“The final four stand before us!” The queen announced proudly, “Today, in just a few short hours, our victor will be crowned!”
The audience in the coliseum roared. Mira looked around to see the people she assigned in each section. To her left, Bobabano stood proudly in his golden armor. The maroon feathers of his helm bristled in the stiff wind. The emboem of Agrowl’s sun was hammered and painted into his chest plate. He grinned proudly as he caught Mira’s gaze on him. She wore basic dark leather armor with a crimson shawl pinned across her shoulders like a proud flag for his country. Encante’s stone was tucked under her shirt but that did not muffle his vision or voice.
To her right, the dwarf stood and looked at his queen in amazement. He wore plain steel armor with nothing significant displayed. The simple sword at his side showed he didn’t have much wealth to his name, but the scars on his face and his grey hair told Mira he knew how to fight. On the other side of him was Vernent Reiner in gaudily decorated armor without a single scratch. Mira rolled her eyes and looked back to the queen.
“Our finalists are allowed to bring their own equipment into the arena today. We expect brilliant battles and displays!” Queen Azalea waved her son closer.
“First up: Lady Mira, Tribe Cauldronbone’s aquellan –” Krission pulled the papers from a small bowl, “against Rogresh Kragenvein.”
Mira stepped forward and the dwarf to her right did as well. The pair waited for field to clear of everyone but the healers on the field. Bo grabbed her wrist and pulled her in for a kiss as she walked past. The crowd cheered at the romantic display and a blush crossed her cheeks. As their lips parted, he placed his forehead against hers.
“Stay calm,” He whispered as the crowd awed at his display, “Nothing will go wrong. We’ve got this.”
Her hand touched his face softly as she nodded. He squeezed her hand until the obsidian stone dug into his fingers. As he walked away, she made her way to the center of the arena where Rogresh patiently waited. They bowed lightly to each other. He held a sword at his side and held a hand towards her.
“Lady Mira, an honor.”
She grabbed his hand and shook it, “Veteran Rogresh.”
The dwarf grinned, “Veteran? You make me feel old.”
“I do not see you as a knight, a guard, or in a different army. You are an experienced fighter,” She pointed to the sword, “I assumed you are a veteran over mercenary. You don’t fit the type.”
“Thank you for noticing,” He chuckled, “How old are you?”
“I don’t know.”
“How long have you been fighting, Lady Mira?”
“At least nineteen winters,” She stepped back from him as they prepared for the bell, “Yourself?”
“I am eighty years old,” He lifted his sword up, “I’ve been protecting people I care about for nearly sixty years.”
“Honorable,” Mira summoned the glaive to her hand and raised it in the air, “It will be a privilege to fight with you.”
The ceremonial bell tolled and she launched herself towards the dwarf. As her blade reared back to gain momentum for a strike, the dwarf jumped away from her.
“I yield.”
“Wh-what?” She shook her head as she didn’t believe her ears.
“You heard me,” He laughed, “One thing I’ve learned, you never fight when you can’t win. I yield.”
“Then… kneel,” She walked towards him.
“What?” Rogresh blinked, “Why?”
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“If you truly think I am the better warrior,” She held her spear towards him, “Bend your knee. If not, then you will fight me until you lose properly.”
“I could just press the broach,” He pointed to it, “I don’t have to kneel.”
“Then do that,” She looked up at the curious crowd, “I stand here, in front of an arena of onlookers. They see me as a former thrall or an orc’s lover. They do not see me for what I truly am.”
“And I do?” He laughed.
“Yielding does nothing for you besides show you know you have met your match. It could be to honor the orcs, or because you think I’m weak and don’t want to hurt me,” She smirked, “Kneeling does more for me. It shows you are yielding to me and nobody else.”
“Very well,” He lowered himself to one knee, “You are the superior warrior. I yield.”
The arena hushed to a low mumble as she walked to him. The glaive disappeared and she stood in front of him. He pressed the broach and the blue bubble shield popped up around him.
“I saw you fight Jorneam. I saw you break this shield. I know you’re connected to something terrible and powerful,” Rogresh grinned, “I know that I will not win. Thank you for giving an old man like me a chance at spotlight one last time.”
“Rogresh is yielded. Lady Mira is the winner!” Prince Krission announced, “Next up, Captain Bobabano Cauldronbone and Lord Vernent Reiner!”
Mira walked to the edge of the arena and adjusted the ring on her finger. She knew that something would happen today. She walked to one of the large oak doors and exited the field. As she slipped from behind door, Bobabano stood in shock.
“Over that quickly?”
“He yielded.”
“Smart man,” The orc grinned, “Hopefully, that rat does the same.”
“Please, Bo,” Her eyes scanned him for a response, “Just forfeit.”
“And seem weak? Not a chance,” He grinned, “Plus, how magnificent would it be to kneel before you in the final round? To raise you as my queen, in front of such an audience, would be so romantic, wouldn’t it? Or I could actually fight you without you holding back too much.”
“I have a bad feeling, Bo. Please,” She put a hand on his chest, “I do not want to order you to yield.”
“That would just be mean,” He chuckled, “I’ll be fine.”
“Be safe,” She placed her head against his chest, “Promise me.”
“I promise,” He hugged her, “If I feel any chance of my life at risk, I will forfeit and wait for you to save me.”
“Thank you,” She squeezed his hand, “Good luck.”
The sudden end of a match left much time to wander as they prepared for the next one. Vernent had left the waiting room and needed to be found.
Mira walked up the marble stairs and saw the group of orcs that waited for her at the entrance to the general seating. Many knelt before her as she stepped down the stairs with her head held high. The eyes followed her as she saw the person she looked for. Ravenna scooted over to make a spot next to her for the woman to sit.
Mira said as she sat, “I specifically remember telling you to stay away.”
“Tiero is here. I can remove my glasses if I suspect anything,” She grinned, “Plus, I want to see you and Bobabano fight.”
“Elder Amethyst is sitting with your elven friends,” Tiero added, “Elder Em and Lady Skymara are somewhere in the stadium. I have yet to see them.”
“Em should have blended them both in and posted somewhere to react when necessary,” She adjusted her shawl and looked around the stadium, “Skymara is with the royals.”
“Elder Amethyst said she will be within ear shot for orders. She is more talented than I, so she could be further out.”
“And my acquaintances?” Mira lifted an eyebrow.
“Browsing the manor,” Ravenna grinned, “Or, however you want to phrase what they are doing.”
She sent a number of the Wilted Rose to scavenge the Reiner manor during the tournament. Any evidence they found would be brought to Skymara’s tower.
They were prepared. Mira kept reminding herself of that as Bo took to the center of the field with Vernent. She could not understand what they spoke about, but she kept her eyes glued to the enemy. She now knew his family would know where her former master was. She was one step closer to vengeance and ending a blasted prophecy.
As Vernent raised an overly opulent sword into the air, Bo’s golden sword soon followed. Mira watched as the men traded blows. Vernent’s choice of weapon allowed him quicker strikes, but Bo’s armor was harder to penetrate. He swung the golden sword as hard as he could at his opponent. It dinged into the armor and pushed the man back. She heard his grunt as he kicked his opponent.
Bo yelled as he released an unrelenting onslaught of swings at Vernent. Mira studied the man’s movements carefully as he reacted to the dwarf’s attacks. If he was able to crack a vial before Amethyst could react, Mira would need to be ready. She watched all of the gems on the man’s outfit sparkle. She watched each unnecessary tassel wave as he moved. She analyzed every single step he took.
“I do not know if he any poison,” Encante spoke in her mind, “I feel he would have used it already.”
“It might not be that.”
“I can feel your anxiety. You cannot predict everything. When something happens, we will take care of it.”
Her hand brushed the fabric of the shawl and her eyes raised to the audience across the dirt floors. Above the carved walls, she roamed over the faces. She felt Encante’s magic grow from her as it silently spread across the ground. The invisible vines covered the arena until she felt something light up. She turned to see a half elf with golden, wavy hair next to a mossy green orc. She relaxed slightly and turned back to the fight.