Zalan stared in shock at Umdarr’s words. He threatened to tell everyone that he and Dimak colluded in the finals and that the final fight of the tournament was a sham. It was a huge accusation. People took the Elemental Rage Tournament too seriously for the accusation to go unpunished. Zalan could be killed by audience members and contestants alike. Zalan swallowed hard, not sure how he should proceed.

“You were there in the arena with us! You pretty much endorsed us to fight the way we were fighting. Why is this an issue now?” Zalan asked.

“I thought the two of you had made a gentleman’s agreement. Finish the battle in order to avoid any more pain. I was unaware of any transaction going on between the two of you. Money for his forfeiture,” Umdarr said, largely disappointed.

“I didn't bribe him. We were talking in the arena and he said that he wanted to win to get revenge on someone. I talked him out of his path of revenge. He said that the whole thing was over money, so I promised to cover the money,” Zalan said, hoping the truth would be enough.

“Really?” Umdarr scoffed. “You? After all your battles you want me to believe you promised a man you just met a fortune so that he would avoid a vengeful life? The very thing you epitomize?”

Zalan had no immediate reply. It was the first time Umdarr shared an opinion about any fighter. He had been reading between the lines of Zalan’s fight and drew a harsh conclusion. Hard, but fair to Zalan. Zalan looked to his friends for advice. They were quiet, completely in the dark about what transpired between him and Dimak in the arena. Zalan sighed and tried to think of an easy explanation.

“It’s really what happened. I changed a lot in my time in the tournament. I’m trying to be more charitable,” Zalan insisted.

“Is Dimak a fool? Why would he agree to trust the likes of you?”

“He made me swear to God.”

“I see. He had your word. You agreed to throw the fight in order to share the prize. You got the Reversal Stone and he got the money,” Umdarr replied.

“You have the Reversal Stone?” Slauson asked, sitting up in interest.

“I didn’t agree to throw the fight. He actually tried to help me win at the end! And we didn’t agree to split the prize,” Zalan countered.

“Oh! Really now? Not only are you a greatly generous man, but it was convenient that Dimak is such an altruistic fighter? So that you could get your hands on the prize you really sought,” Umdarr said.

“I never even asked for it! You saw me refuse it!”

“All a show to throw off my scent,” Umdarr said quickly. “I should have read into the ruse the moment you gave me a fake name.”

“I didn’t give you a fake name!” Zalan said, exasperated.

The conversation was going terribly. The more he spoke, the more it looked like Umdarr was convinced that Zalan had done something wrong.

“If he tried to help you at the end of the fight, then why were you the one to take a dive?” Umdarr challenged.

“I am exhausted,” Zalan said, at the end of his wits. “I fell over!”

“Another convenient event to help put your story together!”

“Enough!” Nold shouted.

Everyone turned to Nold. He was standing with arms folded, impatient and angry.

“Your implications disgust me, Umdarr,” Nold approached Zalan and helped him to his feet.

“Implications? I am above hiding behind such quiet innuendos. I am accusing this man of cheating,” Umdarr said firmly, with an angry nod toward Zalan. “He was so keen on convincing me that there was a cheater at this tournament. I should have known he was pointing to someone else to keep interest off of himself.”

Slauson tugged at the collar of his tunic nervously and turned away, embarrassed.

“You think that my student is a cheater?” Nold asked.

“Absolutely. Have you not heard his tall tale? This does not reflect on your abilities as an instructor. The fault is his own,” Umdarr assured him.

“It has everything to do with me. You are saying I am so pathetic that I could not teach a student how to win without stooping to cheating. A grave suggestion, especially if it is false,” Nold said.

“I am trying to do my diligence as an organizer,” Umdarr said, reeling himself back a bit.

“By calling a trustworthy man a liar,” Nold said pointedly.

Despite Zalan’s mixed feelings toward his instructor, he felt incredible when Nold came to his defense. He was so cool and confident in the face of stress. Zalan was growing increasingly comfortable with his teacher the more he interacted with him. He was eccentric more than he was odd.

Umdarr looked between Nold and Zalan uncertainly. He was annoyed and frustrated. He looked up in thought and shook his head, focusing on Zalan.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Tell me exactly what happened that led your bout to end as it did,” Umdarr said to Zalan.

“He does not need to answer any questions. He did not even win the tournament,” Nold quickly replied.

“It’s fine,” Zalan said, placing a grateful hand on Nold’s shoulder. “Dimak said he was out for revenge. I’ve come to learn during the course of this tournament that revenge brings more pain than it does comfort. I told him that I would cover the funds that caused him to seek revenge in exchange for him not going down the path. He agreed. Then, we continued our fight.”

“What is he giving you in exchange for the money?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you giving him the money?”

“I just told you!” Zalan said, baffled.

“It does not make sense.”

“You were so big on finding evidence and proof before, but now it’s suddenly gone out the window?” Zalan said.

Umdarr thought on Zalan’s words for a moment, disappointed at having this thrown in his face. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Very well. I will speak to Dimak. Alone. If his side of the story is even a hair’s breadth different from your own, there will be consequences. Do not try to stop me,” Umdarr said. He spun away from the group and quickly began walking back to the arena. After a few steps, he leaped with a massive burst of air, sailing slowly down to where Dimak sat in the ring.

Zalan sighed in relief, the confrontation seemingly over. Nold placed a firm hand on Zalan’s arm, looking into his eyes urgently. Zalan winced uncomfortably, as Nold grabbed the arm with his broken shoulder.

“Did you tell him the truth? Do we need to prepare for consequences?” Nold had already imbued himself partly with sand and fire.

“What? Yeah, I told him the truth,” Zalan said.

“No embellishments?” Nold clarified.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what happened,” Zalan said.

Nold’s urgency dissipated.

“Good,” Nold patted Zalan’s arm casually, causing him to yelp in pain. “Very good. I knew you were telling the truth, of course. Very honest student. No reason to be concerned.”

As Nold’s power faded from his body, Zalan realized that Nold was ready to fight in the case that Zalan actually was lying. He would have fought dozens, maybe hundreds of people off for Zalan’s sake. Zalan suddenly felt bolstered in his confidence in Nold. He was an ally that was all-in on his safety. Zalan appreciated it more than he could express. Though, it was a little disconcerting that Nold’s first impression was that Zalan was lying to Umdarr.

“Is it true you have the Reversal Stone?” Slauson followed up.

“Yeah, Dimak gave it to me,” Zalan said, pulling the shining gem out of his pocket and revealing it to the others around him. Slauson looked at it hungrily.

“What do you intend to do with it?” Slauson asked expectantly.

“I don’t know yet. Probably save it until I need to use it,” Zalan said.

“Perhaps I can purchase it from you?” Slauson asked. He rummaged through his pockets and pulled out all the winnings he’d earned in his time in the tournament.

Zalan looked over Slauson. He was desperate, his eyes pleading with Zalan. It was the exact sort of face that Zalan had wanted to see from him hours before. But actually seeing it felt wrong now. The false image of Slauson still lingered in Zalan’s head, clashing with the person who sat before him with money held out. Slauson was not supposed to be a real human with genuine emotion. But the man in front of him looked so authentic. The real Slauson that had been hidden away for the sake of the tournament.

Zalan considered Slauson’s offer, but the trade wasn’t good enough. The Artifact was far too useful. The ability to turn back time a few minutes felt like it had infinite potential. Zalan placed the stone back in his pocket, with a hint of remorse.

“It doesn’t work on people or monsters. I asked Madam Hikma,” Zalan said.

Slauson looked a little struck by the confirmation, but still looked hopeful.

“I may be able to find a way,” Slauson pleaded.

“Sorry, I can’t,” Zalan said, averting his gaze.

“Do not apologize for keeping what you earned,” Nold said.

“It is fine. I understand,” Slauson muttered, hanging his head and dropping the coins back in his pocket. He sighed dejectedly.

Zalan wanted to say something more to Slauson. Offer some sort of kind words, but nothing that came to mind felt right. He sighed and felt the other Artifact in his pocket.

“Do you want to use the Homeseeker with me, Rep, and Nold? Get a free ride home? Madam Hikma is coming too,” Zalan told him.

Slauson picked his head up, enthused by the offer. Rep nodded his head, liking the idea of giving Slauson some sort of consolation. Nold looked ambivalent.

“I will meet you back in Oriton,” Nold said.

“Why not just use the Homeseeker and save the time?” Zalan asked.

“Oriton is not my home. I suspect this will take me much further than starting the trip back home from here,” Nold said.

“That far? Where are you from?” Rep asked.

Nold pointed above the top of the canyon. Clearly, he didn’t want to share specifics.

“Fine, we’ll see you back in Oriton,” Zalan shrugged.

“Will this Homeseeker also take me back to Oriton?” Slauson asked.

“Not Oriton. It takes you back to wherever your home is,” Zalan replied.

“Amazing. Is it painful?” Slauson asked.

“Why does everyone ask that? No, you don’t feel a thing. It’s just a quick pop out and into existence,” Zalan replied.

“That sounds painful,” Slauson said skeptically.

“Whatever. You want the free trip home or not?” Zalan asked.

“I was not refusing you, I only wanted to know the nature of the Artifact. I would be honored with the assistance back home,” Slauson said.

“Great, let me just check back in with the medical tent one last time and we can head out,” Zalan said.

“Always with the tent,” Nold rolled his eyes.

“What business do you have there?” Slauson asked suddenly.

“I need to talk to Rexler. You wanna come?” Zalan said.

Zalan saw the look on Slauson’s face. He was mortified at the thought. It occurred to him that Slauson didn’t want to see all the people he cheated from having a win. Zalan smirked. It was the one thing he didn’t sympathize with Slauson on. People worked hard to get into the tournament only to have it taken away from them by Slauson. He should live with the guilt of what he did to them.

“Yeah, nevermind. I can just go on my own. Unless Rep wants to come,” Zalan said.

“Indeed,” Rep nodded.

Zalan and Rep looked to Nold expectantly. Nold stared back at them. His eyes narrowed in annoyance and breathed a defeated sigh.

“I suppose you want me to carry you to and from the tent?”

“One last time?” Zalan asked innocently.

“Very well,” Nold sighed.