Tales Of The Legendary Scholar 8 The Battle Continues

"Hmm, I can swallow food but can't swallow me. But pride can. Am I right?" Theo said with ease.

Freidrech returned the smile and nodded. The n.o.bles and the students went into cheers.

"You're a worthy opponent, Freidrech," said Theo, shocking some of the n.o.bles to hear the prince addressing the boy informally, but the other princes' eyes glistened.

Seeing the ambitious youngest prince befriending this boy gave them a hint to investigate Freidrech's ident.i.ty.

"I'm honored, Your Highness. It's your turn," said Freidrech.

"Okay, ready Freidrech? Here's my second riddle. For now I must stay under the man who made me, but when he dies I'll be as powerful as he. They will watch and listen to what I say and some of their money to me they'll pay. Who am I?"

"Your Highness, are you talking about yourself, a prince?" replied Freidrech.

"Haha, great. Your turn," said Theo.

The commoners and soldiers made a loud noise. Some stomped their feet while the others whistled or shouted, "Yes."

Their support gave a relaxing mental ma.s.sage on Freidrech. He was also enjoying the prince's playfulness.

Freidrech thought it was time to use his hard riddles to win this battle.

"Be ready, your highness. From this riddle onward, the difficulty will go one step higher."

That declaration was a laughable one for Theo. Last night, he did an eleventh-hour study with the royal librarians. They brought out the hardest riddles they could find, and he memorized them one by one. What else was there which could be considered harder?

"Go ahead. Let me hear these difficult riddles of yours."

"Third riddle. The rich needs it, the poor have it. The foolish have it, the wise discard of it."

Theo went silent. Indeed, he had to admit this one was difficult. He had not read this one. Even if he did, he couldn't recall it at all.

'Not all rich people have everything but what else do they need that the poor have? And to think, the foolish has it but the wise chose to discard?

'Foolishness is what the wise discards but the rich do not need it. The poor might have it but no rich man needs foolishness?'

The crowd was also having a hard time coming up an answer on their own. Everyone was in deep contemplation.

The time was moving fast but Theo couldn't think of an answer. He had no choice but to give up on this one.

He looked straight at Freidrech, who gave a 'told you' smile at him.

'Man, he's really enjoying my frustration. I'll get you in my next riddle.'

"I pa.s.s. It's your win this time," said Theo solemnly but the playful smile was still there.

Ohs and Ahs echoed in the stadium. They couldn't believe the prince pa.s.sed. The commoners erupted with resounding shouts, cheering for their contender.

"One point for the guest," announced a man sitting beside the headmaster. The people on the lower bleachers' clapped out of politeness.

"Your turn then, Your Highness," Freidrech said.

"I'm at the beginning of time and part of the past, present, and future. I'm part of history, but not of here and now. In a moment you'll find me if you know what I am. What am I?"

At this moment, Freidrech became serious as well. That riddle was new to him. He had been studying riddles since young for enjoyment with the village people or to win a plate of his favorite food from the owner of a tavern. Some customers also enjoyed such games and gambled. He even won a few coins for himself.

However, this one was absolutely hard for him.

"The prince is wise for choosing such riddle. I pa.s.s as well."

"One point each," said the scorer.

"Waaa!!" The crowd dried and followed by loud applause. The excitement grew. Who would win?

"Oh, I never expected that but I'm glad." Theo waved his hand to Freidrech a cue that it was his turn. Somehow, deep inside, he sighed in relief. He thought he would constantly lose.

"Fourth riddle. It is worth a life but also cheap. It has freedom but enslaved," said Freidrech.

'Come on, another hard one? Can you give me some slack?' thought Theo, but his face gave a slight smile. He lowered his head to cover his irritation.

"Pa.s.s," Theo said to hasten the pace, hoping he could answer the following riddles.

"Two for the guest, one for the prince," said the scorer.

"I look east and I couldn't find it. I look west and there it is. What is it?" asked Theo.

Freidrech smiled, enjoying knowing the prince was not that easy to topple. This was the first for him for not having a winning streak.

"I admit, this one is tough. Your point, Your Highness."

The pro-Theo cheered aloud.

The scorer was also happy for the prince. "Yes, the prince also got two points," he said enthusiastically.

"I have seas with no waters, coasts with no sand, towns without people and mountains with no land," said Freidrech.

Theo smiled. "That is a map."

Freidrech nodded.

"Guest, two points. Prince, three points."

'This can't be happening,' thought Freidrech but his mouth said another thing. "Congratulations, Your Highness."

Gasping resonated from the commoner's side. Cheers from the pro-Theo side.

"What is as light as a feather, but even the world's strongest man couldn't hold it more than a minute?" Theo was on the roll. He couldn't wait for more, and he needed to win this.

"Your breath," said Freidrech. Happy to get another point.

"Both, three points."

"My sixth riddle. I began walking and completed a downward path in six steps but every step took me longer than you would think. Afterward, I walked another curve but upward this time and, the same way, it only took me another six steps but how much further I walk, I'll always go back to where I began. What am I?"

'Whaaat?' thought Theo. 'Give me a break.' But his face was unperturbed. "You've really prepared yourself for this. Or perhaps, is the battle of riddles common in your village?"

"Probably, probably not," said Freidrech with a sly smile.

"Anyway, I pa.s.s again." Theo's anxiousness rose higher. The cheers from the lower seats paused but those at the top became louder.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Don't thank me. It's not I'm skipping in purpose." Theo's voice had a slight sign of irritation.

"I apologize. Your turn, my prince."

While they were talking, the scorer looked at them back and forth, waiting for them to pause for him.

When they'd settled the scorer hurriedly spoke, "Guest, four points. Prince, three points," and wiped his head from perspiration.

The n.o.bles and students began to consider Fredrech's background.

"Is he really a peasant? He seems educated."

"His manner of speaking and the way he carried himself are quite the opposite of what the rumor said."

More favorable murmurings in the background.

"I can bring tears to your eyes and a smile on your face. I form in an instant and last for a lifetime, but I can be forgotten. What am I?"

"Ah, memory." Freidrech lowered his head and clenched his fist. The riddle's wordings brought back the tragic incident months ago. He tried to hold back the tears and from shouting his pain. He breathed deep to ease his tensed muscles.

Theo and the rest who knew Freidrech's background felt his pain as they saw his reaction. It shamed Theo for his insensitivity.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to…," said Theo as he was about to move forward but Freidrech looked up and smiled.

"I'm fine, Your Highness."

"Guest, five points. Prince, three points."