Call of the Champion and Eldest Bet

[kippurbird]

A scene from Call of the Champion, cut for your convenience.




As usual, Alec and Jono walked into the large courtyard that connected the five buildings of the University for lunch. Jono insisted that they have lunch together every day. In the beginning Jono had to scare away other children from wanting to have lunch with Alec, but by now they all knew not to bother them. Sometimes Alec wished that Jono would let him be with some of the other children, but Jono insisted that they were friends and this is what friends did. Their usual spot was on a low wall that surrounded a tall tree that was too thin to climb on, but gave plenty of shade from the hot sun.

"Where were you yesterday?" Jono asked.

Alec grasped around in his lunch bag for a moment before answering, "I wasn't feeling well."

"You should have told me."

"I didn't know I was going to be out," Alec said with an annoyed sigh. He pulled out a sandwich, checking the contents.

"What sort of sandwich do you have?"

"Cheese."

"Again?" Jono sniffed. "I've got..." and he looked at his own sandwich. "... cheese."

Alec stifled a laugh, before biting into his sandwich.

They ate in silence for a bit before Jono asked, "What was wrong with you?"

Here, Alec hesitated for a moment, thinking over his answer. For here was an opportunity to show up Jono. As the years had gone by, Jono has consistently rated top in their classes, and Alec still slightly above average. Perhaps fifth or sixth. Which was still good, but, as Jono constantly reminded him, not as good as him. But, Jono wasn't an empath. And this was something he could talk about, unlike his elemental talent. A secret that still burned to be told every time Jono boasted about his abilities. His mother constantly told him how proud she was of him not telling despite this urge. Praise aside, he wanted to tell Jono. While the empathy wasn't as good as the elemental talent, it was still something. So with a bit of smugness in his voice he said, "I'm an empath."

This, much to Alec's delight, took Jono completely off guard and he saw pure surprise on his face for a brief instant. It vanished all too soon. And then his delight got crushed as Jono said, Well, I'm a telapath, right into Alec's mind.



Also, I got Eldest, so we're going to head into the final stretch. If we last recall the battle is going to take place in a field filled with noxious fumes. I'll bet anyone a drabble that the noxious fumes won't effect anyone's ability to function or even get any major mention again.

Comments

[-youngblood-.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to take that bet. The odds are way too bad. ;)

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Awww.... :D

[karma-kalisutah.livejournal.com]

I bet that they show up for an impressive pyrotechnic display, but have no ill effects on the warriors (except maybe by making a few Urgals go boom.)

[berseker.livejournal.com]

Nahh, probably not even that...

[karma-kalisutah.livejournal.com]

You do remember the giant jewel shattering during the final battle of the first book, right? Paolini likes flashy things.

[berseker.livejournal.com]

Oh, right! I forgot about that.

So we´ll probably have some special effects here, yes.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Okay.

[thelittlebudgie.livejournal.com]

You know, I really can't remember what happens with the flames, and I'm feeling both mildly lucky and bored. I'll bet it affects some of the orc-ripoffs, and maybe an offhand mention or two.

Cute snippet. I'm guessing this is from near the beginning?

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this is from the end of chapter four. Alec is seven.

[frodo-harry.livejournal.com]

Allec is cute. I just want to hug him and tell him that he is special no matter what *runs away form a very protective Dragon. I am not even tasty*

Your writing sounds very professional and I hope you get published soon so more people can read Allec's story.

[reverie-shadow.livejournal.com]

I am not even tasty

That's what they all say!

Jono strikes me as someone being very overly...protective...? Or something along the lines of that. "Where were you? Why were you late? What were you doing? Why don't you hang out with me?"

Telepaths and empaths for the win!

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Jono and Alec have an interesting relationship; it's an important focus through out the book. I wouldn't say protective more like possessive.

[reverie-shadow.livejournal.com]

Possessive! That's the word I was looking for anyway. I knew "protective" didn't seem right to me.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Hah. Yes, Jono is extremely possessive. He like Alec for some reason. I think because he can push him around.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Fortunately for you, Verra doesn't know Alec when he's seven.

And yes, I'm working on getting it published, hopefully soon.