Little was spoken outside of the group, though the Queen had been the only other told. Everyone had gone about their day, preparing for the Sortie and mingling with the tribes. DG tried her best to get close to the Folkvar, but Evich would have none of it. Any attempts to talk to anyone would result in his interference, so DG gave up and found Randwin.
The Tethys was standing guard outside of his leader's tent, but bowed to her as she approached. DG stood next to him, allowing him to keep his post, but still talk to her.
"So, this Sortie… tell me about it. Who goes first?" She tried to act innocently.
"The Vanaspati won the last time, tis their choice who they fight first." Randwin replied, "And doth not need be champion to fight."
"Nylan could challenge Evich if she wanted to?" DG wondered, letting a smile creep on her face.
"Quite right, though I didst hear that she has asked for a rematch. Thou should talk to the Vanaspati if other plans have you." Randwin smiled.
DG nodded and ran off to find Cain or Azkadellia. She found her sister first; talking Lykle and the two seemed heavily in conversation. Standing next to Az, DG quietly waited as she listened to what the two were talking about.
"…must fighters whoevers the champion wants. Much of the times, it bes champion and champion, but theys can choosers anybodies. Nylan be fighters the Tethys ruler Egmond. Last time, he gotters a win overs hers so she wantsa rematch." Lykle said, before noticing DG and bowing, "Hellos Princess."
"Morning Lykle." DG bowed her head, "May I talk to my sister real quick and then she can get back to you?"
"Suresy." Lykle nodded, letting the sisters walk a few feet away.
"What is it DG?" Az asked, looking curiously at her.
"Well, I'm sure Lykle has told you about the conditions of the Sortie. If we can convince Nylan to fight Evich instead, then we have a chance. We can ask them to do this just this once to stop him, since that is what we all want." DG smiled.
"What of the plan DG? I thought we were going to take part and-"
"I thought of that. If we just go in, no champion mind you and challenge Evich… it's going to look suspicious. I know what Cain's idea was, but what is Nylan took on Evich and one of us fought their champion?" DG questioned.
"That may work, but how can we convince them?" Az countered, but rolled her eyes at her sister, "You think too much."
"Just let me talk and go from there?" DG begged.
"This should be cute." Azkadellia smiled and the two walked back to Lykle, "Lykle, we have a little proposal."
"What bes that, Princess?" Lykle asked, looking between the two ladies.
"We believe you and the Tethys about the Folkvar, but we have a theory, an idea of what is really going on." DG said, "What if the Folkvar were prisoners as well? What if that captive isn't the only person we need to save?"
"What bes you talkings abouts?" Lykle asked.
"I had an idea, that if we get Evich to lose his leadership then maybe the Folkvar will either leave you all in peace or just leave. What if the others are just prisoners because he wants power?" DG urged, "I tried talking to them, maybe try and be nice, but Evich wouldn't let anyone else talk."
"Bes no surprisies there, but I will talk to Nylan. What bes the message?" Lykle asked, looking around.
"Tell her to challenge Evich and when she wins, that he must step down as leader. Then one of ours will challenge the prisoner and win and get her." DG smiled, "Just know that we will watch your backs."
"No, have the Tethys challenge her. Theys bes knowings her bestest." Lykle replied, "That ways, you can bes watchers."
"Deal." DG held out her hand, to which Lykle firmly shook back, "I'll go talk to Randwin again and you two can go back to your previous conversations."
DG nodded and walked off to find the Tethys. She caught Cain out of the corner of her, but ignored him on her way. She needed to get this plan into action and now. Randwin saw her coming and meet her just outside his encampment.
"Thou seemed determine, something I may help?" He asked, loosing some of his accent.
"Yeah, I have put together a lovely puzzle from all your information." DG smiled, "The Vanaspati will ask Nylan to challenge Evich and your guy will challenge the prison of the Folkvar. If all goes well, Evich will have no power over them anymore and the prisoner will be free."
"But wouldn't the prisoner be free once Evich loses?" Randwin asked.
"This way, it looks legit, like nothing was suspicious." DG reasoned, "Then the Royal Family has taken no favorites."
"Very well, but I must talk to my lord, just as the Vanaspati must speak to theirs. The only way thou shall knowst is when the Sortie starts." Randwin replied.
"Well, if not then there are other ways. But I wanted to let you know that we are trying to help." DG smiled.
Randwin nodded and turned to leave DG alone. She still had the smile on her face when Cain finally stood next to her. His brows were furrowed in confusion and lead her back towards the palace. He kept silent until they were at the palace doors.
"Do I even want to know what you were planning? What about our plan?" Cain asked, keeping his voice low.
"Both think if we get involved it will show favoritism." DG explained, "So if all goes well, the Vanaspati will ask for Evich and the Tethys will ask for Teagan."
Cain breathed through his nose and shook his head, "Okay, well what is our backup if that doesn't work?"
"Let's get over that hurdle once we get there." DG said, then realized Cain didn't understand, "Don't worry until we have to."
Azkadellia at the time walked up to the friends and nodded them over, "They are about to begin so we need to get seated."
The three of them wandered over to the mock-up arena for the Sortie. It was like a little league game to DG, but with wood benches and a lot of them. Though the benches were separated to accommodate each tribe and the Royal family and friends. DG and her sister sat in the middle with Cain and Jeb in front of them and the rest behind them.
Evich, Cyin, Egmond all walked from their respective tribes and met in the center of the arena. Each nodded to one another and Cyin stood to make her tribe's announcement. She turned to Evich and smiled, saying that Nylan wanted to challenge him.
Evich was taken back, but quickly recovered. Almost arrogantly asking her if she forgot the rules of her own sport. Cyin never faltered, smiling back as she replied that the champion could challenge anyone. It was non-champions that had to fight champions. DG and Azkadellia stifled their laughs as Evich puffed up.
Finally he agreed and waited as Egmond and Cyin left and Nylan entered. She kept her face neutral, but many could see the twinkle in her eyes, her stride was powerful. Nylan was in a simple green tunic and brown pants, her hand covered in cloth. She stood near the center and waited to start.
There was no bell, nothing to sound the beginning of the match. Once Evich was ready, Nylan turned primal and just attacked Evich. DG's eyes went wide as she watched Nylan take Evich to the ground and just started beating the guy. Grabbing one of his wrists, Nylan twisted the man around, laying him on his chest. Evich screamed in pain and struggled against Nylan's hold, even breaking free and pushing her away.
Once both were up and fighting, the real show began. Nylan smiled and let Evich roar at her before charging. Again, DG was finding it hard no to cheer or laugh. The man was in such a rage, making quite a spectacle of himself. Azkadellia and DG exchanged a glance and turned to look at their parents. The Queen was crossed with annoyance and mortification, but their father was feeling the same they were and nodded to his girls.
DG took a glance at Cain and Jeb, who seemed unsettled. Cain's hand was on his gun and quite literally on the edge of his seat. Jeb was just an inch more relaxed than his father. A startled crowd caused DG to look back at the fight and watched as Evich ran passed Nylan to his tribe.
Nylan was quick to grab the man and slammed him into the ground. Evich coughed as the air rapidly left the safety of his lungs. He rolled around on the ground, but Nylan stood on his back and held him down.
"Do yousies givers up?" Nylan yelled, looking around the makeshift arena.
"Yes, damn it, yes. I give up. The hell do you want?" Evich screamed.
"For you to standers down. Givers up yours leadership." Nylan smiled.
"Whatever…" Evich groaned and stood once Nylan walked away.
The Vanaspati cheered with delight in their victory as Nylan approach. The family and friends looked to one another and waited for the Tethys match. DG kept an eye on Evich and noticed the man stepping towards the captive. She nudged Cain and nodded towards the Folkvar.
"He's leaving and taking her with him, but where." Cain asked, standing up.
"We can't let him." DG said, turning to her sister.
"Where are you going, Evich?" Egmond asked, standing from his seat.
"I'm leaving, I don't need that band of runts." Evich said, not turning and almost reaching the cloaked captive.
"Leave then, but thou has no business elsewhere." Egmond warned.
"That prisoner is mine and as such, goes with me." Evich stated, grabbing the chains and dragging the prisoner off.
"Stop right there, sir." Ahamo said, "Leave our grounds now, by yourself."
"You have more to worry about than me taking my pris…" Evich started to warn, but the prisoner swung around and slammed her fists into his abdomen.
Recovering, Evich punched her in the side of the face. As she fell, Cain and Jeb were at her side with guns drawn. Sensing his loss, Evich started to run and neither man cared. Though, the prisoner had something to say about that as she rose and took Cain's gun. Taking aim at Evich, she fired a few shots off, causing everyone to dive for cover.
Evich fell after being hit in the back a few times. The prisoner then calmly walked towards his withering body. Without a second thought, she placed a few more bullets into his body, killing him. Walking back, she handed the gun back to Cain, but pulled him down to her level. She whispered something into his ear and made her way to Cyin and the Vanaspati.
"Dad, what did she say?" Jeb asked, once family and friends were around.
Cain found his mouth suddenly dry as he tried to answer, "Longcoat, son. She said he was a Longcoat and they're on the way."
