“I want—wewant, to receive the most powerful pigment in the system.”
“And enhancement of your runes? A most splendid choice!” the overseer chirped. “Of course, we will make it so. And Chancellor Vinchi himself is the keeper of the rarest, most powerful pigment in several systems.”
“I wasn’t done.”
“Oh?” the man said, surprised.
“I want to receive the pigment in a specific way. Both of us have agreed upon a very particular enhancement to our runes.”
She waited until the crowd silenced, the anticipation wrapping them around her finger.
“We wish to receive the pigment in the form of matching Infalas.”
Rather than erupt in cheers, a chorus of confused voices murmured throughout the arena. Through the entire city.
“Is it possible?” some asked.
“It can’t be done!” others said.
What she’d asked for was utterly unheard of. But her request had been made, and in public for all to witness. Even Chancellor Vinchi couldn’t deny it. But he seemed amused, as if he still had a trick up his sleeve.
The Chancellor rose, waving the crowd to silence. “Thank you, citizens. Your support in these games has made for an exciting tournament. And as your patron and ruling elite, I would be honored to provide the pigment to our winners. I will have my very own Skrizzit apply it himself!”
“No,” a very loud, deep voice shouted.
All heads turned to see its owner. Someone dared talk back to the Chancellor. Heads would roll. Penalties would?—
Heydar and his mate strode from their luxury box, the crown prince of the Nimenni, general of their most elite forces, walking to the podium where the winners stood.
“I am Heydar, heir to the Nimenni throne. And these two are my friends. I will apply the runes to them personally.”
Even the Chancellor held his tongue when he realized he was outranked. Nevertheless, he still had one last card to play.
“Of course, we bow to your request,” he said with a knowing grin. “But, your majesty, as you know, a Skrizzit is required?—”
“I’ll stop you right there,” Darla interrupted. “Heydarisa Skrizzit. Pretty impressive, right? My fella’s a general, a prince, and a master of the pigment arts. Not bad, if I do say so myself. And I just did. You have anything to add, my love?”
Heydar chuckled. “I do believe you said it all, dearest.”
“Then it’s settled. Our buddy the overseer here will gather the pigment from the Chancellor’s people since we know he wouldn’t want to have to rush home himself for that sort of thing. And then we’ll meet the winners at their new estate. You did say they won an estate, right?”
“Yes. A palatial one at that, long held in trust by the five families,” the overseer noted.
All of the elites actually looked physically ill at the words.
What the overseer had failed to say was that the five families had long kept the estate as a sort of communal retreat. A lavish and fully equipped vacation spot that changed hands between the five families depending who won the games that cycle, but a place they never actually intended to hand over to anyone else. Unfortunately for them, that meant that all of the very expensive furnishings they’d stocked it with for their own use over the years were now immediately and irrevocably transferred to its new owners in their entirety, as per the rules of the games.
Darla seemed quite pleased, as did her mate. Ziana, Dorrin, and his father, just stared with a heady mix of shock, joy, and amazement as they processed the scene. It was Dorrin’s father of all people who finally snapped them out of it.
“Come on, then. Let’s go see our new home! I can’t wait to actually sleep in a proper bed!”
“There are dozens of bedrooms to choose from, sir. And healing balms and elixirs to refresh your body, as well as a masseuse on staff already alerted and waiting for you,” the overseer said, his head slightly cocked as information was relayed into his earpiece. “And I’ve received word the pigment is already en route. It will be there when you arrive.”
Dorrin took Ziana by the hand, kissing it tenderly. “Then let’s not waste any time. Let’s go see our new home.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The flight was short as the estate was close to the city. There was a small, crystal-clear lake lapping the shores where a small dock bobbed lazily on the water. The grounds were sprawling, but unlike so many manicured properties on Earth, this one had been allowed to grow wild. Or, at least it looked that way at first glance. Upon closer observation as the ship approached to land in the spacious upper courtyard landing space, it became apparent that while nature had been free to do its thing, careful guidance from the resident caretakers had steered the plants into creating pathways and intermingled orchard areas.
