Cairee grinned and jumped to her feet. "I know this one! Come on, let's dance." She held out her hand to Dounia, who made a face. "You'll love it. You get to kick things!" She grabbed the thief's hand and pulled her to the dance floor.
Dounia instinctively resisted until Cairee said the magic words - "kick things". Dounia allowed herself to be pulled onto the dance floor, saying, "Well, that does sound pretty good."
Seeing Tymythy heading over to Zahra, Dounia grinned and said, "Okay, we're definitely beating them, right?"
She started to wonder why Cyra had never taught her this dance, then mentally shied away from the thought. No thoughts of her sister (or was that "sister"?) tonight. Tonight, she kicked!
The dance part itself wasn't that complicated, and Cairee was a surprisingly good lead. Dounia did her best to follow, as she paid attention to both Cairee's signals, and the other dancers.
Once the curly redheaded cleric had led her down the line and into range of the purse, she held her plump body stiffly, making a firm anchor for Dounia to launch herself from. For a moment she was worried she'd pull Cairee down, but the cleric stood firm and true, and Dounia's foot connected with the little purse, making a satisfying thwap sound. It was too easy, but she suspected it was about to get harder.
Zahra listened to Prem share about himself and responded, "Your parents are wise. Seeing how you've worked on our behalf here, I have no doubt that you will excel as an ambassador's advisor. Anyone would be lucky to have you."
The dance ended and Prem led her to the edge where Tymythy was waiting. Before letting him take his leave, Zahra looked at him in all seriousness and said, "Be careful. I may have made you a target by my actions. That man may not retaliate against me but I wouldn't be surprised if he turns his focus to you."
THE BYGDYDANS!"
Zahra turned her head towards the shout and then saw the swarm of younger dancers streaming onto the floor. She turned back towards Prem and gave him a departing smile and curtsy. "I enjoyed myself. Thank you for the dance."
The premise of the new dance looked similar to something she had seen before but she hadn't recognized the name that the musician had called out. It seemed like some sort of mix between a dance and a challenge but had no doubt that it would be fun.
”Shall we show those two how to do this thing I have no real idea how to do?”
Zahra laughed and grabbed Tymythy's hand to move onto the floor. "We will figure it out together, have fun doing it, and definitely give our teammates a proper challenge!"
Even though Tymythy didn't need much help from her, Zahra made sure she was a solid support for him to launch himself off of as he kicked the purse.
Two lines of couples formed ten couples to the right and ten to the left. They began to perform athletic dance moves involving deep knee bends, partner lifts, swinging their partner off the floor in a twirl. The moves cascaded down the lines. As they danced the two lines wove through each other, making it difficult not to get in the way of another couple.
One couple stumbled and fell out of line. Luckily they were close to the back and didn't foul much of the procession. Three other couples missed the purse, held at about six feet so that one had to kick over their head or do a little foot tall jump.
Tymythy learned quickly, perhaps a little too focused on watching. With Zahra's indefatigable spirit, however, only a trained dancer would tell they weren't practiced at the dance. When it came time Zahra kept pace with Tymythy's momentum and he almost overshot the kick. His toe made a satisfying pap on the side of the purse.
Cairee and Dounia had an easy way of communicating with each other but it was a language only they understood. Their mimicked dance moves were similar enough to get through. When they got to the staff the over-exuberant Dounia nearly overshot the mark.
All of the dancers continued their cavorting until they reformed their lines for another run. They tried to ensure the kick didn't stop their continual dancing - but a few dancers showed signs of getting tired.
follower
kicker
Dounia was smiling widely as she and Cairee spun and danced through the other pairs. Cairee did a great job of guiding them, and Dounia couldn't help being impressed. "Wow! Not bad for a holy woman," Dounia complimented her, teasing. Then she nearly caught her foot on another dancer's, and she shut her mouth to concentrate on the dance.
The purse was higher this time, but she knew she could rely on Cairee to anchor her, so she jumped with both feet, twisting her lower body so she could execute a fancy kick, then twist back and land on both feet together. "Beat that, Stywyrt-son!" she called out with a laugh.
Cairee dove into the first round with gusto, glad for the distraction. But while all of the walking she'd done in the last few weeks had made her strong, it had not made her nimble. The lifts and lunges pulled at her stiff and tired muscles. I should've stretched first, she thought as they made it into the second round. She was red in the face and huffing to keep up with her spry friend. When it was their turn at the purse, the cleric got out of Dounia's way, fearing any 'help' she offered would only trip her up.
The dance proofed as exhilarating as it was exhausting – their bout in the challenge hadn’t been long, but it had taxed them mentally and physically. But while he found himself getting tired he still moved lightly, whirling around the other pair with Zahra firmly held in his arms, growing bold enough on this second round to add some unnecessary flourishes into the dance, blatantly ignoring the established moves the other dancers followed but managing to elaborate something that still fit the tune and the style, doing his best to make Zahra, not himself, the centrepiece of the performance, even though he was the one leading them on.
"Beat that, Stywyrt-son!" she called out with a laugh.
Grinning at the playful challenge, he did his best to comply, whispering for Zahra to brace herself and used her a support to jump up the couple feet to reach the purse – indeed a bit higher than on the previous round. He had underestimated his own tiredness, the sheer pleasure of the dance having allowed him to forget it for a moment, and felt a touch of panic as he realized his jump didn’t take him nearly as high as he had thought it might, but he compensated by twisting around, using Zahra’s shoulder for leverage, hitting the purse with the backswing of his other foot even as the crowd was already drawing in breath to exclaim at his failure.
”Got to keep things interesting!” he laughed back at Dounia, doing his best to make it seem his bit of theatrics were intended all along, and not a hasty plan to salvage a failed attempt.
Zahra laughed as Dounia and Tymythy traded kicks. It was nice that all four of them were having fun after the stress of their last challenge.
She felt like she was getting the hang of helping Tymythy accomplish his kick so she did much the same for the second round. However, the strain of the day weighed on Zahra more than she expected and she was a lot more tired than she would care to admit.
Zahra's natural grace kept her moving in time to the music with Tymythy as she followed his lead. She managed to get into a good position to help Tymythy get high enough and it was clear from his kick that he didn't need her help to make contact.
Dounia and Cairee were all over the place with their dancing but Tymythy and Zahra were still making big moves and copying the dancers about them despite their tiredness. Most importantly, both teams tapped the purse.
Half of the remaining fourteen other couples were looking tired. The second couple from the front attempted a partner-raise and fell forward into the front dancer just as they were attempting a kick and both couples were out. Two more couples couldn't perform the jump, and another two missed the purse. The Blackbirds were now dancing against eight couples.
One of those couples were the dwarves Caydren and Roshynduv, who didn't look at all warn but were having greater and greater difficulty making the touch of the satchel. Sir Pellius Courtland was dancing with a porter he seemed quite taken with, and they seemed to be dancing quite effortlessly.
And, somehow, just behind Cairee and Dounia, Arnie and Mar had moved into place. Both seemed to be taking the dance way too seriously.
Zahra could feel herself getting winded but she was also having too much fun to stop.
She leaned over and whispered to Tymythy, "I'm way too tired to try to kick that pouch. This is all you, my friend."
Dounia couldn't help giggling as she watched the short dwarves try to kick the pouch. "They're going to fall over next time that gets higher, just watch," she laughed to Cairee.
Cairee whirled her around the dwarves, and suddenly Dounia saw that Cairee's siblings were right beside them! She stiffened and nearly stumbled as she didn't react to Cairee's lead. "Ugh! We definitely have to beat them!"
Getting used to Cairee's ability as an anchor, this time Dounia let go of her hands all together, and used her body as a pole. Hugging her around the waist, Dounia threw herself in a full circle around Cairee, kicking the pouch and landing neatly back on her feet.
”I’ll do what I can,” Tymyhty muttered, then did his best to put aside his mounting exhaustion – there would be time to collapse and gasp for breath once this challenge was over, one way or the other. And he could not deny there was pleasure to be had here, despite or partly because of how surprisingly hard it was – to find and overcome one’s limits was the mark of a warrior, the way he saw it. So he gripped Zahra more tightly, to try and support her with his own failing strength and danced like his honor depended on it, feeling the beat of the music and becoming part of it.
The purse, once they reached it, seemed to hand impossibly high to his leaden legs, but he set his teeth, sucked in a lungful of air and released it as he jumped high in the air and kicked at the purse, only barely touching the elusive target but at least clearing the height with some to spare.
Getting used to Cairee's ability as an anchor, this time Dounia let go of her hands all together, and used her body as a pole. Hugging her around the waist, Dounia threw herself in a full circle around Cairee, kicking the pouch and landing neatly back on her feet.
Roshynduv, Arnie, and the porter that danced with Sir Pellius (Ilza), were all showing signs of being wearing out. Caydren simply couldn't make the jump, especially as he saw no extra help from Roshy. Arnie and Mar were still dancing energetically but Arnie's lift at the end was weak. Mar could still tap the pouch and pushed through to the fourth round, her brother's face was getting red as he watched Dounia and Cairee.
Sir Pellius seemed as fresh as he was in the beginning of the first round. He and the porter weren't just dancing, they still showed grace and their smiles were broad, dispite Ilza's tiredness. Pellius' jump was only high enough but his kick threatened to knock the purse off the staff.
Of the other five competitors, three more fell away. It was now only four teams left plus The Ravens.
He had pushed for his limits and he had found them.
As he and Zahra danced towards their place in the line, waiting for the fourth round of kicking at the purse, Tymythy's knee buckled and in his exhaustion there was no recovering from it - the best he could do was to let go of Zahra's hand and roll aside to avoid bringing her down with him.
Dounia and Cairee fell out of line. Dounia tripped and popped up again. When they reached the staff, Dounia gave a mighty leap. Cairee boosted her in one direction. She kicked in another. Her foot was a few inches from the purse.
Arnie was exhausted. As the twins came up behind them it was clear he'd been doing the hard work as Mar conserved her energy. She leapt well. She kicked well. She made contact.
Miss after miss the others were eliminated. Then, Sir Pellius was finally slowing down. He made a fine accurate kick but his leap was a foot short. Everyone yelled out 'HOORA!'. The woman with the staff popped the purse off the staff end and through it to Mar. Arnie made a pointed glare at Cairee.
A horrible chilling scream came from the arena. The Sisters of the Silken Scroll had emerged from the escutcheoned door. Pattallia had Simone by the front of her armour and was shoving her backwards.
Simone looked lost. She was crying, "She could handle it. I thought. I thought she could handle it."
The other sisters looked broken.
Everything, everyone stopped.
"Tingle's Twisted Testicle!" Dounia cursed as she missed the pouch by a full inch. Cyra had used it once or twice, but had never explained who or what Tingle was.
"I'm sorry!" she apologized to Cairee, as they were eliminaged. And then, a few seconds later, Arnie and Mar won!
Then somebody screamed.
Dounia watched with dawning horror as the scene played out. "Oh no."
Unable to stop herself, Dounia ran forward. Skirting around the fighting leaders, she threw her arms around Candor. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" She tried to look into the door before it closed, to see if she could see what happened to Taryth. Taryth. In her breezy green outfit, who had been kind to her. "What happened?" she asked, even as she realized now was not the time.
Dounia's thighs burned as she ran down to meet the sisters. As she threw her arms around Candor there was nothing, no response. She might as well have been hugging a coatrack. Taryth was nowhere to be seen. Slowly, Candor looked down at the woman hanging off her and gently pealed her off.
Candor, "Taryth is gone?"
Alliss searched her allies with utter incredulity.
Pattallia, "We never should have kept going! Not since the mirrors!" She spat the words out like a viper.
Simone, "We had to do something! I had to do something! We were in there for hours ... someone had to face the ..." She started to gasp and choke and gave up on the sentence. "Someone had to have the guts to make a choice!"
Pattallia, "And it's always got to be you doesn't it. You were always just a little bit better than the rest of us!"
Simone's mouth twisted, her fist clenched and she swung, connecting with Pattallia's left temple. Alliss and Candor rushed in to try to separate them. The judges started to move in to break it all up but looked to the eastern castle and stopped.
Hallwyn was standing on the edge of the platform looking grim and keeping silent.
When Tymythy went down, Zahra concernedly looked him over to make sure he was ok. Seeing that he was just tired like she was, she gracefully collapsed beside him. Letting out an exaggerated sigh of relief she said, "This is a fantastic idea. I don't think I could have danced another step."
She watched the end of the dance from her spot on the ground but couldn't bring herself to cheer for Arnie and Mar along with the others. After how they'd treated Cairee, they didn't deserve a hoora.
Zahra was about to suggest to Tymythy that they rejoin Cairee and Dounia when a chilling scream brought the party to a halt. She immediately turned towards the sound and tried to scramble to her feet.
The anguish she heard in the Sisters' voices was absolutely heartbreaking. Had there really been another fatality? Or had something else happened?
She gasped and her hands flew up to her face to cover her mouth when Simone struck Pattallia. She couldn't imagine the amount of anger it would take to cause her to hit someone she cared for. The party came to a screeching halt and like many of the guests, Zahra's head turned towards their host to see what he would do.
Cairee had tired quickly, but was still having fun as she tried to keep up with Dounia and help with her jumps. She boosted her friend a final time and immediately knew she'd miscalculated. Dounia missed and they were out. She giggled as she helped her exhausted friend to the sidelines. "Excellent leaping," she said, clasping Dounia on the back. "If we practice a little, next time we're sure to win."
The dance was over soon after, with Arnie and Mar taking the purse. Cairee joined the others in their applause. It has been strange and sort of nice to see her siblings excel at something that didn't involve carnage. Arnie returned her congratulations with a glare. Determined to take the high road, she offered a quick smile back. Then she turned away, looking for Zahra and Tymythy.
A scream ripped through the arena, and Dounia was off like a shot. The sisters were finally out of their challenge, though from the looks of it they hadn't all made it.
Cairee instinctively started forward, then stopped. It was heartbreaking, but there wasn't anything she could do. Better to give the sisters their space. She did notice the judges look towards the eastern castle. The cleric followed their gaze, and saw Hallwyn looking down on the scene. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to read their suspicious host. Yoy'ya said he loved chaos. What did he think of the deaths he had orchestrated? Was this part of his plan?
"This is a fantastic idea. I don't think I could have danced another step."
”This was tough. And fun,” Tymythy said, between deep gasps of breath. ”It’s a welcome thing. To occasionally run into something. That feels familiar. In these foreign lands.” It was a shame it were Cairee’s siblings who end up victorious… but then a sudden scream draw all eyes away from the victors and to the suffering survivors, the last team to emerge from their challenge.
There was little he could do to help the sisters, with whom he had barely exchanged a word, nor had he much strength to do anything with. So he made do with lowering his head briefly in honor of a fallen challenger. He caught sight of their host, witnessing the Sisters’ arrival, and noted his grim visage. He had half-expected the man to show delight at this new twists of drama… but no. Clearly their host was not a simple one to figure out.
When Cairee smiled at Arnie she could see his triumphant glare melt into frustration. She ruined his smug win with a grin. He stomped away knocking over a table that was between him and the stair.
Zahra watched the host carefully. As the two sisters continued to fight with their other teammates trying to tear them away from each other. All the time Hallwyn did nothing.
Until he sensed he was being assessed and turned his eyes on Cairee. His grim expression didn't change.
Dounia started to back away from the brawl, feeling terrible. She'd really liked Taryth, but had barely known her. She barely knew any of them. It certainly wasn't her place to itervene.
On the other hand, if they were crazy with grief right now, they might regret hurting each other later. She dove back into the fray, trying to help separate Simone and Pattallia before blood was shed.
"Somebody help us!" she cried. She tried to grab Simone's arm and pull her away, but the bigger woman shook her off like she was a bug.
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Cairee watched as Hallwyn glared at the judges. It was a warning - don't stop the fighting. The part he loved best, the reason he had orchestrated these games. He must enjoy watching them suffer, love watching them die. If he could turn them against each other, all the better.
Their mad host turned his gaze to Cairee, and she could practically hear his words in her head. You were told the games were deadly. Did you think winning The Wish would be easy?
An image of another man she'd stared down came to mind. Yaz, commander of alHufra, after he kicked a man off the bridge and into the pit. He'd killed that man because he was frustrated. Because others were expendable, there for his pleasure or punishment. The cleric remembered discovering a fury that she didn't know she was capable of. Perhaps her true inheritance from her cruel family. That day, she had felt the overwhelming desire to murder. That day, she had (subconsciously) started a list.
This day, as the fury lit and burned behind her eyes, another name was added.
Dounia's cry for help tore Cairee away from her glaring match. She saw her young friend try desperately to intervene, and be swatted away.
Cairee hurried down to Dounia's side. She turned to Simone and Pattallia. "Please stop! I'm so sorry for your loss. Whatever happened in your challenge must have been terrible. But you're not each other's enemy. Don't let yourselves be divided. We're all pawns in a game we cannot fathom. We must all stand strong, together."
Everything had been so fun moments ago.
Tymythy struggled to get to his feet but it was useless.
Now, Dounia did her best but these women were fighters, experienced explorers. They couldn't be held back. Simone went for another punch and her elbow came back and smacked Dounia in the eye. The desert thief barely saw it coming but pulled back with the hit so that it was only superficial.
Cairee yelled out for an accord. But the two women were lost in battle flinging fist and elbow, knee and foot. Pattallia flung Simone to the ground and was on top of her, strangling. Candor grabbed the back of Pattallia's collar and pulled her off.
Pattallia, "I'm done. Done with the games, done with you, done with all of it! If there's a way for me to hurt you, look to be hurt!"
Simone, "You never had the strength. Not for this team. Certainly not enough to serve Him!"
Alliss, "Shut up! The priest woman is right! You're both going to stop fighting. You're both going to compete. That wish is the only way we can get Taryth back!"
The women went quiet. A look came over their faces that said they knew it was true. They got off the ground and started back to their rooms. Alliss and Candor nodded to Cairee as they left. Candor looked at Dounia and ruffled her hair through her shayla. Their morale was fundamentally damaged but they were up, they were walking.
The performers began to pack up. People grabbed bottles of wine, plates of food, their chosen partner (even if only for tonight) and went to their painted doors. Sombreness had thrown its' cloak over everything as the night twilight had become overcast. A distant lightning began to flash as the wind picked up.
Dounia tried to remember seeing the three pale women since they'd spoken. There'd been no sign of them all night.
All the time Hallwyn watched. All the time, unmoving and heedless of the rising wind.
Alliss, "Shut up! The priest woman is right! You're both going to stop fighting. You're both going to compete. That wish is the only way we can get Taryth back!"
Tymythy frowned. That was a sad trap to fall into, heading into even harder challenges with fewer numbers, hoping to push on to the end to be able to recover their losses… and if another of them were to fall before the end? Would their host use his might to restore more than one of their fallen comrades to life?
’Perhaps that would be a worthy goal,’ he thought. His initial thought had been, were they to win, to accept the wish and never use it, but perhaps there were other options. To use it for a good cause. But it was way too early to put much thought into that. They were placed highly enough among the challengers, but their opponents were no pushovers… and the challenges themselves seemed dire enough that he wondered if any team would manage to finish them all.
But now, rest called. He could hardly believe how hard the dance, on top of the day’s challenge, had taxed him. He would have to ensure he got as much rest as possible before tomorrow’s challenges.
As he left in search of his bed, Tymythy noted one of the Cavaliers making his exit at the same time. Pellius, he believed that one was called, decked with a plate of assorted fruits and a bottle of wine, with one arm squeezing a porter against his frame in a possessive manner. There was something about the woman… a cowl covered her features… he had not paid any particular attention to the servants, but he believed most of them wore clothes to show off their fine features and trim bodies. But this woman seemed to be hiding herself. Also, something caught and reflected light around one surprisingly pale finger – a ring, and not a cheap trinket… although Tymythy knew he was not one to properly value such things.
A bit of a puzzle, but one worth trying to unravel? Perhaps he had witnessed a tryst, a knight stealing kisses from a woman either already spoken for, or far above his station? Disguised to avoid a scandal, but still together in frost of witnesses, perhaps to spice their relationship with the risk of getting caught?
Alliss, "Shut up! The priest woman is right! You're both going to stop fighting. You're both going to compete. That wish is the only way we can get Taryth back!"... Alliss and Candor nodded to Cairee as they left.
Cairee nodded back, then bowed her head as they past, in respect of their fallen teammate. Alliss' words echoed in her mind. The wish. Cairee had thought it a worthwhile prize to try to attain - partly to keep it out of the hands of others who would use it to cause harm, and partly because of its potential to do so much good. They could wish for money or food or land for the poor, or perhaps even stop a war. Getting her teammates on board would be a challenge. She was pretty sure Dounia would want the diamond, and Zahra would likely want to use the wish to keep her new-found treasure away from Kamzar. She wasn't sure what Tymythy wanted; perhaps he would support her more altruistic ideas.
But now Cairee turned her thoughts to what the other teams might want. The sisters were now set on resurrecting a fallen teammate - an understandable goal, and one Cairee didn't object to. Arnie and Mar would likely wish for their sword. Perdition’s Cavaliers seemed honourable, and Tymythy had struck a friendship with The Warriors of Dun Leummor. She hadn't learned much about The Hazard Guard. She supposed any one of those teams could misuse the wish. But it was The Adherents of Aureolus she was most concerned with. They were currently in last place, but Cairee was certain they would never quit. They had all witnessed their dedication to the games - they would sacrifice anything, and anyone, to win.
Back in their quarters, Cairee gladly wiped the makeup off her face. She gave her robes to a porter to be cleaned, bid her friends goodnight, and went to bed with her mind whirling. What would the next day bring?
She was nearly asleep when a thought jolted her awake. What had happened to Taryth's body?
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Dounia had to blink back tears and swallow through a lump in her throat when the Sisters left. She wanted to ask who Him was, in case they weren't just talking about their religion, but even she knew this wasn't a good time. Instead, she levered herself up off the ground, rubbing her sore eye, and headed back to their room.
She saw Prem and raised a hand to him, but he didn't see her. Then she noticed that idiot Kingsunworthy talking to the people that had been in front of her the day they came here, she recognized the rose tattoo on one of their hands. She was going to ignore them, but then saw Kingidioty hand something to one of them and look at Prem.
Fury coursed through Dounia. She walked up to them and in a loud voice said, She was practically screaming by the end of it.
There was so much happening and it was hard for Zahra to process everything. Her gut told her that this was more than a game. Something about this felt like a magical test ... or an audition. The question that was gnawing at her was how were they doing? How was she doing? Did this even have anything to do with her or them?
She felt someone's eyes on her and as she looked around, she noticed Nadj looking at them. She had appreciated his story about Silimiel. Did he have something else to share with them or did he just find them entertaining?
Lightning flashed in the distance which drew Zahra's attention. She certainly was tired but wasn't quite ready to sleep yet. As the other Blackbirds dispersed, she went to find a quiet place where she could watch the storm. There was something about watching the storm that quieted everything else that had happened that day.
The man with the thorn tattoo looked at Dounia with a look of impressed amusement. He fished the pouch out of his pocket and tossed it back over to his brief client. He looked at Kingsworthy like the man was twelve years old, "Maybe look me up when you get your house in order." He turned around and started to walk away. As he passed Dounia a card flicked out from between his fingers. "If you're ever in Hespernia and looking for work ...?"
The card had the image of several roses connected by an intricate thorn bush. On the back it said:
Invil Locheep
PRIME EXPORTS OF NORTH ABERSTAN
Hespernia . Halidor . Dolerisium
31 St. Hogard's Dock
Kingsworthy looked about to see who had taken interest in Dounia's tyrade.
But it garnered little attention. The wind was picking up, the arena was emptying, and little could top the drama of The Sisters of the Silken Scroll. He called out to Dounia, "Congratulations, Dounia Ghali of Ciriya. You've made my list." He pocketed the purse and stormed off.
-
Everyone was soon lodged away. That was except for Hallwyn, Nadj, and Zahra.
Hallwyn stood where he'd been for the past twenty minutes or so. Nadj spoke with him briefly and then also retired. Zahra had found enough shelter in one of the voms to watch the storm from. Hallwyn looked at her with his grim expression. He raised his arms, turned into rain and fell backwards into the sky until he disappeared into clouds as they created their own deluge.
Dounia grinned and snatched the card out of the air. She had no idea what "prime imports" were, but she had made an ally out of somebody who might have hurt Prem, so that was good.
But it garnered little attention. The wind was picking up, the arena was emptying, and little could top the drama of The Sisters of the Silken Scroll. He called out to Dounia, "Congratulations, Dounia Ghali of Ciriya. You've made my list." He pocketed the purse and stormed off.
Still furious with the man, Dounia stepped up to him before he could leave. "I've made your list?! Well, you've made mine! And I have friends EVERYWHERE. So leave Prem alone, you hear me?!" She pushed him in the chest to emphasize her point, even though she only came up to his armpits. Of course, the real point was to get the purse that he'd offered to Invil Locheep.
Then she turned on her heel and headed back to the room, to finally clean herself up and fall into bed.
Hallwyn stood where he'd been for the past twenty minutes or so. Nadj spoke with him briefly and then also retired. Zahra had found enough shelter in one of the voms to watch the storm from. Hallwyn looked at her with his grim expression. He raised his arms, turned into rain and fell backwards into the sky until he disappeared into clouds as they created their own deluge.
Zahra watched Hallwyn watching her. A lot had just happened and there were many reasons in her mind that would lead to his expression. She just hoped it wasn't because of her in any way. She needed him to think of her positively, not negatively.
Maybe he just needed a friendly face or ear. In her experience, short as it was, most people just wanted to truly be seen or heard. And what better person to do that for them than a friendly face. The sorceress gave Hallwyn a smile and tentative wave. She started to motion him over when he turned into rain and disappeared!
Zahra's jaw dropped and she stared stunned at the place where she last saw his form. She shook her head and mentally kicked herself, "Silly girl," she muttered. "Someone as powerful as him does not need to unburden himself to the likes of you."
Lightning flashed in a dizzying dance in the sky which gave Zahra something else to focus on. Wind tried to lift the hem of her dress while it whipped her hair around. When the rain started in earnest, she cooled the air around herself to turn the rain to snow. She watched the delicate flakes swirling around herself. Surprisingly, the external chaos around her brought her inner peace.
She sat there probably longer than she should have but was compelled to watch the magnificent display of the storm. When the storm began to move off into the distance, she finally roused herself to get herself to bed to get some rest.
The purse was small. It felt light. When it slipped out of Kingsworthy's pocket something else fell out. Something the stooge didn't notice. It looked like a brass coat hook, the kind that would be attached to a wall.
The landscape of the arena had changed. Last nights rain shifted the sands into new locations and the lake was larger. Some tiny smell of ozone still lingered, which was strange. Lightning usually cooled things off but it was hot and muggy. A few steps into the open air and clothes started to stick to bodies.
People got up late. Crowds were still gathering thirty minutes before the early song of ten. The competitors were looking different.
The determined Warriors of Dun Leummor didn't have their teeth gritted, tension on their shoulders. They had the relaxed look of dwarves who have resigned the game.
Perditions Cavaliers looked somehow uncomfortable where the'd always appeared confident.
The Sisters of the Silken Scroll seemed unrested but together like they'd figured something out overnight. They were chomping at the bit to get this moment over with. To get the rest of this birthday party started.
The Hazard Guard looked rough, still bruised and anxious from their last challenge. They were trying to gather themselves, trying to find some secret formation that would get them through the next round. They were willing but their morale was unsteady. Their feet weren't quite underneath them.
The Adherents looked pleased with themselves, almost smug if pride weren't a sin for them to abhor then, perhaps, smugness might be the least of it.
In the Bonds of Gruumsh and the Steelheart Twins there seemed no change. The Bonds had always felt 'apart' like they were in their own competition, against only themselves. The Twins were playing a game and the third challenge was just another day.
Moments before the song of ten sounded ...
Tandyraman, "Let it be known to all that the noble Warriors of Dun Leummor are seceding the games! We are grateful for your effort, your courage, and your sportsmanship!
"Also, let it be known that The Sister's of the Silken Scroll are forfeiting their position in the challenges! You have fought well, competed hard, and have been a force to be reckoned with.
"All who compete are to be honoured and I bow to you."
The games were now down to six teams.
Tandyraman, "It is time for Perditions Cavaliers to declare what their third challenge will be!"
Prince Keone and the Lady Shiply shared a glance. Keone nodded and Shiply stepped forward, "We will essay the Door of Brass!"
Money changed hands in the seats.
Tandyraman, "Excellent! Fair well. As second in the list, it is time for The Black Birds to declare their challenge!"
Dounia was in a superb mood this morning. As soon as the others were up, she showed them the pouch, and told them about her run-in with Kingsworthy. Tossing platinum to the others, she said, "Two for you, two for you, two for you! And I thought I should give one to Yoy'ya as her cut, and Prem should definitely get one as he was the intended target. Oh, and I got this too. Weird, right? Why would he have a coat hook? Unless...is it a magical coat hook?"
"Also, let it be known that The Sister's of the Silken Scroll are forfeiting their position in the challenges! You have fought well, competed hard, and have been a force to be reckoned with."
Dounia was confused. She asked Prem, "Wait, what does that mean? Is forfeiting your position different from seceding?" She glared at the Sisters, and caught a weird glance from Simone to the leader of the Adherents. "What the....?"
As Dounia reached for the pouch she noticed the other 'magic pouch', the one that had one copper piece, now clincked???
Cairee rose early and sat in meditation in a quiet place outside. It felt like it had been weeks since she'd had a moment to pray to Saiph. She cleared her mind and let the morning sun warm her face. When she returned to her room she felt refreshed. And hungry.
The leather lamellar Yoy'ya had suggested and procured was laid out on her bed. Cairee hadn't been sure what to expect. She was delighted to see it looked like a fitted leather top and pants, thin and soft, and died a deep blue. The colour felt a little showy, but as she slipped it on she couldn't help but notice it looked quite striking against her orange hair. Fortunately her linen pants, woven tunic, and knee-length cloak covered most of the leather, leaving just a hint of colour at her wrists. When she moved her arms quickly the bellowy shirt sleeves rode up, adding a flash of colour to her movements. That will look impressive when I call upon Saiph's power, she thought, then blushed at her own pride. She grabbed her quarterstaff and joined the others.
Dounia was in a superb mood this morning. As soon as the others were up, she showed them the pouch, and told them about her run-in with Kingsworthy. Tossing platinum to the others, she said, "Two for you, two for you, two for you! And I thought I should give one to Yoy'ya as her cut, and Prem should definitely get one as he was the intended target. Oh, and I got this too. Weird, right? Why would he have a coat hook? Unless...is it a magical coat hook?"
Cairee was horrified as Dounia shared her encounter with Kingsworthy. "But that was so dangerous! He could've...you could've..." She shuddered and gave Dounia a protective hug. "Just, be careful, okay? You don't want a man like that as your enemy."
The platinums Dounia had tossed at her had fallen to the floor. Cairee retrieved them and handed them automatically to Tymythy for their shared purse. Then she studied the hook. A weird item for such a man to carry around. Did it have some magical purpose?
Of the other items, Cairee suggested Zahra take the healing potion, and she take the delay poison. "Tymythy and Dounia are more likely to be in the thick of things, so we can run up and administer them if needed. Zahra, you should have the healing potion." So you can pour it down my throat if I'm knocked out before I have a chance to heal myself, she thought, but didn't say.
"Also, let it be known that The Sister's of the Silken Scroll are forfeiting their position in the challenges! You have fought well, competed hard, and have been a force to be reckoned with."
Cairee saw Simone, leader of 'The Sisters', gives a fleeting sideways glance at Don Ri'cassa, leader of The Adherent, and she had an idea of what was happening. "I think the sisters gave their spot in the rankings to The Adherents. They must have felt the priests had a better chance of winning. Though what kind of deal they struck we can only guess." It meant The Adherents had gone from last place to fifth if Cairee remembered the scoreboard correctly. "I don't know what the Adherents are playing for - diamond or wish, but I don't think they'd give it up. Unless...could the Adherents have promised to bring back Taryth? Is that something they could even accomplish?"