The Blade Heir (Book 1) Read Online Free

and Athri.
    Athri handed him the D'aryan blade. "Prepare yourself."
    Lucius grabbed the sword and faced his opponent, who was still anguished at his previous defeat. Lucius took a defensive stance and breathed calmly. Kiret's stare bore into him, whether to intimidate him or communicate a deeper dislike, Lucius could not tell. Athri yelled for the match to begin, and Kiret immediately dashed forward. His first attack caught Lucius off guard, but he managed to parry the elf's vicious strike.
    Lucius reared back, took a breath, and charged at Kiret with a broad swing to the elf's shoulder. Kiret ducked beneath the blow and thrust his sword at Lucius' neck. Lucius leaned back, away from the tip of the blade and desperately blocked the thrust. The move annoyed Kiret, who expected a quick victory over him. The Protector took a few steps back and twirled his sword with both hands as Lucius watched.
    Kiret was taunting him.
    Lucius scowled, then with a cry swung his sword at Kiret's side, anticipating a parry. Kiret did so, and Lucius quickly whipped his sword at the elf's head. The Protector barely blocked the ambitious swing, but lost his balance for a second. Lucius capitalized and swung his blade in a downward arc that caused Kiret to fall backward while blocking the force of the blow
    A sudden silence fell upon the crowd, and everyone watched in anticipation of a human besting an elven warrior. Lucius swiftly tried to position the dull point of his sword at Kiret's heart, but the elf was too quick. Kiret rolled from his prone position with cunning grace, lifted himself to his knees, and flicked the edge of his blade beneath Lucius' jaw all in a matter of seconds. Lucius sighed in frustration and dropped his sword.
    "Kiret stands victorious," Athri announced.
    The audience applauded Lucius and Kiret's spirited contest, but Lucius felt unworthy of any applause. He sauntered back to where Siegfried stood, glancing at the Council dais toward his adoptive father. The white-haired elder Silverhart nodded slightly at him without a hint of disappointment.
    Siegfried stood with his arms crossed and a smile on his face as Lucius approached. He knew what Siegfried wanted to say. My technique was rushed and too erratic to defeat a Protector. But his brother said nothing. He only bowed his head at him and continued to watch the remaining contests.
    Only two more elves were able to score a decisive victory over Kiret when the tournament was over. The short Protector looked flushed after the fighting had finally ended. When the entire assembly of competitors had lined up as Athri commanded, the Cyngorell spoke quietly amongst each other. Lucius felt more than a few glances from the Councilors on him while they conversed. After a few minutes, the whispers atop the dais ceased and Quetulya stood up.
    He looked at the row of prospective Protectors before him solemnly. Lucius felt uneasy whenever Quetulya's stare fell upon him. The wise elf sighed deeply and looked to the heavens for a brief moment before he finally spoke.
    "I congratulate every one of you for competing in this tournament, which has been a tradition of Evingrad for ages. You have all fought with great honor and valor this day. Nonetheless, the Cyngorell has come to a decision on whom among you are worthy to guard the Great Tree of Verdania," Quetulya said. The councilor paused briefly and let the anticipation in the crowd reach its full limit. "Siegfried, Mora, and Isis step forward!"
    The three elves stepped forward in near perfect sync, arms at their sides. Lucius grumbled in disappointment as Quetulya began to speak again.
    "You have all been deemed worthy of defending the Great Tree and land of our ancestors. Your grace and skill with a sword has placed you above your kinsmen. However, in order for the burden of the Protector to be bestowed, you must now prove your skills with a bow. For the rest of you, the archery tournament will be a chance to redeem yourselves. The D'aryan