Chapter 40 Climbing For Glory
Neville flattened himself against his mare’s neck, his gaze pinned to Alexander’s back. He had always believed his skill with bow and saddle was imrivalled among boys their age, and he had entered today’s war games determined to seize the pennant and bask in the applause.
Inside him, frustration boiled. Why? How could Alexander appear out of nowhere and steal my spotlight This race is meant for me. I should be the first to reach Skyreach Tower, the one the crowd cheers for, not him.
He clenched his teeth and spurred his horse harder, yet every stride seemed to leave him no closer to Alexander.
Alexander wheeled to a halt at the base of the tower, vaulted from the saddle, and started up the timbers with the speed of a mountain cat. By the time Neville and the others arrived, he was already hauling himself onto the first platform, leaving the rest to swarm after him in a frantic knot.
Climbing rules allowed contestants to grapple or shove their rivals, so Alexander, perched in the lead, instantly became every squad’s target. Hands shot up from below, clawing at his boots.
Fortunately, his teammates formed a living shield, kicking away most challengers until only a handful of the strongest slipped through the net and scrambled after him.
Alexander felt a tug at his ankle. Glancing down, he recognized Neville and laughed. “I was wondering when I’d get the chance to knock you around,” he drawled, “and here you are, saving me the trouble.”
The man who had yanked Alexander back was Neville. Gasping for breath, Neville glared like a vengeful spirit, the whites of his eyes burning with raw resentment.
Neville bared his teeth in a vicious grin.
“In a trial of arms, rank and life both count for nothing. This tower stands a hundred feet tall. Should you meet an ‘accident‘ up here, the Gates family will not lift a finger.”
Alexander let out a scornful laugh and suddenly pointed below. “They’re right behind you!”
Neville blinked, instinctively glancing downward.
The moment he realized Alexander had tricked him, a fist cut through the air and crashed into his cheek with a savage thud. Howling in pain, Neville threw up his arms to ward off the next blow.
From the stands, someone shouted, “They’re fighting!” The cry rolled through the spectators like a wave of
excitement.
Sadie fixed her gaze on Alexander, twisting the silk handkerchief until her knuckles whitened.
A strange worry stirred inside her.
She had wanted him to seize the prize, to steal Neville’s fortune, to avenge her grievances.
Yet, as she watched him duel so high above the ground, her very first thought was a quiet plea. Ple come down unharmed.
Only then did she realize she had come to see Alexander as the brother she never had.
From farther along the railing, Daisy called out in a syrupy voice, “Neville, defeat him and claim the championship! We await your triumph!”
let him
Chapter 40 Climbing For Story
Oliver drifted up beside Sadie and gave a mocking laugh.
“Sadie, people like you–always siding with outsiders—could never understand the bond we share with Daisy. You crave status and power, so you’re praying for Alexander to win, aren’t you?”
Sadie answered, “You’re wrong.”
Oliver arched a brow. “Oh? Then tell me. Where am I wrong?”
“I never wished for his victory; I only wish for his safety.”
Oliver’s mouth snapped shut; for a heartbeat, he had no reply.
He turned back to the arena.
Skyreach Tower stabbed a hundred feet into the air. As Neville and Alexander brawled their way upward, the crowd marveled at every exchange, oblivious to the lethal drop at their heels.
One slip could shatter every bone; a true fall would mean instant death.
Oliver swallowed. Hearing Daisy still squeal, “Hit him. Climb faster!” he felt a knot of emotions he could not
name.
Before Oliver could sort it out, Zephyr rose from his seat.
Poised on the brink of the grandstand, the scarlet–robed heir streaked into the arena like a gale, too swift for the eye to follow.
Gregory gave a startled cry, “Commander Gates, what are you doing? Do you mean to help your brother cheat in front of us all?”
Other officials sprang to their feet, staring after him in bafflement.
Oliver jerked his fists tight, anger burning in his voice. “Trying to rig the trial, Commander Gates?” Sadie’s round eyes constricted. “It isn’t cheating,” she whispered, every syllable trembling. “It’s the tower…” The main mast that kept the tower upright had cracked somewhere deep inside.
The hundred–foot structure shuddered; as more boys scrambled upward, the whole frame began to list like a dying giant.
This never happened in my last life. Panic slammed into Sadie, her heartbeat punching hard against her throat. She gathered her skirts, vaulted the rail, and landed inside the cordon.
Her young voice cut through the chaos. “Alex, get down now!”
The slower climbers were lucky; while the tower still held, they flung themselves clear and tumbled to safety.
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