“But also their hatred.” Ulvarth was nothing if not clever. He had a manner about him that made men and women sacrifice their lives for him—see him as a true god among men. “He wants to be revered as the Champion of Yargen. Causing the common folk of Meru fear isn’t a good way to go about that.”
“Maybe he thinks that the people he’s killing will make him revered,” Noelle suggested. “They’re targets that will have a greater influence dead, even if it means risking his own exposure.”
“Are people from other nations really that detested by the common citizen?” Alyss asked softly. A question none of them had the answer to.
They all fell into silence, considering this. After a minute, when no one had anything new to add, Cullen shifted the topic.
“While we’re talking about unknowns and choices…” He put the letter he was given for winning on the table. Everyone waited expectantly.
“Are you going to open it? Or are you going to wait until the game starts to do so?” Alyss folded her paper and put it to the side.
“He’d be a fool to wait.” Noelle tore off a hunk of her bread and dipped it in jelly. “Also, I particularly hate this blackberry stuff they always put out in the mornings. Can we please get something better the next time we go into town?”
“We’re keeping going into town at a minimum,” Cullen said firmly.
“If last night was any evidence, I don’t think that’s something you get to control.” Noelle still ate her bread despite herproclaimed displeasure, jelly and all. “Now, open it. Let’s see what this advantage is supposed to be.”
Cullen tapped the envelope on the table and ripped off the top end. He slid out the letter and unfolded it, reading aloud, “Congratulations, as the victor in the first individual game you have an advantage in the next team competition. Your advantage will be to decide the order in which the pairs will duel, and the matchups for each. You will be asked to announce the next duelists at the culmination of each duel.”
“Duels?” Alyss repeated. “How is this any different from the first competition? And what the second evolved into? Do they just want us to punch each other until this tournament is over?”
“So much for friendship.” Noelle sighed.
“It gives people a reason to cheer and be invested. A bit of combat makes for good heroes.” Eira thought back to what Olivin had said, and the histories she’d read about Meru and its extended territories, allies, enemies, and tense neighbors. “Moreover, this treaty is for economic benefit, but it’s also to present a unified front against the larger, more powerful Empire of Carsovia. I’m not surprised they want us to look tough.”
“Empire of Carsovia?” Noelle repeated. “It can’t be that mighty; I’ve never heard of it.”
“I’m sure there are many mighty things you’ve never heard of.” Alyss helped herself to another piece of bread.
“It can’t be bigger than Meru,” Noelle insisted.
“Solaris’s teachings said we were the center of the world for hundreds of years—that nothing was larger or greater,” Eira said. “Now look at us, sitting on a continent that Solaris is little more than an island to when compared.”
“All right, fair.” Noelle leaned back in her chair. “So what does this mighty empire have to do with us?”
Eira turned a question back on them. “Given the tumultuous history, do you really think the draconi want to work with us? Or Meru?”
“They might speak large, but everyone knows peace is preferred to combat,” Cullen said optimistically. Eira arched her eyebrows at him. He added, “I hope, at least.”
“I get the sense that things are tense, at best. So anything the competition organizers can do to get the people invested in the tournament and distracted from their other squabbles is what they’re going to do.”
“What does all this mean for the duels?” Cullen asked.
“It means the draconi are going to come in swinging, harder than they have to date. So we need to be ready to fight, and you need to make sure we’re up against the right people.” Eira tapped the table. “In the meantime, we have today to keep practicing our magic as best we’re able.”
29
With all the fanfare of the first team game, they marched back into the arena, to trumpets blaring and thunderous applause. Somehow, the stands seemed even fuller this time than the last. People must still be flowing into Warich, arriving late for the games.
Speaking of arriving late… There was a different assortment of royals yet again. Eira hadn’t seen Aldrik Solaris since the initial opening ceremonies and there was another floppy-hat-wearer in Qwint’s seat. Arwin sat in place for the Twilight Kingdom, again. The only one who was consistent was King Tortium of the Draconi. But Eira suspected there was no way he would miss today’s game, given his propensity for aggression and his kingdom’s lack of fondness for anyone else. She wouldn’t be surprised if these duels were in part his orchestration, too.
“Good morning, champions,” Lumeria greeted them. She and Vi Solaris seemed to be the two consistent royals. Eira would’ve included Taavin if he’d been present today. “Welcome to your next team competition! Today we shall test your strength, creativity, and skill when there are no other distractions, or interventions. Just you and your magic.
“You shall square off, one on one, to duel against each other in one of our rings.” Lumeria motioned with her palm to the center line of the arena, where three large circles were marked off by thick ship’s rope. “You will lose your duel if you step outside the ring, no longer wish to participate, or are rendered unconscious. You may forfeit by stepping outside the ring at any time. While we expect you all to fight hard, the attendants will step in if any duels get excessively aggressive.”
Somebooing in the crowd.
“What do they want? For us to kill each other?” Alyss looked up at the crowd in solemn disappointment.
