Page 56 of Agor

“Let’s hope you know what you’re doing, frog legs,” she chuckled.

Grat greeted me along with the other two contestants for the general’s mace and rank, Thar and Nogul.

“Choose your weapons, warriors.” Grat gestured at the arsenal of swords, knives, maces, and other tools and weapons. Some were spread on the ground. Others were displayed in an empty barrel nearby.

I knew what I wanted, quickly grabbing a long hunting knife and a coil of strong rope. Thar and Nogul could have the heavy swords and axes, but I didn’t have their strength to successfully use those against the alligator. My plan was to rely on my speed instead.

Agor placed his hands on my shoulders, peering into my eyes intently. “Ready?”

“As ready as I can be.”

After years of leading men into battles based on nothing but my skills and merit, I finally got a chance to have an actual rank. My heart fluttered in excitement. I wanted it so much, but I inhaled slowly, calming my nerves and reining in my eagerness. To win, I needed a cool head.

I smiled and pointed at one of the thick logs strewn around the dry ground above the muddy banks of the pond. “Why don’t you take a seat, my love? Relax, and cheer for me.”

He didn’t return my smile. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened.

“You...” His throat bobbed with a swallow. “You be careful out there, all right? Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

“One doesn’t win battles without taking risks,” I teased.

“One stays alive,” he echoed. “I need you alive, Becca.”

“Agor.” I stepped a little closer, so that he’d be the only one to hear me. “Promise me you’ll sit right here on this log, like a good boy, and will not intervene no matter what happens.”

“I won’t intervene,” he promised. “I know you well enough to realize how that’ll offend you.”

“Offend me?” I whispered. “It’d humiliate me. It’d ruin my chances of ever earning the respect of your warriors. It’d also infuriate me, and not in a sexy way. It’d—”

“I know.” He squeezed my shoulder. “I trust you.” He drew me into a firm hug. “Now, go get that monster, my brave fire newt.”

With a bracing breath, I stepped toward the pond, joining Thar and Nogul.

Grat swung a rope with a huge chunk of fresh venison tied to its end. The meat splashed into the pond, but Grat pulled on the rope, slowly dragging the venison out of the water.

The pond bubbled as if the water in it boiled.

Then, the beast emerged.

The male purple crested alligator was roughly the size of my old wagon, rising from the pond like a mountain. The water sluiced down his black, shiny skin covered with bumps and spikes. Two rows of short, sharp horns ran from above his eyes along his back. On the top of his head, a magnificent purple-and-pink plumage swayed in the breeze. It extended down the beast’s spine, eventually tapering into a purple crest that gave the alligator its name. The plumage rose into the air on thin, flexible spines that ended in frills of colorful membrane. The membrane emitted an alluring scent that drifted over the water.

The alligators hunted while submerged in water, with only their plumage visible on the surface. Its scent and beauty lured birds, animals, and even the unsuspecting humans and orcs straight into the alligator’s hungry jaws.

I shrank back from the shore, faced with the monstrosity that was steadily advancing toward us on his six clawed feet.

“Aaargh!” Impatient, Thar lunged at the alligator first.

His heavy mace crushed the beast’s leg. The monster whipped around. Its tail splashed through the water, knocking Thar off his feet.

The creature opened his mouth, set with three rows of dagger-sharp teeth. Nogul charged the alligator from the right, as I ran to him from the left.

Our dual attack snapped the beast’s attention away from Thar, likely saving his life. Thar tried to scramble to his feet, then sank back into the mad with a cry of pain. It appeared the alligator broke both his legs with his tail.

Cold sweat beaded on my forehead. Terror chilled me despite the hot summer day. Stepping on the alligator’s front leg, I jumped up as high as I could. I lunged forward, with the knife clamped in my both hands. The blade scraped the monster’s thick skin under its eye, causing no damage at all.

The crowd gasped as I fell down. My knees buckled, sending me backwards into the mud.

From the other side of the monster, a tortured roar came. Nogul must’ve gotten hurt too. Now, the alligator directed all his attention to me. His massive head whipped around in my direction. His mouth opened wide. The teeth glistened in the sunshine, ready to tear into me.

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