"I don't get it."
"It's perfectly simple, Legault. I just want you to shadow Karel while he's in that arena. You know, sneak in behind him while he's registering or something."
"And why can't I just watch from the stands?"
"If you do that, you won't be able to see him in the waiting area! I want to know if he's apprehensive before fights or if he's always as self-confident as he appears."
Legault and Canas were standing outside the coliseum, bickering over Canas' current scheme. Several pirates were wandering in and out, along with a few myrmidons and the occasional shaman. A few members of the army had entered as well; Farina had come out looking extremely happy with her 1400 gold, while Raven sulked over his bitter defeat at the hands of a swordmaster.
"Look, Canas," Legault said, "I'm willing to do it, I'd just like a better reason than "to see if he gets nervous'! I mean, we've both saw him before the fight in the water temple…"
Canas smiled. "I'm surprised, Legault. I never knew you had such a scientific mind!"
Legault rolled his eyes. "So what's your point?"
Canas looked over to the arena again. "These fights are one-on-one. It is more intimidating to fight one strong opponent than several weak ones, correct?" He waved at Erk, who was walking through the gateway.
Legault stood up. "Well, whatever. Would it bother you if I just signed up with him? That way I won't have to be hiding all the time."
Canas nodded. "Just make sure you don't get paired against him," he warned.
The waiting room that Karel had been sent to was very extravagant. Apparently the arena liked to reward its higher bidders such as Karel by making them feel special before they went off to a deathmatch. Legault surveyed the room with great interest, subtly stuffing various trinkets in his cloak. A small Elimine statue, a red gem, a blue gem, a ceremonial dagger…
"Good morning, Legault!"
The thief spun around and came face-to-face with Matthew, who was grinning mischievously. "Don't take too much more, okay? I want some left for me."
Legault smirked. "Don't worry. It looks like there's plenty to be had." He looked over at Karel again. The Sacaen swordsman had been standing next to a portrait of the famed sage Acrylle, who had mysteriously passed away a few years ago. Legault nodded to Matthew and then walked over near the painting.
Karel noticed him approaching and turned to him. "One of my more recent kills," he said.
Legault blinked. "Uh…"
Karel turned back to the picture. "She was a magnificent warrior," he began, sounding almost reverent. "She used a simple Fire tome, but she could deal incredible damage with it...she was rather inaccurate, however. I was able to dodge all but one of her shots…she had great power, but she could not defeat me."
Legault scratched his nose. "That's interesting," he murmured. He quickly turned away and walked to the other side of the room.
"So much for him being scared…" the thief muttered to himself.
"Our next combatant is…Regen Berle, the Maroon Wyvern!"
Canas sat in one of the middle seats, watching eagerly as the Wyvern Lord flew into the ring. Regen seemed strong, yes, but not particularly noteworthy. He was fairly certain that Heath was stronger, and definitely faster.
"And his opponent…Karel, the Sword Demon!"
The crowd cheered as Karel strode onto the stage. The Wyvern Lord gave him a mocking sneer, which Karel ignored. Canas fingered his monocle, a gift from his wife, and began focusing his magic into it. It enlarged slightly, and zoomed in on the fight.
"FIGHT!"
Regen grabbed his iron lance, reared his wyvern back, and flew at Karel, who nimbly stepped between the lance and the wyvern. He thrust his sword up into the rider's arm as he flew by, causing him to cry out in pain and nearly drop his weapon.
Regen turned to face Karel again. "You cur!" he yelled. Canas smiled; the fact that he had made such a pathetic insult clearly meant that he was flustered. He focused his monocle in on the rider's arm; the cut didn't look very deep, but definitely painful.
Regen charged at Karel once again. This time the swordmaster leaned backwards and stabbed at Regen's leg as it passed. The rider cried out once again and began to tilt to his right.
"He's gonna fall!" the man next to Canas yelled.
The man was almost correct; Regen did indeed fall out of his saddle. He managed to barely cling on to the wyvern as it soared through the battleground. Karel followed at a moderate pace, watching his opponent.
Eventually Regen's grip loosened and he fell from his mount. He landed on his stomach; Canas had a feeling that the man had broken several of his ribs and possibly a leg.
"And the winner is…THE SWORD DEMON!"
Karel stepped back inside the building. "What a waste of effort," he said to himself.
Matthew paced back and forth across the holding area, waiting for his turn to come up. Legault had just taken his turn against a ferocious-looking Berserker; not that Berserkers held any danger to the likes of a thief. He had a feeling that he would end up against one also; what else was there to fight in this town, anyway?
Karel walked back inside the room and took a seat near the thief. "Matthew."
He turned to face the Sacaen. "Yeah?" he asked, curious. Karel hardly ever talked to the other members of the army; apparently he was in a social mood.
"Do you know anything about a man named Gerald Saldon?"
Matthew paused. "He's a vigilante or something, isn't he? I think I heard someone saying that he and his two brothers keep watch over the towns around this area."
Karel nodded. "Yes, I've heard the same thing. I want to know if you know anything about his fighting style."
Matthew shook his head. "Nope. I mean, I don't live anywhere near here…I've just heard stories about him from the locals."
Karel nodded. "Very well. I'll have to ask someone else." He stood up and left the room.
Matthew stared after him.
"What was that about?"
Thus begins the true Sociopathology. All hail Canas' Monocular!
Valete!