Page 39 of The Iron Oath
Her trusted axes hung from her waist along with a few other blades hidden on her body.
“Udenia, this is the warrior we have all come to see,” Vakgu’s voice echoed through the air.
Magoza’s muscles grew tense. She flexed her fingers and waited for the gate to rise so she could enter. She looked out into the arena but couldn’t see her opponent from her position.
“The firstborn daughter of Chieftain Tulak and his mate, Dura Cydassi. A fierce fighter, a born leader, commander of the Nidani army. Udenia and all of Aghon, stand on your feet for Magoza Cydassi!”
The heavy grating of the chains pulling the gate up was drowned out by the roar of the audience. Magoza blew out a deep breath, feeling the welcome calmness settle in her. The gates rose enough for her to walk underneath them. She strode up the angled stone path that led to the arena. The bright suns greeted her, and she made her way out of the tunnel. She squinted for a moment, then her eyes adjusted. She jogged out near the center of the ring and spun around. She raised both her fists in the air to acknowledge those who were cheering for her.
She spun toward her opponent and froze in place. A smirk appeared on her lips.
It was the orc from the cage whose cock needed to be chopped off.
She lifted her hand and pointed at him. It was a silent threat to him that she was going to make good on her threat.
She spun around and strode toward the box where her parents sat. It was custom for each warrior to show their respectto the chieftain and his mate. Her father and mother stood from their chairs, but it wasn’t them who she had eyes for.
It was Amuleta.
She was in the seat next to Dura. Magoza’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of her mate in the chieftain’s box. Only family and close friends or acquaintances were allowed to sit there. It wasn’t missed that Dura had Amuleta sitting directly next to her. It spoke volumes that her parents were accepting of Amuleta. Amuleta stood from her seat and came to stand next to her mother by the railing.
“Ranhos. Banhas.” Magoza bowed deeply then stood to her full height. She slammed her fist over her chest in respect of her clan’s leader.
Her parents returned the same action.
She threw back her head and shouted, “For Nidani!”
The Nidani Clan chanted their clan’s name. The sound was deafening. Magoza was proud of her clan and its history. One day it would be her sitting where her parents were. She could barely hear herself think. Amuleta leaned over the railing with something flowing in the wind from her hand. The crowd fell to a hush, and all eyes turned toward her.
“May you be brave and victorious,” Amuleta said.
She released what was in her hand. It floated in the air toward Magoza. She caught the ribbon and grinned. There was no doubt that her mate’s favor would bring her good luck.
“A favor from my fated mate? The gods have smiled down on this day. My victory is already claimed,” Magoza shouted.
Gasps went around as the crowd took in what she’d said.
Yes, she was going to claim her mate in front of all to see. There was no longer any need for whispers behind her back. She’d would scream it from the rooftops that her fated mate was Amuleta.
Magoza reached up and brought one of her braids forward and tied the ribbon around her hair. She ensured it was tight so as to not lose it when she fought. She gave Amuleta a nod, turning toward her opponent. She immediately dropped her hand down and snagged one of her axes from their sheath.
It was time to make this orc pay for his words. He was going to regret the day he’d boldly spoken about her mate.
The announcer was gone, and the word “fight” echoed through the air.
The orc grinned and pulled his broadsword from his back scabbard. His ugly grin spread across his face, and they advanced toward each other. It made no difference that he was half a foot taller than her. She had fought and brought down orcs bigger than him.
“I’m going to take great pleasure in filling that half-breed with my cock. Maybe I’ll even fill her belly with a babe,” he said.
Magoza ignored the taunts and rants that were shouted from the crowd about the half-breed. The audience was growing bolder and yelling their displeasure. She was sure her parents would keep her mate safe if things went south in the crowd.
A snarl ripped from Magoza. She reached for her other axe. The red haze from her rage fell down in place over her eyes. He was never going to touch her mate. After she took him down, no one would dare say anything else about Amuleta.
If they did, then she’d send them to Nogora where they could beg for forgiveness.
SIXTEEN
She triedto ignore the shouts and harsh words being thrown her way. Amuleta held her head high. Magoza and the warrior, Onyx, circled each other. She and everyone had heard his threat to her.
