Chapter ten! Whew, so this chapter is a biggie! It's the longest yet! (And for those who said the last chapter was too tiny, here's a bigger one to handle!) Anyway, last chapter Farina promised to beat Fiora and Kent still believes that he's going to win. We shall see though! This chapter you'll see lots of matches, lots of fighting, and lots of rivalries… Enjoy!

Previous Chapter:

Farina clenched her fists and felt her lance slip from her sweaty palm. It was true, Farina hadn't been able to best her sister all these years…and it irked Farina. She was the one with the sterling name, she was the one with all the money, she was the one employers all over sought after. She was, not Fiora, but she. And yet Fiora had been able to beat her every time. Not this time, no, not this time—Farina would win this time—she'd make sure of it.

Midst all of this, Kent couldn't help but wonder, So Fiora thinks that I'm going to lose to Farina?

Fighting For Your Worth

"Hello, Farina," Kent said, coming from behind her. Farina was too busy thrusting her lance and practicing her footwork to turn around.

Even too busy for a cute cavalier—not that she'd admit it.

She was, after all, planning to win by any means necessary (sound familiar?)—and if that meant training until the last second, she was most definitely willing to do so. Besides, if she lost, she would have to give up some gold…and that would be downright depressing for her—and for the person who took her gold.

Elimine have mercy on the poor, unfortunate soul who takes any of Farina's gold…

"Morning, Kent. Get a good night sleep?" Farina asked. Now that Kent was her new sparring partner and 'enemy' she had come to like him a bit more. (And no, looks had nothing to do with it… Why do you ask?) She had come to respect him more than before. Farina realized Kent wasn't just some lazy vassal of a princess, and that suited her just fine.

Though, lazy or not, she was going to win, one way or another (it must run in the family…).

"I've had better nights… But, that's not why I came over here," Kent said, his fingers sliding uncertainly over the etched designs on his hilt. That was the only thing Kent would do when he was uneasy—trace the engravings. It calmed him somehow. No one could tell he was nervous since no one knew it was a nervous habit.

"Kent, are you nervous about fighting with me? Heh, I'm not that intimidating. If I was, Sain would definitely have fled from me by now! It was I who had a lance perched at his neck…and yours too." Farina laughed, watching Kent with her dark blue eyes. He had stiffened at the mention of "nervous," and she knew that. Never had anyone been able to tell so quickly if he was tense or uncomfortable. Not even his mother. People often asked him if he ever got anxious.

Not her though, nope, not Farina. She had seen right through his unruffled façade. Pull yourself together, Kent! She probably thinks you're afraid of sparring her which is so far from the truth, he thought confidently.

"No, it's not that," he replied. Farina narrowed her eyes.

"You're not thinking of dropping out, are you?" Kent's raised an eyebrow in response as if to say, "Yeah, right."

"No, that's not at all what I want. I am actually looking forward to test your prowess firsthand."

And he was, boy, was he 'looking forward,' more like…so excited that he couldn't wait for their match. His fingers were practically itching at the chance to floor Farina… She did call him a coward and he hadn't forgotten that just yet.

He'd take winning as compensation of course.

"Then what is it, Kent? You're not trying to psyche me out or something like that, are you? Because if you are, I've been practicing for a long time now and it'd be pretty hard to do that now," Farina replied, now stretching her arms out above her head.

"I would never try that, Farina. You must know that by now. I suppose I should just come out and say it," Kent said mainly to himself.

"Yes, that'd be nice. I'm no mind reader," Farina said, catching his thoughts nonetheless.

How should I phrase this?

"Okay… In the case that I should lose, this is a strictly 'what if' basis," Farina nodded, a smirk playing upon her pink lips. Kent caught himself staring and quickly focused on her lance instead.

"Well, the next competitor would be your sister, Fiora. I know you two aren't on the best of terms and I wouldn't want that rift to widen any further. If fighting her would do so, I wouldn't mind if you backed out. In fact, it'd be a rather gracious act, saving your relationship with your sister than rescuing your pride."

Farina, by this time, was on the floor—laughing hysterically. Her fits of laughter started around the time he said "aren't on the best of terms" and had continued throughout.

He actually thinks that my 'relationship' with Fiora is worth giving up gold and shouts of victory? As if! Farina thought, her hysterics growing louder. She was laughing so hard, tears had started streaming down her face.

"Was something I said…funny?" Kent asked, thoroughly confused.

Farina, five minutes of laughing later, had finally regained her composure. She wiped away a few stray tears and took a deep breath. Who knew Kent was so funny? The quiet ones always surprise you…, she thought.

Funny, how you mention that…

"Kent, I know you're being genuine and all, but you seriously think that I care about Fiora? I mean, don't get me wrong, she's my sister and I'll always be there for her, but throwing an entire chance to kick some hoity-toity nobles' butts and their hired hands? Uh, not this knight!"

Did Farina just refer to Lady Lyndis as 'hoity-toity'? Kent thought.

"And no offense to Lady Lyn, she's pretty down to earth for a noblewoman. Actually, she's pretty nice. She's some sort of Sacaen princess right? I can't wait to fight her, if it comes down to it," Farina said, her eyes glazing over at the thought of a challenge.

Kent, on the other hand, was not so glazed over. If what comes down to it? And where does Lady Lyndis come into this? Is she entered in this as well? She should not be fighting all the time; she needs to take a break now and then. Lord Hausen would be dismayed to hear otherwise, Kent thought.

"Uh…earth to Kent?"

"Oh, sorry, you were saying?" Farina sighed.

"You didn't read the roster, did you? By your blank stare, I guess not. It's on Merlinus' convoy, come on, I'll show you," Farina said while pulling Kent by the arm. Fiora, who had been sitting with Florina (and eavesdropping), had scowled at the sight of Farina even touching her knight.

Sure enough, there was a list posted onto the convoy. Kent wondered why he hadn't seen it before. The title said, "Competition Between Legions"

Kent couldn't help smiling at the title; it brought back memories to 'Lyndis' Legion.' Next to the title, someone had scrawled, "Lyndis' Legion is the best!" (It looked liked Wil's handwriting.) Kent read on:

Due to the weather conditions, we have decided to hold a tournament of sorts for any who wish to enter. I, Raine, will be judging all matches and will decide who victors and who does not. (Sain, that means if I tell you to leave…leave. There's plenty more hurt where that came from.) Unfortunately, archers and magic users will have to sit this one out. Magic tomes are hard to buy and even harder to find, we cannot waste those we have. However, we will have a target created for our archers to test their skills. That will be concluded after the first set of games. The lance and sword users will be using sparring weaponry to keep this competition safe. Priscilla (and Serra I suppose) will be nearby with healing staves nonetheless. The games will begin at noon, the following matches will be:

Lyn vs. Hector (Kent shook his head. He knew that sooner or later his liege would find a way to challenge the Ostian lord after he beat her the last time. Alas, his lady was anything but a graceful loser. Though, she is a graceful winner!)

Raven vs. Sain (Serves Sain right for antagonizing Priscilla…and all the other girls on Elibe.)

Fiora vs. Eliwood (Ooh, Fiora's first victim…sorry, Eliwood.)

Interlude of: Wil vs. Rebecca vs. Louise (Rebecca can't nail a kick in Wil's gut…this time, at least.)

Isadora vs. Lowen (I wonder if Lowen will stop in the middle due to a growling stomach…?)

Bartre vs. Dorcas (All Dorcas has to do is knock Bartre over the head, though, that would cause a lot of damage to what cerebrum he has left…)

Matthew vs. Guy (Guy said he'd take Matthew on anywhere at anytime…)

Farina vs. Kent (Save the best for last…? Or save the most dangerous for last? Oh wait, that'd be Farina vs. Fiora…)

Kent noted that he and Farina were to duel last, no doubt on purpose. There would be a large crowd to watch their match. And to watch Farina lose, Kent thought.

"Yep, so we're last. We get to watch others before we get to put on a real show. This is going to be so much fun, don't you think?" Farina said, practically bubbling from excitement. Kent couldn't agree more.

"Yes, this looks like it will be fun. I can't say I am too pleased with milady's choice…but this might be good experience. Though, I cannot wait for the second duel, it will be quite interesting," Kent said, a smile curving his lips. Farina laughed.

"Who wouldn't enjoy seeing the infamous womanizer get pummeled by Raven? I just wish all the ladies of Elibe were here to witness it!" Both knights were laughing as Raine stepped up to a makeshift podium.

It was noon at last.

"…Let the games begin!" Raine cheered.

Yes, both knights thought. Let the games begin.

"First up, Lady Lyndis of Caelin, a skilled swordswoman from Sacae, versus Lord Hector of Ostia, an axe man with peerless strength—competitors please come to the center," Raine announced. Both warriors were handed swords, Hector chose his stance professionally.

Lyn was befuddled.

"Wait a second, Raine. Hector is an axe wielder, why does he handle a sword?" Lyn asked, clearly confused. Her perplexity soon turned to amusement. "You don't honestly think that Hector can best me with a sword, do you?"

Hector smirked.

"Why, Lyn? Scared you're going to lose?" Hector taunted. Lyn narrowed her eyes and swung her wooden sword expertly. Even though it was wooden, Lyn still looked fierce.

"You're just lucky I can't use my Mani Katti, though, either way you're doomed. Mother Earth and Father Sky, be witness to this, Hector will lose," Lyn said.

"I wouldn't say that, Lyn. 'Cause if you lose, that's some bad fortune on your name," Hector replied. "And your Mani Katti is a hocus-pocus blade—now I get to see if there is real skill behind your strokes."

Lyn gasped.

Kent smacked his forehead. Lord Hector really shouldn't have said that…

"…Take that back!"

"Make me," Hector said, grinning widely. Raine rolled her eyes. She grew tired of their paltry banter (a.k.a. flirting) and wanted to see some action already.

"Begin!"

Lyn didn't even wait for Hector—she lunged at him with a ferocity even her Lorcan blood could be impressed with. Hector countered with his own sword, barely holding the princess at bay. For all of Hector's strength and skill…

Lyn could match it all with her speed. And she did—quite quickly too.

Picking her sword from his, she swung it sideways, knocking Hector to the side. He faltered, tripping over his heavily armored boot.

Bad move, Hector.

Lyn took this chance to strike at Hector's wrist, causing him to release his sword.

Second bad move.

The smiling plainswoman pointed the tip of the sword at her rival's throat. Game over.

"That match didn't even last a few seconds let alone be a challenge, Hector. I'm disappointed in you!" Lyn said, a sparkle in her eyes dancing proudly. Easy or not, she was happy to have won. And everyone knew it.

"And the victor is Lady Lyndis of Caelin!" Raine shouted. Cheers erupted from the crowd. Kent smiled at his lady's triumph, but was even more excited that one less match was between him and his own victory.

"Just you wait, Lyn, I will master the sword just to best you one day!" Hector replied. Lyn laughed and helped her comrade up.

"You keep telling yourself that, Hector. The day I lose to you in swords is the day…the day…the day I marry you!" Lyn laughed harder. Hector said nothing, but bowed out of the ring, tossing his sword to Sain who was seriously contemplating getting out of the match.

He did not want to fight Raven. For some odd reason, that guy has always had it in for me… You'd think I was wooing his sister or something! But he doesn't have a sister…does he? Ah well, no way is my beautifully timid Priscilla his sister anyway. There's almost no similarity between them! Sain thought. And Serra looks nothing like him, and Lyn is definitely not related to him. Hm, maybe Rebecca…? They talk a lot…

Fortunately for Sain, this is a contest of skills, not of brains. Though his 'skills' can be debated on as well… But that's for another day.

"Ah, Sir Raven, I wondered when our blades would meet!" Sain said at last, trying to cast a dramatic scene upon him. He really has a promising future as an actor…

Raven said nothing but prepared his stance. Priscilla looked worried, very, very worried. But somehow I don't think it's for her brother's sake…

Oh, dear Saint Elimine! How did Sain manage to get himself into a brawl with my brother? Of all the men…I fear that Raymond will not be as accommodating as he has been to me. Sain may get very hurt! Although, at least this time he will have a real wound for me to heal, not just an imaginary one, Priscilla thought while pursing her delicate mouth.

"The second match for today is between the rather aloof and able mercenary, Raven, and…Sain. Be—"

"Hey!" Sain yelled. Raine's eye twitched as she placed her hands on he hips in a don't-mess-with-me sort of way. Sain didn't take the hint (never did, never will).

"What?" Raine growled, "We have a tournament to finish and you are delaying us."

"How come you gave all these great titles to everyone else and I just get a plain old 'Sain'?" Sain asked. Raine could feel a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"…Because that is who you are, 'plain old Sain.'" A smile bloomed onto her face. "Or would you rather be introduced as 'The oblivious womanizer'?"

Sain quieted.

"…Plain old Sain is fine," he mumbled. Raine smirked. That's what I thought.

"So like I said: begin!"

For a while, nothing happened, nothing stirred. Sain watched Raven as Raven watched Sain. Each measured the other's abilities, skills, and weaknesses. Of course, one has more weaknesses than the other…

Raven attacked first. Elimine, he's fast! Sain commented. The green lance blocked the swordsman anyway—albeit barely. Raven knew that and swung sideways at an even more impressive speed. Sain had his lance take the brunt of it, but was jostled to the side nonetheless.

You'd think the guy has some personal dislike for me or something! He thought. No, (gasp) really?

Taking Sain's loss of footing as an opening, Raven tried to disarm him. No luck. Sain had used his lance as a sort of crutch, backing him up so as to avoid falling backwards. The tip had then been pointed upwards, almost catching Raven as he rushed forward.

"Ooh, that was close!" Sain commented. Raven growled. That was too close, he thought. I refuse to lose to that imbecile.

Alas, that 'imbecile' won. Feigning a blow to the left, Sain attacked Raven's wrist instead and sent the mercenary falling to his knees. Granted, Sain didn't have to knock the breath out of him, but then again, who knows what Raven would have done to Sain…?

Raine, who was visibly shocked beyond belief, pouted as she voiced the results.

"And the victor is…the green armored clodpole. Next up—"

"HEY!" Sain hollered. Raine raised one eyebrow in response.

"Sain, I make the rules here. I can have you disqualified for…something, anything," Raine threatened. Sain made his way out of the ring and hid behind Priscilla. Or maybe he wasn't hiding because Raven was making his way over to them…

"Like I was saying, next up is Lord Eliwood of Pherae, a swordsman who skillfully wields a rapier, and the dutiful pegasus rider, Fiora. Competitors please come forward," Raine ordered. Eliwood came forward, a kind smile upon his face. Fiora followed suit, smiling as if to say: prepare to lose.

"Okay, begin!"

Fiora started, aiming her lance for Eliwood. He parried it effortlessly, cautiously waiting for something to happen. And it did. Fiora twisted herself around, bringing her lance with her, causing the end of the shaft to knock Eliwood forward. This time, Eliwood saw her lance coming, and aptly blocked it.

"You're skilled, milord," she said, in between gasps.

"You are too, it seems," he acknowledged.

"I will win, however," Fiora added. Eliwood smiled.

"So you say," he replied. So I know, she thought.

So she did know. Fiora had a hard time blocking Eliwood from a close range, but as she increased the distance, to a point where his sword could not reach, he was hers. Eliwood had grown weary to dodging and parrying her blows, Fiora was too, but her drive to win was stronger than his. One last thrust and it was over, Fiora had won.

Farina, to Kent's dismay, was smiling rather impishly. As if she couldn't wait until she fought Fiora. Nonsense, Kent thought. The only way she'll fight Fiora is if I lose to her, which is simply not an option.

"And the winner of this match is Fiora!" Cheers went up for everyone knew which match everyone was waiting for. And it was now that much closer…

Fiora helped up Eliwood who gratefully accepted her aid. He admired her stamina during the match and was looking forward to spending time with her…on the battlefield of course.

"That was a great match," Eliwood said. Fiora smiled.

"Thank you, milord. I am sorry if I was too…harsh, on you. I—"

"Do not worry, Fiora. There is a reason why I wear armor. And besides, this is a tournament; one has to play according to the rules of combat," Eliwood intervened. Fiora felt a blush rising to her cheeks. "And also, call me Eliwood. We are comrades in this war, are we not?"

"Uh…yes, mi—I m-mean, Eliwood," Fiora stammered. The red haired lord smiled and took his place among his friends who were eyeing him curiously. Lyn was busy hiding a smirk.

Fiora, shaking off the effect the lord had on her, marched up to Farina, who, to Fiora's aversion, was standing next to Kent.

That will change very, very, very soon, Fiora thought. Soon I will be standing next to him and Farina will just have to watch…

"Good match, Fiora," Kent said, trying to distract her.

"Thank you," Fiora said, blushing concurrently. Elimine, can it be true? Kent just spoke to me! Ah, this must be a sign, she squealed silently. Oh, it's a sign alright. It's a sign that you clearly need help, preferably of the psychiatric kind.

"Oh, and Kent?" Fiora said.

"Yes?" Kent answered. Fiora smiled innocently.

"Would you be a dear and go easy on my little sister? She needs all the help she can get."

Ooh, that's kind of harsh, no? Goodness, is it getting down to the wire now! We've got the archer intermission next and another slew of matches before the soon-to-be-legendary Farina vs. Kent. Geez, so much to do! And then there's the semi-finals and everything… Well, you don't want to miss next chapter! Hee. Oh, and I luv reviews! Big, long, detailed…hee, I'm just joking (kind of)!