Qing's Quest book 2, Chapter 8: Bloody Marble

Qing equipped his axe as the guards slowly converged towards them, feet slapping rhythmically on the marble, spears lowered and shields raised.

“Do something,” Morgana said, voice raising.

“Any suggestions?” Qing asked, but before Morgana could reply, he added, “Aside from killing everybody, because I am not going full murder hobo.”

The court had gone silent, filled only with the sound of marching. The low light glimmered off polished spearheads, and goosebumps travelled up the small of Qing’s back.

Knut and Jenny whispered.

“What?” Qing asked, looking at the corridors leading out of the room and which had the least number of guards in front.

“It’s the only way,” Jenny said, limbering up her shoulders.

“But what if it doesn’t—” Knut said.

“You know we have to try.”

“Try what?” Qing asked, opening himself to the charge in the air, and the hairs on his arm started rising as he prepared Chain Lightning.

But then Jenny brushed past him, sank to one knee, and said, “We demand trial by combat.”

The room filled with the whispers of the nobles as the soldiers all stopped in lockstep.

“Trial by combat?” Qing asked, whispering to Knut and Morgana. She just shrugged and shook her head. “Did you plan this the whole time?”

“Yes,” Knut said. “If they tried to arrest us. But it is usually reserved for nobles.”

“Your blood is not worth the effort of our champion,” he said, but the nobles chattered and, as several mentioned Envoy, a look of frustration flashed across the face of the crimson-robed man. “You have given no proof of your nobility, and a kingdom I’ve never heard of must be pitiful indeed.”

Where the hell is GG? Why haven’t I received any quests after the one to save the kids in the desert? Why no guidance?

Qing scanned the nobles’ faces as Knut pleaded their case. They kept them neutral, as if watching a tea delivery by camel. The women had all disappeared, except the two draped across the king’s throne.

Are we in the wrong place? No. Surely GG should have given a hint then. Maybe his silence means I’m where I am supposed to be, and that this moment is too critical. Could too many people be watching for him to give a quest?

He glanced up at the ceiling, remembering the screens in Earth’s sky. His mouth went dry and hands felt wet, thinking of millions of people watching him right now, and his mind scrambled.

No. It doesn’t matter. Nobody watching matters. Except Meimei, and if she’s watching, then there is nothing to be nervous about.

A slow exhale removed his nerves.

That must be why GG is not providing any support. I’m already in the right place and at the right time. Maybe…

“Your request for trial by combat has been—”

“We are here on a divine mission,” Qing said, interrupting the crimson clothed man and stepped forward, flaring his light so it pulsed, drawing every eye to him. “In addition to Rufus Grimshaw, we hunt Kandisha with a moon-bound blade.”

The man’s face scrunched up. “What?”

Qing looked around at the nobles. If this Ti-ei that the captain of the royal guard was here, could he vouch for them? “I said, we hunt Kandisha with a moon-bound blade.”

“Honoured grand vizier,” an elderly man with a white beard, clad in brown robes said as he stepped up behind the guards. “I perceive you might know the kingdom as Eel-innois. I’ve had dealings with them in the past, importing…” he hesitated for a moment, glancing at Qing. “…a unique red leather, excellent for furniture.”

“What?” the crimson robed man said, but quickly caught himself as every eye turned to him. “Oh…yes. I see. Eel-innois, of course. Thank you, Ti-ei.” He glared at the noble, who stepped back with a bow.

“Who is that man?” Qing asked Knut, nodding at the crimson robed man.

“That is the grand vizier, Wazir,” Knut said in a whisper. “Used to be a court magician. Seems he’s risen in status...”

“You travel in foul company, envoy,” Wazir said. “Whether or not you knew, your acquaintances are criminals, banished from this realm on penalty of death. Are you claiming them in the name of your kingdom, with the right to trial by combat?”

Qing bowed to the king. “If I defeat your champion, will you hear my requests?”

The king just stared at him, until Wazir touched his shoulder. Then he nodded and Qing smiled.

No murder hobo-ing needed. Good.

“Alright, then—”

“Please give us a moment, your majesty,” Knut said, placing a hand on Qing’s shoulder, interrupting him.

“What?”

“This is a fight for Jenny.”

“Why?”

“Magic and potion use is illegal in a trial by combat, and the use of either means your immediate defeat. I know you are strong, but we won’t let you risk your life, and that of the entire world, because of our voluntary return. If Jenny loses, you can still continue. Our lives are not worth the risk. We knew this could happen when we came.”

Qing stared at the mountain of a man who was limbering up at the side of the room. A guard held a massive two-handed saber that looked capable of cutting a man in two. Another had brought forth a suit of full plate armor.

“There is no way I will let you fight in my stead,” Qing said, and he placed a hand on Jenny’s shoulder. “You are my friends and are here supporting me, making it my responsibility as well. Besides, as strong as the champion might be, no human should rival my strength, and…” he smiled, winking at Knut, “I have some passive skills that should secure the win.”

But Jenny didn’t smile. Instead, she sighed and said. “You can’t just defeat him. This combat is to the death, and I know you don’t want to slaughter a man who is only doing his job. Let me do it.”

“That’s insane.” Qing turned to the king, brow furrowed. “Honoured king Sharyar, I have no wish to kill your champion,” he said, and the gathered nobles chuckled. “I will gladly put my life on the line, but please allow my victory through debilitation of your champion, sparing his life. I am here for allies, not to kill fellow humans, but to save them from the monsters.”

Please don’t make me kill your people… If he can just let me show my strength, then he should lend us his support, and we can track down Rufus.

The king opened his mouth to speak, and Qing felt a sense of relief, until Wazir touched his shoulder and leaned down, whispering in his ear.

The king looked up at the man and nodded.

Wazir rose and spoke with a smile. “The king has heard your pleas and selected a new champion for this combat.”

Heels clicked on stone as a figure walked from the shadow.

“If you won’t kill a human, then fight me instead. I am a monster with the ladies.”

Qing felt as if he had been punched in the stomach as Raul’cad walked forth to the laughter of the gathered nobles.

Jenny lifted her axes, Morgana her whip, and Knut pulled an arrow from his quiver, but they all froze as the guards levelled their spears once again, the threat clear.

“That is your enemy,” Qing said when he found his words. “He is the servant of the man we are chasing, an evil blood-sucking vampire working to destroy your world!”

Qing breathed fast, adrenaline flooding his system, as he stepped towards his foe.

“What a ridiculous claim,” Wazir said with a wave of his hand. “He is a member of the court and the king’s champion. Now, if you refuse to fight, which is entirely up to you, the trial is forfeit.” He grinned like a snake who found an eagle’s nest unguarded yet full of eggs.

This is worse than we thought. Rufus didn’t flee here to hide, but to find allies. But if we can turn his allies to enemies…

Qing met the eyes of his friends. Morgana looked scared, hunched together as if she wanted to avoid notice. Knut tried a smile, but it came across flat. Jenny looked ready to chew rocks. Both nodded their support.

“I will fight. Make no mistake. And I will make this filthy bloodsucker wish he’d stayed dead, ridding you kingdom of a plague.” Qing took a calming breath. “With the change of champion, I request five minutes to prepare.”

“Granted,” Wazir said.

Qing glared at Raul’cad, as the vampire strutted over to the throne and bowed deep to King Sharyar. He wore black velvet with a red lining, and black leather shoes with a one-inch heel and a silver clasp on top. At his side, he wore the long sword Qing had last seen cutting into Jenny and the villagers as Rufus escaped with Cleo. Anger burned within Qing as he turned away. This was a chance to strike at his enemy while freeing Knut and Jenny. Then he’d force the king to give him the location of Rufus, rescue Cleo, and finally, he could go home.

Qing opened his character screen and looked at his stats.

Strength: 47 (25+22)

Dexterity: 26 (14+12)

Intelligence: 40 

Vitality: 30 (25+5)

Attack Power:   993

Defence:    705

Health:    300

Mana:    300

It would be a challenge to not use magic, but he was confident he was a match for the vampire.

Should I set the last skill point? But if I put it in a spell, I can’t use it in the dual, and if the worst happens and we need to break out, I already have spells to use. I could upgrade quick reflexes, but...

He rolled his head, neck cracking.

No. I’ve got this.

He ran through his list of equipment.

Heartguard of the Arcane chest plate, looted from Vileheart.

Gauntlets of the Feral Guardian, gained while Kaela still lived.

Alchemyst’s Girdle, from after her death.

The red leather Dragon’s Breath pants she never got to see.

Fleetfooted Sandals with the Dash ability.

Fang of the White Wolf amulet, from his first elite.

The Enchanter’s Echo ring, taken from Gronk’s corpse.

The Azure Ring of the Thornwood, with its chance of reflecting damage.

And Paulhandler’s Keg-Smasher, the massive two-handed axe he would use to carve Raul’cad into pieces.

“He is lightning quick,” Jenny said, glaring at the vampire. “Faster than any I’ve ever fought.” She touched the scar on her cheek, the one she’d refused to let Qing heal. “Do not underestimate him.”

With the equipment, he had nearly three times the attack power of any human, was five times as strong, three times as fast, and had seven times as high defense. It would have to do.

“I will not.” He leaned in and whispered. “But if something happens, be prepared for flight.”

Then he stepped forward.

Guards knelt between columns, in front of the throne, and behind them, creating an arena three times the size of an Olympic martial arts mat. They held their shields horizontally on the floor, creating a barrier with their spears rested on top, tips inwards, adding a hazardous wall for the fight.

In front of the king, the guards knelt in rows three deep. Guards removed Jenny, Knut, and Morgana, but they pushed them off, elbowing their way to a good viewing spot for the fight. One that happened to be between the arena and a corridor. The nobles jostled for position as servants moved around with cups filled to the brim.

Raul’cad walked into the middle and inclined his head. The man looked twenty years younger than when they had met last in Shadowgrove. As if an old balloon had been re-inflated, removing most of the wrinkles.

Qing snarled, knuckles cracking around the axe’s shaft. “Where is Cleo, you bastard? What have you done to her?”

“Not much. It’s been nice to have someone so…fresh to nibble on for a change. Her blood has a…unique aspect to it,” the vampire said and smiled, fangs glinting in the light.

“Look at his fangs!” Morgana said, calling out.

The nobles all went quiet as Raul’cad turned to the king and smiled. “No idea what she’s on about.”

Wazir waved his hand. “Get on with it.”

“I’m going to cut your arms and legs off,” Qing said. “And then I’m going to bleed you until you tell me where she’s kept.”

“How fun,“ Raul’cad said, heels clicking as he approached, sword raised.

Qing walked towards him, axe held by his side.