The Three Blessed Kings

Chapter 21: I survived

Truth be told,
I didn't know what to do now,
As the dust swirled around.

The mage had been knocked out,
And after a look around,
The house was cleared.

But I swear there should've been more,
Aside from the mage,
Who were downstairs.

Five counting him,
But my only opponent,
Was still sleeping right there.

I knew my senses weren't off,
But I was alone;
So I guess I passed?

I tried nudging him awake,
Which failed miserably.
He was out cold.

Soon fatigue caught up to me,
And all my bruises,
Blared like royal horns.

I needed to sit down.
The company wasn't great,
But he'd do.

With Stone tucked away again,
I soon relaxed,
And counted the minutes.

The soft light lulled me,
As my eyelashes,
Started rocking like a boat.

Wave by wave,
My eyelids cruised up and down,
Getting heavier each time.

The ship almost sunk,
Until that familiar sound,
Rang once again.

The same cowbell as before,
Coming from outside,
Which echoed throughout.

When the bell chimed,
I became fully alert,
With no signs of slumber.

My floor bound friend also perked up,
Though mentally;
His body was shot.

"That's our cue, thirty-two.",
He said raising his hand,
As I helped him up.

With his arm on my shoulder,
We hobbled to the door,
Where the sound was.

His free hand turned the knob,
As I stepped outside,
Into golden hour.

This was my first glance of East Borhn,
Though nothing changed,
In building layout.

The houses weren't as nice,
But there were more of them,
With a bigger road.

It was more wooden,
With less cobblestone,
But still a blend of the two.

Just outside the old building,
Were four proctors;
One who had the cowbell.

They must've been the others,
That I took mental note of,
Earlier.

"This is a rare sight, Rajj."
One of them declared,
Talking to my limped foe.

"This is your first recorded loss,
I'm surprised...
...It didn't happen sooner."

I guess the guy I held up,
Was named Rajj,
Though he looked annoyed right now.

"Don't get used to this.",
Rajj chuckled,
"It's just that thirty-two was special."

"I guess so,
Then I look forward to hearing,
What the board thinks of him."

While saying this,
The main proctor,
Put Rajj on his shoulder instead.

And as the sun descended,
He went on to explain,
More to me still.

"Your test was awfully quick,
Not even a full day...
You have my praise.

Though you'll have to wait a bit,
For the test results;
As others aren't done.

So for now,
Head back home,
And in three days the results will be posted.

The scores will be at both guilds,
On the bulletins,
Ranking each taker.

The top three takers,
For both guilds,
Will get a special licence printed.

Keeping this in mind,
I wish you good luck.",
He said bowing his head down.

I was grateful for his words,
But Rajj picked his head up;
Staring at me.

"I want you to have this.",
He gestured to his pendent,
Linked to a chain.

All the proctors had one.
They were beautiful gems,
Worn as necklaces.

"This is my magic item.
All government mages,
Are given one.

The reason I lost,
Was because of my reliance,
On this magic.

So I want you to have it,
Then I'll get strong,
Without engraved magic."

This was an extreme gesture.
Magic items,
Were quite hard to come by.

I knew what I had to do.
So standing up straight,
I would answer Rajj.

"Your lightning is incredible.",
I started,
"However, I still won.

I overcame magic,
With my own grit,
And survived another fight.

I intend to keep winning;
Shedding my own blood,
All for my dreams' sake.

So I do thank you,
But that item is yours;
That strength belongs to you.

Keep growing, Rajj;
So when we fight again,
You might stand on top of me."

With my speech finished,
Rajj smiled hard;
He really had a great smile.

"You're right.",
He replied back,
"You better get stronger too, or I'll kill ya."

We both nodded and chuckled.
The mages said goodbye,
And soon walked out.

But before they were out of sight,
Rajj screamed,
"Never stop fighting!

I'll never forgive you,
If you don't make your dream come true!!
You hear me?!"

I couldn't help but laugh,
But I said I would,
As we both waved and left.

Though my wounds felt better,
My body still ached.
Sleeping was all I thought of.

I'd rest for the next three days,
Since both sparring and classes,
Were finished.

But as the sun set,
I quickly realized,
I didn't know the way home...