It was amazing how quickly things were reset, or so Relma thought. Soon they were all back in the stands, waiting as the crowd watched as the sun moved on. But everyone was restless, waiting for something to happen. No one was focusing on the match but rather on what might happen during the match.

Everyone was more interested now than before. It was interesting to Relma how unpleasant things could be memorable and exciting. While pleasant things passed you by suddenly, you hardly noticed you had them.

Saphra seemed to live by that code.

"Sorry about what happened with Frederick, Varsus," said Reginald. "Bad luck having your win stolen by a cheater."

"It is of no consequence," said Varsus. "When he is healed, I will fight him again and determine who should have won the match." Meaning Frederick. He'd been poisoned and still nearly won. Judging from Varsus' expression or what little Relma could make out of an expression, he knew it.

"The tournament may be over by then," noted Reginald.

"I will fight him nonetheless," said Varsus. "If only for completion's sake."

"Either way, wish me luck," said Reginald, drawing his sword and unslinging his shield. "I'm going up against the Bloodthirster."

"Bloodthirster?" asked Varsus.

"Well, she was pretty descriptive in what she wanted to do to me," said Reginald. "Seemed an appropriate name."

The Black Knight was already making her way into the ring. She spun her poleaxe repeatedly, and it was a blur in her hand. Reginald followed after her, slamming his sword against his shield in a challenge.

"Be careful, Reginald," said Varsus.

Reginald halted at the top of the stares and smirked. "I've been careful all my life."

Davian came forward as the two faced each other down. He stood between them, and the crowd was silent. "My friends, today we have a match of supreme excellence!

"In the one corner, we have an heir of House De Chevlon, come to prove his worth in the battlefield.

"In the other, we have-"

"Skip the introductions, you old fool," snarled the Black Knight.

Davian halted, shrugged, and walked to the sidelines.

"...I think that might be Tanith," said Estela

"Don't be absurd," said William. "Tanith has never once used a polearm in her entire life. She's terrible with them. Give her an axe or a sword, and she'll tear through armies. But she's completely unsuitable with that sort of weapon."

"What makes you so sure?" asked Estela.

"| grew up with her," said William. "She's like a sister to me."

"Your sister almost started a war," said Estela.

"No, she responded to aggression with aggression," said William. "Telix had been aggressive long before she was. Benarus was doing nothing. Had the situation continued, things would have gotten far worse.

"So she made an ill-advised but understandable attack on an enemy who had been allowed to run rampant."

Estela gave him a distrustful look. "No, all she cares about is killing people."

"Don't talk about things you don't understand." shot back William. "Tanith lives to do battle with the enemies of Harlenor in all their forms. Unfortunately, she is... well, too bloodthirsty for her own good.

"But she has always been loyal to House Gabriel. If Benarus had responded decisively to the wolves, she would never have had to do it for him."

"She nearly got us all killed," said Estela.

"So you say," said William, voice cold. "But why did the situation deteriorate to that point? If Benarus and Argath Marn can't keep control of their own men, I've no sympathy. Telix had been abducting people for a long time before Tanith acted.

"Why is the life of one black dragon more important to you than the life of dozens of your people?"

"...They were commoners," said Estela.

"And they'll remember how you acted on their behalf," said William. "In any case, I'm inclined to believe my friend."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Quiet, both of you," said Varus. "They are about to start fighting."

"Why haven't they before now?" asked Relma.

The Black Knight and Reginald remained silent as they waited. Relma wondered where Saphra had gone. Glancing at Benarus, she saw she was sitting back with the nobles.

"They look to be eyeing each other up," said Estela.

And then Reginald charged. He screamed in a rage and seemed to transform into a wild beast. The Black Knight rushed to meet him head-on. The two fought in a rapid flurry of attacks. Reginald roared in battle rage, attacking again and again. The Black Knight fighting with the same fury but dead silence.

Then she began to lose ground. Reginald pressed the assault, his roars and screams growing louder and louder. The crowd started to cheer and yell in enthusiasm as the berserkers fought. Finally, the Black Knight was forced to one knee. Reginald attacked again and again, beating down her guard. Finally, he slammed his sword against her helm, sending her falling to the ground. Then he slowed to a halt, breathing heavily, almost frothing at the mouth.

"That was a good strike by Reginald," said Varsus.

The Black Knight began to pull himself up. She used her poleaxe as a crutch to rise but was unsteady. Reginald charged at her with another battle cry as soon as he was up.

Even as he approached, the Black Knight slipped past his assault. She brought her axe around to strike at the back of his neck. But Reginald twisted around and brought his shield around.

Axe and shield collided, and both fighters recoiled.

No, she was baiting him backward.

The Black Knight recovered faster. In a flurry, she drove Reginald back with strike after strike. Reginald was smiling now, parrying, blocking, and laughing.

"What is going on here?" asked Estela. "Why is he acting this way?"

"Reginald has certain bloodlines," said Varsus. "Or so the rumors say."

"What bloodlines?" asked William.

"It's said that his grandmother had relations with a demon of Fortenex," said Varsus. "Pure speculation. But his father was prone to flying into rages during battle. So whenever he goes into combat, he gets like this."

The two had slid to a halt now. They were facing one another down, and Reginald was gasping for air. But the Black Knight didn't look any less tired. They halted for a moment.

"...You are better than I was expecting," said Reginald.

"I have far too much invested in winning this tournament to fail now," said the Black Knight. So had they bet against Frederick.

"Same here," said Reginald. "I think it's about time I got serious."

"More drama," muttered William.

Reginald threw aside his shield and took his sword in two hands. Then bringing it around, he pressed the blade against his cheek. Then, as the bloodshed, Reginald began to laugh, louder and louder.

"What is he doing?" asked Relma.

"Shedding his blood," said Varsus, looking disturbed.

"What?" said Relma.

"The De Chevlon's have a unique ability. When their blood is spilled, they become far stronger and more aggressive," said Varsus. "Nothing can stop them. Or so it's said.

"Some have trained to master this bloodlust.

"Reginald particularly good at it."

"I've never heard of that," said William. "And Raynald De Chevlon was my mentor."

"Was Raynald ever injured in battle?" asked Varsus.

"Well, no," said William.

"Well, that explains it then," said Varsus.

And then Reginald attacked. If his onslaught had been like that of a wild beast before, now it was a force of nature. The Black Knight's axe was cleaved in half. Blow after blow hit his armor, denting and cracking it with its sheer power of it.

Soon he was thrown to the ground. But Reginald did not wait for him to get up this time. It was as if he had been driven mad as he struck repeatedly. The crowd certainly seemed to love it.

Then the Black Knight struck with half of her poleaxe, knocking Reginald to the ground. He rose and hurled the half without a blade at Reginald, hitting him in the face. He snarled and rushed at him, stabbing and slashing.

Finally, axe and sword locked as they pressed against one another. Their faces were very near as Reginald snarled and glared.

Finally, the Black Knight shoved him back. Reginald backed away, chuckling lightly as he took a stance. His smile was tired, but he looked happy. The Black Knight took a stance, body shaking. "... You're more powerful than I expected.

"However, I have powers of my own. And I earned these for myself." She raised her axe upwards, and a light flared around her. "Cin'dar, give me your power!"

Cin'dar? The fire spirit of the Wolven Forest?

Flames arose around the Black Knight. And then she screamed as the fire flared up within her armor. She fell over, rolling as the flames rose higher and higher.

"What the hell!!" said Reginald. "Elranor above! Get the healers down here, quickly!"

The flames died, and there was a deadly silence. Then William and Relma sprinted forward. The Black Knight was lying still. William kneeled by her.

"What happened?" asked Relma.

"No time," said William.

Taking ahold of the helmet, he drew it off. Beneath, there was a face horribly burned, with remnants of silver hair. William set a hand on their shoulder. The flesh was mended, the hair was restored, and Relma saw who it was.

"Fayn..." she said. "What happened? Did the spirit turn against her?"

"No," said William. "My mentor, Rusara, has a similar contract. So the fires should not have hurt her."

Relma grabbed the helmet and looked in. Feeling the inside, her hand came away with black gunk. "...Oil. Someone coated the inside of her armor with oil. But how could they have known she had a contract with Cin'dar?" And how could Fayn not have noticed?

"I don't know, but these burns are horrible," said William. "I'm having difficulty healing them."

"What is Fayn doing in this tournament anyway?" asked Relma.

"I expect the same thing you are," said William.

Before Relma could reply Aunt Pan arrived. "Well, this has been a busy day. First, Relma, get my herbs. I will be working all day to keep this from scarring."

"...Heh, heh..." blurted Fayn.

"Why are you laughing?" asked Relma.

"They got me, didn't they?" said Fayn. And then she began to laugh uproariously. She laughed and laughed until Pan put a hand to her neck, and she fell into sleep.

"Another attempt to cheat, was it?" asked Varsus.

"No. It was an assassination attempt," said Benarus as he approached. "Lockdown the tournament grounds; no one leaves without my will." He looked around. "What was done to Frederick might have simply meant to knock him out. This was attempted murder.

"I suggest all of you keep a close eye on your kits."

At that moment, Korlac rushed in. "What happened?"

"Didn't you see?" asked Relma.

"I've been trying to learn the facts of the case," said Korlac. "Now, what happened."

"There's been another bout of cheating," said Pan. "This one is particularly murderous."

"Well then, you'd best come with me," said Joseph. "I've gathered some information, and I'll need everyone to discuss it."