Ida took pride in the fact that she had always been one step ahead in everything, right from when she had been able to think for herself, she had tagged herself as a strategist being able to see the entire board even before her siblings or enemies made a move but since she had joined forces with ivo as an alley it has been one surprise to another.

He seemed to be one, no two steps ahead. Always up to something, he disappears most of the week without any message and just appears with an explanation of where he went.

She couldn't keep up with his movements anymore, but he excited her, she enjoyed trying to decipher who he really was, she enjoyed that he stimulated her brain and always kept her on her toes.

Today was no exception, it was the start of the King's game and every Flag bearers had to be announced along with whom they represented, plenty of times she had asked but ivo refused to tell her anything.

She decided to dress for the occasion with a blue dress as light as the sky with gold jewelries around her neck and a raven ring on her right ring finger.

It was no surprise that Edric's appointed participant was the mysterious man who carried catylen through the gates two days ago.

She found it funny that Edric wants to be The king, but he easily trusts strangers who he knows nothing about, she tried to engage in a conversation with Ivo but he was busy flirting with one of the Ladies beside him.

She clicked her tongue to draw his attention, but he didn't budge

“hey you get lost” she called out as the girl froze, regained herself bowed and scuffed off.

“You were saying?” ivo asked

“Never mind”:she replied as she turned her attention back to her brother Thag who walked out waving a large spear in one hand and a shield to match as he slammed his spear against the shield and roared receiving cheers from the crowd.

No surprise there she thought as she sat down beside ivo but her mind began to wonder as she watched one of the guards pour Ivo wine, he never drank them or rather he drank them but never swallowed, she had grown to notice it.

But someone was missing, someone she knew, as she watched her giant Brother, a thought came to her mind, something that had to do with giants. Then it clicked as she turned to Ivo before looking down at the entrance.

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Melisa was nervous, her hand was shaking, she wasn't afraid just excited, her body itches for a fight—she had giant blood after all.

She wanted to skip the introduction and run out, but she had to refrain from doing anything that would ruin the plan, Ivo had told her what he needed her to do and when he needed it.

She knew he won't appreciate any mistake as she needed his help too, she gripped the blades hoisted at her waist portraying from her back forward forming an X mark.

It was his gift to her, a sign of his trust in Her and a way to even the odds for her victory, but she would lie if she said she wasn't't afraid of failing him, but she wanted to fight.

She adjusted the black breastplate once more before walking out as she heard her name, the screams died down, Ivo had prepared her for that.

“Don't expect the cheers of people, you're no one, so you think they care about no one? They will pray you lose and act as entertainment for them, but they will never expect you to win, not them or the others that is our trump card.” he had told her

She swallowed hard as she bowed before the king and extended her blades for inspection before turning to Ivo waving her black flag showcasing who she stood for.

This only made things worse, but Ivo and Ida's smile was all she needed as Ivo nodded and waved his mini flag to acknowledge her too.

“What is your plan?” Ida asked, but Ivo didn't reply, she pulled his collar, but his face threw her off, she had never seen him like this.

She let go of his shirt and turned to see what he was staring at, she locked eyes with her father, the king, and looked away.

“Don't look away” Ivo called out.

“What?” She asked.

“I said don't look away, the fear only grows stronger when you run from it” ivo told her.

She turned back to stare at the king, who tilted his head, her hand shook as Ivo grabbed her hand and squeezed.

“You can look away now,” he told her as she closed her eyes and looked away.

Jakob watched from his seat as he stood up and walked away, Ida turned to his chair, but it was empty, she saw his figure as he walked down the hall, and she stood up to go after him.

She stopped and turned to Ivo, “I hope I can leave things in your hands” she said as he nodded before she disappeared—chasing after Jakob.

Ivo listened to the prayer led by the woman who wore a red dress with a cloth over her face with gold weaving, her voice was soft but audible, around her hand was a string filled with black and gold beads with five carving too far for ivo to see.

“By the shield of Pentakratos, I invoke the protection of five,

Aeropex' windy guard, Elyria's mystic ward,

Kairos' timelessness, Luminar's celestial armor,

Nyxton' shadow veil, to safeguard me from harm's dark embrace.

Unite, O Pentakratos, to defend me from malevolent forces.

So mote it be, by the essence of Pentakratos."

Ivo smiled as she prayed, regardless of who the gods favoured, they could shove their favor down their asses. Victory was his to claim, they couldn't stop it.

The wheel of fate was starting to turn, and he was going to control the flow.