"I have enough of having my nose broken. I forfeit." she announced. Still laying there. She closed her eyes and it seemed she fell back into unconsciousness.
The crowd roared, screamed and applauded.
"And we have a winner! 3rd place of this year's competition goes to Ellanore Mary McLeod." the commentator bellowed out.
After that a break was called. I left Christa to recuperate. And after I had showered and put on some non-sweaty clothes I joined my parents and the pack. Adam handed me a large sandwich which I devoured at once. I barely acknowledged the Packs congratulations and laments. Nor did I do more than nod to the Cullens when they joined us.
After I finished the huge sandwich and drank about half a gallon of very sugary ice tea. I declared: "You can talk to me now." With an air of granting a big favor.
Emmet laughed. Jasper smiled. But the others all started at once.
I could not discern a single statement.
"Silence." I shouted. They quieted. "Now, one at a time. Adam?"
"You did well Ella. And I know how to adjust your training some more so you can become better. But I am proud of you." He leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead. I smiled. I loved his little shows of affection.
"Aye you did verra well. I am proud of you mo nighean dubh." ( my brown haired girl / gaelic) and hugged me. I smiled again. I really loved Duncan. My father.
"Isn't this much to dangerous? She shouldn't fight. People have died in this competition she could have been hurt. I find it very irresponsible of any parent to let their children fight in such a competition let alone a fragile girl like Bella."
I was drained from the fight or there would have been an explosion from me as it was I just glared at Edward.
I noticed all of the pack were giving him the evil eye. And so did the women among the Cullens.
Duncan spoke in his quiet stone cold voice: "My daughter is a warrior of the clan McLeod and not only a capable fighter, but a brilliant one. There is no reason that I shouldn't let her compete in a relatively risk free environment of a competition with set rules. Also I am rather proud that my daughter can defend herself against any and all unwelcome advances. If I thought any serious or permanent harm could come to her." He glanced down at me, his tone softened "Well honestly that would make no difference. She may be a minor by law, but she is a young adult according to clan tradition and as such makes her own decisions. " he paused, and smiled ruefully. "Besides trying to get her not to do something once she sets her mind to it or to do something against her will when she's set against it is well nigh impossible."
I huffed. "Papa you are making me sound like some stubborn brat that can't listen to reason."
"While it is true you are stubborn , you are also wise enough to listen to reason when a reasonable argument is presented." Adam threw in. "At least I could temper McLeod stubbornness a little in you." Adam smiled at me fondly.
"Are you saying I am stubborn?" Duncan asked Adam.
"Of course I am, it's one of your trademarks." Duncan looked a bit pouty. "But I love you anyway mo chride." (My Heart)
Duncan smiled and Duncan and Adam shared a short quick kiss.
I watched everybody's reaction. The pack seemed slightly unsettled, the Cullens however, all of the men, looked uncomfortable just like the pack but the women actually seemed to enjoy the sight.
Taylor coughed. "So Si.. Ella too bad you lost to that Lasko guy. Congrats on making 3rd though. That was quite some fancy fighting. Perhaps you can show us a bit."
I smiled warmly at my brother. "Thanks, I will. And I don't mind. I lost to a superior fighter. And I really got to test myself against him." I paused. "I was somewhat confident I would win against Christa. Her Teacher is somewhat less…" I searched for a word to describe Amanda. "disciplined."
Adam snorted. "Yeah you could say that." Duncan smiled.
"Guys thank you for the Banner with the Clan Motto, I absolutely loved it." The pack grinned happily at my statement.
Alice gave a small cough. I smiled at her "Thank you too Alice for your Banner it is the thought that counts but the other one just touched my heart."
Alice gave an exaggerated pout. I just rolled my eyes at that.
Jasper spoke changing the subject. "You fought really well and very innovatively. And you have, it seems, a high pain threshold."
Carlisle spoke too now: "Yes, would you mind me checking you over I am a MD and someone ought to make sure nothing is permanently damaged. Also you really should not move your arm so much after dislocating your shoulder." He sounded very worried.
"I'm absolutely fine." I shrugged of his concern. "Anyway," I turned towards my parents. "I invited Lasko to stay for dinner although we should probably prep a guest room for him as well. " I paused. "He is a monk on a pilgrimage."
"Ah yes. I believe I have heard of Lasko." Adam said. Conveying to Duncan he deemed Lasko safe. And if the ever paranoid Methos gave you the okay you really were harmless.
"Of course that is great, I would love to learn more about Lasko and his travels. He must stay overnight."
"I am glad to hear that. I am most thankful for your kind offer. And I too am curious to learn your stories." Lasko said from behind us. He smiled kindly.
Odd, that we weren't able to always feel his quickening. We were all surprised.
I introduced everyone by name.
There was an announcement that the finalists please come backstage and the audience be seated again. Lasko left.
And I went with the pack and pulled my 'parents' along. And wonder oh wonder the Cullens followed.
Then an idea came to me. "Oy everybody, would you like to come by our place for tea tomorrow afternoon?"
Jacob raise an eyebrow at me. I nodded answering his unspoken question. It was a good thing that I decided to shield everybody in my vicinity. Then speaking aloud. "There will be cake and muffins." The pack cheered. And I looked at the Cullens (except Edward ) and smiled my sweetest most charming smile. "You'll come won't you?"
After they all agreed I zeroed in on Edward. Eyes narrowed. "Edward I can scarcely not invite your family and not you. But I would appreciate it greatly if you could at least curb your chauvinistic, old fashioned tendencies."
He nodded. Looking offended and worried all at the same time.
The gong sounded again.
I looked down, I saw Ceirdwyn and Lasko facing each other.
What followed was too awesome to describe in words.
After a short accessing round the real fight began. We were truly seeing to masters fighting. The sheer speed was difficult to follow. They were both very fast and very acrobatic. Neither used movements of only one fighting style. It made the fight very interesting.
When they appeared to be nearly fighting Matrix fast I exclaimed "Damn they're fast."
Edward sat right behind me. And Jacob right beside him. "Ella you were just as fast." Stated Edward. "Yeah you were." Jacob confirmed. I looked at my 'parents' who sat on either side of me. Adam nodded. "Yep. You were."
"Damn I'm good. Even without…" I trailed of.
Adamn understood. "Yes even without." Adam confirmed.
I smiled. Feeling quite proud of myself.
I turned towards the fight again. Watching with rapt attention. It came to a point where lesser fighters would start tiring. But these were not lesser fighters. They fought with ever increasingly difficult moves. The fight had now gone on for around 40 Minutes already.
They jumped apart. "You are very good." Lasko said. While at the same time Ceirdwyn stated "You are an excellent fighter."
They smiled at each other. It was not a happy smile. It was a rather frighteningly cold smile.
I waited, breathing deeply we would probably see even more skill than shown so far.
And they collided again. I could hardly follow any more. I only was able to discern, that they were now more deliberately aiming to hurt. I could only try to follow.
Behind me I heard Edward and Jacob whispering.
I guess they thought I was too absorbed to pay attention. And of course I had neglected to tell Jacob I had honed my ears to hear as well as humanly possible.
"Is she Bella?" Edward.
"Listen Edward look at her, there is your answer." Jacob.
"How come you are here?" Edward.
"She stood in front of Bella's grave yesterday afternoon. She was asking me why there was a picture of her. I sort of showed her my wolf form and the rest is history." Jacob.
"Does she remember? How much have you told her? Was she re-incarnated with her memories or some sense of who she was?" Edward.
"I can, with absolute certainty say she was not 're-incarnated' with her memories." Jacob.
I smiled, this was true, I hadn't been re-incarnated after all.
"And as for what I have told her, I only told her the cliff-notes version no details. She knows you are vampires. And knows that we believe her to be Bella"
Again nicely phrased by Jacob not even telling a lie.
"Yours and the packs minds are completely blank to me. As are the minds of her 'Fathers', Christa, Lasko and Ceirdwyn." Edward stated. Pronouncing Fathers with a bit disdain if I was not mistaken.
"Huh, okay. Anyway, my advice is, go hunting before the afternoon tea tomorrow." Jacob.
"You know something that you are not telling." Edward accused.
"Yes I do know something. But I suspect after tomorrows afternoon tea, you'll know just as much." Jacob.
"I don't like this." Edward.
"I know, I wouldn't either. Now shut up leech I want to watch the awesome fight going on." Jacob said. But leech was used as a sort of endearment.
Funny I never thought of that word as an endearment.
In the end Lasko won. Ceirdwyn lay crumpled on the floor. Breathing hard. I wasn't sure how it happened. It was waay to fast for me to follow.
There was applause, shouts and cheers. I added my own long warriors cry to the crowd.
After I sat back down the pack and the Cullens looked at me. The pack in a surprised but 'man she's cool' kinda way. The Cullens looks were harder to put. Edward looked thoughtful. Emmet surprised and gleeful. Jasper looked at me accessing. Carlisle looked at me amused as did Esme. Rosalie looked at me amused but disapproving at the same time. And Alice. Alice was pouting. I mentally shrugged at Alice's reaction. Not able to think of why she would pout.
They called another break, after which the prizes were to be awarded.
After the ceremony in which I got yet another pretty but useless trophy we all made our way home.
Lasko accompanied us.
Next up Laskos Story