black Moon Tournament. He was an excellent fighter then and I hope he has progress since we last fought.” She paused as she tilted her head to the side. “If I remember correctly, he did have a fragile ego.”

  “Of course, my lady,” Tristan nodded and glanced behind Tina. She watched as his eyes widened with panic and fear before they hardened. He reached for the belt crossing his chest, undoing it.

  “Well, that’s a voice I haven’t heard since the Black Moon Tournament,” a voice drawled out, “Here I thought the rumors about you were true - putting up your bow, retiring from fighting my kind, and settled down to be a good little bitch.”

  Tina let out a soft laugh. Tristan handed over his bow and quiver to her. She witnessed his eye twitched when Rōga used the common descriptive for a female demon. She turned away from him as she hooked the belt over her shoulder and tightened to her chest. She replied, “Well, I was never a good little bitch. I just decided to retire for a few years. Now, I’m stepping out of retirement for shits and giggles. I might sticking around for a bit, you know, to explore Avalon.” She ran her eyes over him, giving him a mischievous grin. “Maybe kick your ass for old time’s sake.”

  Rōga Fenrir changed little in the years since the Black Moon Tournament. His black hair used to flow unbound, but now, it held back into a braid. His black tail swashed behind him as he stood in the archway. His blue eyes scanned the courtyard. He wore a familiar warrior outfit. It was the similar to the one he wore during the Black Moon Tournament, but the leather chest plate had been replaced with a full breastplate covering him from the collar bone to his waist line. The symbol of the Eastern Plains was engraved on his breastplate. He shook his head in amusement.

  Tina felt Rōga’s energy swept over the area and she flexed her purity powers as a warning. He didn’t flinched like she had hoped. He spoke, raising an eyebrow, “I see you have gotten weak in your retirement.” His eyes ran over her. “How on Earth would you be able to protect your pups from a creature like me?” Tina flinched. She directed her gaze to anywhere but at him. “Oh, you poor thing,” he drawled, “Did your mate to be throw you away like yesterdays trash?”

  She didn’t say a word to that statement as hot flash of anger went through her veins. Her spiritual powers rose and Rōga flinched as her purity powers flared out. She worried if she did respond to that comment, she would inform him of what happened to her ex. She took a deep, calming breath as she strolled to Genesis. She knelt beside him, facing the archway. She turned her attention onto her brother and asked, “May I barrow a knife?”

  “Why?” Genesis asked, meeting her eyes.

  “To cut my skirt, in case I have to fight,” Tina shrugged.

  “Oh? You can’t fight in a dress,” Rōga barked. His eyes gleamed with laughter. “I thought you would be able to since you did fight in that skimpy swimsuit.” He paused, “Though, I do think I prefer that swimsuit over what you are wearing now.” He eyed the dress again.

  “Times change,” Tina gave him a deadpan look. At least, his sexual comments were tame compared to the comments she had heard during the Black Moon Tournament.

  Genesis huffed as he reached at his belt and pulled out a sheathed knife, “I hope you know what you are doing.”

  Tina gave him a faux grin, saying, “Always, cousin.” She stood up and placed the knife in a pocket. It should be an easy reach if it become necessary. Genesis stood up beside her. She watched Rōga’s expression as his eyes darted between herself and Genesis. His nose sniffed the air. He was on the verge of figuring out the truth between Genesis and herself. She sighed before she asked, “So, why are you here, visiting the Great Castle of Camelot, Lord Rōga? A good fight for old time’s sake? Raiding the town for a meal? Kidnapping the women for a night time fun?”

  “Na,” Rōga said, rolling his eyes, strolling forward. “Just like the human males who have tried to pull the Holy Sword from that rock, I have a right to try.”

  “No, you do not,” Queen Belladonna’s voice rang out like a whip. Tina half turned to look at the row of Queens. Queen Belladonna stood up from her chair and sent glares at Rōga. “Demons like yourself do not have any rights within this Kingdom.” She paused, allowing the words to echo in the courtyard, “In fact, you are to be put to death. You are an abomination to our good world. God should have destroyed your kind ages ago.”

  “By the Ancient Laws of this Kingdom and the numerous pacts created by your previous Alpha-Kings with the non-humans, I do have the Right, hag,” Rōga growled. His eyes flashed. He stopped a few feet away from Tina. “Lady Princess Morgana,” he addressed the Black Mage, still sitting in her chair, separate from the rest of the formers Queens. “Could you please perform the ceremony? Unfortunately, I don’t see Lord Battle Mage.”

  “Lord Merlin is drained from today’s ceremony,” Morgana replied. She turned to one of the Knights. “Sir Dragon, could you please escort me to the Holy Sword?”

  “Are you sure, my lady,” the Knight named Dragon asked.

  “Yes, I am sure,” Lady Morgana replied with a bit in her tone. She sent him a slight glare. She stood up and waited for Sir Dragon to approach.

  “I can’t believe this,” Queen Belladonna said before she stormed away from the Courtyard. Genesis rose to his feet and stood beside Tina.

  “Well, at least, we know where she stands,” Rōga muttered, “If I become the Chosen King.”

  “Apparently so,” Tina agreed. She gave him a side eyed look, “She seems to be the type to stab someone she strongly dislikes in the back and not even bat a eye at the action or the consequence afterward.”

  “Too bad she is human. She would make an excellent demoness,” Rōga commented before his eyes darted back and forth between Tina and Genesis, “So,” he drawled out the word, “Miss Valentina, it would appear that you have a —“

  “Shut up!” Tina snapped. “Secrets are secrets for a reason, flea bag.” She glared at Rōga. He took a step back, holding up his hands. “And not public knowledge for a variety of reasons.”

  “Ouch! A Flea bag? That hurt, Miss Valentina,” Rōga cooed, holding a hand over his heart, “Perhaps you could make it up to me sometime.”

  Tina’s glare deepened and she drawled, “Perhaps not. You are here to see if you are found worthy to rule this kingdom, not to seduce me into mating you.”

  “Mating?” Genesis asked. Morgana left her seat and walked to the Holy Sword with Sir Dragon beside her.

  “Demonic Marriage,” Tina explained, “Only difference is the Death to Us Part.” She glanced up at Genesis. “I will explain later. It is an interesting view point on how we humans view life long commitments versus how the non-humans do.”

  Lady Morgana stood on the other side of the Holy Sword. She glanced at Genesis and Tina before she turned her attention to Rōga. She spoke, “Lord Rōga of the Eastern Plains, step forward to prove you are worthy to rule Camelot for good or for bad.”

  Rōga stepped forward. Tina noticed he took a gulp as he stood in front of the Holy Sword. He rubbed his palms against his brown fur pelt. He met Morgana’s eyes and reached for the Holy Sword. He wrapped both hands around the hilt and pulled up. Nothing happened. Slowly, his face started to turn red with the effort.

  Tina sensed Rōga’s demonic powers rose. He really wanted to become the Chosen King. She frowned. Why did a demon want to rule over a Kingdom of humans? Besides the obviously supply of human meat. She knew there was another reason.

  Rōga stopped and let go. He looked at Morgana. She intoned, “Twice more.”

  Rōga tried it again. He put in the same amount of effort. He let go in order to regain control of his breathing. The Black Mage announced, “Once more, demon.”

  Rōga nodded before Tina sensed he powered up, the air raising up on the back of her neck. A thrill shot her gut as she felt a blood lust she had felt in years. His eyes bled red as red lightening flashed through the air around him. Genesis muttered a curse next to her, reaching for his sword. Tina placed a hand over his, stopping him. She lend over to him, muttering, “He is powering up. He is going to give it his all.”

  Genesis glanced down at her, meeting her eyes, before they turned to witness. Rōga’s feet dug into the solid stone, cracking it as he grabbed the Holy Sword with both hands and pulled. Several of Rōga’s pack stumbled back as Tina bent her knees, her dress rippling back, outlining her form. Genesis’ eyes widened as he felt the invisible wind try to push him back. The duster he wore pulled at his shoulders as Several ladies of courts let out startled screams as their hats flew off their heads. It lasted only seconds. Rōga relaxed. His eyes returned to normal. He lowered his power back to the resting levels. He panted. He let go of the Holy Sword, knowing what it meant.

  “You have been found Unworthy to Rule the Kingdom of Camelot as King,” Morgana announced. Her tone echoed around the Courtyard. “Thrice heard and witness.” Her eyes flashed with magic.

  Tina muttered, “Thrice heard and witness.” She turned to Rōga. He looked fearful for a long moment, meeting her eyes before they darted over to the General’s. He turned away and called, “Retreat! Get back to the Forest.” The pack turned and ran through the archway, heading out of the town.

  “I can give you a three minute head start,” Genesis muttered, “No more. I’m already on thin ice with the Ruling Family.” He paused, “I can’t afford to be punish even more.”

  Rōga replied, “Thank you. My pack and I will be out of Camelot by the end of those three minutes.” He didn’t wait for a response as he twisted on his heel and ran after his pack. Tina watched him go. She sighed as she turned to Morgana.

  The she-mage looked exhausted and Sir Dragon appeared at her side, saying, “Let’s you back to your rooms to rest, my lady.”

  Tina gazed around the Courtyard, watching as the members of the Court left and went about their business. The Ruling Family walked away. The Knights drifted to their stations. Genesis stood by her side, watching everything like she did, silently.

  “Genesis,” Tina spoke, “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean for you to find out that way.”

  “We will talk about it later,” Genesis’ voice held an icy note in it. “After I finish my shift.”

  “As you wish, Genesis,” Tina didn’t try to fight him on this. It would make the conversation about their relationship as brother and sister a lot more difficult to sort through. He walked away, heading back to the Castle Wall. She watched him go with a heavy heart.

  “Well,” Tristan’s voice sounded over her shoulder, “At least there wasn’t any fighting.”

  “Yeah,” Tina said. She reached up and undid the belt on her chest before she handed the quiver and bow back to Tristan. “Thank you for letting me barrow this. I’m just glad I didn’t have to use it.”

  Tristan nodded and eyed her. “I take it, Rōga was an old friend.”

  Tina snorted, “If you want to call it that.” She reflected back to the Black Moon Tournament for a long moment.

  The stadium was packed to capacity with more outside, watching on the jumbo screens the Tournament Committee had brought in. The audience wasn’t human beings, but demons of all kinds - Demons with animal like features, demons who would fly, demons who had the ability to appear like a normal human being. They yelled for blood, hungry to see it spill on the tile ring floor like kool-aid.

  Tina gulped as she eyed the audience. Her gut tightened with worry. She wanted nothing more then return to her hotel room and hid, but she had given her word that she would see this tournament through. Normally, she wouldn’t have enter a tournament like this, but the lives of her loved ones were threatened if she didn’t agree to participate in it. Her younger sister was only 6 years old. Tina couldn’t allow her sweet, innocent, bratty, annoying sister die because she refused to enter this tournament.

  “Prince Rōga Fenrir of the Eastern Plains and Valentina Armstrong, please, approach the ring,” the Announcer Lady called out from her place in the middle of the ring. It was their first fight of the tournament. They could only afford to lose one fight. It was decided the night before, unless it was a fight Tina had to win, she could step out of the ring if proved too difficult for her to finish.

  Feeling bitter by the decision, still, Tina took a deep breath and stepped forward. Her team captain followed her. They reached the edge of the ring. The ring was almost as tall she was, stopping at her chin level. She glared at the ring, feeling short. The Captain placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to look at him. He grabbed her waist and helped her onto the edge of the ring. She sent him a grateful smile before she twisted around and climbed to her feet. She strolled to the center of the ring where this Prince Rōga stood with flowing black hair, piecing blue eyes, and wearing leather chest protector. Next to him, the Announcer lady - a beautiful female demon with mermaid characteristics - stood.

  They were reminded of the rules and the fight began as the Mermaid Announcer hurried away. Rōga didn’t waste anytime and covered the space between the two fighters, swiping at Tina with a clawed hand. The red head took a step back, giving ground, trying to bring up her bow in defensive position. She didn’t try to bring out an arrow, yet as she dodged the various left and right clawed swipes.

  “A pretty female like yourself shouldn’t be fighting in this tournament,” Rōga commented.

  “Wasn’t given the choice,” she replied, “It was either this or allow my loved ones to die at the hands of the Tournament Committee’s goons.”

  He winced as he remembered her team was the ‘guest’ team and said, “For the record, sweetheart, I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, me too,” Tina said before she ducked underneath a swipe, pulled out an arrow, knocked on the string, aimed it at his mid-section, summoned her spiritual powers causing the arrow to glow faint pink mixed with bright blue and she met his eyes.

  Rōga’s eyes widened as he stared down at her before she let the arrow go. It flew the short distance between them and dug deep into his shoulder, near his collar bone. He howled with pain as Tina’s spiritual powers burnt his shoulder. He stumbled away, clutching his shoulder. Tina watched with wide eyes as he fell off the side of the ring, near her team. He didn’t jump back into the ring. The Mermaid Announcer counted to 10 before she called the fight in Tina’s favor. The watching demons roared their disapproval and called for Tina’s death for having Priestess powers. She walked back to her team as Rōga’s pack hurried over to him and gave him first aid, giving her dirty looks.

  Tina shook her head, coming back to the present. “He was an opponent I had to fight in a Tournament. He could have killed me when he had the chance, but I managed to blast him out of the ring instead, winning the match for my team. However, I learned later that he just wanted one thing for his people.”

  “And what was that,” Tristan asked.

  She smiled, “Resources so his people could live.” She turned to the covered hallway. Rosemary stood there with a curious look on her face. “Please, excuse me, Sir Tristan, my cousin is waiting for me.” She strolled away without giving him a chance to respond. “So, Rose, what are we doing for the rest of the evening?”

  “We need to get ready for supper. It’s going to be in the Great Hall again,” Rose replied, “Then we have the evening to ourselves.” Tina reached her and they started to walk toward the White Hall Wing.

  “Oh, we have free time, tonight,” Tina grinned.

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