บท 52: A rival's challenge
Hex led the team along the same ridge they had arrived at the mountain two days ago.
The setting sun dyed the afternoon sky in a mixture of gold and crimson hues.
This time the Hawks joined them in their journey. The horse riders had a harder time navigating the steep walls.
To Hex's amazement, Althea proved adept at this as well. She rode expertly, even overclassing the Knights of her team.
But having horses also had its uses. They helped carry the three unconscious bodies.
Now and then Hex glanced towards the middle where they were carried.
'Luckily the gardening uncle has taken Alice and Gorge with him. Three are already slowing us down enough as it is.'
Hestia had entrusted both to the gardener representing the castle at the checkpoint. They required medical help and she didn't trust many people with their care.
It took Hex a half hour longer than he had needed to get to the mountain but they soon reached the main mountain pass leading to the entrance.
As Hex arrived at the entrance he noticed the lively crowd clamoring around.
The merchants especially seemed ecstatic. Hex knew why once he saw the blue with silver robes among the crowd.
"The serpents are back," he signaled to Althea. They were queuing in front of the only checkpoint available.
"Let's join the fun," Hestia said with a grin. Neither team had any objection. The Hawks and the castle's team went to the checkpoint.
Their arrival attracted the crowd's attention. Hex felt many eyes watching him. Some were filled with curiosity, some with anger.
Although he didn't understand their reaction, he ignored them. It had been years since he cared about people's opinions.
"Place everything you wish to register for points in these designated bags," one of the old men at the checkpoints instructed.
The Squires and the Knights followed suit. The Serpents made way for them. They were finished with registering their stuff.
Each time the elders at the checkpoints finished a bag, the rankings on the banners changed.
While the others deposited their bags, Hex eyed the rankings. Apart from the top two, every other rank changed continuously.
The rankings of the top three were:
1. Silver Serpents' Sterling Poundersire 3000 points
2. Silver Serpents' Ella Moneiwell 2500 points
The first two places increased by a huge amount. Hex glanced at the silver-haired boy standing at the side with two female Knights at either side of him.
He might have noticed Hex's gaze. He turned towards him and then flashed him a warm smile.
'That boy has skill,' Hex thought as he replied with a weak smile. Soon it was Althea's turn to register her points.
As one of the favorites to win the tournament, many people paid attention to her bag. When the older man dumped the contents of her bags on the table, many people gasped.
The pile of crystals and herbs was huge. Even if they were low-quality stuff, they would most likely fetch a lot of points.
The experienced elder at the checkpoints finished his task rapidly. Everyone's eyes shot toward the ranking. Light flickered and the new ranking appeared.
1. Northern Hawk's Althea Thunderspear 4000 points
2. Silver Serpents' Sterling Poundersire 3000 points
3. Silver Serpents' Ella Moneiwell 2500 points
Although the crowd expected a stellar performance from her, they still looked stunned at the points she won. It overshadowed the performance of the Serpents.
"Congrats," Hex smiled at her. Althea's facial expression remained unchanged as if it wasn't her name at the top of the list.
She looked at him with bright eyes and said, "I believe you will have a better ranking than mine."
Hex waved dismissively. He wanted to win the tournament but he wasn't fixated on it. His mind was more occupied with the Dawnbringers and their schemes.
Just as his turn was about to come, a loud noise attracted everyone's attention. Hex also turned to watch.
A group of people galloped on their horses through the crowd.
The person at the front held a huge banner with the emblem of Grindeston on it. His platinum-colored hair fluttered in the wind, making him look heroic.
They looked battered and bloody. But the crowd cheered loudly. Grindeston's team, followed by the Viscount's twins, had finally appeared.
The crowd chanted Clannad's name and opened a path for their heroes toward the checkpoint. They were sure that they were in for a surprise.
Conrad, who was seated at the platform, looked pleased. The reception his grandson received upon his return filled him with joy.
"Stop smiling, you old fox." The crow-like old woman sitting beside him snapped.
"Don't get mad, old crow. You just hate that his grandson is better than yours," Tholmund said with a smirk. He often argued with the old woman and was pleased to see an ugly look on her face.
Seeing the affection Clannad received, Hex smiled wryly. 'I don't think even winning the tournament would get them to like me this much.'
The group dismounted and walked towards the checkpoint. Hex was the only one standing in their way to the counter.
"Move, you outsider," Born barked at Hex from behind Clannad. They all seemed tired and injured but their eyes radiated arrogance.
"Nope." Before Born spoke up, Hex planned to move. It wasn't worth it to go against the mob but now he refused to. He disliked being treated like shit.
In front of the indignant crowd, he turned to the counter and put the bag on top.
"Hex." A familiar voice came from behind, making Hex look back. Clannad dismounted and walked to him. Somehow Hex felt that Clannad had become colder and his eyes seemed icier.
"Care to at last? Just you and me. Side by side."
Hex met his cold gaze. Clannad was provoking him. And he knew it.
'He should be certain of his chances if he is issuing a challenge.' Hex was aware of why Clannad wanted to go side by side. It would highlight the difference between them.
"Are you scared?" Born shouted, mockingly. "Here, as old friends, I will help you a little."
Born threw a red fruit with a rich aroma at him. It was a bright red cherry, worth ten points. It hit Hex and rolled on the counter.
This elicited a round of laughter from Clannad's team. The Squires under the baron glared at them but it didn't stop them.
Clannad's eyes remained chilly as he kept looking at Hex.
"Sure. I am in!"
Hearing Hex accept the challenge, the crowd cheered loudly.
Hex knew they weren't cheering for him. It just gave them a sense of climactic feel.
'Let's see what you were up to all this time.'
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