The Champion

By Ellie Clement

The last chance for the kingdom of Noring lies in the hands of their prince. The only problem is that Prince Nathaniel is no warrior. Nonetheless, he seeks out someone who can save his people, the Champion. To find the Champion, he first needs to find the armor. Can he and his unlikely team members find the armor and save the kingdom before it is too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889605027

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The Champion

Ellie Clement

Copyright © 2023 Ellie Clement

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88960-496-9 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88960-502-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

About the Author

Dedicated to Nesquick, my companion that was with me every step of the way from the rough draft to publishing. Thank you for your service.

Chapter 1

Fleeing

The young prince woke from a dream-filled sleep to a nightmare.

He pushed away from the hand of his counselor while pulling the covers back up. It is not even sunrise, Fredrick. Go back to sleep.

Sire! he cried, ripping away the covers once again. You must wake and leave at once!

Why must I leave? This was not what the prince thought he was going to say. He rolled over, giving his counselor a look.

A surprise attack on pirates has led the castle to be seized. He then ran over to the prince's wardrobe, where he took out his traveling clothes. You must escape before it is too late.

But I must fight along with my father to swarm them off! he protested. He jumped out of bed and stood in front of his counselor while placing his gray-and-blue armor on and pulling on his tall black boots.

I know you want to help, but you must leave and get help. Even now, I know we are no match for those dread pirates. This is a battle we cannot win.

But I cannot just leave my people here. I am their prince!

Nathaniel! he shouted, eyeing him seriously. Look out that window and tell me what you see.

He turned, seeing the dozens of ships on the harbor and seeing that already a mob of pirates were invading the kingdom. But you have trained me for years, my trusty counselor. You have trained me for times like these!

You are not ready yet, he explained while putting the chest piece of armor over the prince's head. Now then, run to the stables and get on your horse and flee. You have to find someone who will help.

But who?

That I do not know, but I have full confidence you that you will seek out someone who will help us.

Prince Nate bit the bottom of his lip, knowing that arguing any further would not help the situation. He nodded to Fredrick then ran to the door, only pausing once to turn to his counselor. Will I ever see you again?

Fredrick's back stiffened, and he frowned. I wish I knew the answer, but all I can do is hope.

Nate turned, then ran down the hallway toward the main stairs. A glass-shattering scream cut through the air when he was down to the main floor, alerting him that the pirates were close. Following the cry, there was a crashing of the front door. In a flash, the pirates came hurtling in, spotting him momentarily.

His feet leaped back up the steps to the floor that had another staircase to the stables, but before he could make it there, a pirate crashed through the window, blocking his escape. He ran into the nearest room and locked the door. He climbed out the window and entered the adjacent room, where he found one of his sisters barring the door. She about threw one of the planks of wood when she saw his shadow but stopped midswing when she saw his face.

Nate! What are you doing? Don't you know that pirates are breaking in?

Come on! he urged, stepping outside again.

You have got to be kidding me.

Do you want to be captured by the pirates?

She joined him quickly outside, and together they inched along the wall before finding a window unlocked and unoccupied by pirates. Once inside, they barred the door with wood that was always supplied for emergencies.

They cannot get in, but we are stuck in here! his sister exclaimed. What now?

The back door! He pulled her along down the corridor until they were once again trapped. I thought the panic room was this way.

Nate!

This voice came from his other sister, who was in the bed of the room they were now standing in. She was curled up, shivering and crying.

He rushed to the bed and scooped her up in his arms. Together the three ran back to the location of the panic room that had never been used until now. The rest of the siblings had safely found their way to the room, and one by one, they went into the safe room hidden underneath a few loose floorboards.

Is everyone here? he asked while counting heads. Good, everyone is counted for. Now then, do not leave this spot or make a sound till Fredrick comes to fetch you, you hear?

Are you not coming, brother? his twin sister asked while taking the youngest from his arms.

Someone has to go find help, but I will come back. I promise.

She scrunched her eyebrows together, then she took a piece of paper from her journal, scribbled something on it, then tore the paper out. She pressed the note into his hand and said, This is risky, but it's our only hope. You are our last hope, Nate.

He gave her the best smile he could, then closed the lid of the panic room. Once it wasn't blocked, he ran to the staircase and made it safely to the stables without encountering any pirates. There his steed was prepared and ready to ride.

He mounted his horse and rode down the arched tunnel that led straight out of the kingdom, but he saw a silhouette of a pirate awaiting him at the end of the tunnel. He yanked back on the reins to slow the steed, but it just kept running.

Move out of the way! Nate warned.

The pirate didn't move.

When they approached the pirate, the white steed sprang at him, running him over and safely passing by. The pirate fell with a bang!

Nate panted deeply as he glanced back at his kingdom one last time. The pirates would soon successfully overthrow the kingdom of Noring, and he could already see the flames building up high over the city walls.

Without seeing anyone else safely escape, he knew now he really was his kingdom's last chance.

Chapter 2

Train Ride

When his eyes opened, he noticed it was now morning. He found himself lying on the grass by a dirt road, and his horse was nearby nibbling on the lush green grass. Besides his horse's loud eating, all else was quiet.

When the sleepy prince finally came into focus, he realized he was right where he needed to be. Near where he lay was a basic wooden platform with a few benches where other weary travelers waited for the train. He took a seat on one of the unoccupied seats but soon found out why it was not taken yet.

By his side, a beady-eyed fox stared him down. All he did was stare. For multiple minutes, he just kept staring.

Will you quit that? Nate mumbled while he began swatting the creature away.

I am someone too, pal, the fox snapped back while standing up on its hind legs.

Nate jumped when it spoke. Had he imagined it? It was impossible!

Now look who is doing the staring? the fox huffed. And please close your mouth. You are not a cow.

Ruuude, mooed a cow that sat not too far away from them.

Sorry, ma'am, apologized the fox. The fox gave Nate a smug look while Nate continued to gape at the talking cow. I guess that the great prince Nathaniel doesn't get out much, huh?

Nate shook his head while forcing a confused expression. You must be confusing me with someone else…

Don't even try lying, Your Royal Highness. I could recognize that spoiled prince face anywhere.

I wouldn't label myself as spoiled, he scoffed.

Not everyone came offered fancy hair gel and nice clothes. You think everyone can have shiny golden hair like yours?

I would say it is more of a dirty blond.

I am not trying to argue about hair! the fox growled. The point is, while you live in the lap of luxury, people are suffering just to keep their families together. Did you know that some people cannot even afford keeping all their children? They have to send them off to places such as the Land of Forgotten just because they can't afford food.

That isn't even funny to joke around with, fox!

I ain't joking, kid!

Nate was stunned. He didn't say a word. He faced forward, trying to make sense of it all.

Your father, the king, the fox said with a much cooler tone, he is a good man and does what he can to protect his people, but outside the kingdom walls, a whole other world is living in fear and hiding. Luckily the wickedness of the world hasn't reached there yet. That's where I am headed now.

You might need to make a rain check on that.

Why?

Nate bit his bottom lip, trying to think of what to say. I hate to break it to you, but Noring was attacked by pirates last night.

The fox blinked slowly. Huh. That's all he said. He was now in shock too. After a while, he asked, So what do you plan on doing?

Try to find help.

You are going to try to save your whole kingdom from pirates? You know pirates are like…bad news, right?

Yeah. I still want to try to find a way to defeat them. You have any ideas?

He opened his mouth to reply but ended up shrugging.

Nate then took out the piece of paper that his sister had given him. He handed it to the fox while saying, Do you know what this means?

The fox took it, then began laughing. This says ‘the Champion.'

Who's that?

It's an old legend about a single man who can bring nations together to defeat entire armies. His armor is the strongest when he stays true to it, and his sword can cut through mountains and slay the toughest of monsters. But of course, it is all made up.

My sister would not have given this to me if it was a make-believe story. Do you know where I can find him?

Just then the run-down train arrived, wobbling along the tracks that was run on horsepower. It was more like a long wagon than a train.

Nate stepped out to the train, holding the reins of his horse close to him. No turning back from here.

Chapter 3

Town of the Forgotten

Just a few hours into the trip, they had gone from the beautiful greenery landscape to what now looked like a province graveyard. Mist poured into from who knows where, and thundering storm clouds gathered overhead. The air stank and was humid, making it quite unbearable.

In the near distance, the weary travelers heard screaming and cries from inside of what remained of a wall. Many craters dented the wall made up of leftover buildings of both wood and stone. There were multiple ways to get in from the monstrous holes provided, and no guards stood by to survey the entrances.

Once inside the walls, the travelers soon found that the inside appeared much worse than the outside. People were roaming the streets and were either fighting or stealing or screaming at people that were fighting and stealing from them. No one stopped the bad deeds for everyone was doing the same thing. On every corner of the broken-down town, there was evil laughter and bad deeds left and right.

Of what were left of buildings, spare parts such as metal, wood planks, mud, and ropes were substituted to keep the building standing up. There were multiple levels of the city. There were sewages, dark alleyways, rooftops, and bridges going in a maze like form around.

The streets were crammed, with everyone walking every direction, and the prince about lost his horse a few times just trying to cross the street. Even more crowded than the streets were the saloons, bars, and taverns, where angry shouts, laughing, and explosions erupted. Every window of every building was broken due to people being thrown out of them. Across the tables of the taverns were piles of food that the people devoured like animals.

He jumped back when a little boy leaped from the platform above him and now was right before him. The little boy gave him a toothy grin, then mugged an old man.

There were no rules here, no stopping anybody, and the outrage and explosions lived up to the town's name.

But it was not just the crowded destruction that was wretched. The clothing was gruesome as well.

There were no color schemes at all like most suitable kingdoms, and every piece of clothing was ragged, ripped, and stolen. Most of the clothing colors were dried-out brown, grays, and yellow, with a few outstanding colors of red or blue and green. And the people underneath the clothes were worse than the smell that was unbearable to breathe in. Everyone had dirty faces, in need of doctors and dentist. There were creatures of all kinds either on all fours or walking like humans but hunched over.

In all the ruins of the town, Nate stood out with his fine clothing and put-together manner.

I need to blend in, he whispered to himself. In no time at all, he had found a load of clothes abandoned—a long faded blue shirt, a dirty old brown vest, a handy belt, a green scarf—and he kept his boots, pants, and armbands. He messed his short dirty blond hair and spread some mud on his face.

Surprisingly, he said while looking at his reflection in a large puddle. I do not look too bad. He returned to the street, looking over people's heads to get a better view. A few people bumped by him as he tried to see if there were any clues for his next destination.

Well, as long as I have my pouch of coins, I don't have to… He patted his pocket where his money pouch would usually be, but now it was gone! He frantically searched around to see if he had dropped it in the alleyway, but when he looked up over the crowd again, he locked eyes with the thief.

A girl with brilliant purple-and-pink hair watched him carefully through her misty green eyes and smirked before blending in with the crowd.

He sped off after her, determined to get back the only money he had for his quest.

He sprinted faster than he had ever had and even jumped down a few levels, slid down ramps, and did a few hurdles to get by obstacles. After getting into the open, he had lost her, and he was drenched in sweat. He made a slow turn to scan the area, but the only thing he saw was a metal pole that met his face with a hard slap.

He began blacking out as he lay on the dirt floor, holding his head. He saw the girl with the wild hair stand over him, smiling at her victory. She bent over him, and in a mocking voice, she whispered, You sure are cute but just aren't fast enough. She hit him again, putting him into a temporary coma.

He woke in a cold sweat and took a gulp of the cold morning air. He had been out for the rest of the day, and the place seemed deserted.

He began looking around but knew that the girl could be anywhere by now. He kicked a crate in the middle of the road out of anger but ended up stubbing his toe. He held his foot and bounced around. OW! he yelped. He glanced over at his horse, who was laughing at the sight of him. Go ahead and laugh.

Oh, I am, the horse laughed.

AHHH! Nate shouted as he stumbled back, forgetting all about his foot. You can speak?

Yes, Prince Nathaniel. It's just unnatural back in Noring, so I did not do it so you would not…do what you just did and—

STOP! he shouted. Stop talking! This is just a hallucination from a concussion.

No, it is not.

Yes, it is.

NO, it is not. You will just have to get used to it.

Nate stood up, his eyes still wide with wonder of his speaking horse. Are you sure this is actually happening?

You just got beat up by a girl. This is not the first craziest thing that has happened to you since we left Noring.

He shrugged, then took his horse's reins. We better find somewhere safe to hide for now until I find that girl. And I will. And while we are at it, we can look for any clues of that Champion.

Chapter 4

Sleuthing

The girl with wild purple hair and shabby blended green-and-brown clothes sat down at the seat of her favorite tavern and ordered a drink that would usually be illegal, being underaged, but here it was fine.

Scram, kid, the bartender barked. I know you. Your purple hair stands out in a place like this. And I know you don't have any money.

She put the prince's money pouch on the counter and raised an eyebrow at him.

How did you… he started.

No questions asked, and you get paid.

He shrugged then began making her a drink. He set it down in front of her once he was finished and started on the next customer. The girl rubbed her face then pulled her hair back into a ponytail before diving into the steaming drink. As she chugged it down, something hit her, and she fell to the floor.

Nate glanced up at the unfazed bartender, who looked like this was something that happened often. Nate grabbed his money pouch off the counter then took up the girl on his shoulder. He nodded to the bartender then walked off.

*****

The girl regained consciousness and found herself staring into the blue eyes of the prince. She struggled against her rope bindings as she found what kind of situation she was in. Where am I? Who are you?

Nate backed up, smiling at his fine work of tying her up. I didn't know just how powerful a slug like that would knock you out. I got all my shopping done while you were out.

If you are done here, then why are you still here and why am I tied up?

You stole my money pouch yesterday.

Her eyebrows narrowed with her eyes, and her lips formed a tight line. Look here, mister, I steal dozens of pouches a day. Now release me at once!

Not until you tell me where my money is. He held up his half-empty money pouch, and a look in her eye indicated she remembered who he was. This was full yesterday, and now there is barely anything here. Where is the rest of it?

Oh yeah, she said as she stopped struggling. I do remember your pretty face.

Just tell me where my money is!

I don't know where it is. With a gig like that, I did a little shopping myself.

Then you owe me!

Not budging.

He bit his lip then leaned close and pointed his finger in front of her face. Look, missy, I need that money for good intentions. I cannot save Noring without it.

So another city is taken over, what about it? There is plenty of room for unwanted people here. Why do you think we are all here?

Don't try to make me feel sorry for you!

Was I?

A little, he admitted.

She gave a puppy-dog look. Aw, he has feelings too.

Look! he exclaimed, getting back on track. My family is being held back there, and this map, he said, holding out a map he had traded a large amount of coins and his fancy clothes for at a museum-like store, this map is going to help save them, and I need that money so I can survive the whole way. So give it back or else.

Or else what, Prince Charming?

*****

GET ME OUT OF HERE! she exclaimed. You are utterly insane! She glanced around, seeing people around her laughing and having no intention of helping her out, which wasn't shocking.

Nate stood on a platform beside her, holding the ropes that held her up on a pulley. She was dangling over the lake's edge, where wild alligators snapped at her, ready to be fed.

You are a monster! she shouted at him.

He held tight to the ropes and gave her a cheeky grin. Well, girly, I've seen worse here, and this isn't illegal, so we can be here all day long. But I would hurry if I were you because my hands will eventually get tired.

You're a maniac! Once I get my hands around your neck, you're a dead man!

He just smiled.

How will you get me if I am dead, huh? You're a famous burglar here? I bet if I handed you over to someone here, they would reward me fairly.

Oh you!

What? He laughed. I am a fast learner.

She squirmed while scrunching her face together in a tight snarl. She eventually let out a sigh then gave in. Okay, fine you win this time, but come face-to-face with me again and I'm going to give it to you!

Sure, sure, he mumbled while pulling her up. And by giving it to me, I hope you mean my money. Once he got her down, she slapped him and tried to get away, but he saw it coming and luckily didn't untie her all the way from her ropes. He got her up on his shoulder and glared back at her. That wasn't nice.

Will you put me down! she screamed.

You will just run away, so no.

Aw. She snickered. Why on earth would I want to run away from such a caring, sweet guy like you?

I have a feeling you are into me.

In your dreams, lover boy.

Look, I will only put you down if you show me where my money is. And if you do run away, you know that I can find you again? It is pretty easy to find someone so hated like the girl with purple hair.

Guess you have a point. Fine. She got down and led him through a few alleyways and down to the lowest floor where steam filled the air and a stench filled their noses.

What's that smell? he asked through a gag.

I find it best not to question it. She led him down another alleyway through a wall of pipes until they reached a small pod where blankets and trinkets scattered the floors and walls.

Before she walked in, she gave him puppy-dog eyes and frowned deeply. You, a noble man, are going to make me, a poor girl, return money that will pay for a few meals that will keep up my strength to live?

Nice try, but you cannot fool me. I know you were just going to spend all that money on drinks. That's how I found you, spending my money for a useless drink.

Actually, I was going to save some of it to get my way out of here, she grumbled while looking around for her coin jar. No one deserves to live here. She found the jar and hesitated twice before pulling out the coins and returning them to him.

But if you could leave, he asked as she dropped the coins in his hand. Then why are you still… he trailed off, remembering what the fox had told him about what happened to people that were abandoned to fend for themselves.

She eyed him suspiciously as she asked, What?

Wait, you were serious about being an orphan?

"I can