Amethyst grunted and obliged in the silence. Mira’s instincts screamed at her to leave. She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes as she communicated with Encante. He rose to the surface of her mind with ease now that they had agreed to work together.
“You seem to be angrier today,” His voice echoed in her mind, “Do you believe the orc is lying?”
“I cannot tell.”
“We can invoke the listener, when we see her next, to interrogate him,” Encante buzzed in her mind, “I believe he has good reason to speak the truth. He cares for you.”
“Does he?” She snorted, “Or does he need me for his own goals?”
“Somewhere along the way, I believe the line between reality and fantasy blurred. He told you as much. When you sleep, he whispers to you. I have only seen those that care for another do that.”
“I do not want to speak about this again.”
“I only bring this up so your emotions may ease before you battle our next foe,” He interrupted her, “We can discuss it more when you are not as... fragile.”
“I am not fragile.”
“Yet his words made you cry.”
She grunted in frustration and crossed her arms. She almost felt as if the dragon in her mind squirmed to think of something next to say.
“I do not squirm,” He chuckled, “I am just not the one to speak on such emotions.”
Mira sighed, “What would mother do?”
“Your mother had many suitors. Before our time together, she was desired by many and mated with the strongest warriors. In the end, she became my Vessel before she was forced to choose one and we bonded ourselves.”
She frowned, “So the vast wisdom to part onto me is to avoid it as long as possible?”
“I did not say it was wisdom,” A grin spread in his voice, “Only that it is what your mother did. Her children’s ancestors probably still inhabit the island.”
“You are supposed to be honest with me, Encante,” She scrunched her brow, “What do you believe I should do?”
“From my understanding, in Agrowl women can have more than one –” He stopped at her intrusive thoughts, “You asked what I thought. I also do not know if they would agree to it.”
“I don’t love him.”
“You care for Bobabano, or his words would not influence your emotions,” He brought up flashing memories of royal weddings his former vessels attended, “People merge their houses for less. You have already agreed to claim him. Many do so to charter peace or strengthen alliances.”
Mira frowned, “I do not want to rule a land.”
“Yet we must pursue this destiny, despite the new dream of yours.”
She frowned and remembered Jonen’s sweet words of a secluded life somewhere nice. Encante chuckled in her mind.
“These feelings you have… how do you know it will not pass?”
“Because I love him,” Mira opened her eyes and looked to Jonen, “And his dreams sound better than any life offered to me.”
The half elf scratched at his pointed ear and spoke with another Travel Knight. When he felt eyes on him, he turned and saw Mira. He nodded to acknowledge her. Mira dipped her head to return the gesture.
“What if we return to the isle and you find someone from your mother’s tribe?” His tone was curious, “Or we go to Vanora or Saceida and there is yet another? How do you know?”
“Did you ever doubt my mother’s love?”
“Often,” His honesty surprised her, “There were many more appropriate mates for her to have. Some she even had offspring with. Calosa knew that if she chose to never manifest my physical form again to seek a new lover, that I would understand. Still, she chose me.”
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“You understand feelings far better than me,” She snorted, “When you think I have decided on another, we can discuss it then.”
“Interesting arrangement. I will agree.”
The final contestant entered the waiting room and Mira opened her eyes to see who it was. Vernent Reiner argued with the officials about his equipment not being allowed into the tournament. The argument echoed through the relatively silent room.
“Can’t wait to put that punk in his place,” Amethyst grinned jovially.
Mira smirked, “I look forward to watching.”
The upset man eventually gave up on changing the officials mind and looked at the offered equipment. Aisling, Tegan, and Grandy walked over to them after the commotion cut the tension in the room.
“Lady Mira,” Aisling bowed grandly, “I have a question for you.”
“Aye,” Tegan nodded, “The same as me.”
“Then ask,” Mira circled her hand in the air.
The woman looked over at the dwarf, “Which of us would you prefer to win?”
She felt the eyes of officials and guards turn to her.
“Isn’t the point of this tournament to determine who the strongest is?”
Aisling smirked, “I hoped you would say as much. I look forward to showing you what I have to offer.”
He grunted, “Are you ready for your match, then?”
“Of course, Tegan,” Mira let a jovial smile spread across her lips, “I only need to know who my opponent is.”
“Is th’other knight,” The dwarf motioned to another that stood next to Jonen, “Val says he’s an earth elementalist.”
“The arena will be advantageous for him.”
After Vernent gathered his armor, the officials ushered them into their bracketed pairs. Her opponent eyed her skeptically as the door opened. The light from midday assaulted their eyes as they stepped into the arena. The crowd roared at their entrance and continued to cheer as the contestants met in the center of the coliseum. Queen Azalea stood upon the platform and waved to the crowd to silence as they settled into their positions.
“Greetings, one and all! Welcome to the second day of our tournament,” She nonchalantly adjusted the large crown on her head, “As our honored fighters enter the arena, I must announce there is a gift, for each of them.”
Mira saw the other pair of doors to the arena open. Skymara stepped next to a highly decorated Prince Krission. He waved enthusiastically at the cheering crowd and sorted through the box that elf held tightly against her.
“Because we expect you to give your all in the next few matches, our very own High Sorceress has crafted each of you a protective ward,” Prince Krission took out a small broach and looked over it in his hand, “Should you become overwhelmed and unable to battle, crack the outer shell. A spell will activate to give you a protective barrier. Should you activate this spell, you will forfeit, but you will be safe.”
The prince pinned the broach to himself. Skymara grabbed it in her hand and crumbled the small metal bulb in her hand. A magical bubble flung outward and nearly knocked her off her feet. The delicate blue glow outlined the protective field. She pulled out a knife and violently stabbed into it. The blue orb bent with each attack but did not shatter.
“We asked all of our contestants to use our equipment for just this reason,” Krission said as Skymara pinned a broach to the first contestant, “Skymara Silverstein, our High Sorceress, is a talented enchanter. This is a highly intricate gift that may cause the effects of other magical items to disintegrate when activated. I appreciate your understanding for this.”
Skymara looked down and smiled softly at the compliment of her work. As she handed one to Mira, she nodded softly.
“If your opponent activates theirs,” She whispered as she pinned it to the strap of her armor, “Please do not ignore the barrier.”
“Do you not think it will not hold me back?”
She clasped it firmly in place, “I tried my best.”
Skymara moved on to the next person in line. The shield around the prince disintegrated and he approached the first in the line of competitors. He grabbed the dwarf’s hand and shook it enthusiastically. As the prince walked to greet each person, Mira watched him carefully. The dwarf had more metals and jewels braided into his beard than his recently cut hair. The smaller crown on his head was made of swirling silver and gold threads. Emeralds were braided into the metal, but the stone at the center of the headpiece caught her attention. The grey stone was layered with brown and green. It reminded Mira of the forcibly cut sections of Zrud’s mountains she passed in her travels across the land.
“Greetings to his highness, Prince Krisson,” She bowed her head.
As he approached her, he cautiously stuck out his hand, “Lady Mira, it’s an honor to have you here today.”
She placed her hands in his. Their eyes met as he shook her hand softly. He blinked rapidly and looked at her in confusion once their hands parted. His hazel eyes scanned her critically for a moment.
“Is something wrong, your highness?”
“No, noth-nothing,” He cleared his throat, “Good luck in your match today. May the Goddess hold your favor.”
The prince kept looking back as he continued onto the next person.
Encante chuckled in her mind, “My cousin seems to have recognized me and stirred awake. Perhaps he will join us without a fight.”
“I have not decided that is what I want,” Mira reminded him.
The odd duo finished their walk through with each contestant. Prince Krission kept looking back to Mira in a curious way that she ignored each time.
“Remember, this is a competition. Those around you are future allies, not enemies. If you cannot continue, do not risk your life,” Skymara announced to them, “Ignite the enchantment, announce your yield, or cross the white line and you will be safe. We have healers here for just that reason. Please, give it your all but do not give your life for our entertainment.””
Once each competitor had the warding broach, Queen Azalea grinned. The crowd roared in anticipation as she held the ceremonial hammer against her shoulder.
“Who shall be our first to battle? Should both fighters agree, we can proceed immediately.”
Mira’s hand raised without hesitation, “I volunteer.”