Kill The Better Of You

Haelyn's POV

Rand was right. By the time the first round of the battle was over and the men had stumbled into the mess hall or dragged themselves in rather, my wound had healed itself on the outside.

I still felt pain, but I wasn't bleeding any more. That, I could survive.

The man who had spoken to us earlier walked in with three elite soldiers flanking him on both sides. They called him Riven, but to us, he was Master Riven. I wondered why he couldn't walk in alone. Why did he even need his guards to be with us in the same hall? Was he that afraid of injured fighters?

A dangerous smile formed on his face and he inhaled deeply. "Yes, the smell of blood. You all will get used to this smell. Reminds me of the warring times, and the battlegrounds, and the iron. Now, let me bring to your notice the results of this first round. We counted a total of one hundred and two fighters. You all had balls, I thought someone would chicken out, but no. All fought and the ones who survived are right here in his mess hall, which would be your new home until the Alpha Trials is finished.

"Meanwhile, sixty five of you are left, including those who didn't die off. They get another chance. Tend to your wounds. The next round will start tomorrow."

There were some murmurs and groans of unacceptance among the fighters, but Master Riven paid none any attention.

"Food will be served twice a day. Now I know you didn't eat this morning, but you all will get your rations later tonight. Going to Alpha Roy's palace is strictly forbidden. You can face the other way into town if some of you are thinking of getting some ladies for the night or a beer rather. Can't deny you such. But before that, you will be marked so we know who we are letting in and out. Is that clear?"

Strangled responses.

"Is that clear?" Master Riven repeated, his voice louder.

"Clear!" came the non-unanimous chorus.

"Yes, more like it," he said and stepped closer. "Now, I'll tell you all something for free. Alpha Roy wouldn't want this, but it'll help. Some of you don't have what it takes to proceed to the next round. That girt. So how about you just kill the better of you all in your sleep?"

The grin that appeared on Master Riven's face was a wicked one. I looked around and noticed that the rest of us were staring at each other. I knew they weren't seeking for one another's opinion, but doing exactly what Master Riven had just said.

Look for the most formidable opponents and take them out while they sleep so we don't get to face them in battle.

That was the worst way for a warrior to die I had heard off.

Someone got up. It was Roan. "You tell us to do this, but where is the honor in it?"

"Honor? You aren't warriors yet. You have no honor."

"Yet we are men, and we have something to fight for. So, yes, we do have honor."

Master Riven shook his head, and smiled as if he was arguing with an underage child who could not pay attention.

"The seat of the Alpha King, is it?" Riven said lackadaisically, then chuckled. "Tell me something, Roan, son of Alpha Devon. Why the hell are you here fighting in the Alpha Trials? Are you trying to prove something to your father?"

I looked at Roan. He was taller than most of the men in that room. Eyes were golden-brown and his hair was auburn. Last when I saw him, he always had this look of confidence on his face, accompanied with a smirk. But now, he looked as if he had the whole world on his shoulders and didn't know how to put it down.

"I don't need to prove anything to my father, Master Riven."

"Or maybe to yourself rather."

Roan opened his arms and showed the scars that ran up and down them. "I have been battle tested before, and I am better than all the man here. You say we aren't warriors but I dare you to put some of your elite soldiers in the ring with me and see if they'll come out alive."

The rest of the fighters cheered and banged their hands in the benches and tables, creating noise.

"Enough!" Master Riven's voice boomed. "You might be the heir to the throne of Claw Pack, but here, Roan, know your place! Or you might just get your wish."

Roan said nothing and sat back down. After Master Riven left, Rand attended to those who were injured. I looked around and saw that he didn't have much of that blue potion to give out. When it finally ran out, he took out his tools and got to work.

Someone came to stand beside me. I looked up. Familiar face, but curious enough. He had a gash on the right side of his cheekbones. Was still noticeable amidst the stubble.

"I'm Killian."

"Bernard."

"Good fight back there."

I nodded. "Who did you fight?"

"Some mistake who should never have come here."

I said nothing.

"Are you a mistake?" he asked.

"Are you?" I asked.

His emerald-green eyes pierced through me like a haunting soul. Then Killian smiled and walked away. It was a good thing I already had an hideout, one that was already compromised. Though I had killed the intruders.

I got to my feet, swayed a little when I felt pain from inside. I swallowed headed for the door. Someone spat out blood right in my path, waved an apology at me and looked away.

"Hey!" came from behind me.

I knew that voice. It was Weston's. Good, so his throat was back.

"What?" I asked.

"As you walk out, don't come back. For your own good."

I said nothing and left the mess hall. There was every possibility that blood would be spilled in that mess hall later on. And I didn't want to be a part of that.

No matter what happened, I wouldn't sleep one night in that mess hall.

Or that would surely be the end of my revenge plan.

Just as I took a step out, I stopped. Just some yards away stood the man I wanted to kill.

Alpha Roy.