Emalynn POV

I question how I get myself into these situations. Braxton had warned me that dinner was going to turn into a damn showdown. I just didn’t think he meant it literally. Things have been busy since Silas sent us a secret letter a few days ago. Silas had a suspicious feeling that our time here in Desfyra was coming to an end. The queen had been acting weird this week with her war meetings and constant special guests coming and going. I wanted to tell Rory about it, but the guys didn’t want to spook her.

Braxton and I have been running about buying and preparing a ship in case we need to leave in a hurry. Thank goodness, Silas was a damn prince because we were using his funds to buy a seaworthy vessel. Braxton had hired a few sailors to man the ship, but the biggest surprise was the two crew members I picked up. In my spare time, I visit the N’ila refugees who aren’t able to return home for one reason or another. Lyle and Estra, two orphaned teenagers from N'ila, volunteered to serve the Red Lady who saved them.

“You seem distracted, little monkey. Would you like to admit defeat before we begin?” The white-bearded dwarf asked me. His axe rested on his shoulder just like Myrra when she was waiting to spar.

“Yeah, right, old man,” I gave him my best fake smile. “I am going to surprise you with my skills.”

Next thing I know, the dwarf guy comes at me swinging at a speed I can barely process. I am having to use the damn bow as a shield to keep him from injuring me. I try to use my tiny size to my advantage as I flip and summersalt about the arena. The dwarf guy wasn’t impressed with my acrobatics and yanked on my tail. I fell to the ground and slashed down at me. In a split second, I toss an arrow like a spear into his knee, causing him to lose balance a bit. The ax lands inches from my face, but I don’t wait. Any hesitation means defeat or death in this world. I spring onto the guy’s shoulders and get my bow under his chin. I have him stuck in a sort of headlock until he throws himself back into the wall.

My head collides with the cement arena wall, and it feels like my skull has cracked. With blurred vision, I am barely hanging on to my bow while on the dwarf’s shoulders. I know the guy’s saying something to me, but I can’t hear him over the pounding in my head. A wild idea floats into my mind, and I tug on the bow hard nearly breaking the guy’s neck. He grabs me with his strong, old hands and frees me from his shoulders. He tosses me across the arena. I can taste bitter blood filling my mouth, but I am not done yet. My vision is still out of focus as I manage to fire off a few arrows toward the dwarf.

I hear him groan, signaling that I got a clean hit on him. “Annoying little ape. You are spunky, but I am battle-hardened.” He slams the ax into the ground and a wave rolls through the ground to knock me off my feet. Another wave hits, knocking me into the wall again.

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“Damn dwarf magic,” I spat as blood dripped from my teeth. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rory has conquered the elf brat, Mylor.

“Don’t look away, monkey,” The dwarf guy taunts as he whacks me with his ax, sending me flying.

Another collision with the damn cement wall. I know my body won't stand much more of this. Three times I have been slammed into this arena’s walls. A fourth time may knock me out entirely. My whole body aches, and I know a few of my bones are broken. Tomorrow, I will be a slew of different colors from all the bruises this dwarf guy is giving me. Still, I can’t stop. Rory’s freedom is on the line here. I stumble to my feet once more.

Are you sure you can keep going? Braxton’s thoughts invade my mind.

Why? Are you doubting me, brute? I fired back at him as I met the dwarf charging at me with my bow.

Never, but you're facing the legendary hero, Samuel Galin, from the dwarven kingdom. Braxton answers, but his words aren’t helping me.

And, I am the Little Archer who faced the frost dragon. What’s your point? I challenged him as I studied the dwarf, looking for an opening.

Don’t die, Emera. His voice is almost pleading for me to stop. I feel the weight of the bond calling me to answer his pleas.

If I can take you in battle Braxton, I can win against this guy. Have faith in me, brute. I block out his words and focus on my opponent once more.

This guy, Galin, is past his prime, but he doesn’t show it in the way he moves. I have some broken bones from colliding with that damn arena wall, but this guy has to be hurting too. Galin swings his ax into the ground again to throw another seismic dirt wave my way. I wait until the very last moment and use the energy of the wave to spring me into the air. Holding heavy weapons will make ax-wielders have back issues in their old age. While airborne, I decided to launch arrows straight toward grandpa dwarf’s back. None of my arrows make a solid hit, but Galin is strained like he pulled a muscle while dodging. “Gotcha,” I smile.

“You’ve got nothing, kid,” Galin retorts. “I thought you were going to show me a good time?” He charges me with his ax again, and I force my bow between us once more.

To my left, I hear Rory groan in pain. One quick glance, and I see her being barraged in whip attacks from flaming chain whips. Shit. I am running out of time to help her. I dive to the right, causing Galin to fall forward. Using Galin’s discarded ax like a post, I swing around it and launch my feet directly into his back. The dwarf beneath me croaks in pain. I exploited his age and weakness all in one move. The Duke guy walks over and calls Galin’s elimination. I hear the fairy lady wanting to argue with the duke in the background, but I don’t pay attention.

Helping up the old dwarf, I hear Rory struggling again. Galin mentions we should spar again sometime. I give a slight grin. “Ax me later, Galin. I got a friend who needs her ass rescued.”

Galin nods back. “Watch that one little monkey. He isn’t what appears to be.” Guards come and escort him back to his room.

I turn back toward Rory and enter the fray again with a barrage of arrows to throw the other guy off. I can sense what Galin meant about this guy when he looked at me. There’s something seriously off about him. This guy might be a monster in disguise.