Cregan glared. How dare Arton taunt him? His rival would soon learn who
would be the next council member. With care he reached for more thorns. Even
with the gloves made from dragon hide picking thorns presented a danger. One
slip with a thorn stabbing his face or next and he would suffer or even die. He
lifted an empty sack and stomped toward the other man.
“Fill this.” He thrust the sack at Arton. The foreign adoptee should
become used to taking orders. There was ho way he could win. Mecador, chief
wizard, was Cregan’s mentor and father.
Arton opened his shirt and spilled as many of the thorns he could into
the bag. Just as many fell on the ground. “Gathering thorns was your task. Be
quick to pick up the fallen ones before they lose their potency.” He shook out
his shirt and strode away.
“How dare you disobey me?” Cregan’s hands formed fists. “You don’t
understand. You will be my toady. I will win the challenge. I’m already ahead.
Mecader knows I’m the better wizard.” He grabbed Arton’s shoulders and whirled
him around.
Arton pulled away. “Stop. We are forbidden physical fights against anyone
who is a wizard.”
Fury bubbled like a steaming cauldron. Cregan abandoned the sack he held
and ran after Arton.
Arton stumbled and floundered to regain his balance. Cregan hit his
rival’s shoulders and Arton fell into the fyrethorn tangle. His screams filled
the air. He pulled free and ran toward the citadel.
Cregan abandoned the sacks and raced after the other man. What could he
do? If Arton died the council would act to banish Cregan. In the past he’d
heard of one challenger being sent from the citadel for a year. The man had
never returned. If he had he would have been named a second level wizard.
As Cregan ran after his rival he planned his story. He had to cast the
blame on Arton. If Mecador believed Arton had stumbled and fell into the bushes
there would be no punishment. If the worst happened Cregan vowed to survive and
fight for his rightful place even if he needed to wand duel every council
member. He was Mecador’s son. He deserved a council seat.
*
* *
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