I shook my head in answer and the queen continued. “Long ago, a pact was formed between the many races of Mariandor. We forged our tribes and peoples into something stronger, and we did so to fight the evil that came from across the ocean. The early men, the elves, the dwarves and wyverns, even the orcs and mountain trolls came. Our pact was formed and maintained by the Temple of the Heavens. But when the complacency of peace and prosperity had numbed the sensibilities of our ancestors, a war broke out in these very mountains. The Fafniri and Sirrushi wyverns were the first to draw blood, swift to rage as we are. The men turned on the elves next, and the dwarves stole many of our gems and fled.
“The pact was shattered. So, too, was the Temple of the Heavens broken. The magic that bound our peoples together destroyed the temple and its foundations. It is fitting that you should find one of the entrances to our caves by stumbling upon the temple. I see this as a good sign and will entertain the idea of joining with the other races again against a mighty evil. Yet before I rouse my horde and send forth the legions of Sirrushi wyverns, I must ask something from you, traveler.”
I responded honestly, “Anything within my power, Queen Matriarch, and you shall have it.”
The queen rose up from her throne and spoke in a voice loud enough that it was clear she was speaking to all present. “Much of our power came from the gems we so love. And many of those were taken. I would not have you seek out the dwarves, but there is one gem that is within our reach yet beyond our ability to recover. It is called Ruby of Souls. It is very important, and if you help up recover the gem, I will tell you why.”
The elders began to chatter among themselves, and even stolid Harnoth muttered under his breath.
“You want Pachi and I to retrieve this Ruby of Souls for you, then?”
The queen answered in a grave voice, “No, I am asking you to fulfill this quest for us. Unfortunately, the circumstances are very particular. This is a task you must undertake alone.”
Pachi growled and moved closer to me. You will not go alone. I won’t have it.
I placed a hand on Pachi’s back. Surely, there is a miscommunication. Be calm.
Making sure to remain respectful, I explained to the queen, “Pachi is my bonded companion. We go everywhere together. I do not think she will allow me to do this alone, nor is it clear why you ask for such a condition, Queen Matriarch. Can you explain?”
“We understand and hope that the majestic Pachi will understand, but the enemy that guards the gem has hidden itself away from this world. You must travel through a portal to get there, and only one being is allowed at a time. We have sent hundreds of warriors through, and to no avail, but you might succeed where they failed. You, Hana of the Kotoba clan, are a traveler and have therefore been blessed with immortality. If you fall in your quest, you will be reborn again, will you not?”
Pachi stepped towards the queen and prompted several guards to come forward in her defense, but the wyverns’ sage matriarch only threw them a stern glance. Speaking softly and directly to Pachi, who stood shaking, she said, “Even you, Pachi, if you fell, could not be recovered and resurrected. That is why we ask your friend to go where none else have the chance to succeed.”
I walked forward to hold Pachi by the neck and whispered a few comforting words in her ear. Then I kneeled and spoke as boldly as my terrified voice could muster. “I will go, Queen Matriarch, and I will go alone.”
8: “Not if we hold true to each other.”
— King Elessar Telcontar
MADI
Vomiting sounded like a fetching idea as I listened to the cackle and roar of a disturbingly excited crowd.
The announcer crooned, “I’m sure you can’t wait to see heads roll and heroes fall. And today will be no exception! We’ll start with one-on-one combat, then move to the Companion’s Cup preliminary rounds. But don’t leave before our day ends with the Battle Royale!”
The crowd predictably went nuts as the announcer turned to take in all sides of the arena, his arms wide and hands held up.
Teegan whispered to me, “It’s a bit much at first. I passed out in the middle of my first fight. The crowd can feel… heavy, at times.”
I spat on the ground near my seat and replied, “Not at all. This is a lot of fun. So glad I signed up,”
The announcer continued his tirade, saying, “I won’t tease you and keep you waiting, folks. I won’t mention that Teegan Shadespar himself has shown up for this competition!” The crowd barked approval and hatred alike. “No! No, I would never waste your time to let you know that a flame leopard from the sands of the Almawti Desert is here.”
Satisfaction and bravado played across the announcer’s face. He was a ruddy man, his hair disheveled and stubble covering his cheeks and jaw. His voice rose from a projected stage voice to the scream of a battle-field commander. “I won’t waste any more time! Here is the first fight. Randy the Reveler versus Steven B. Noobshanks!”
He jogged off the arena floor and through a narrow door to one side. It quickly closed behind him as two players walked out and met in the center of the arena. A referee appeared, having been hidden against the wall of the arena somewhere, and met the two combatants.
At his direction, they touched swords—one a heavy, two-handed thing that would have been better used as scrap metal, the other a simple short sword.
The crowd died down, and only
