The Indigo King - James A. Owen [79]
The meaning was clear. If it ever was in his power to make it happen, Mordred would kill Hugo Dyson.
“Hugo!” Hank cried, his head still whirling from the speed of events. “Why did you do that?”
“I had no choice,” Hugo gasped. “I had to, don’t you understand? I had to stop him! He would have won! Mordred would have become the Arthur! And then who would have been left to stand against him?”
Before anyone could respond, a great bird swooped over the field, screeching shrilly.
Merlin’s eyes darkened, and the smile dropped away.
To the south of the hill, the crowd parted and four men strode forward to the crypt.
“Lawgiver,” the youngest of them said, “I am Thorn, son of Nimue, and by right of blood and right of honor, I have come to compete.”
There was an immediate reaction to Thorn’s announcement, and it was harsh. The gathered throng of warriors had allowed one apparent breach of the rules when Mordred came in so near the end of the tournament, but it would not be so easy for this bold boy to breach them again by taking part so late.
He didn’t have the fearsome countenance of Mordred, or the reputation of Merlin or Gwydion or any of the others. And no one cared who his mother was.
No one save for the Lawgiver, whose eyes blazed.
“Silence!” Taliesin commanded, raising his arms high. “I am the Lawgiver, and I will decide what is to be allowed!”
The angry cries settled down to a disgruntled muttering as Taliesin motioned for Thorn to come forward.
The other three men stayed at the fringes of the crowd, but Hugo nearly shouted with joy when he recognized two of them as his friends John and Jack.
Hank motioned for him to be quiet. “You’re in enough trouble as it is,” he said under his breath. “Let’s see if the Lawgiver can sort out your mess.”
“I wish to speak!” Mordred declared, stepping in front of Thorn. “I have not been given my chance to fight!”
“I have already said that you lost, Mordred,” Taliesin said. “First blood.”
Mordred clenched his teeth and looked down at the boy, Thorn, with undisguised loathing. Then his expression changed, and he seemed to be puzzled. The boy returned his gaze bravely and unafraid.
Mordred looked at Merlin, then turned back to the boy again. “I think I see it clearly now, Lawgiver,” he said, smiling coldly. “It is an old, old story, and one I know all too well.”
Without another word, Mordred went to his tent and mounted his horse, taking only his spear with him. He left his tent and everything else behind and rode away without looking back.
“Well,” said Merlin, “I think that ends our tournament.”
Taliesin raised a hand. “Not quite, Merlin. You, too, are out of the competition. For cheating.”
“What!” Merlin exclaimed, suddenly enraged. “I never cheated anyone!”
Taliesin pointed his black staff at Hugo. “He wears your colors. He is your squire. It is you who bears the loss.”
Merlin shot a poisonous look at Hugo, then another at Hank. “We’ll talk later,” he hissed. “This isn’t over.”
“Did the tall one with the staff call the other one Merlin?” John whispered.
“Yes,” said Jack, who was just as surprised. “Meridian is Merlin.”
“I don’t know who that is,” whispered Chaz, “but Meridian looks like he wants t’ kill that scrawny fellow the knights are holding.”
Merlin turned back to the Lawgiver. “The tournament itself cannot continue. None among the champions is fit to fight—even if their challenger is just a boy.”
“I am a man, my Lord,” Thorn said, “and I will fight my own battles, thank you.” He turned to the Lawgiver himself. “May I compete?”
To Merlin’s increased rage, Taliesin nodded. “I know your lineage, and you have the right. The only opponent left has been disqualified, unless you choose otherwise.”
Thorn looked at Merlin. “I’m not afraid,” he said. “What must I do?”
“Will you raise your hand against this man?” said Taliesin.
Thorn looked confused. “What about the other tests? The trials and contests of physical prowess?”
Taliesin shook his head. “None of those matter now. Will you raise your hand against this man?