9 N I N E
Remus could barley keep his eyes open. The downside to having an ardent, addictive lover was that sleep seemed negligible right up until he walked around in an exhausted daze the next day. He was old enough to know better, but where Ori was concerned, he seemed to have no sense at all.
He jerked, nearly toppling, as someone walked by him close enough to slam into his shoulder. Remus didn't even bother looking; he could smell Lucius' perfume.
The other competitors had already set out on their challenges, the royals saved for last, as always. Remus felt like. A griffon in a fighting ring.
Instead of Albus, a hug, burly man with black-brown hair and even longer beard stood before them and boomed out, "Merry Mornin' competitors! I hope yer ready to work those muscles. Today is not going to be a light day of shoppin' for ya! I am Hagrid, the Realm Consorts keeper of sorts, and as he is currently detained I will be announcing the next challenge: the Heart of Gold Challenge!"
Why had he expected it to be something less ridiculous sounding than the first one? What did a Heart of Gold Challenge entail? Who could preform the greatest number of good deeds in a single day?
"For this challenge," Hagrid continued bellowing, "you are to travel down the temple path to the Faded Temple and there complete the three tasks given to you by Their Most Holy Eminence. Once your tasks are completed to their satisfaction, they will bestow upon you a token, which you are to bring back to me. Remember, competitors— swiftness is not always most crucial. How well you preform the challenges, the choices ya make, count for much more than finishing quickly. The two lowest-scoring individuals will be removed from the Tournament, and the remaining six will continue on. Any questions?"
Remus shook his head, glancing surreptitiously around at the others. They all looked as exhausted as he felt, and most of them look confused. Definitely out-of-towers, though the clothes had already given that away. He yawned as Hagrid explained the temple path to those who did not know it.
About a two-hour walk south of the city was the oldest temple in the Realm. It had begun life as a simple lighthouse to warn ships of the nasty stretch of rocks that vanished completely up near the brook. Over time, it had become a small temple, then a great one, then a famous one. People from all over the world came to see the Temple of Eternal Fire.
Most just didn't know that the way to it was a long, rocky stretch of road simply called the 'temple path' by city fold, though it probably had some official title like the The Path of Light.
It was also, in case they'd managed to overlook that part, a two-hour walk. On a good day, when the toad wasn't especially busy and packed with foreigners and vendors and thieves and the occasional wild griffon and other creature alike desperate for food.
A few minutes later, the competitors were released, and Remus made certain to walk slowly in front of Lucius, who finally swore loudly and shoved him to the side, then tramped down the stage steps and bolted toward a horse that looked obscenely expensive, even for a horse.
Most of the others were mounting horses as well. Remus and the other competitor from the city were the only ones who would be walking.
At least he was guaranteed to loose the challenge. He waved at the other competitor, Sadie, if he recalled correctly, and then lingered a bit to see if he could see Ori in the crowd. But as before, if Ori was there, he wasn't where Remus could make him out.
Giving up, he let his eyes drift to the ominous silk screen at the stop of the stands, heart twisting in his chest. What would Ori say or do is Remus did marry the prince? Merlin, he was letting this damned affair and this stupid Tournament get into his head.
Laborer. Occasional whore. Poor commoner. Part beast. He wasn't anyone, Tournament or not, that a prince— a beautiful, confounding lord, would ever want to marry.
Turning away from the stands, he finally headed out and began the long walk back toward the city gates, where he could then take the road to the temple, set high on a cliff that made it visible from the highest parts of the city on a clear day.
He paused at the gates to buy food and munched on a belated breakfast as he began the long walk. The ring on his finger occasionally caught the sunlight, flashing his eyes like some sort of taunt. It seemed idiotic to bother doing the challenge at all. He could go home, find work, return to the tournament in the evening and say he'd failed.
But if he was going to lose, he wanted to lose honestly. That sounded stupid, but the point remained: he wanted to lose because he'd lost, not because he hadn't even tried.
Remus finished off his pie and licked his fingers, fished out a kerchief to clean them and wipe his mouth. Sea air rustled through his thick wavy hair, carrying the scent of salt and sand, clean air that didn't smell of even a whiff of city stench or fish.
The road was bust, but not unbearably so, with people heading toward the temple and others returning from it. He picked a tune from a passing woman and began to hum it, then whistle, smiling briefly as the tune somehow transformed into one of the ballads Ori had sung him the other night. Remus was no longer annoyed when the thought of him refused to leave his mind. It was unavoidable really.
He' just started to enjoy the walk despite himself, when the sound of crying caught his attention right before someone grabbed him. "Sir, sir, please! I need help!"
Remus turned and caught the woman who stumbled into his path. "What's wrong?"
"My brother got angry and left me, and my ankle is in bad shape. I need to reach the city, but..." She sniffled. "Would you be kind enough to help me?"
Remus glanced up the path and quickly shook himself, "Yes, of course. Do you have any belongings I could help you carry?"
She sniffled again, nodding toward a small tree and some scrubby bushes where he could just see a worn, faded pack tucked beneath them. "It's over—" she stumbled as she tried to take a step. Remus reached out and caught her, held her close, and helped her over to the tree. Once they reached it, he slung the pack over one shoulder— then shook his head and set it down again. "Might be easier to just carry you on my back. That way you don't strain your ankle."
"Oh, no, I couldn't—"
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "It's no bother. I'm used to hauling around goods down at the docks and your lighter than them, I'm sure of it." He gave her a reassuring smile and added, "Come on, up you go." Then knelt so she could climb on his back.
"What's your name?" He asked after a couple of minutes of walking.
"Myrtle. You?"
"Remus. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." She didn't reply, but in her position, he would be completely out of words, too, so Remus filled the silence with some of the ballads he remembered from his night with Ori— not nearly as well, of course— and she was giggling when they reached the city gates a half hour or so later.
City guards came rushing over when he beckoned and were happy to help her from there. Remus tried to refuse the little hand-carved good fortune charm she pressed on him in thanks, but at last gave in and, with a parting wave, turned around and once more headed back down the temple path.
He got further the second time, at least halfway, when he noticed a small cluster of people standing at the edge of the cliffs that had begun to line the left side of the path as the road curved up toward the towering temple.
Frowning, Remus joined the cluster, heart dropping into his stomach as he saw a boy of ten or so years clinging to the side of the cliff. The drop wasn't necessarily fatal, but broken bones was close enough for most. Why wasn't anyone doing anything? Remus shoved to the ledge and dropped to his knees.
"You all right, boy?'
"I can't climb up. I was trying to get my jacket when I dropped it and I fell, and now I can't climb back up." He looked up at Remus with pleading eyes. "Do you have a rope?"
Remus shook his head. "No rope. Hang on." He shucked his jacket and tried to improvise a rope with it, but it fell a little too short of reaching the boy. He sighed and pulled it back on, then removed his pouches, tucked his coin purse into his shirt, and left everything else bundled together by a large rock at the edge of the cliff. Hopefully, nobody would run off with his belongings while he was doing something stupid. "What my things," he snapped at the nearest of gawking idiots. "Or Merlin See you suffer the same." He drew a deep breath, then swung over the edge of the cliff.
"Sir, no—" One of the other men bolted over to him. "You should go back and find rope, or hasten to the temple to seek it out. I was about to do the same—"
"You should have done it immediately, not dithered while the boy grew tired," Remus snarled, then started to slowly work his way down the rough, jagged cliff face. He was going to heave up his breakfast. He closed his eyes, took several more slow, deep breaths, and tried to think about anything but the fact he was clinging to the side of a damned cliff.
When he was as not terrified as he was going to get, he resumed climbing down until he reached the boy. looked up, immediately felt nauseous and dizzy again. Rethought his original plan. "I think going up is probably a bad idea because there's no way I can carry you without both of us falling. So let's climb down instead, all right? I'll go first, guide you down. What's your name?"
"Collin."
"All right, Collin. Here we go." It took what felt like hours, but bit-by-bit they made their was down. Remus' heart stopped when the boy slipped, and it didn't really calm down even when he stabilized.
Then Remus slipped, and terror filled him, so cold and sharp that it drove out everything else—
And he landed on his back in the sand, hard enough to knock the wind right out of him. When he could finally draw a shuddering breath, he gingerly tested his limbs, eyes stinging with relief when everything worked properly, and the worst he seemed to have was a sore back. Standing, he finished guiding Collin down.
"All right, let's walk along the beach until we can climb back up to the path without either of us risking death."
Collin nodded, wiping tears from his eyes before he threw himself at Remus and held him tightly. Remus hugged him back, hoping his own trembling was apparent. "Come on, let's get moving. I'm sure people are worried sick about you." Even if they hadn't been worried enough to do anything.
By the time they found a spot to climb up and then hiked back to where Remus had left his belongings, the other people were gone. Remus wasn't at all surprised to see his belongings were gone as well. His pouches, his lunch, his newly-bought handkerchiefs— thank Merlin he hadn't carried anything valuable with him today and his coins were safely tucked inside his shirt.
Still, the jacket alone would be costly to replace, never mind the pouch he'd just bought and the old one he's had for years and been rather fond of. Stifling a sigh, he turned to the boy. "Where is your family? Isn't anyone traveling with you?"
Collin nodded. "My brother. He ran back to get rope, but that was ages ago—"
"Collin! Collin!" A young man came rushing up, wearing a guard's uniform. "Thank Merlin, you're all right!" He hugged Collin tightly, kissed his brow and the top of his head over and over until Collin finally shoved him away in disgust. "Are you well?'
"M'fine," Collin said, wiping his face with his sleeve. "Remus saved me."
"Remus—" The guard's eyes flicked to Remus, widened, then dropped to his ring. Looking back up, he said, "You're a competitor?"
Remus nodded, "Yes, and as happy as I was to help and that Collin is well, I should be on my way now."
"You have to let us repay—"
"Not at all," Remus said, shaking his head. "Though if you see some bastard wearing a brown jacket with blue and red patches at the elbows, it belongs to me, and I want it back. Other than that, just have this little one steer clear of the cliffs, yeah?"
He walked off before they could delay him further, half-tempted to just give up and go back and declare his defeat.
But the day was already too far gone to find work, and there was no certainty he'd be able to see Ori again, so he may as well at least try to finish the challenge.
Hopefully without losing anymore of his damned belongings. Remus shoved the thought aside, because if he dwelt on it, he'd be in a foul mood for days.
He hadn't gone much further along the path when he was stopped again, this time by a woman who was tired and hungry. This wasn't unusual, being stopped by beggars along the way, but it was striking Remus as quiet odd at how delayed his travels had become— he tried to think of his other trips in the past and decided he had been stopped almost as frequently, and decided it must be due to the competitors and the tournament that more and more people were stopping him. He used some money to buy the woman food and drink at one of the traveling food carts, anyway, then headed out once more.
The next person to stop him was an old man who could barley walk and had a broken cane. Remus helped him the rest of the way to the temple, where priests came forward to take over.
"You look exhausted yourself," said one with a soft smile. "Come, I'll see you're well fed and given a bed. You can stay the night and leave tomorrow."
Remus shook his head. "That sounds wonderful, and I appreciate the offer, Priest, but I am here to complete my challenge for the Tournament."
"Oh!" The priests eyes fell on Remus' hand. "I did not see your ring. I thought all the competitors had long since come and gone. This way, please, Most Holy will be happy to see you."
"Thank you," Remus replied, and followed the priest through the beautiful temple. Outside, it was impressive, but not much different from the city temples, the only difference being the dark stone sun and salt had turned pale gray. Inside, however, it was white and gleaming, with beautiful, colorful statues of the Golden Phoenix on display. Intricate patterns wove through the flooring, sparking in the light trickling in from the high thin windows.
"The last competitor has arrived."
"Oh, I see. I had wondered. Thank you, Merri, you may go."
"Yes, Most Holy." The priest rose and with a brief smile at Remus, slipped quietly from the room.
"Rise, please. I am Eminence Dathaten, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"It's an honor to meet you, Eminence Dathaten." Remus said and obediently stood. They were beautiful in that imperious, untouchable way that seemed common to all high-ranking people of influence, gray hair bound and coiled at the back of their head, a heavy silver ring on one hand.
Dathaten resumed their seat, glancing at a piece of paper off to one side. "You are the last competitor to reach me, Master... Romtayen, isn't it?" Remus winced, but nodded. "What has caused you to arrive so late?"
"My apologies, Most Holy," Remus said, angry that he felt disappointed, because this was exactly what he wanted. Out of the Tournament, back to his normal life, no more time wasted playing stupid games that would never amount to anything. "I was headed here steadily, but there was a woman who needed help..." Slowly, he explained all that had delayed him.
"On the cliff face!" Dathaten cut in when he got to that part. "Oh my! Are you both well? We're either of you hurt? Why was no one else helping that boy up?" They shook their head. "Never mind. Continue with your tale."
Remus nodded and did so, though it took him some times as he kept cutting himself off with yawns he could not hold back.
Dathaten smiled when he finished. "You've had quite the day, Master Romtayen."
"I'm not eager to go cliff-climbing again, and I wish I hadn't lost my jacket, but otherwise it wasn't so bad," Remus replied. He wasn't getting beaten in alleyways or struggling to come up with fifteen slick.
"Well, I think your first task is to go find food and drink. When you've done that, come see me again."
Remus frowned, but he wasn't about to argue with that kind of order. "Yes, Most Holy. Thank you." He bowed low, then left and went back the way he'd come. In the general sanctuary, another priest directed him to where he could find food.
He'd never been so happy to sit down in his life, and the food put in front of him almost made him cry. He wolfed it down, barely noticing when more was piled on, save to say thank you. Only after he'd cleared the plate three times did Remus finally stop eating.
"You were hungry a bit, weren't you, then?'
Remus looked up, smiled sheepishly at the priest grinning at him. "A touch, maybe."
The priest chuckled and took the empty plate, refilling Remus' cup with pale, steaming tea. "If you need anything else, please let us know."
"Thank you." Remus sipped at the tea, looking around the dinning hall at the other visitors. Some were obviously from the city, others from out of town, and others must be from outside the Realm entirely. One woman had skin so blue it was like he was carved from the sky. They wore wildly colorful clothing, and there was a fluffy white creature sitting at their feet.
Another trio wore lots of beads and wolf feathers, and wildest of all, they were bare-chested. The woman had heavy gold rings in her nipples, and the man's chest was covered in tattoos. They probably garnered more looks than anyone else in the hall, though they seemed unbothered by it. But if Remus were accustomed to walking around half-naked all the time, he supposed very little would bother him.
When his tea was finished, he carried the cup to the collection area then slowly returned to Eminence Dathaten's office.
Dathaten smiled when he entered and knelt. "Stand, stand. Are you fed and at least somewhat rested, Master Romtayen?"
"Yes, Eminence Dathaten."
Chuckling, they said, "You wince every time I say that. Do you not enjoy being named after one of our most beloved founders?"
"I am honored to be bestowed such a noble name," Remus replied. It was long and obnoxious and who wanted to be named after the founder who was killed by their own brother? He'd been born during the festival week celebrating Sacred Roman History, and even his mother had not been able to resist the ridiculous lure of the story of the two brothers known for aiding the Realm in its beginning creation. The idiocy of it, if anyone asked Remus, which no one ever did, of course. "But I confess, Most Holy, that I prefer 'Remus' to my full name."
They laughed again. "Master Remus, it is then. I'm sure you would like to get on with your day, so your second task is this: find my priest Nella and have them take you to collections; pick out whatever you like to replace what you've lost."
Remus frowned, but bowed and said. "Yes, Most Holy."
It took him a few minutes to find Nella, a pretty priest with a serious demeanor, but who showed Remus to 'collections', whatever that was, without fuss. Unlocking the door, Nella motioned Remus inside, then opened the shuttered windows. "This is where we store all the belongings visitors leave behind. Two or three times a year, we take it all into the city for the temples there to hand out to the poor. We'll be doing that in another month or two. Take what you like. It won't be missed by anyone. Find me when you're done, and I'll lock it all up again."
Alone, Remus looked over the room, at a loss. Why were his tasks to eat and choose a new jacket? Did Eminence Dathaten feel sorry for him and so was doing what they could, since he obviously lost? Well, that wasn't so bad a thing, and it was kind of them.
Moving further into the room, which was comprised of a large table in the middle and shelves all along the walls, everything covered in clothes, sacks, even things like books and shoes. There was even a small case, which proved to be filled with jewelry that the temple probably sold for the money, since it would go a lot further that way than simply handing the jewelry out.
He found a pile of jackets and began to try them on, pleased when one made of fine, dark red wool, lined in blue linen, proved to fit well enough. He also found two pouches, one made of fine brown leather, the other of sturdy black cloth, both much, much nicer than any he'd ever owned.
Leaving a couple of pennies in the jewelry case, he once more returned to Eminence Dathaten. "Thank you for the clothing, Most Holy."
"You're welcome," Dathaten said with a smile, settling back in their seat and folding their hands on their lap. "Your third task is to answer this question: if you were to win the Tournament and marry into the royal family, what would you do as a prince?"
Remus frowned, shook his head, shrugged. "I don't know. I know nothing about being a prince. I've worked as a laborer or a whore my whole life. What do I know about being royalty? I suppose the first thing I'd do is learn. Past that, it's impossible to say."
Eminence Dathaten nodded. "An honest answer; I respect that." They opened a box set in front of them on the desk. "Come here, Master Remus, and receive your token."
"Token—" Remus snapped his mouth shut and approached the desk, heart beginning that thud-thudding it was doing more and more of late. Even struggling to appease Greyback did not alarm him as much as the damnable Tournament.
Standing, Eminence Dathaten placed a small, black velvet bag in his hands. "That is your token for completing the challenge." They picked up a small, sealed envelope. "If you will give this to Lady Minerva, for me, I would appreciate it. Would you like to borrow a horse to return to the city?"
Remus tucked the bag into his jacket. "I appreciate the offer, Most Holy, but I've never ridden a horse in my life. Isn't helping me against the rules, anyway?"
"You've completed the challenge, and the time it takes you to return is irrelevant. As much walking and climbing as you've done, I would hate for you to have to walk back as well. Come on." Dathaten didn't give Remus a chance to reply, and simply moved around the desk and strode off, hurrying him along with a wave of a hand.
In short order, Remus somehow found himself sitting on a horse. It was terrifying, but he seemed to be the only one who realized that, so he held tightly to the waist of the priest taking him back, closed his eyes, and prayed to Merlin that today not be his day to die. He had survived a cliff; surely he could survive a horse.
He expected the priest to stop at the gates, but they kept going all the way down to the fairgrounds— and right up to the stage, at which point Remus wished fervently that he were still at the bottom of the cliffs. "Thanks," he said and mostly toppled form the horse. He winced as he started walking, and merciful Fates, he would give anything for a day where he did nothing but lie in bed.
But he managed it, stumbling only a couple of times as he reached the table where Lady Minerva and a trio of clerks awaited him. He pulled the bag and letter from his jacket and held them out to Minerva. "I was told to give these to you, Lady Minerva. I apologize for my late arrival."
"You're not late at all," Lady Minerva replied with a soft smile. She broke the seal on the envelope and quickly read the contents, brows shooting up and eyes widening to the size of saucers behind her rimmed spectacles as she read. "Oh my," she muttered, glancing up at Remus. She gestured to the clerk, handed the letter to him. "Take this to His Majesty at once."
"Yes, my Lady." The clerk ran off, neatly leaping up in to the spectator stands and dashing up the stairs to the silk screen. After a moment, he vanished through it.
The other competitors turned their eyes on Remus, most of them looking puzzled, Lucius looking annoyed. Why the man hated him so, Remus didn't know. So far as he knew, Lucius was doing at least as well in the Tournament— and Remus had been the last to return, so he was obviously done. Finally.
But the relief he kept expecting to feel at that realization never came. Instead, he just felt despondent, like he'd let himself down. Which just made him mad, because he was making no damned sense to himself, and Remus wasn't used to being a stranger inside his own damned head unless the wolf was there to take over without his choice in the matter.
Minerva bent to speak in low tones to the other two clerks, one of whom briskly began writing and marking things on the papers in front of him. After a moment, Minerva drew back and held the velvet bag out to Remus. "Have you looked at your token?"
Remus shook his head. "No, my lady. There wasn't time, and it didn't seem to matter much; it's just proof of completion of the challenge."
"Open the bag, Master Romtayen."
Stifling a sigh, Remus took the bag and untied the knows, tipping the bag so the contents spilled into his palm. His breath caught. Given the title of the challenge, he'd expected a little gilded heart, or something along those lines, but what was inside was a small glass heart, cut so it scattered rainbows everywhere whenever the fading light or the torches around the stage struck it. He held it up to catch more light, entranced. Would they let him keep it? His mother would love it. He'd have to see if he could afford to have it made into a necklace for her. Maybe if he did some work for a few days, the jeweler on Silver Street would give him a lower price…
He startled as someone coughed, face burning as he lowered the heart and held it out. "Apologies. It's just— it's stunning."
"Hold it high enough for all to see, then." Minerva encouraged, nodding at the crowd behind them. When Remus had done so, she stepped forward and bellowed out, rather proudly on Remus' account, "Your majesties, good people of the Realm, I present to you— the Champion of the Heart of Gold Challenge!"
Remus had to give his head a small shake, nearly dropping the delicate heart in the process. "What?" He could practically feel the glares from Lucius and a few of the others as the rest of the crowds began to cheer. "But— I was the last to return. My challenges were eating and picking out a new jacket. I don't— I don't understand."
Minerva paced a delicate hand on his shoulder and lifted her other one for silence from the still cheering crowds. Then, spoke loud and clear enough that the next Realm over could probably hear. "A true heart of gold is not one who fulfills a kindness when bid and to his own benefit. A heart of gold is one who is willing to sacrifice his own ends to see the well-being of others. Though many competitors here today preformed their challenges with honor and kindness and diligence, only one stopped on the road to help those in need, though it guaranteed he would lose the challenge…" she trailed off as the clerk came out of the silk screen and dashed back down the stairs and onto the stage. He held out a note to Minerva, who took it quickly and read.
Tucking the note away, she smiled at Remus and said, "You should know that the child on the cliff was not a task we arranged. The others were, but that boy was meant to have dropped something over the side that would have been easily and safely retrieved. We would never endanger anyone. What you did was very brave, to be admired by all who witness this spectacle. His Royal Majesty would like to grant you a request in reward: you may ask for anything in his power to give, so long as the granting brings no harm to another and does not give you an unfair advantage in the rest of the Tournament."
"What—?" Remus felt like his heart was going to pop. He wanted to laugh and scream and cry all at once. "I don't know. I didn't do anything special. Anyone else would have done the same."
"On the contrary, by your own account there were other people there who could have acted as you did, and they did not. Instead, they stole your belongings and left you to risk your life. Name your request."
"I— I haven't the slightest what to even ask for," Remus said breathlessly, still processing the absurdity how this was playing out.
Minerva quirked one brow, gave a soft laugh and slight shake of her head. "Most would be asking for money right now, or jewels that could be sold slowly over time. A shop? A house—"
"I can ask for a house?" Remus' gut clenched. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, the sound that came out of him was a combination of both. "That—" he nodded quickly, "That's what I want— for my mother. Can I truly ask for a house?"
Minerva smiled faintly. "You want a house for your mother?"
"Yes. She's getting on in years, and her hands have been bothering her for ages. She won't be able to work forever, and the teashop where she works doesn't pay especially well. I don't have a steady income so my aid comes few and far between luck or odd jobs—" Remus realized then he had been nervously babbling and quickly took in a breath before adding, "It's just— I want to know she'll always have somewhere to live, that no one can take away, no matter what happens to either of us. Can I ask for that?"
"Yes." The smile Minerva gave him then was fond and clearly amused. "It shall be so. Your mother will have her home within the month."
Remus swallowed, clenched the glass heart so tightly he was afraid he'd break it. "Th— Thank you. I mean, my thanks to His Royal Majesty. I mean, thank you both, yes."
Minerva smiled and gripped his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Stand in line, Master Romtayen, and let us get on with this Tournament."
"Y-yes, my lady," Remus said and fled to the side, right at the far end of the stage, knees feeling more numb with every step. He shifted his body to keep out of the vision of those gawking and glaring at him as his eyes began to sting. He struggled to hold himself together for the next serval moments, unable to believe his mother would soon have a place of her own, truly her own, and forever. Forever. It was too much, too fast. He wouldn't believe it until he saw it. Probably wouldn't believe it, even then. The whole affair seemed so surreal.
He startled as Minerva clapped her hands several times. "Competitors, it has been an honor to host your second Challenge. I now leave you in the capable hands of Lady High Constable Hooch, who has charge of the third challenge. Good luck to you all."
Applause consumed the crowd as a fierce-looking woman climbed the stage, dressed in dark feathers and a green-and-blue tunic of the royal guard, a sword at her hip, and a gold badge shaped like a triangle with a silver three-headed griffon pinned to her breast. "Competitors," she said, folding her arms across her chest. They were bare, heavily muscled, peppered with blade and burn scars. "I am Lady High Constable Hooch, and it is my honor to host your third challenge: The Weary Traveler Challenge. It will begin tomorrow, but requires some preparation tonight. You will each be visiting three villages, which will be told to you after you leave the stage. At each village, you will be given a token. Those who best preform their given tasks will move on to the forth challenge.
"Tonight, you are to pack for your journey. Tomorrow, you will gather at the city gates at the waking bell. You will be given a horse, and suitable travel supplied will be provided, along with an escort of two royal guards apiece. They are not allowed to advice or assist in the completion of your tasks, but they will protect you on the journey and ensure you do not get lost or unfairly waylaid. Any questions?"
Merlin, he was exhausted already. He had to travel to three villages? How long would that take? What sort of tasks would he be expected to do? Dread bubbled inside his chest as his eyes glanced upward to the rising gleam of moonlight. An action he avoided at all costs if he could help it. But he was too tired and tightly strung to voice any of his concerns, could barely comprehend the questions and answers that went on around him.
When they were finally finished, Remus fled as quickly as he possibly could, all the way back to his room above the shop. He paused only to ask Lucinda to wake him at the gate bell, which would give him an hour to pack his belongings and hurry to the city gates. Lady Hooch had told him to pack warmly after telling him the villages he'd be visiting— names that meant nothing to Remus— but Remus had little time or money to buy the sorts of costly winter clothes she had suggested.
"You never look anything less than tired these days," Lucinda said as she pressed a plate of food on him, which Remus was happy to take with him upstairs. He ate quickly, then stripped, flopped into his bed, and succumbed almost immediately to exhaustion.