Riddles and Faith
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The Queen was still staring at the doorway and at Gareth's touch to her shoulder she started. "What have we done? What has happened to that girl because of our idiocy?"
The Duke's, for all their combined power, wisdom and knowledge, could not answer her.
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A flustered looking Duke of Naxen slipped through the open door.
"Well?," Asked the Queen, directing a piecing look his way. Gareth nodded and Lianne smiled, "Good, I hate to see her in pain."
"Now that we are all here?"
"Wait, where is George?" Gary interrupted his father, checking to see who was present.
"Should it matter?" The Chief Healer queried his green eyes curious. "From what I understand the globes," he gestured to the globes in their hands, "will work regardless."
Raoul frowned, "Yes, but George is a friend."
"A friend outside the law-"
"But a friend nevertheless, "George rumbled as he slunk into the room, pulling back his hood. Duke Baird looked embarrassed and shrugged.
"I got…delayed…" he explained as he removed his monk's robes, "I have-"
He was interrupted by the gently glowing and soft chiming of the globes. They quivered and then slowly rose to the air; Duke Gareth hurriedly removed his ring, and glowed even brighter. Then they joined together to form a small golden ball. Gold shimmered around the ball as it began to flatten and grow; stretching out high and low, and reaching to the sides. Eventually the ball had flattened into a shinning rectangular door, with runes and words etched into it. It was transparent, and they were able to see into it, but not behind it. Suddenly it pulsed gold light and a head appeared in the door way, familiar blue eyes looked at them. "Karlae neih?"
"Um, what?" That was Gary.
"Ah, Common then, come on," Zayne gestured them to follow him, into the door, as he vanished. George squared his shoulders and slunk into the door, in fighting stance. Myles, who had been observing silently, followed him, Gary and his father were second followed by Lianne, Raoul and the Healer bought up the rear.
Entering the door they stood in shock. A long marble hallway, with various doorways met their eyes, gold flashed as people came and went through the doors. People of all colours, shapes and sizes walked briskly about, some carting goods, others following scrolls. Zayne stood patiently as they took in the various sights and then cleared his throat, "Come on."
He led the apprehensive Tortallians down the corridor, nodding at other people as he walked and paused when a small boy ran up to him, speaking in another language.
Zayne cocked his head and then glanced back to the Tortallians before shaking his head to the child, who nodded quickly and darted off, through the crowds. Zayne turned to them, "It would appear your host has been…delayed," Zayne ran his fingers through his hair nervously, "so a change of plans. I am to show you the Hall of Champions."
He turned them around and took them back through another large door, capable of holding three steeds abreast head to tail and two high, which opened by itself. Two guards were at attention as they walked past and watched them from beneath visors as they made their way to another door, with a large queue in front of it.
A flustered looking official was writing names on a foot long parchment and another was taking coins and as people entered the door, under the guards watch. Zayne skirted the end of the line and walked straight up to the official and tossed him a round disk, he then continued up to the door. The guards crossed weapons and denied them entry, Zayne scowled, the Tortallains clustered around the Queen, eying the gleaming weapons.
Zayne began to talk to the official in a hushed voice, gesturing between the group behind him and the word "Lioness" was heard often. Immediately the guards jumped back and bowed low, uncrossing their weapons. The crowd behind them, who had begun to complain at their line-jumping, fell silent and watched the group in awe. Zayne smirked at them before leading the group in through the doors.
"Here we are," he proclaimed loudly, gesturing grandly. The Queen gasped, the Knights and George being able to conceal their own amazement.
In the middle of the room stood a giant statue of a man, which somehow seemed to shift as they watched it. There was a great band behind him bearing the words, Hamitch: The First Champion, his features were strong and square and his dark eyes were hidden beneath bushy eyebrows. A scar ran down one side of his face and he rested easily on the handle of a giant battle axe. Abruptly he straightened and took the axe to his shoulder, posing proudly.
People were walking in and out of the doors, some gazing at the ceiling and crashing into each other. Small balls of coloured fire hung like candles in the room, sending rivers of flame across the silver ceiling.
The Hall of Champions was written in gold, and various gems across the top of the doors, saying History, Champions, Competitors, Weapons, Worlds and Creatures, Tasks, Deaths, Training. The floor gleamed like polished glass and reflections of the balls of light shot around the room like rainbows.
"We will go to History, first," Zayne said after a few moments of allowing his group to adjust to the splendor.
There were guards and officials posted throughout the hall and two golden robed men bowed the group through the door. As they stepped across the threshold, the word History flared across their vision and as the light cleared they saw the room. It was a long corridor, but quite wide and as full of people as the outer room.
There were various indents along the corridor and at each one there were crowds of people, obviously held back from the display.
Zayne rubbed his hands, "Right, I'll give you a guided tour. And please do not touch anything."
He held his arm to the Queen, "My lady, if I may?"
Lianne smiled at him and took his arm.
"The first official games began about three centuries ago, but the origins were about seven centuries ago." Zayne directed them over to the first display and waited until an area cleared.
"How do you know this?" Myles asked, his inner scholar making an appearance.
Zayne urged the Queen through a gap, the knights quickly following. "Magic of course, and time," he added mysteriously. The indent in the corridor was the canvas of a group of scantily clad warriors with spears, all fighting each other. As they watched the image shifted and moved and the warriors actually began to kill each other, it was like looking through a window.
They moved onto the next indent, Zayne describing what was occurring. "The idea was originally to have a Tournament, similar to a Knights tournament," this image was that of two warriors in primitive armor, fighting with daggers. "But, that idea was not…affective enough…"
Gary scowled, "What do you mean?"
Zayne shook his head, "Not yet. I will explain when we get there."
Two knights eyed each other down their lances and as they watched, their horses burst forward and the lances broke on shields. One man went flying as his horse stumbled and fell.
"While the idea was affective in its own way, only a Knight could compete and only then in one or two competitions, that was not enough." Zayne explained as they moved on.
The pictures changed as they made their way down the corridor; there was archery, hand to hand combat, climbing, running, horseback skills, spear fighting and sword fighting, leaders and groups to name some.
"Eventually it was decided that the ideal warrior was someone who was fit, intelligent, agile, strong, and excellent with all weapons, a good leader, but capable of obeying orders and an agent of death."
The picture at the end of the corridor depicted a group of warriors looking over a map, before they all agreed on one direction and made their way towards it.
Zayne turned to the next picture; it was a script of paper with a sentence in another language. And then a King stood on a hill, reading out loud to a group of men below him. They were a mixed bunch, with the finery of noblemen and the rags of street children.
"Here, the King decreed that whoever figured out the clue and brought him back the prize would win his daughters hand." The next image was that of the King offering his own crown to a slender youth in street garb.
"The foundations were made, have whomsoever feel fit to compete for the prize."
The following pictures were that of puzzles and riddles, secret chambers and hidden caves, some had lone people there, others had bloodshed as competitors met and tried to kill each other and some had dangerous animals in them.
At the next image, which was much larger than the others, there was a harassed looking official moving crowds along. Zayne waited a moment before catching the official's eye and calling to him in another language.
The official scurried over and dragged the group to the front.
The image was that of teams, as they made their way through the tasks and to the prize. After that, there was a tournament, for all the team.
"They liked this," Zayne explained, " It would last a few days and the team with the best score won the prize. But… they had to share."
Moving to the next image they paused, a great castle rose from the middle of an ocean.
"Tahaken entered the games," Zayne pretended not to notice the flinches. "Tahaken introduced animals and warriors from other worlds. And then introduced other worlds themselves."
George looked curious, "So how does it work?"
"Well, Tahaken is full of magic…"Zayne began.
"No, the tournament?"
"Ah, well here," Zayne took them past a few more paintings, to the last one. Hamitch, the first champion stood atop a small hill, surrounded by bodies, bruised and bloody. As they drew nearer he threw his head back in a silent roar of victory, hefting his battered battle axe towards the heavens.
"The Tournament lasts over nine blocks of twenty four hours, with twenty-four hours between each for rest and to figure out the task. Each task, or life, has its own world or terrain and its own difficulties that accompany it. To complete each "life" you must, firstly survive through it. Then you are to find the clue and solve it in time for the next round. During each task you are awarded points, the winner of each round gets certain… privileges… they can ask for other combatants to be withdrawn, or for their favourite weapon, or for a bit more magic or whatever."
The Queen looked mortified, "And how is the winner decided?"
Zayne hesitated and shifted uncomfortably, the Tortalllians, so caught up in the tale, failed to notice how the entire hall had fell silent. "Well, the one who completes the final task first, and survives to do so. They are then awarded a prize, which we don't name until the end, be it riches, land, even a crown."
Raoul's coal eyes bore into Zayne's, "What is the prize this year?"
"If he told you, it wouldn't be a secret, now would it?"
The Knight's, George and the Queen all spun around. There, leaning gracefully against the wall, was Alanna.
Her hair was lose from its traditional tie and fell in waves down her back, and she was garbed in the softest of black silk, that clung to her curves and was of intricate design. Her sleeves were short, revealing tanned skin and the collar dipped softly at her chest, revealing a modest expanse of skin. Her leggings were of the same fabric and were strangely loose before disappearing into her boots. She was wearing small golden hoops in her ears, with even smaller jewels dangling from them. At her throat was a single silver necklace, a little dragon clutching a blue stone.
Zayne paled at being so close to the legend and bowed immediately.
" 'lanna!" George grinned after a moment of appraisal and swept her up in a bear hug before passing her along to Gary, Myles and Raoul. Seemingly amused by the proceedings she allowed it, only returning each hug for a very brief moment.
The crowds were all whispering to each other, and some were pushed towards her with parchment in their hands, others scrambled for ink and quill.
"Have you eaten?" She asked softly, staring at Zayne, an eyebrow raised. Zayne swallowed and shook his head.
"Very well," she ran her fingers through her hair, revealing a small gold ring, with diamonds and sapphires. "Come," her smile lit the room, and she walked away, the crowds letting her pass like a waterfall. The group glanced to each other briefly, before hastening after her. Duke Gareth quickened his step so that he was next to her and reached into one of his pockets, withdrawing a small square of fabric, which he shook out to reveal a midnight cloak.
She shook her head, "Keep it, I have others."
As she led them away, the guards on the doors fell into bows and moved to flank the group, keeping anyone from getting to close.
"Forgive me for me delay… I was otherwise engaged, "she explained softly as she entered a great room, noise flooding them. People were all sitting at tables, eating and drinking and around the room were a variety of booths, serving foods and drinks of different nation. In the center of the room was a large fountain, two dragons in battle, water gushing from their mouths.
Alanna paused for a moment before setting off in the direction of the fountain; a large family group was sitting eating next to it, curiously looking about them. What they appeared to have failed to notice, was that the table they were sitting at, had a giant cat on it, as did the chairs. People who recognized her fell out of her way as she approached, almost afraid to get close to her.
Halting before the table she raised an eyebrow, the head of the group, a large well-rounded man, glared at her. "Yes?" He drawled.
Zayne, who had followed them, blanched and began to gesture for them to move.
"You're in my seat," Alanna said softly and waited.
The man scoffed, "So? He asked arrogantly."I don't see your name on it."
Her amethyst eyes flashed and she pressed her hand to the table, directly over the cat, leaning forward, "Move," she hissed.
"Or else what?" He ignored the silent crowd gathering at a distance and his wife, who was tugging urgently at his robes.
Alanna straightened, flicking her fingers in the fountains direction, a spray of water flooded across the table. The man stood, his face livid with rage and seemed unable to form words.
"I am asking you nicely. Now move."
"Y-you bitch!" He spat finally and moved from around the table, some of the other diners began to back away, quickly. Silence fell as those closest realized who Alanna was. "Come on, "his wife was tugging harder now, her round face tinged with fear.
"No," he bellowed, "I will not have some, some whore order me about."
Alanna's face flickered, and before she could move the Dragon's of the fountain sprang to life, bursting from the water. The first one leapt over the table and pounced on the family, throwing one then the other into the fountain. The second dragon rose above them, spreading its wings, making sure none could leave. Rumbling the first dragon turned on the man, who was now beginning to realize his mistake, pinning him beneath his paws.
The entire hall went silent; all eyes were on Alanna and her companions.
"Raku," Alanna drawled, "how very subtle."
The Tahaken Prince appeared atop the second dragons head and slid down its body as though it was ice. He landed softly, the thud of his boots echoing throughout the room.
"You asked nicely," he smirked as he made his way forward, his black cloak snapping, "I was merely…encouraging respect."
Approaching them his cold eyes took in the Tortall group, and Zayne, before resting on Alanna.
"I could have killed them," he shrugged.
"What if I wanted to do that?"
The Tahakenian scoffed, "You compete in two hours, you can kill then."
Alanna shook her head at him, as the entire room fell to their knees, realizing exactly who they were in the presence of. Raku smirked at Alanna's raised eyebrow, "See. That is the respect we deserve."
The Queen glanced around before curtsying in Raku's direction, the Knights and George followed.
Raku's green eyes glanced to Alanna and she shifted slightly. "You must be Queen Lianne," Raku bowed with a flourish, presenting her a bouquet of roses, "I must thank you."
The Queen took the roses, decorum requiring it, "How so?"
A genuine smile crossed his face, "Because your husband is a moron, we got her." They all glared at him and he shrugged.
Alanna glowered at him, "Enough."
Smirking he glided back to her and slung an arm around her shoulders, whispering in her ear before pulling her straight into a kiss. The crowds gasped and she punched him, directly in the face, and smirked at him as he clutched his nose. "You deserved that."
Raku growled and as he brought his hand away his nose began to heal, the blood vanishing.
Ignoring him, Alanna turned back to the man, who had been watching the proceedings with fearful eyes.
"What am I to do with you," she told him softly as she smoothly walked to stand next to him.
"Allow me to…correct… the gap in your education," she eyed him in distaste as Raku slid into a seat.
"I'll have a Royal Banquet," he announced loudly, "makes sure the desert is strawberry."
"I am Alanna, though you may know of me as The Lioness," the crowds who had risen, once again fell to their knees, others all gazed upon her in awe.
The man began to shake in fear; she was a legend even outside of the Tournament.
Gazing at the family who crowded together beneath the dragon she flicked her fingers and the dragon slunk backwards, returning to its original position, water beginning to gush from its mouth.
"That's rude," Raku remarked mildly as he spun a blade.
Alanna snorted, "Yes, because you are the patron of chivalry." Raku looked scandalized, "Now now, there is no need for that tone. Besides, it wasn't me who started to speak in tongue." Alanna shot him a dirty look, before turning back to the man.
The dragon rose from its position and jumped back into the fountain, water rearing up as the dragon disrupted the liquid. A shield formed over the table and the water dissolved into mist as it hit it.
Alanna gazed down at the shuddering man, his family forming a small group away from him, watching in fear.
"Your pathetic," she snarled at length, "get out of my sight."
The man lurched to his feet and hurriedly fled as though she would kill him if he stayed, which she may do, his family followed him.
Alanna sighed as she sat down next to Raku, gesturing for the others, who had been watching with wide eyes, to sit.
"So, any questions about the Tournament you want to ask?" She asked her former country men, who hesitate before sliding into the other side of the booth.
Raku was eyeing George with a dangerous expression and Alanna nudged him, hard. Behave, echoed inside his mind as ideas of how to kill the thief crossed it. Raku mentally shrugged and his mind cleared, with one image, the one of George kissing her soundly on Jonathan's birthday, flashed across his mind. Jealousy tinged the picture, the next one was of her the first time she wore a dress and possession edged the image. Behave, Alanna repeated before watching as food made its way toward them. Nervous waiters and waitresses were carrying large plates of steaming meats, fresh vegetables and some puddings; others carried jugs of wine, water and juice.
Raku rubbed his hands in childish glee, "What?" he asked in reply to Alanna's raised eyebrow, "A man has to eat."
He appeared so delighted at the amounts of food that even the Queen was able to crack a smile, though she was unsure of him.
The young Knights, Sir Myles and George eagerly helped themselves to the food they recognized, after receiving the go-ahead from Alanna. The Queen and both Dukes appeared cautious and only after magically checking the food, would they allow the Queen and themselves to eat. The hall was gradually returning to noise, though the tables nearest to them were silent, and awed glances were cast between them all. Zayne looked uncomfortable to be there and was hesitantly picking at the less elaborate meals.
After he had finished, t he Chief Healer leaned forward, "Tell me about the healing you have gone through, I am curious to your natural remedies as you mentioned you couldn't be healed by Magic."
Raku, who was in the middle of devouring a chicken leg, glanced up. "Well, the Gift alone cannot be used, but we," he flashed a grin at Alanna, who was calmly sipping from a goblet, "have many more means of healing. It's part of our training."
"May you give an example?"
Raku looked to Alanna who shrugged. "Well, there are many different methods, from many worlds. Which one do you want an example of?"
"Our one?" Asked Duke Gareth, who appeared to be thinking something through.
Raku thought for a moment, "For what ailment?"
Sir Myles interjected, "Blindness, or partial."
Alann's eyes focused on her former mentor, "You have difficulty seeing?
Sir Myles nodded slowly, "Only in recent years. All those years of researching and reading in bad light, I'm afraid."
"Natural or Magical remedy, I can give you both."
"You can cure blindness?" Gary asked.
"We can cure anything," Raku smirked, though he spoke with such confidence that they believed him.
Sir Myles was looking at Alanna, "What is faster and safer?"
Alanna leaned forward, "With your permission? She asked, her hand approaching his head.
Myles nodded, though he looked slightly apprehensive. Purple glowed at her fingertips and she reached out and gently touched the Knight at the temples. The History teacher shivered as a wave of purple fire cloaked him from head to toe, burning away the aches and pains of age and injury. Finally he opened his eyes and blinked to clear his focus, "That's… extraordinary!"
"I can see perfectly fine! If not better than I used to," he announced, taking a large sip of wine, "and that", he said eyeing the goblet, "is fantastic!"
Alanna shook her head at his antics, a small smile on her face. Ill send you some, she mouthed to him. Myles beamed and took another swig.
"I'm afraid I must leave," Alanna announced softly after a few minutes, getting to her feet.
"Why?" George asked, ignoring the dirty look Raku shot him.
"I must prepare for the Tournament," she answered as she nodded to them and walked away, her hair shimmering in the light.
They watched her leave and Raku swallowed his last gulp of wine, "Zayne. When it is time, take them to the arena. See that they get whatever they need and answer their questions."
He flicked his wrist and then he vanished.
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Alanna sighed as she rose from the water, rubbing her wounded skin gently; thankful for the extra two hours she had asked for to recover. Water cascaded from her skin as she made her way to the mirror, across the rose petals. The sweet scent hovered about the room as she walked lightly through them, and stood before the mirror. Her hair was plastered against her head and fell down her back in long dark crimson curls and small ribbons of red flashed across her skin from the firelight.
Sighing she lent forward and lifted her sword from the rack, the water drying on her skin and her hair falling about her face as it dried. The sheath was plain, compared to many Tahaken blades, but stunningly so. Gleaming like polished coal it cast flaming reflections onto her and there were runes etched into it, silver lining the groves. Alanna slowly drew the blade, the pommel fitting easily into her hand, it was, after all, made just for her.
Made from Midnight Steel, the sword slid easily from the sheath with a soft chime and Alanna shivered, it always felt good to have it in her hand, like an old friend. Midnight Steel was the highest class of blade or weapon there could be, it made Raven Armory look crude and cheap, to own a dagger would cost a Title, to own a blade, a crown, but to own an entire set of Midnight Steel Battle Gear, well…. It was worth Kingdoms.
The guard was as silver as the moon, as was the hilt and a great amethyst gem was set into the pommel, other small diamonds and purple gems were scattered around it. A one and a half hand sword, the blade itself was a masterpiece, it sang as it cut through the air as she tried a few passes, just for the joy of it. Her sword was as dark as night
In the distance, a bell chimed, signifying the beginning of the tournament, time for the crowds to find their seats. "On my life do I pledge my loyalty, body and soul, to Death". Alanna drew the blade point softly down her arms, coating both edges as she spoke. "Providing my heart beats, I will ride out and fight in the name of Valor. Whilst I draw breath, I will obey my superiors and remain at my post until my watch ends." She began to take the sword through the passes, fluidly moving from one position to the other, "I will remain chivalrous to the fallen; my enemies and bothers. I will slay no unarmed man, woman or child," crimson petals stirred as she stepped softly around the room, her blood leaking onto the marble.
"Not a challenge by foe or equal will be refused, Not a word of deceit shall pass my lips;
I will die for honor and glory," With her other hand Alanna took her fingers across the blade a brought the blood to her forehead. " I will live by the blade and die by the blade, be it so the will of Death." Here she touched her heart. Then she spun the sword about in her hand, before throwing it to the sky and spinning around, she knelt as she came full circle, her head bowed. "This I swear on my blood and my breath." Her sword came shooting down and at the last moment she reached out to grasp the pommel before it struck the floor. Snakes of blood formed on both sides of the blade, slowly forming one large trembling drop.
"I will keep my faith" she uttered finally as the drop touched the marble.
She stood, touching the first two fingers of her right hand to her lips and then forehead before clasping her fist over her heart.
Her gift flooded to her arms erasing the new wounds and cleaning the blood from her skin as she replaced the blade, caressing it lovingly and ensuring the magical wards were surrounding it.
Across the room the wardrobe door opened and her clothes came rushing over, slipping across her skin to form undergarments and then the clothes she was to compete in.
Her hair wound its way over her head and down her back, braiding in a large spiked chain, she glanced at her reflection before stepping into her boots.
A flick of her wrist and the bathwater drained, and the rose petals vanished. The room was as she had entered it, though the lingering scent of roses hung on the air.
Exiting the room she locked it with her Gift and set off down the corridor, officials stood next to each door and they watched as she left, some offering her brief nods and others cowering least her gaze fall on them.
She met other competitors as she walked towards the start point, some looked nervous and other were barely able to move, but still they all took the same path.
Smiling at one of the other female competitors she fell into step with her, "Ready?"
She shrugged, "I guess, I still don't know what was in the box."
Alanna nodded, "Me either. Any idea on what it's used for?"
Dirty blonde hair fell into pale eyes as she shook her head, "Not a clue. You?"
Alanna shrugged, "Neither. I just hope it's over soon."
They fell into companionable silence as they continued the walk, other competitors falling into step around them. Alanna eyed some of them with distaste, aware that even though they were being watched by officials most would not hesitate to seriously injure or kill her.
Ahead of them, in front of a door, a small golden sphere was hovering and it drifted forward, coming level with Alanna's face. She nodded in its direction, knowing her face would be covering the dome, along with her symbol, betting figures and score for the last round.
"See ya," she said to her companion as she entered the door and made her way to her flag.
The woman nodded, "Best of luck."
The arena had been changed, instead of terrain it was completely blank, endless white space and Alanna felt the customary apprehension at entering and walking across nothing. Shaking her head she walked towards her table, the Lord's who thought they had claim to her we're all waiting, gems flashing and silk sifting at their movement. Raku stood powerfully to the side, opting to forgo his traditional cloak. He looked imposing, muscles chiseled beneath an emerald silk tunic and white slacks and as she approached he moved to intercept her, his body flexing mightily.
She raised a brow and he shrugged, "Just putting it out there that I am powerful?" She shot him an I-don't-believe-a-word-you-said look but shrugged it off, if he wanted to show how handsome and strong he was, she wasn't going to stop him.
One of the Lords, a pompous fool, clasped her arm as she came closer and pulled her tight against his body, releasing her swiftly as Raku reached for her and handed her the box. "So, have you figured it out yet?" The Lord asked, leering at her.
She eyed him in contempt and ignored him as she took to her podium, standing in her typical relaxed stance. Her feet were at shoulders width apart and her arms were clasped behind her back as she held her posture straight, her balance would allow her to move anywhere and perform any attack from any angle.
A while later, when all contestants were in a circle, standing at their own stand, a voice boomed across the Arena.
"Welcome to the Final Life of the three hundredth and twenty second Tournament!" The crowds roared and Alanna, eyeing a small sphere before her, nodded, knowing that at that moment her face was flashing across the dome with her figures and statistics.
"After completing all eight tasks and surviving to tell the tale, I present your competitors!" The voice rambled on listing the names and some facts about them as Alanna focused on her breathing.
"…and our Defending Champion, for the eight time, The Lioness! Now, no one knows where this girl came from, only that after her first defeat she has been unstoppable and her team has high expectations for her in this Tournament."
Alanna ignored them as she controlled herself, deep and stead breaths that drew air into her body and began to store the air throughout her body. It was a controlled technique that allowed her to exercise for longer and harder, by storing the oxygen, even a little, allowed her an edge. It also helped clear her mind.
Raku, who was leaving the Arena along with the Lord's, thought to her, "Your…friends… do not know what you are, do they?" Alanna mentally shook her head, "No, how do I explain what I am? And what I have gone through?" She thought for a moment, "Or the things I have done and can do. It's easy, I can't. The best thing for all of us is for them to assume wrongly, than learn the truth."
Raku nodded mentally and withdrew from their conversation as the bell rang, sounding the beginning of the Life. Before she could completely focus, he sent her an image. Alanna grinned, a genuine smile that lit her face and set her eyes ablaze, causing her competition to falter.
"To begin," boomed the voice, "a riddle!
The thunder comes before the lightning,
And the lightning comes before the cloud,
The rain dries all the land it touches,
Wrapping the earth in a blood red shroud.
What am I? "
The crowds murmured and inside the Dome, the thoughts of the competitors raced. Alanna chose to divide each phrase and focus on it one at a time, beginning with the first phrase. The thunder comes before the lightning, she frowned, that didn't make sense, light generally travelled much faster than sound. Forgoing on that part she skipped to the next, which also didn't really make sense, what caused lightning without a storm? Well, a Mage could, but there was the reference to "earth" and "land" in lines three and four, so it had to be natural.
Other contestants were looking dumfounded, as Alanna glanced up to check her progress, and none appeared to have solved the riddle. Satisfied she continued to think.
She was re-reading the third line when she had a brainwave, rain, or anything similar, had to come from a height. So she needed something high that was on the earth. She toyed with waterfall for a moment before casting it aside, it only fit several words of only a few lines. Satisfied with her answer for that line she looked to the last, thinking of words associated with a shroud, she came up with blanket and cover. So something high that caused lightning and rain and cloud. It came to her suddenly, a mountain! Or, more specifically, a volcano!
Smirking she brought the box up to her mouth and spoke into it softly, "Volcano." The gold pulsed and began to shake, bending down she placed it on the stand and watched as it quivered and gold waves spread out form it. The announcer was delighted in announcing her answering the riddle correctly and she was certain her supporters would be cheering with glee. At this several other contestants correctly answered the riddle and their own box opened and cast their riddle in the air.
A soft voice began to speak inside her mind, telling a child's tale, as words took form in letters of gold in the air above her. After hearing the tale again she blinked and shook herself, what in the world?
With a sigh, she began to read the riddle, irked that there was to be another one to solve, riddles weren't her strongest skill.
Four of us are in your field
But our differences keep us at yield
First, a one that is no fool
Though he resembles a gardener's tool
Next, one difficult to split in two
And a girl once had one as big as her shoe
Then, to the mind, one's a lovely bonder
And truancy makes it grow fonder
Last, a stem connecting dots of three
Knowing all this, what are we?
Growling Alanna shifted on the podium, opting to cross her legs. She had, several hours ago, accepted that she would be here a while and so had sat down, choosing to save her strength. Only a few contestants were at the first riddle, their frustration obvious and quite a few had already passed into the next step, which she couldn't prepare for because she was stuck on the riddle!
Cursing herself mentally she glanced around to see who remained and caught a wiry red headed man leave the arena, jogging towards an exit. Snarling she mentally ran through her internal profile on the man.
Age: 23 years, 7 months, 8 days and 14 hours
Sex: Male
Physique: Tall, six-foot, slender build, though muscled, large bones, including face.
Features: Red-hair (natural), slightly dark. Lightly tanned skin, various freckles. Mole on left thigh, one behind ear. Birthmark on shoulder. Brown eyes, gold flecks. Wide mouth, slightly pinker than skin tone and small, precise teeth. Various scars on hands and legs.
Born: Avrain Cottage, Avrian River, City of Numan, Gatem
Skills: Swift dagger work, close range fighting, skilled in hand to hand, not built for strength very fast and agile. Intelligent and cunning, very silver tongue
Occupation: Mercenary
Competition: First tournament, class 3 (average rating)
Other: Walks with barely seen limp, weaker on left leg. Very hard head (second round of competition took a dagger to the skull, only minimal penetration and damage) Treat with caution when confronting in small spaces
Risk: Not a threat.
Flag: Black Jackal against red background
She snorted, Black Jackal, at least hers looked good. Black Jackal…Black Jack…Black Jack!
She lurched to her feet, ideas flashing through her head. Black Jack was a card game; a deck of cards had four suits. She asked to her the tale again, this time making the connection between the little girl who was given a diamond the size of her shoe and the riddle.
A gardener's tool could be a spade, and a stem with three dots was a club. Truancy could be absent, making it absence makes it grow fonder, "absence makes the heart grow fonder" was a common phrase.
Swooping down to pluck the box she whispered hurriedly into it, "The suits in a deck of cards" and it chimed and pulsed brightly before vanishing.
The announcer boomed that she had figured out the riddle as she leapt from the podium and quickly ran for the tunnel, apprehensive but confident that she could handle what was coming.
The tunnel opened into a cave and there was a podium with a small dome around it with three sections on it, one blue, white and green.
Taking the stairs two at a time she reached the dome and placed her hand on the small round ball that hovered in front of her. There was a sharp prick as something took her blood and the dome in front of her burst into life. It showed her picture, and general information about her, nothing to personal or incriminating as well as nothing that could give away her various skills. There was also her statistics as having won seven of the eight tournaments she had competed in, in a row.
There was a number on the screen and as she looked at it she frowned, knowing at least one person was watching her she refrained from swearing and quickly made her expression neutral. She mentally divided the substantial number into three or near enough too, before leaning forward and pressing the dome screen.
The first section lit up, revealing a large stretch of water, with an island rising up in the distance and in the water sharks circled and there were rocks, obscuring a beaching.
Several options were in front of her, with numbers beneath them and Alanna realized she was able to "purchase" various things to help her across the water. There was the Gift, along with various types of it, a boat, a kite, a set of dolphins and a pair of wings.
She reached out to touch the Gift section and as she did the screen broadened and there were various sizes and types of Magic she could use. While she did have an incredible amount of Magic, it had been "capped" to a generally low level to allow her competitors a chance against her, but throughout the tournament she had had the option to "purchase" some of it back, along with other magic.
Opting for a medium sized ball of Copper fire, she watched in annoyance as her numbers plummeted, her new Gift was expensive. The next section lit up, casting a green glow over her, this section was a mass of jungle before rising up to a sheer cliff.
Here she could by ropes, special boots, an unfamiliar creature with a saddle, more Gifts, though they didn't appear to be available for her, and a weird looking horn.
She choose the boots and moved on to the next section. The cliff face rose sharply into the heavens and vanished amongst the clouds; a large, winged shadow could be seen dipping in and out of them. The options for this section were a pair of gloves, ropes, Gift's, a strange looking large disk, and a large bird with a saddle. The large bird was the most expensive, followed by the disk, the rope and gloves appeared to be the cheapest, though the gloves seemed to catch her attention. She chose the gloves.
The dome flashed and then she was given a variety of weapons to choose from as well as a sizeable chunk of destructive Magic. She bypassed the Gift once more, for it had only increased in price and lessened in size. She opted for a bow and arrow, a half hand sword and several daggers, thus ending her available "purchasing" money. She turned to walk away when the screen shifted once more and a voice erupted around her, "For being within the first fifty competitors to reach this stage, you have been granted an extra ability!"
An outline of a body appeared on the dome and Alanna waited no time in touching its head. There were potions around the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and brain. "Define all," She asked and the voice spoke.
"Eyesight: enhanced thirty seven percent, Sense of smell: enhanced to that of a dog, Mouth: Sharper teeth and poisonous fangs, Hearing: Enhanced sixty percent, Brain: Intelligence, reaction, awareness, thought process all altered to an acceptable mortal animal of your choice."
Alanna thought for a moment, she would most likely be ending somewhere high, so her eyes sight would be obscured and as for swimming and going through a jungle her normal eyesight should be acceptable. Her sense of smell was pretty good, but she doubted it would be useful when smothered by clouds and waves, so only useful in the jungle. She didn't need poisonous fangs and sharp teeth and her hearing was already quite good. So, brain, but what to choose?
Her intelligence was not overly lacking, in survival situations she was passable, well she was alive, so she couldn't be that bad. Her reaction times were also very sharp, even before she went to Tahaken so that left awareness. Overall she was quite good, though like most of her abilities it had been toned down to make it fairer on the other competitors, but you could never be too aware.
"I choose awareness, the sonar location of a bat."
The screen flashed before dimming and Alanna turned and made her way down the steps, and made her way towards a second tunnel. She made her way up a slope and towards a bright light, a cool wind was rushing down the tunnel and she took a deep breath, salt tickling her nose and sand stinging her face.
Exiting the tunnel she allowed her eyes to adjust before jogging over to a table, out on the ocean she could see small boats fighting their way towards the island, and even a someone flying overtop, though they appeared to be having trouble navigating the winds.
Her chosen weapons and gear were on the table, a long bow was gleaming in the sun and the feathers of some black bird dotted the arrows. There was a long belt for her sword, which would be affective though crude in design. The outline of a pair of boots was next to the daggers and hovering above a small, circular, disk was a ball of copper fire.
The pair of gloves was placed in a "prayer" position, though the hands were cupped, and a small silver oval could be seen inside them.
Alanna sheathed her weapons, placing two daggers into her boots and two to her arm sheaths, a fifth went along with her sword at her hip. The bow was slung over her shoulder, along with the quiver and as Alanna touched the outline of her special boots, silver flared around her own. She swallowed the pill and pulled the gloves onto her hands, they constricted around her skin, fitting like another layer.
Turning back to the Copper fire Gift she thrust her palm straight into the middle, and held it there, prepared for the pain. It didn't hurt as much as she remembered, but maybe she was adapting, she probably had. It had been centuries since she had last needed to bind her Gift with Wild Magic, after a while it became a natural extension of her own Magical Gift, so there had been no need for it.
The Wild Magic flooded her body and Alanna exhaled softly, it was time. She closed her eyes as she walked towards the ocean, rampant waves rearing into turbulent skies, and focused on her new ability, sonar. It was hard to understand at first, but as water rushed across her boots she smiled. The tournament was hers to win, and win she would. After all, she had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
xxxxxXXXXXxxxxx
Author's Note:
Dusk: Thank you and Welcome!
Miss Goldenlake: Welcome!When I saw the length of your review I was like OMG! Yay! So thank you for finding "Torn" to be the best Fic you have ever read! ( I can name quite a few that are excellent and I do not believe mine compares, but I thank you all the same :D ) I agree, having the most amazing fic and the author goes and leaves it almost makes me cry :p Thankyou! Ill take in mind the scene changes and the scenes without names (ill try and make it easier to tell the difference between people), hopefully adding the xxxxxXXXXXxxxxx helps with that. Ill also try and break up my description with text. I love that you have heaps to say :D Thanks for taking the time to leave such a long review. As for your questions, Ill answer a few now.
Yes, she is scared from everything she has been through, though they have been covered by more scars and then been healed, before being covered some more. What makes you think that Roger can now compete with Alanna? But yes, there will be an EPIC BATTLE SCENE (maybe more than one (: ) As for Jon, well… you will have to wait and see :D
Royal Lady: Thanks.
: Eighth Round of the 322 Tournament :D
Fang: I hope you understand now? Well, she does go back…eventually. In the next chapter we learn why she was dying, but it was only because of…certain circumstances… which will be brought to life later. Also, I think you missed the tip :D Have a look again :P xox
Tiny-Mousie-Grim: Welcome. Thankyou, Ill keep that in mind and work on it :D