The elected day had arrived, but the bright, clear summer sky that came with it seemed at odds with the tension the rippled through the assembled crowds.
Ryke gazed across the field, his heart hammered and his palms felt sweaty as he stared at the stoic figure of Bram. As a flash of anger blossomed in his chest his long, gloved fingers tightened around the straps of his heavy leather backpack.
Beside him stood the Magi, Tuari, who had packed that very same bag that hung on Ryke's back. He had proved himself to be a font of knowledge and while Ryke had tended to Takashi's wound long into the night, Tuari had been there with his books to school the young Shamen in the ways of magic.
At first Ryke insisted that he would not use active magic for fear of becoming corrupt the way his former master Menos had. But Tuari persisted, assuring the Shamen that Menos had chosen his path, it had not chosen him against his will.
By the time the sun had risen that very day, Ryke had long since succumbed to the prince's persuasions and had managed to memorise and perform a few very basic protection spells. The dense magical tome's that weighed him down were filled with an array of spells that Ryke was sure were well beyond his capabilities. Tuari had agreed, much to Ryke's relief, but went on to explain that he may need the Shamen's assistance regardless.
The sun crept slowly into the sky but still there was no sign of Vada. Cas had begun to pace, biting down on his fist. It was clear to Ryke, and probably the whole tribe, that he was struggling. The Chief-in-waiting was breathing hard and loud and his eyes were wide as his feet burned up the ground in his wake, leaving charred footprints in the grass.
Each time Cas would pivot, he'd throw a shaded glance across the field at Bram who, unperturbed, maintained his pose. Jutting his chiselled chin into the air, pushing out his chest and looking down his nose.
Neither the Junketta Chief, nor his eldest son seemed at all surprised or concerned by the capture of Rivik. The young prince, however, could not bring himself to lift his head, instead he knelt in the dewy grass, head hung in shame and bound by Tuari's magical chains.
When Chief Tana'ka had first arrived with his entourage in tow, he had immediately caught sight of his once reclusive son standing among the Pyrite clansmen. Ryke observed the situation quietly, watching as the old chief frowned and the twins whispered with bemused expressions. Uldrin made to march straight for them before Tana'ka caught his wrist and tugged him back in line.
Ryke's jaw clenched involuntarily at the sight of this gesture. He knew quiet well what such a statement meant for the Pyrite Clan. Chief Tana'ka would no longer take sides until he could be sure of the outcome of the battle. He didn't trust that Vada would win. Perhaps he doubted she would show at all.
'You're sure she's coming?' Cas asked Aegar in a whispered huff. The dragon snorted out a cloud of hot, moist air but otherwise remained silent. He watched the enemy with great, golden eyes squeezed into slits. The only other movement he made was to repeatedly flex his claws, churning up the earth beneath his great taloned paws.
'I grow impatient,' Chief Han'ril bellowed suddenly, 'if your Chieftess is afraid to face my son, you will all face the wrath of my army!'
As one, the Junketta army marched forwards a single step, drawing their weapons. Be they sword or bow, they were ready.
Upon witnessing this threat Cas lost what little control he had. With an almighty roar he turned to face his opponents and strode forwards into the field, stopping several paces in front of his clan. Upon opening his clenched fists, pointing his palms towards the glorious sky, his whole body burst into bright blue and red flames that crackled and spat, hissing and sizzling as they grew taller with his anger.
Ryke couldn't help but smirk when the Junketta warriors stumbled back, fumbling with their weapons, desperately trying to recover their uniform assembly.
Chief Han'ril smirked before throwing a look over his shoulder. Bram's eyes snapped to his father and suddenly his body jerked into action. His arms unfurled and hung limp by his sides as he began to lurch forwards.
'Is it just me, or does something about Bram seem a little off?' Ryke mumbled to the Magi by his side.
'You're only just noticing?' Rivik scoffed from his kneeling place, craning his neck to raise a brow at the Shamen.
'Well, we thought it was a little off that he'd switch sides-' Ryke mumbled as a familiar heat crawled up the back of his neck.
'Prince Bram, he is a water element kin correct?' Tuari inquired urgently, without taking his eyes off the battlefield.
'Prince Bram huh,' Rivik scoffed 'it's been quiet a while since anyone called him that.'
Ryke gazed at Tuari with a frown, 'yes he's a...' his words trailed off as his eyes grew wide, 'damn, Cas doesn't stand a chance!'
'It's not quiet that bad, but a helping hand wouldn't go amiss,' Tuari replied grabbing Ryke's shoulder to spin him around and gain access to the backpack. 'I just need to quickly check the specifications of a guard spell-'
'LOOK!' Rivik yelled from the ground, shuffling forward on his knees, 'it's too late for him now!' he added gravely.
Ryke turned to the field, bashing into Tuari in the process but all thought of apology was forgotten the moment his eyes landed on Bram. The hulking prince was charging directly towards the stationary, seething ball of flame that was Cas.
As he ran, Bram held his arms wide with his hands open and palms facing his opponent. surrounding his large, rough hands, water appeared, creating two swirling orb that grew and spun as Bram advanced.
Bram skidded to a stop and as he did so he brought his hands together in front of his body, combing the two large orbs of swirling water instantaneously. In the blink of an eye the liquid missile was soaring through the air towards Cas.
'Move Cas!' Ryke yelled, running forward until he stood a few steps ahead of the Pyrite clan. The fire kin obeyed, diving and rolling to the left. The orb soared through the space Cas had occupied and instead, headed straight for Ryke.
'Remember your spells, Shamen!' Tuari's voice called over the sound of whooshing water, howling through the air.
'Spe... spells,' Ryke mumbled, glued to the spot. Lifted his shaking hands Ryke stuttered and stumbled his way through the only spell that came to mind, and prayed all the while that it was the right one.
Bram let out a almighty roar and Rykes concentration was broken, looking up he gasped. The orb was about to hit, squeezing his eyes shut Ryke braced for impact.
Several long, silent moments passed and Ryke sensed someone's presence alongside his. That person cleared their throat pointedly. Ryke meekly opened his eyes to find Rivik on his feet and smirking down at him.
'All right there, little man?' Rivik sniggered.
The orb that Ryke had expected to mow him down was now soaring back and forth across the field, changing trajectory every time Cas dodged out of the way of its flight path. Bram stood braced on the spot, a clear sweat glistened on his brow. Each time the Orb changed direction he jerked his hand, controlling its path.
'How long can your boy keep this up?' Rivik asked, folding his chained arms across his chest. Ryke looked up at his angry gaze and followed his line of sight. He did not watch Cas, no, his eyes did not move enough to track the motion. He stared at something stationary, leaving Ryke to assume his gaze was fixed on one of two people, Bram, or Chief Han'ril.
'As long as he needs to,' Ryke hissed, taking a step away from the enemy prince.
'I don't think so,' Rivik snorted, 'he's tiring, that's why my father looks so pleased. Your Chieftess didn't show and her brother is no match for Bram. It's an easy war for Han'ril to win. This loss will forfeit the Pyrite clans right to have a Kin leader, my father will make sure of that.'
'The kin will not be taken over so easily!' Ryke argued and though he wanted desperately to believe his own words, a small part of his mind wondered how he and Dani could escape should the Junketta seize control.
'He's done for now,' Rivik sighed.
In dodging the sizeable missile Cas' attention had left its conjurer and Bram was ready to take full advantage of that. As Cas skidded to the right, only just missing the impact of the orb, he threw himself into the dirt to his right, unaware that a second orb now soared through the air, directly towards his prone position.
'CAS!' Ryke bellowed at the top of his lungs, but he could do nothing for the Pyrite prince.
Alarmed, Cas leapt to his feet.
Ryke took off running as a collective gasp sounded all around him.
A circular wall of earth had risen and surrounded Cas, encasing him within the safety of its perimeter.
Ryke skidded to a stop as both water orbs crashed into the structure. All breath was held and silence reigned as the collision hit on either side of the wall. The tower did not bend or break in response.
'Who...' Ryke mumbled, casting furtive glances left and right, scanning the faces of the Pyrite Clan, expecting to see one of them step forward and claim this deed as their own. But all eyes were wide, and jaws hung. 'Could it be...' Ryke began in a whisper turning back to the battlefield.
The cylindrical stone walls began to crumble and Ryke fell into a crouch, winding his muscles as tight as they would go, ready to shoot off running once again to help an undoubtedly exhausted Cas.
When the walls came down, however, there was no sign of Cas, instead, Vada stood in his place clad in armour of shimmering stone, ready for war.