Free The Four Kings by Scott Spotson Page B

Educación (Mexico’s National Union of Education Workers). To be sure, about ninety percent of the respondents were still opposed to the Liberators’ claim to power, but they were playing their bets for now. They just didn’t want to end up on the “wrong side of history.”
    “Wizards know,” Regi said. “Based upon experience.” He thought some more, trying to conceptualize when he intimately knew. It was like someone who had skied for years, starting instinctively as a child, trying to teach someone how to ski. “Well,” he said, “for example, in Level One, you’re basically alone. You can’t conjure up dragons or anything to help you. That’s only for Level Three or above.”
    “Dragons?” Amanda asked, full of intrigue. “Don’t you get hurt?”
    Regi laughed. “Yes, if you sprain yourself. But not from the magic itself. There’s always a force field surrounding you during the duel.”
    “So wizards can never die?” Amanda asked, before mentally kicking herself for asking a very personal question in front of millions of viewers.
    Regi seemed taken aback. “No. Wizards can never die during the games.”
    Amanda became aware of the dozens of huge screens surrounding them, as well as the alert eyes of dozens of wizards watching the foursome. She shook off her thoughts. “Thank you so much, Regi. I’d love to watch the duels.”
    Regi took a mock bow. “You pick the match-up, comrade.”
    Amanda hesitated. “Um. You – and…” She looked around. “Justica.”
    The wizards all groaned. “Oh, boy, Justica’s gonna whip him,” said Demus, grinning.
    Amanda gazed at Regi. “Is she that good?”
    Regi nodded calmly. “She’s one of the better ones.”
    “First round,” Demus shouted out. “Regi versus Justica. Step up.”
    Both Regi and Justica materialized in the middle of the challenge field, onto the marble floor. They were standing stiffly, one foot apart, facing each other. They took two steps backwards, and then bowed at the same time.
    “Level One setting,” Demus said, “Indie will be the referee until Amanda learns the ropes.”
    Regi disappeared, and instantly appeared five feet to his left. But Justica was ready. She conjured up a blast of fire into the direction where she anticipated Regi would appear. She was dead on. As soon as Regi appeared, a ball of fire surrounded his head. But he was unhurt.
    “Two points for Justica,” Indie yelled. A scorecard magically appeared in the sky above them, indicating “Justica 2, Regi 0.”
    The ball of fire disappeared. Regi did a somersault into Justica’s direction, and wrapped his legs around her neck while still in mid-air. Astonished by the unexpected move, Justica tumbled and landed on the floor, unhurt.
    “Bravo!” Demus cried, clearly impressed. “Excellent move!”
    “Three points for Regi,” Indie said. The scorecard now read: Justica 2, Regi 3.
    Amanda found herself intently focused on the match. It was so elegant . She hated wrestling matches, either the Olympic-inspired kind or the carnival-like kind. The usual wrestling contests on Earth seemed so raw and sweaty. Bodies squirming together in a bunch of headlocks, really. But these were different. The wizards could actually approach each other from considerable distances, adding an element of excitement to the competition. More strategizing was required, in order to figure out the opponent’s next moves. It was a guessing game.
    She couldn’t figure out whom to root for – Regi or Justica. She was thrilled a woman was doing well, but she found herself attracted to Regi’s muscular body. He didn’t possess sinewy muscles that bulged out. Rather, he was of the stocky type, fit and all toned up. To her, he possessed raw sexual appeal. He towered over the slim and short Justica, which was why Amanda was relieved that it wasn’t a battle of muscle. Rather, it was a battle of wits and lightning speed. Amanda decided not to take sides – it was too difficult to