Chapter 8
Even when his physical well-being was on the line, which was pretty much the job of a hunter, Sam was up early. He could hear Bobby snoring away on the bed he had claimed and glancing over, Dean's was empty. No doubt he decided to stay with Haley the entire night. Well he might see him at breakfast or something. Right now he had to see if Angela was okay.
He was quiet about getting dressed which was rather unnecessary. Bobby had decided to let himself sleep and went into a deep sleep. Nothing short of maybe Cerebus jumping on him and drooling on him would wake him. Still Sam took pains to get out of their room without a sound. Once in the parlor, he could breathe easy. There really was nobody there.
Sam looked around and then at the door to Angela's room. He was tempted to go and knock but he wasn't sure if he should. He had no problems approaching her though Dean seemed to get the short end of the stick when it came to waking her or startling her out of a daydream. Then again she might still be upset about the night before and the whole thing. He was in debate on what to do when he turned towards the verandah or balcony and his question of what to do was solved.
Angela was sitting on the rail as she would on the Impala with her legs crossed and wearing a robe that hung like a silk drape. To her left she had a tray balanced perfectly with hot tea with a couple of biscuits. She was sipping her tea from the cup she held in her hands and staring at the changing light. They were on the north side of the building but the colors were the same anyway.
Sam gave a slight shake of his head, a small smile on his face. No matter what she was always up with the sun or even before the sun depending on the mood. He walked towards where she was sitting and noticed that the railing was just wide enough for her to sit. He couldn't help it, "Show off."
"I could say the same with your brains," Angela replied with a smile creeping into her features. "I see you decided to not to wait for the morning song of the day." She knew that Dean preferred her version of a wakeup call rather than that nice interlude to Beethoven's Fifth. She knew that Sam liked hearing it too though he was at that point of just responding with a good morning and not saying that he liked it.
"Well I don't know if Bobby likes being woken up that early…" Sam cut himself off when he realized that Angela wasn't buying it, judging from the way she was looking at him. He started again, "Well… I was thinking that maybe… you might want to talk about Lykos since he'll be around today."
Angela took a sip of her tea as she looked at Sam. To some it would be an uncomfortable position since she was sitting forward and twisting to look at him. She knew he was concerned and truth be told, she liked it and was uncomfortable with it since very few people were ever concerned about anything that happened to her. She smiled and replied, "Lykos I can kick his ass anytime. He just made me angry. That is what I remember after shaking off that backhand. I was very angry. Kind of like at the cemetery with Ellen but it was white hot rage. Then I burnt out and next thing I know you and Bobby are talking. It was a lot to take in considering I was worried that Henricksen may have spotted you or Dean."
Sam shrugged sheepishly, "Sorry about that. I was just trying to help since all the attention was on you and what you did to catch that arrow." He didn't say anything about the rage part. He had seen her angry but it was that calm, cool deliberateness and that was when they emptied their guns into Jake. Thing was he didn't quite understand why she aided in killing Jake like that but now he figured that it was because of what he had tried to do with Ellen. "So I take it that wasn't for show."
"Nope and I hate having to ask Dean or Bobby but I think a bit of sneaking around is in order. My feeling is that it is one of the other heads of the families or one of the ones that invested heavily into it like a sponsor would. I can't do anything because people know me and you are being tossed into the ring." Angela stopped talking in order to pour a second cup of tea. She stared at the pot and let her mind go through the motions. When the cup was filled, she sent it towards Sam and suspended it for him so he could take it.
"You've been practicing," Sam commented as he reached for the cup floating in the air in front of him. He knew that of course but he had seen her use it in rapid fashion. He knew because she had used her talent to pummel him and Dean with tennis balls in a training exercise. He held the cup and took a sip and made a slight face at the taste.
"Sorry. It's not coffee."
"I know that. I just didn't expect it." Sam didn't mind the tea… just as long as Dean wasn't around to witness it. That was just one more thing his brother teased him being a girl about. "How do you feel about people gawking at you?" He had no idea why he asked that but it was brought on by his thoughts about the night before and how people reacted around her.
"I take it like it is. I grew used to the fact that I am always going to get lecher looks from men, jealous glares from women and starry eyed looks of wonderment from younglings who have heard nothing but heroic tales about me. People follow me to battle or whatever mess I lead them into and they thank me later for saving the day." Angela shrugged her shoulders.
"You're good with people."
"Flatterer."
"Honesty."
Angela chuckled, "Alright, this time you win Sam. Now I don't feel so bad about the exhibition." She looked at Sam and asked, "How do you feel about this? I pretty much threw you in when I was trying to keep you out."
"Nervous. I know you tried to show me how to read how these guys move but I get the feeling that they're not going to go easy."
Angela studied Sam's profile. He was nervous. He was fighting for something that he wasn't sure about and it had nothing to do with ganking monsters or spirits or any other thing that practically was all gathered here to fight. "I don't know if this will mean anything but someone once told me that a person, or rather a warrior, is measured by the quality of his opponent. Many of these warriors are worthy and the even though they may be enemies to each other, they respect one another whether it is courage, skill or even honor, the kind where one spares an enemy rather than kill him."
"Maybe you should be the one fighting," Sam replied without malice or sarcasm. He meant it. He thought that Angela would be the best one to be fighting since she was like that last quality.
"I wouldn't though simply because of past events. It's different now since Hakim understands the purpose. I taught him when he was a boy. His father and I were friends," Angela replied.
"You seem to make friends no matter where you go."
"Not always but thanks for the observation." Angela chuckled as she finished her cup. She put it back down on the tray. "So do you need any last minute advice?"
"You have any to give?" Sam countered with a smile. He still was nervous but he felt a little better about the whole thing. He knew she had his back.
Angela pretended to think about it. She knew Sam didn't need any advice. She had taught him what he needed to know as well as John and Dean when he was growing up. He could do it. It just required focus. In a light hearted tone, she replied, "Nope. Nothing comes to mind. You'll do fine."
Sam looked at her. He knew she wouldn't give anything because she believed he would be okay. It was a first in a way because she didn't treat him like he was still a little kid. She did have a tendency to be like Dean and try to protect him from everything but it was like lately she was letting up on that except with a few things. She was willing to let him try and if he fell just told him to get back on the horse. "Thanks."
Angela replied, "Honest truth."
"I know."
Angela sighed as she looked at the sky. It was lighter now and it looked to be a promising day. She glanced to gauge the position of the sun and figured that there were a couple of hours before they had to show up for breakfast. She glanced at her lap and then at Sam who was finishing his tea. "I have something for you."
Sam put down the cup on the rail and looked at the cloth covered package she was holding out to him. She hadn't moved from her position and it amazed him how flexible she could be. She said it was jujitsu training but he suspected it was something else besides that; like gymnast training. Knowing that she was waiting, he took the package out of her hands and undid the silk ties. He looked at her and asked, "Still into cloth wrapping?"
"Old habits."
"But you're Italian."
"I lived in China and Japan for a few decades. Where do you think I learned what I taught you? Besides it looks nicer than that icky brown paper."
Sam couldn't help but laugh. It seemed she had a bit of almost every culture around the world and that wasn't counting the fact that she could speak several world languages, plus a few dialects. Her accent was flawless except when she was agitated and then she would mutter in her first language. Sam remembered her cursing after meeting Bela for the first time. He had no idea what she said and he wasn't sure that he wanted to know. He looked down and undid the wrapping. It was nice he had to admit but it was nothing compared to what it was covering. He looked at Angela with a slight look and back down at what was in his hands.
He ran his hands on the material and his fingers found the embroidery work. He didn't take it out but he could tell it was a shirt of some kind. Finally his fingers picked it up and let it unfold. He looked at it fully, studying it.
It was like those Chinese tunics but done in a manner like a button down shirt. It was black with gold brown embroidery work. The cuffs and the collar had the embroidery designed in a scroll like pattern. It was made to fit in like any shirt a guy would wear but it was made to be distinctive. Sam examined the embroidery work. He had seen nothing like it before.
"The scrollwork is actually sigils, really old sigils from ancient times. They are given to warriors who, for lack of a better term, have proven themselves worthy of honor."
Sam had been examining it as Angela spoke. He had no idea what they meant but he could hear the knowledge behind the tone of voice she was using. He then looked at her, "You think I'm worthy of honor?"
"I do but the question is whether or not you think so. When they are given, they are meant for the warrior to find and understand what it means." Angela touched the stitching gently. "The only way for it to mean anything is the personal touch."
It finally dawned on Sam that she had made it. "You made this didn't you?"
"I had time and I figured that you might as well have something to represent." Angela shrugged. She then stretched and turned around to get off the banister. In so doing, the robe end fell to reveal her finely muscled and tanned leg as she stepped down. She hadn't even noticed that she had two pairs of eyes that saw the whole thing as she picked up the tray and the cups to put them back on inside. She paused to say, "You better get dressed."
There was a knock at the door and Angela put the tray down on a table inside the parlor and walked past Dean who managed to sneak in while she and Sam were talking to open it. Standing outside the door was a messenger holding an envelope made of rice paper. He asked, "Absolution?"
Angela made a slight tick with her tongue as she nodded and accepted the envelope. The messenger was gone before she could thank him. She frowned as she peered around the corner before closing the door. It was only then that she opened the envelope and began reading the letter. "Oh well this is something."
Dean was the first to speak once he processed what he had seen. "What's up Angie?"
"Yi Xiang invited us to breakfast."
"Well I wasn't expecting this to be a vacation," Bobby grumbled as the group made their way down the hall.
"Well you didn't have to say yes Bobby," Dean replied.
"I was being polite and the way I see it Angie and Sam can't do anything about it. All eyes will be on them during this whole thing."
"'Them' are here listening old man," Angela said with a teasing grin.
Yi Xiang had invited them all over to breakfast mostly to thank Angela for saving her but also to ask for help. She was supported by Lwazi who was there with Haley. Both suspected that the incident was planned by someone who stood to lose much if the heads decided to follow Hakim's lead in hosting the tournament in their respected regions.
It was Bobby who realized that while Angela was probably the best at stealth since she got the on up on all three of them at some point without even trying, she was going to be watched carefully. It wasn't for any security reasons or anything like that. It was simply because he saw that she was a famous person made even more so by what she did the night before. He suggested that he and Dean could look behind the scenes and see what was going on.
Angela had offered to look around at night but Sam made a noise that sounded like a cough. She knew what he was getting at and managed to say something along the lines that if it had to come to that. In the end Yi Xiang said that it was up to Bobby to decide what to do and offered any support they would need.
When the time was observed, Bobby shooed Sam and Angela out after Dean muttered something to Sam about finally finding a shirt that fit his tall frame. So now they were all walking down to observe the opening speech and to begin the first matches when Angela made her comment. Bobby replied, "Don't sass me girl. Just because you look like Sam's age doesn't mean that I won't hand yer ass to ya."
"And I wait for that day," Angela replied in a good mood. She glanced at Sam who gave a slight smile and Dean was trying hard not to laugh. Deciding to have fun, she grabbed the grizzled hunter and gave a bear hug and a kiss to the cheek. She released him and challenged, "Try topping that one Bobby."
Bobby grumbled. He tried struggling to get her to let go of him but it was futile and it was half-hearted anyway. He replied, "You'll get yours and when you least expect it."
Angela laughed, "You can try but these two know how hard it is." She made a slight gesture to indicate Sam and Dean who knew full well how hard it was to get her with a prank. They did work out a few things though and managed on a couple of occasions to get her when she least expected it. She had called it their finest moment.
"My, wasn't that a sweet little display? So your affections have switched to wrinkled old humans now my sweet?"
They were in a junction with other warriors gathered and trying to filter to the right direction. Not all were competing but many did come to watch. There was a nice sizeable little group there but it wasn't hard for Angela to know who was talking. She turned to face Lykos who was looking a little beat up but the injuries were fading. She replied, "At least I know he isn't a slime like you."
"Hurling insults now? You plan on starting a fight before everything? Even you know that is against the rules," Lykos replied taunting her. He would love to get into a fight. Mostly he wanted to beat up her little human pet and make sure that she knew that she could never be rid of him.
"Even I am not so stupid as to do that Lykos. Though you always did manage to find a loophole to keep yourself out of trouble," Angela replied. Normally she would have reached and placed her hand on the hilt of Absolution but it wasn't at her hip like it would be. Instead she adopted the manner of wearing in on her back. It worked well with the outfit she had chosen to wear.
Most people thought that billowing or flowing sleeves just set you up for disaster but it was all she had that was presentable as a trainer and a warrior. She could have worn what she intended to wear at the exhibition but something inside her mind had her decide against it. So her top was silky like Sam's except it looked like she was wearing a vest over a shirt. Dean mentioned something about it looking like Jedi robes even though it was just the top. It was strapped at the waist with a silk sash or obi. The color was black with silver embroidery.
Sam asked her if she made it and she told him that someone else did which was the truth. Her pants were the regular slacks she wore on occasion and those dress boots women wore. Dean told her she looked like a modern Jedi warrior and she said that he looked like a rustic. That led to another one of their verbal exchanges that ended up with Dean winning for once since Bobby told them to shut up. At least she looked the part.
Lykos looked at Angela. As always she looked magnificent. He smiled and replied, "I always know my loopholes. The question is whether or not you do. There are rumors flying around that you have stooped so low as to work with demons and maybe turn a deal."
Angela felt her temper rise. She ground her teeth trying to prevent her eye teeth from showing themselves. That could be taken as a sign to fight. Suddenly she smiled sweetly and her voice took a dangerous tone, "In the line of work I do it pays to know your enemy and keep them close. I can't say the same for you since you've taken it upon yourself to prove that there is no honor amongst people like you."
"Be careful my sweet. You know as well as I how certain conditions cause a trigger to occur. You wouldn't want it taken out against your pets now would you?" He smiled just like she did and replied in an equally dangerous tone. He eyed the Winchesters, especially Sam with interest even though the boy was glaring daggers at him. The shorter one looked ready to pick a fight.
"Lykos."
Lykos turned and saw his brother advance. Great the gentle giant decided to make an appearance. He said, "What do you want Lycan?"
Lycan was tall and muscular like the Winchesters. It was easy to see the gentle nature in his dark brown eyes and his messy mop of dark hair but it could also be seen as a deception. Though typically gentle, he could turn into a fearsome fighter and often went in for the kill especially if he thought someone close to him was suffering. He was loyal to his brother and tried constantly to change his ways but he was at the point of accepting that his brother was who he was and regretted that they had drifted apart over the years especially after the incident that led to Angela leaving his homeland.
He had spotted her with her friends and was going to see her but had been waylaid by a few friends. The next time he looked, he saw his brother was there and trying to pick a fight. He had to put a stop to it. He looked at his brother and said, "No fighting. This is neutral ground. The only fights are allowed inside the ring."
Lykos rolled his eyes. Lycan was always spoiling everything. He replied, "I was just having a bit of fun. You know I like to have fun testing the new ones. It makes it so much fun when they actually get their asses beat."
Lycan said nothing but gave a look. It was enough to have Lykos huff and walk away. It was only after his brother left that Lycan sighed and looked at Angela, "I apologize though I really have no need to. Lykos' actions are his own."
Angela had calmed down when Lycan stepped in and was able to reply, "I see that you've accepted that."
"But I still won't raise a hand against him. He is my brother."
"Don't ever change Lycan." Angela smiled at her old friend.
Lycan looked at Angela's companions. The older one and the shorter of the two younger ones looked like they were ready to tear his brother's lungs out. He wouldn't blame them sine Lykos goaded her and from the looks of things, they knew her and cared. The taller one was different. The anger was there but more controlled and he flanked her like he would have done when they almost got into trouble in those days. He said, "And yet some change is good. I am for one glad to see that you will be helping that."
"Seems like everyone is a gossip," Angela replied, "Lycan I want you to meet Bobby, Dean and this is Sam."
Lycan offered his hand to each of the hunters and they responded in kind. Bobby and Sam were a bit more receptive. Dean was polite but he was reserving judgment. He did manage to say, "Now I know someone switched bassinets at birth with you Sam. Here is your twin."
Lycan laughed at the joke. It was true that he and Sam were of similar height and wore a similar look to their hair. It was funny to him and he reassured Sam that it was okay and that he often thought Lykos was born on a different planet. It was enough to break the ice for Lycan to ask Sam, "So you will be competing? Angie is a very good teacher but I suspect that she may have taught you a few things that she refused to teach me."
"Angie taught my brother and I both enough," Sam replied. He wasn't sure about Lycan but he could see the vast difference between him and Lykos. He could understand why Lykos referred to his brother as a gentle giant. They really could have passed for brothers.
"A good response," Lycan replied. "I see her usual telling but not revealing tactics have rubbed off on you."
"You know my reasoning for that," Angela replied. She looked in the direction of the main hall. She could hear and see the crowds moving. "Now I suggest we head to our respective places." She looked at Dean and Bobby who nodded. She started to go but waited when she saw that Sam paused slightly.
Sam paused. This was it now. They could have turned and run and yet he didn't. Sighing he joined Angela and was followed by Lycan. He asked, "You are competing?"
"Yes if only to keep an eye on my brother. If you don't mind, I will walk with you until we get to the floor." When Sam hesitated, Lycan explained, "Crowd control."
"I understand that."
A/N: Ooo a little nice moment in the morning and then they meet up with Lykos again. Moments before the first fights. Stay tuned for next time on Warrior's Honor...
