Chapter 45
Half ten the next morning saw a large crowd standing in the new pack lands. Pretty much everyone was in attendance. Only those on patrol and the gargoyles who were resting weren’t there. For this morning, the dragons offered to cover the gargoyles so they could watch the demonstration.
Maletayah was wearing white trousers and a white tunic. The guards were all in their normal uniforms.
Blake looked at Tudor. “Do you want me to announce everything?”
Tudor nodded. “Please.”
Blake nodded and walked to the middle of the circle. “Welcome, friends. We have always been told that there is no one better with a sword than the gargoyles.”
The gargoyle guards cheered.
“However, our warrior angels say they are better.”
The angels and dragon guards cheered, while the gargoyles booed.
Blake laughed and held up his hand for silence. “Maletayah will be showing off his skills.”
Maletayah stepped into the circle; the angels and dragons cheered again.
“And representing the gargoyles is Angus Holmes.”
The gargoyles cheered him as he walked into the centre of the circle.
“Angus was a good choice,” Donovan said from beside Tudor. “He isn’t as good as Lucas was, but still his skills are exceptional.”
“This will be a good match then,” Zeus said, appearing next to them. “I can’t wait to see Maletayah win this match.”
Alex turned to look at him. “No cheating.”
Zeus laughed. “I don’t need to cheat. I have full confidence in my angels.” With that, he vanished and appeared next to Battle.
Battle took his hand and looked at his mate. “No cheating, this has to be fair.”
“I don’t always cheat,” he protested.
“Just any day ending in an y,” Han said from beside him.
“I think I’m insulted,” Zeus huffed out.
“It’s not an insult if it’s true,” Dask said, joining them.
“Anyway, I don’t need to cheat. Maletayah will win.”
“I’ve got fifty on it being a draw,” Battle said, grinning at him.
“I have fifty that says Maletayah will easily defeat him,” Zeus added.
Those around them started placing bets.
Blake held his hand up for silence. “Gentlemen, take your positions.”
The two men moved and faced each other as Blake walked to the side of the circle. “Begin when you’re ready.”
They both lifted their swords and saluted each other, then took a fighting stance.
Maletayah held his sword in front of himself; Angus held his behind his back, holding it by the blade.
“He does know how swords work, right?” Puff asked Mateo.
Mateo laughed. “He does, just watch.”
Maletayah grinned and moved first.
Angus moved his sword forward and used the handle to block Maletayah’s attack.
Cheers and boos were coming from each side, depending on who had the upper hand.
They fought like that for a while, when Angus flipped his sword and took the handle, blocking Maletayah’s attack.
They both attacked and defended as they moved around the circle.
“Maletayah should have won by now,” Zeus said, stroking his beard.
“They are both incredible,” Battle commented as they watched the angel flip over the top of Angus. Before the angel could land, Angus had spun round and dropped to his knees, sliding under the angel and slashing upward.
Maletayah spun out of the way, Angus’ sword missing him by millimeters.
The gargoyles cheered loudly.
“Angus is incredible,” Donovan said. “He could be even better than Lucas.”
General Merryweather was standing next to Frederick. “Their skills are amazing.”
“I’ve never seen better,” Frederick replied.
“Do you think they will help us improve our skills?”
Frederick looked at him. “I’m sure they will.”
The battle was still going on, but everyone could see they were both tiring.
Tudor looked at the time on his phone; they had been battling for nearly two hours. “How long should we let this go on for they are both tiring and look too evenly matched to find a winner.”
Donovan touched his arm.
“Yes, I can’t see them stopping before they exhaust themselves.”
Blake we need to bring this match to a close they are going to exhaust themselves otherwise.
Blake looked at Tudor and nodded, having just realised the same thing. He walked into the circle and gave a loud whistle.
The swords clanked together, and they stopped, both breathing heavily, sweat dripping from their brows. They looked at Blake.
“I call this match a draw. You are both amazing, but you’re getting exhausted,” Blake called out. “I hereby decree that the warrior angels are exceptional, and so are the gargoyles. With Tudor’s approval, we’re calling this match a draw.”
There were cheers and groans.
“Told you,” Battle said gleefully, looking at Zeus.
“I see I need to give my angels more power,” he grumped out.
Dask and Battle laughed.
“That was a good display though,” Zeus admitted.
Angus and Maletayah stepped back and tiredly saluted each other.
“You fight well; some of your techniques I’ve not seen in thousands of years,” Maletayah praised.
Angus wiped his forehead. “Thanks. I must admit, some of your moves were impressive. I honestly thought you would best me a few times.”
Maletayah laughed. “I thought you had when you fell to your knees and slashed out at me.”
Tudor came rushing over. “You both fought really well your swordsmanship is incredible but you both look exhausted maybe you should both go and have some refreshments and then rest do you want me to get them for you?”
Angus touched his arm. “Thank you, sire, but we can get ourselves something.”
Tudor hugged them as others came over to offer congratulations.
Alex moved to Tudor’s side. “Zeus is sulking,” he told him with a laugh.
“Oh no we should probably go and cheer him up don’t you think?”
Alex took his hand. “We can do,” he said, leading the way over to where Zeus, Battle and some of his godly family stood.
“Zeus do you need a hug Alex said you were sulking but they both did really well.”
Alex gently squeezed his hand.
Zeus held his arms out. “I do, Tudor. My mean family don’t care about my feelings.”
Tudor laughed and hugged him.
“Yes, we’re so mean to you,” Dask said, laughing at him.
Tudor pulled back.
“You can be sure I’ll be having words with Maletayah.”
“As long as that’s congratulations, you both fought well,” Battle told him.
“Fine,” he huffed out. “I’ll be nice.”
General Merryweather was still talking to Frederick. Earlier, he had met Hades, who was now looking for his brother to tease him.
“Is the pack always this eventful, Sentinel Barbuda?”
Frederick laughed. “Pretty much yes, and call me Frederick.”
“Atlas,” he said, just as his phone pinged. “Excuse me, I need to check this.”
“Go ahead,” Frederick said.
“Thanks,” Atlas read the message and cursed.
“What’s wrong?”
“A friend has messaged me. Rogues are starting to travel to the Hayes Pack. The first lot are due to arrive there today.”
“I’ll message The War Council and kings and let them know,” he replied, pulling his phone out and sending the message. “You’ll get the message as well, as I’ve added you to the two group chats.”
“Thanks. If we can find out how they’re travelling, we could potentially stop them from getting to the Hayes Pack. I’ll message my contact and see if he can get names and travel details.”
“That would be helpful, thanks, Atlas.”
Atlas replied to the message. He had just sent it when Blake came striding over.
“Thanks for your message, Frederick.”
“Atlas is trying to get names and travel plans for the rogues.”
“Thank you, general,” Blake said.
“Call me Atlas, sire.”
“As long as you call me Blake.”
“Thank you, sire.”
Blake chuckled, then sobered. “As soon as you have any new information, send us a message, and we can have a meeting to decide how to stop them.”
Atlas nodded. “I can do that.”
“Thanks.”
Someone had provided food, and everyone was happily chatting away, everyone mixing and sharing stories.
Andromeda was standing by Puff; she slipped an arm around his waist and Puff leaned into her.
“Puff, I don’t know what your past was like, but you are one of my son’s mates. I would be delighted if you would think of me as a mother figure.”
Puff turned to look at her, tears in his eyes. “I would like that, thank you, Andromeda. My parents were horrible; they kicked me out of the family when I was fourteen, as my father wanted to stay Dragon King. I was homeless for years before I found Blake and this pack.”
Andromeda gasped. “Well, I’m your mother now, and the rest of the family are your family.”
Puff kissed her cheek. “Thank you, I’d like that.”
Antares, Atticus and Mateo walked over carrying plates of food.
Antares handed one to his wife, and Atticus handed his extra one to Puff.
“Thanks, I’m starving,” Puff said, taking it.
“Antares, my love, I’ve adopted Puff into our family.”
“Excellent. Welcome doubly to the family.”
Puff laughed. “Thanks.”
“Thanks, mother, father,” Atticus said, smiling at them.
As they chatted, Puff remembered the thank-you gifts from Lord Woodcott. Bob, can you send an equal share of the gifts to our dragon family, including General Delinga?
He felt Bob come forward. I already have. I have also sent some to Silver and Brook, just from us.
You’re awesome, thanks, Bob.
Bob nodded and pulled back.
When there was a break in conversation, he told them about the gifts that had been sent to their hoard.
“We should probably give it all to Silver and Brook,” Mateo said, finishing his last chicken bite.
Puff shook his head. “No, you all deserve the gifts; Bob has already sent extra to them.”
Antares suddenly looked excited. “Do you want to see the design for the pub? I can make any changes you want.”
Puff laughed. “Please, this is so exciting. So many are looking forward to the pub opening.”
Antares handed his empty plate to Mateo, and his tablet appeared in his hand. He clicked it open and turned it to show Puff, Mateo and Atticus.
The pub had an old-fashioned look about it. It looked massive.
“This is the inside,” Antares said, flicking sideways. The interior was also styled to have the old-world look. There were beams, tables, long and short, some round and booths. The bar was in the middle of the pub in a ‘u’ shape so it could serve the front and the back.
“That looks amazing, Antares,” Puff said.
“And big. You’ll need a lot of staff,” Atticus pointed out.
Antares nodded. “I will. I thought I could send adverts to the new families that are moving in. I’m sure some of them will be needing jobs.”
“Will you be serving food?” Mateo asked.
“Crisps, nuts, things that come in bags, but for the moment, no proper food. That might change in time; we’ll see.”
“Are you using magic to build it?” Puff asked.
“I am. Otherwise it will take too long. I’m thinking of building it tomorrow.”
“Excellent. We’ll be your first customers,” Mateo said.
“Perfect.”