The Sword of Justice:
The Lost Guardians
Chapter 3 - Illian Tournament
You look at the others who face you, understanding that you are about to ask a question. "Are any of you entering the tournament?"
"I am" says Aaron with a big grin on his face.
"I will be as well!" Smiles Pipi.
"I won't be," says Brian, giving a sigh, "I'm just going to watch"
"I shall be," says Jenti, "But King Aster will not"
"How about you?" Asks Aaron.
"I…I don't know yet" you say as he nods his head.
The walking comes to a complete stop as you hear the Silver armoured General talk to other people for a minute, wondering what could make such a delay. With a quick sound of 'sir', the line moves again and you see two guards in gold armour stand beside a large wooden door.
Light! How can one have armour made of gold? This sword is heavy enough!
A few seconds of shade opens into the biggest courtyard your eyes have ever seen. Green trees and golden gravelled paths surround a castle bigger than Shrin. Flowers and magnificent flora surround you like a beautiful garden, taking in the air from the deep blue sky.
"It's so big!" Squeaks Pipi. "How rich are they?"
"Very" smiles Jenti. The sound of his voice sounds confident, as if familiar to the area.
Shrugging off the thought, you continue to move alongside the soldiers and guards along the main stone path that ends before to a large wooden moat. The giant drawbridge stays downwards as you make your way across, studying the near to shiny granite castle walls, carved perfectly and matched individually.
Within this castle, a smaller courtyard with a few guards in blue and white armour can be seen. You move towards a large set of wooden doors, leading into the heart of the castle.
Not a castle, a fortress! How in light did they make it so big?!
With the creaking sound of the massive lorla tree carved doors being opened, your jaw draws and your eyes bulge.
Lorla! The rarest type of tree in the whole world! And I've only seen one in…
The massive hallway is filled with bronze armoured guards that stare at you, with long golden spears in their hands, ready for anything. Making your way up a small flight of short stairs, you go through another room, pasted with checked marble tiles. The large hall rises as high as a temple and the walls are draped in red curtains.
Seeming to glide your way across, you enter into another hallway, where you come to a stop. With the soldiers and guards drifting back, you make your way forwards.
A golden door carved and slotted with hundreds of gems is guarded by two men, wearing blue crystal glass like armour.
How can they afford this?
They hold glass looking lances, translucent but shiny.
"What is your reason here?" Asks the guard on your left.
"We wish to begin the Illian tournament. We have the King of Shrin here"
"King," The guard looks at Aster, seeking a name. Aster whispers something and the guard acknowledges. "Aster. Yes, we have been waiting for you. King Olan is in the royal room, just beyond us."
With the two guards waving their arms in the air at the same time, at a speed unseen, the huge doors shift forwards, revealing a room with a sky painted ceiling and golden and silver silk curtains, red carpet laced with gold threads.
A guard standing next to him has the shiniest sword in his hand. Is that…diamond? He wears red scaled armour, making him look like the most powerful man you've ever seen.
"That's dragon scale armour!" Loudly whispers Pipi. Dragon Scale…impossible! You remember back to the books you read when younger about the only way of slaying a dragon was through the heart only, as the scales were too tough to penetrate. When the heart was struck, the whole creature would explode, destroying every part of it but the gem, or a single scale that would remain. Unless…no! He can't be that strong!
What should Alex do? Why?
1. "Do you think that armour was made from hundreds of dragons?"
2. "Is that King Olan?"
3. Continue to stand silent.