The tournament, so far, had been spectacular. Many samurai fought in battle, yearning to bring glory to their Lord. One by one, pairs of them entered the ring and did battle. Sword met swear and axe, and as one was defeated, another advanced.

The flowing banners of their houses were taken down little by little. Now, there were only a few left.

Belosh watched as Cadas caught Alkela's mace with one gauntletted fist. A shockwave ensued, and Cadas brought around his other fist. Yet Alkela leaped into the air, flipping over Cadas and freeing her mace. Bringing the weapon around, she drove Cadas back with rapid strikes.

The crowd went wild as the huge man fought against the blonde. Finally, Cadas stepped back and smashed both gauntlets together. Alkela raised her mace, and the sun glinted off her armor. Then she leaped into the air, bringing down a two-handed strike. Her mace was surrounded by a reddish glow.

Cadas met the battle head-on.

There was a clash, and both fell back. Alkela landed on the ground while Cadas flew back beyond the ring. He landed hard and tried to rise. Cheers deafened.

"Alkela is victorious once more. Cadas is defeated," said Sahshir.

Oresa ran forward toward where Cadas was lying and summoned her healing. Orange radiance was sent forward to surround Cadas, restoring his health. Belosh drew out his listening stone and tuned it to where she was. He heard her voice then. "Cadas!

"It's alright, Cadas, I have you."

"Oresa, take care of him," said Isamu, coming forward.

Cadas was the first among Isamu's group to be defeated. He'd always had the back luck to end up against the strongest enemy in each tournament. However, he had not faced Asim, so that was fortunate. Even now, Belosh could see the black-armored warrior observing. He ended up glaring at Isamu, who returned the gaze.

He'd defeated every enemy he'd faced with absolute ease. His strikes had been brutal, and one of those he'd faced was dead.

"She wields a mace with a savage beauty I have hardly seen," said Belosh, looking to Alkela. Were she not one of the tainted of Zigilus, Belosh would have loved to have her as one of his consorts. Glancing to Sahshir, he saw the masked King was observing with equal fervor. Had he truly fought and defeated Asim?

"She is a veteran of Zigilus and hunted demons before the wars," said Sahshir. "Cadas seems a formidable warrior in his own right as well."

"A distant cousin of Isamu," said Belosh. "His family are also descendants of Rammas. But his blood is several generations diluted."

"Blood is but the physical matter we inhabit," said Sahshir. "Who we are is defined entirely by what we do and nothing else."

"Is it true you first drew blood within Zigilus?" asked Belosh. There were a great many legends about that battle. The land in that region had become a nightmarish, untamed jungle of monstrous beasts.

"No, it was before that, in a duel with Tuor," sad Sahshir. "My first kill was when Garacel attacked the capital.

"Alkela and Narcissa accompanied Garacel in an assault on this place. They were hoping to steal the Blade of Chaos. In that, they were, unfortunately, successful."

"I'm told Garacel still possesses the blade," mused Belosh.

"He does," said Sahshir. "However, there are more important considerations at the moment. One should never focus on faraway threats at the expense of the moment.

"Asim is next, fighting Urus.

"This will be worth seeing, I think."

"Not really," said Belosh with a shrug. "Urus has always been weaker than Isamu, and Asim is nearly a match for him. Urus does not have a chance."

Urus came forward onto the field, and Asim came forward as well. Staff and sword flourished and met in a clash. The two dueled and fought back and forth, and Asim seemed to have the advantage.

"You assume that neither will make any mistakes," noted Sahshir.

"Is that not a reasonable assumption to make?" asked Belosh.

"Wars are not won by brute strength alone," said Sahshir. "Even if Asim is far more powerful,

Urus may adopt a strategy that could win him the match. In every situation, one has advantages and disadvantages." Asim overextended, and Urus struck a leg out from under him. The black-suited samurai fell but turned Urus' staff. Rolling away, they clashed, but Urus had the advantage, driving him back. "It is merely a matter of exploiting them."

Suddenly, Asim stopped and attacked. It was, technically, a bad move. But it surprised Urus and put him back on the defensive.

Then Urus stabbed his staff into the ground. Pushing upward, he spun over Asim. As he did, the team in his hand split into four. Each one was plunged into the soil around Asim, and lightning surged from them. Asim grunted in pain as the bolts struck him.

"What was that?" asked Sahshir.

"Spirit sticks," said Belosh. "They channel spiritual power and channel it to the others nearby. Urus has the blood of a lightning spirit in his family line. She gifted that staff to his ancestor, and he may call upon her at will. How do you believe Asim will counter this?"

"I imagine he'll weather it," said Sahshir.

Asim shuddered, now on one knee, as the lightning surged into him. At last, it halted, and the sticks spun back to Urus, merging into a staff.

"Power is gained through virtue rather than communion with spirits," said Sahshir. "We have faith in Baltoth, but we ask no inherent power of him.

"The Sword of Order is merely one tool of many, albeit a sacred one.

"Also, that armor is three hundred years old and blessed with many powerful runes. Asim took it from an ancient tomb in the Kalthakian Wastes."

Asim surged toward Urus, who rushed in turn to meet him. The two passed one another and halted. As they did, the two remained totally still for a moment. Then Urus fell to his knees and hit the ground. Asim turned his sword around and sheathed it in one movement.

"As expected," said Sahshir.

"You said that Urus would win," said Belosh.

"I said he could win with proper strategy," said Sahshir. "There is a difference, though I am impressed with his conduct."

Belosh did not know how to read the man. He seemed always to be turning events over in his head. Clearly, he was a far greater threat than Belosh had given him credit for. "The Tournament seems to be going well so far, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes, Alkela has proven herself formidable. As has Asim and your own warriors," agreed Sahshir.

"I had hoped to see Asim's son in battle," said Belosh. More specifically, to arrange a marriage alliance. He'd taken Sahshir's advances for Oresa with horror. Though if he were not a leper, he might not find it so objectionable.

Sushaki was well known as more moderate than his father. He seemed the logical choice for a king when Sahshir died.

"Sushaki has been sent to the port cities to oversee the reconstruction," said Sahshir. "It is an important duty he could not put down."

"Well, Asim himself is a formidable opponent in his own right," said Belosh after a moment. So Sahshir was dead set on preventing his authority from being undercut. He would rather Asim take the throne than see Kalthak made whole.

This could be a problem. Why had Aresh had to become the Disciple of Baltoth? You could reason with the man, but Sahshir seemed to have more of Asim, just with Aresh's cunning. Belosh dearly hoped things never came to war.

"I'm told Isamu and Asim have a vendetta," said Sahshir.

"Yes, that," said Belosh. "Isamu's mother was killed in a raid conducted by Asim when he was only a child. It was during the three-day war. When I found him, he had a spear on his back and was clinging to life.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

"My priests saved him, and I had him trained in a militia in a nearby village.

"He came to my attention later after he killed an entire army of bandits singlehanded."

"Really?" asked Sahshir, sounding interested.

"Well, my armies did the finishing blow," admitted Belosh. "But he did throw them into chaos and killed many. After that, he became a powerful asset to my realm.

"You are a formidable warrior to defeat him."

"I timed our duel for a time when he would be at a disadvantage," said Sahshir. "Wood may kill as well as steel with the right movements."

"Mere strategy then?" asked Belosh.

"Strategy is the proper application of virtue," said Sahshir.

Belosh mused on the subject. "Isamu seems to be fighting very well in the matches."

"Naturally, he has something to prove," said Sahshir. "His mind is focused on making up for his humiliation, and so he has power."

"Do you think he'll face Asim?" asked Belosh.

"Perhaps," mused Sahshir. "It is of no interest to me, however, so long as neither dies.

"Isamu's match is next, against Alkela. Well, let us see where this goes."

Isamu and Alkela came forward to face one another. The beautiful blonde donned her helmet, while Isamu wore no armor at all. Drawing his sword, he took his stance. "You're good, but I'm not going to let anyone get between me and beating Asim."

Alkela said nothing.

"What, cat got your tongue?" asked Isamu sarcastically.

Alkela said nothing, merely shifted in irritation. If Belosh had encountered this curvaceous beauty in his own land, he'd have taken her for his harem in a moment. Still, she was of Zigilus, so it was better to watch.

"Say something!" snapped Isamu.

Alkela sighed and made signs with her hands.

"Sign language..." said Isamu before glancing back. "Hey, Urus, what does that mean?"

"She says, 'I'm a mute, you idiot.'" said Urus.

Isamu looked back at Alkela. "Why you..."

And then Alkela surged forward and attacked in a berserk flurry. Isamu dodged and parried, thrusting and striking. Each blow that touched the ground left cracks in the ring's floor. Alkela danced away.

"Both seem exceptionally skilled; I am surprised a female is doing so well," said Belosh.

"She is a Battleluster of Zigildrazia, it is to be expected," said Sahshir. Alkela launched another furious assault, and Isamu met it head-on.

"There is a savage beauty about that one, is there not?" asked Belosh. The two combatants were now circling while striking at one another.

"Why is Oresa not out here?" asked Sahshir in turn.

"What do you mean?" asked Belosh.

"Urus and Cadas are fighting, but not Oresa," noted Sahshir.

"You cannot seriously expect my daughter to participate in this?" asked Belosh. Even Eastern Kalthakins hesitated to send women to fight. At least aside from the priestesses of Baltoth.

"Is she not one of Isamu's warrior companions?" asked Sahshir. "Why does she remain on the side, cheering, tending only to wounds. Her efforts are acknowledged as those of a servant, rather than an equal, let alone a superior."

"Isamu is not what one could call respectful of authority," said Belosh, returning to the fight. By now, Alkela was on the defensive, beginning to tire beneath the onslaught of Isamu.

"And yet you tolerate him," noted Sahshir.

"He kills like a god," said Belosh.

"I have seen gods who kill, and no, he does not," said Sahshir. "He likes spectacle far too much. And he is careless. I'm surprised he is still alive."

"He is challenging to kill," said Belosh.

At that moment, Alkela's twin, Narcissa, came to Sahshir's side with documents. "Sahshir, a word?"

"What is it, Narcissa?" asked Sahshir.

"I've just returned from reviewing the cases," said Narcissa. "The orders of execution for those women. Well, it turns out that there was an error."

"What is it?" asked Sahshir.

"One among them had the child killed for medical reasons. It was draining her life force," said Narcissa.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Sahshir.

"My people mix our blood with demons," said Narcissa. "Sometimes, children are born who naturally drain the lifeforce of those close to them. It is a reflex; if they grow up, they can become deadly predators. Those they are close to are consumed, and the mother is usually the first to die.

"In such a situation, the practice is to perform a sacrifice ritual to Zigildrazia. By doing this, the children might take their place as true succubi."

"And you wish me to pardon them?" mused Sahshir.

"Yes," said Narcissa.

Sahshir nodded. "Very well then, consider it done. Order a halt to the executions. I will review the cases myself for any other reasons I might pardon them. Tell me if any other matters come to my attention.

"You have my trust, Narcissa. And the responsibility that entails."

"Thank you," said Narcissa. Then she sat down.

"Surely such a matter is beneath you," said Belosh.

"In normal practice? Perhaps," conceded Sahshir. "However, this is the first time I have meddled in their internal matters. As such, it must be conducted justly and with all due mercy. Justice must be done, but not so violently as to inspire hatred."

Suddenly, Alkela got a blow in. Her mace caught Isamu in the chest and smashed into him. Isamu fell back, bruised but not seriously injured. The next impact caught him on the bicep, and he was defending again.

"That blow should have killed a lesser man," mused Sahshir.

"Isamu is no lesser man," said Belosh.

"Whether he is or not, it's over," said Sahshir.

And then Isamu radiated an aura of red and surged forward in a berserk fury. Alkela was driven back, hardly able to respond. At last, her mace was knocked from her hand, and she was thrown from the ring. Belosh smiled.

"Isamu is complicated to kill," said Belosh.

"And very little else, it would seem," noted Sahshir.

Kushina, who had said nothing before now, laughed. "So Isamu is the winner by having god-given power. One that lets him win despite doing nothing to deserve the victory. Excellent, truly excellent. I can see why Baltoth ordered his Father sealed in the darkest dungeon of Ruscow."

Belosh was annoyed now. These people were flaunting their martial prowess far too much for his liking. Worse still, he had always disliked the priestesses of Baltoth.

Their fixation on violence and terror as a control method had never sat right with Belosh. He preferred to us diplomacy when he could. It wasted fewer resources and spared men their lives to get what they wanted without striking a blow. If Baltoth weren't the deity, Belosh should have been worshipping another deity.

Which, of course, was what this was all about, really.

"Isamu won because of his own power," said Belosh.

"Power that requires no discipline is a mere privilege," said Kushina. "It inevitably fails once you run into those who put the work in."

Soon enough, the last match came about.

Asim and Isamu came forward in the tournament and faced one another. As they did, they charged at one another without a word. Both attacked with vicious offensives, striking to kill from the looks of things. Yet neither was able to overcome the other.

Belosh remembered what Tuor had mentioned to him about the nature of the quest. He dearly wanted to get off the subject, as he seemed to be losing on the martial front. "King Sahshir, I wish to speak to you about something.

"Tuor spoke to me of this quest for the Heaven's Eye the two of you believe in. Do you truly believe you could retrieve it from the heart of Harlenor?"

"All things are possible for a man of virtue and faith," said Sahshir.

"And you consider yourself that?" mused Belosh.

"I would say I walk the path of both," said Sahshir. "One cannot truly know if that is either, however. Certainly, I am willing to make the attempt."

"And if you should return, Tuor believes that you will return whole and healed," said Belosh. He was considering his angles at the moment.

"Perhaps, perhaps not," said Sahshir.

"Should that occur, I would gladly offer Oresa's hand in marriage to you," said Belosh. It's best not to have Sahshir as an enemy. He was obviously a zealot and dangerous, and if he returned healed, well, there were worse matches.

Sahshir nodded. "My thanks.

"Of course, Isamu will have to accompany us."

"Do you believe he will try to prevent such a union?" asked Belosh.

"Yes," said Sahshir. "I do not like Oresa's infatuation with Isamu. He shelters her just enough that she does not stand alone, but not enough to make a suitable husband."

"They seem to be taking this battle personally, aren't they?" said Kushina.

Oh yes, the fight between Asim and Isamu? Belosh looked bat to where their blades were moving at an immense rate. The crowd was cheering wildly at what was the pinnacle of martial ability in Kalthak. Belosh made sure to appear interested if only to maintain appearances. He despised violence and preferred to use it as a last resort.

"Do you truly care, Kushina?" asked Sahshir flatly, who was not even doing that much.

"I'm surprised, Sahshir," laughed Kushina. "It's not like you to have no interest in a battle."

"The outcome of this fight is irrelevant," said Sahshir. "If Asim wins, it will not be an achievement because Isamu is incompetent. If Isamu wins, it will only be because he gained immense powers from nowhere. Victory through brute force given as a birthright is not impressive to me.

"In either event, nothing has been achieved by either party. So I have no interest in the outcome." That was harsh. Not untrue, Belosh had always regarded Isamu more as a battering ram than a warrior. But it seemed impolite to say as much openly.

"...What if one of them kills the other?" asked Narcissa.

"Well, that would present a problem, wouldn't it?" asked Sahshir, looking to where Asim and Isamu had halted. "Fortunately, Asim seems as bored by this conflict as I am."

Asim halted and then was forced to withdraw beneath a flurry of strikes by Isamu. Catching a blade in a final blow, the air around them seemed to warp beneath their onslaught. Suddenly, Asim separated and landed on one knee. Struggling to stand, Isamu surged at him for a killing blow.

But Asim rolled away and sheathed his sword at the very same moment.

"I forfeit," said Asim, blood running down his brow.

"What?" said Isamu, voice furious.

"I said I forfeit," said Asim, sheathing his blade. "You win."

"You... you can't forfeit!" said Isamu. "We're not done!"

"I just did," said Asim. "I have been given orders from my King, and I obey them to the letter."

"Orders?" asked Isamu. "What are you talking about?"

"I ordered Asim that if he believed the match would end in death, he should forfeit," said Sahshir. "Both are valuable assets, and I do not mean to waste either."

"And he obeyed?" asked Belosh, surprised. Asim was well known as one of the most proud and vicious men. For pride's sake, he'd gotten thousands killed in a pointless war.

"My subjects heed my orders because they respect me and are loyal to my cause," said Sahshir.

Yes, those who supported Asim could simply say he did it because he saw the match would end with death. That Asim should have been the one whose head was lying on the ground was a detail they'd forget. Sahshir was far more intelligent than his uncle and a better warrior.

"You..." Isamu said as Asim walked away. "Get back here, you bastard! You don't get to walk away from me after what you did!" Kushina and Sahshir stood and made their way out into the arena. Belosh rose and walked with them, somewhat behind.

"Yes, I do," said Asim as he walked away. "Denying the enemy the honor of a battle can be just as great a revenge as engaging them directly. Perhaps even greater. You aren't worth fighting any further."

Isamu raised his sword and would have attacked Asim. However, Kushina came between them and caught his hand. "Stay your hand, Isamu. Asim is no longer fighting you."

"But he..." began Isamu.

"It's over, Isamu," said Urus, coming forward.

"It won't be over!" snarled Isamu. "It won't be over until I've killed him!"

"Well, you'll have to do it another day," said Kushina. Then she spoke aloud. "Isamu, son of Rammas! You have brought glory to Kalthak, both West and East! Now we award you the title of Champion!

"Bring forth the prizes!"

Great cheers broke out throughout the crowds by the end of the battle. Belosh was surprised; it had seemed anticlimactic to him. Still, he supposed Asim might have forfeited because he was losing to save face.

The riches Isamu had won came forward. They were carried by many majestically beautiful slave girls. They wore beautiful garments, and Belosh felt a twinge of jealousy. Sahshir rose and came forward to personally congratulate him. Belosh tuned his listening stone again.

"The slavegirls are part of the prize," said Kushina simply.

"I don't care about money. This was my fight," snapped Isamu.

"No, it was the crowd's fight, and you entertained them a great deal," said Sahshir, moving up to him. "If either you or Asim had killed the other, it should have wrecked the spectacle. That would have led to serious consequences."

"What are you saying?" asked Isamu.

"Never engage in a battle where you cannot gain victory," said Kushina. "Your goal was to kill Asim, and that was not achievable.

"Had you not fought to kill, he would not have forfeited. And so you might have humbled him.

"By seeking too great a goal, you have not gained a lesser one that was achievable."

"...You've thought this through, haven't you?" snapped Isamu.

"I have the advantage of having no time to lose at all," said Sahshir. "And so I must use every moment to its fullest, for tomorrow, I may be dead.

"Enjoy the slaves. You have earned them."

Belosh knew Isamu would not be enjoying them at all. He hated slavery and cared nothing for money, so all would go to waste. It was a shame. They were gorgeous women.