Free The Rogue Knight by Brandon Mull Page A

It would be unfair. It’s better to keep it to myself.”
    â€œCome on,” Cole urged. “We’re friends now. You saved my life.”
    Lowering his head, Twitch vigorously rubbed the back of one wrist. After a long pause, he gave a shuddering sigh. “Do you know about the champions of Elloweer?”
    â€œIs that a sports team?”
    Twitch attempted a smile. “Every town in Elloweer has a champion. In the big cities, the champion has twelve knights. The champion rules the town, defends the town, and decides how the taxes are spent. In the larger towns, an alderman usually manages the practical stuff, while the champion lives in comfort unless fighting a duel.”
    â€œThe champion is like a general?” Cole asked.
    â€œA general has an army. The champion just has his knights. They serve as bodyguards and assistants. The cities of Elloweer have guardsmen to police the public, but they don’t fight wars with armies. By tradition, wars are decided by duels between champions.”
    â€œSeriously? If somebody kills the champion, they take over the town?”
    â€œBasically,” Twitch said. “It has to be a fair fight and follow the rules.”
    â€œThat’s crazy!” Cole exclaimed. “The leaders would just end up being the toughest fighters.” He pictured elections back home being resolved by mortal combat. How bizarre would that be? Candidates would probably be much younger and skip the fancy suits. “How often does the best fighter also make the best leader?”
    â€œThat’s why most of them use aldermen to run things,” Twitch said.
    â€œWho makes sure the fights follow the rules?”
    â€œThe knights,” Twitch replied. “If somebody killed the champion unfairly, like by poisoning him or stabbing him in the back, the champion’s successor would become the new champion instead of the killer.”
    â€œThe champion has a person ready to take his place?” Cole asked.
    â€œUsually several people. Normally, the successors are among his knights.”
    â€œThat means one of his knights could murder the champion and replace him.”
    â€œWhich is why the champion tries to make sure his knights are honorable warriors who he can trust.”
    â€œWhy would anybody want to be a champion?” Cole asked. “Sounds dangerous.”
    â€œIt is dangerous,” Twitch agreed. “But you rule the town. If you want, you can keep most of the taxes for yourself and your friends. Some great champions have claimed multiple cities, ruling through aldermen, and they live like kings.”
    â€œIf somebody kills one of the top champions, do they get all of their towns?” Cole asked.
    â€œOnly a champion can challenge a champion,” Twitch said. “And you can only challenge for one town at a time. If the defending champion falls, the new champion brings the disputed town under his protection, and the champion’s successor inherits the other towns.”
    â€œThey always fight to the death?” Cole said.
    â€œYeah,” Twitch replied. “Technically, the champion can yield instead of die, but it never happens. If a champion yields, the opponent doesn’t have to show mercy.”
    â€œDo these fights happen a lot?” Cole wondered.
    â€œNot often,” Twitch said. “Every champion risks his life and his town when he challenges another. Most are happy to rule their current domains. But some champions are greedy. Or ambitious. And sometimes disputes arise between cities that must be settled by the champions.”
    â€œInstead of war,” Cole said.
    â€œThe duel is the war,” Twitch replied.
    Cole considered the implications. “That seems less wasteful than a huge battle between two cities.”
    â€œThe losing city always suffers.” Twitch lowered his gaze. “Something I know a lot about.”
    â€œIs that what happened to your village?”