“I may be a plainsdweller, captain, but at least I have eyes to see when a defeat is a defeat and a victory is a victory.”  I waved my hand over the bloodied sand and in the direction where the bodies of the dead were taken.  “Many have died here and I say enough blood has been spilled.  I will not kill him!”

            “Coward!” yelled Ruen.  “Only a coward backs down from killing an enemy!”

            I smiled then for I knew that all were hearing my words and his and that the townspeople were in support of me despite my heritage.  My smile was evident to Ruen for he seemed to grow dark in anger.  “Curn is no longer an enemy.” I said, walking over to where the man’s sword lay and then handed it back to Curn.  “He is a friend.”  Curn smiled and took the sword in his hands once more.  Ruen sized his chance. 

            “Curn, you have a weapon now!  Kill the plainsdweller who dared to talk back!”

            I stood in front of Curn, my back to him.  Curn, from what he told me, wanted to strike me down and gain the glory as victor in the eyes of Ruen.  But he knew what he had to do.  He sheathed his sword and embraced me.  “Good luck, Baltheis.” he said.  Then he walked off the field.  Ruen was dark red with anger. 

            “Curn!  Curn!  Kill him! I command you!”

            Curn Firesword faced him.  “You have no command over me.  You are like the wind that bellows at the mountain.  It howls for the mountain to stand down but no matter what it can the great stone stands proud.  I am that mountain.  You are the wind.  Baltheis is my friend and he has now my support.”  He walked back to Baltheis and gave him his sword.  “Take it and use it.  You have my strength as well.”  He then walked to the crowd who welcomed him as a friend just as I had done.  Ruen turned to the judge.  “Judge!  Can one wield two swords in this tournament?” he asked.  The judge shrugged.

            “The rules were made by the townspeople and they can be only made by them for you accepted their challenge.”  Ruen turned slowly to the assembled who were ready with the response.

            “Yes!” they roared.

            The judge strode forward giving Ruen a smile. “Two swords are now officially allowed in this tournament, by the will of the people.”

            The dragon captain leaped out of his chair drawing his sword as he went.  He struck at me taking me off guard.  The people yelled at the cowardly act but he paid them no heed.  He struck at me again but missed me, this time entirely.  I realized then that he was drunk and that his fighting ability was slowed a bit.  But it was also three times as powerful.  I duck and weaved his attacks and began to push him back.  Then, when I saw the right moment, I weaved Larkan underneath the guard of his sword and disarmed him.  Seeing himself defeated by a plainsdweller made him even more angrier.  He leaped upon me and grabbed my throat.  Then he sagged suddenly and went limp.  The Dragon captain’s own weight and strength had carried himself right onto the two swords of Larkan and Jerec as he tried to strangle me.  Ruen was dead.  I was made Dragon captain that day and I made Curn my third in command for there was already a second in command.  I gave Ruen a decent burial with all honors for the man he once was.  Those who had died that day were also remembered.”

            Baltheis faced Balto who had sat the entire time listening to the tale.  “So Balto, now you know how I became Dragon captain.  Now time is late and I must look to the walls.  It’s best for you to come with me for your safety.  I’ll look after you.”  He got up, sheathed his sword and went to the door.

            Balto nodded and followed Baltheis out of his office and into the still bright rays of the morning sun. 

                                                To be continued……           

                        The end of Balto’s Jenikian Journey Trilogy Part One.