It was nice having to talk to someone after travelling alone for so long, so Sayuri walked with Amicita back to the arena. They talked about trivial things and she tried not to make mention of her upbringing. At one point, the man said that she was well spoken and she just gave him a secretive smile. Amicita was an interesting person, he said that he was an international appreciator of the noodle and had tried many types. In matters of food, the princess didn’t have any particular likes or dislikes, she just ate what came to her while she was on the road.
“If you need me, call for Mountain Rock.”
The two parted ways, as Sayuri was set on becoming tournament champion as soon as possible and Amicita had some training to do. The Promoter greeted her cheerfully, his eccentric way of speaking giving him away immediately. Her introduction into Gold Tier was different, as to entertain spectators. She had to dodge flaming arrows for a minute. It seemed simple enough, until they flew past her ears. Suddenly it was a year ago again, her father’s voice ringing out across the hall full of betrayal and the feel of her bleeding brother in her arms-
“Dammit!” she cried out as arrows cut through her arms and the fire licked at her skin.
Her throat felt like it was closing up, like an oppressive force was settling itself on her chest. It was difficult to breathe, the arrows whizzing around her. Realising she was panicking, the iron control she had on her magic had slipped and she had called on the crystal to save herself. As if her body was moving on its own, she weaved around the ring, feet barely touching the ground as she warped and dodged, landing gracefully as the horn signalling one minute was up sounded. She vaguely registered the crowd half cheering and half gasping as she felt her consciousness slip.
***
Sayuri woke up to a strange smell and a sticky sensation on her arms. Worried, she moved to sit up when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Are you still in shock? You passed out after the Trial of Fire. Please do not move, I haven’t finished bandaging you yet. I am called Fortune.” it was a warm, feminine voice she heard and yet she did not let her guard down.
“Where am I?” wrinkling her nose at the strange smelling ointment, she opted to breathe through her mouth.
“You’re in one of the luxury rooms reserved for Gold Tier arena combatants. I have been sent by The Taskmaster to take care of you,” Fortune lifted Sayuri’s arm, bandaging it tight, “he wishes to have an audience with you.”
She didn’t have time to consent to a meeting, as she heard the sliding door open and footsteps.
“Hello Whispering Blade. I have been watching you.”
‘You and everyone else at this place.’ she thought, annoyed.
“Your Trial of Fire was most interesting, in fact, I daresay I know of someone who possesses the same magic.”
Sayuri blinked, trying not to let her emotion show on her face. The same magic? That means her eldest brother must still be alive, after all this time! Her heart clenched painfully with the hope that at least one of her relatives made it out of the attack. Thinking rationally, she needed to keep on her toes, maybe this Task Master knew too much.
He seemed like a self-important man, as he did not wait for a response, instead just steering the conversation. He outlined his plan for her, how it was possible that the man that went by the name Mountain Rock would be the next tournament champion. Scoffing, he thought it was an insult that a foreigner could win with all the dignitaries in view. So he urged Sayuri to poison his drink when she crossed paths with him again. If she did this, then he would make sure her stay at the arena was a pleasant one.
Redressing herself she scoffed, she refused to resort to such underhanded methods. As much as she wanted information about his sighting of a unique magic wielder, she supposed she had to go find another source.
***
Pressing a cloth to her bloodied nose, Sayuri frowned. She was supposed to be up against a spear-user but what she didn’t know was that the spear was laced with poison. It had to be an assassin. The Promoter was none the wiser and she believed him- he was an airhead after all. Drinking a curative she sighed, out in the big city for the first time in a while and she uncovered the corruption behind the arena.
If and when she took back her home, she would definitely weed out such shady establishments. Brushing herself off as she stood, she walked towards the Promoter.
“Ah, are you ready for your next bout, Whispering Blade?”
“I’d like to know where Mountain Rock is.”
“Ah yes yes of course! I saw him at the tavern. Now don’t go drinking willy-nilly, I need you two in shape to fight!”
Walking past the courtesans and drunken spectators, she heard Amicita’s voice and zeroed in on his location. Intending to tap him on the shoulder to get his attention, she poked his side instead. Embarrassed at miscalculating the distance, getting a laugh in response made her relax slightly.
“May I talk to you in private, Mountain Rock? It’s important.”
“Well of course… Now everyone, don’t go using my drink tab, use your own!”
The pair walked to one of the balconies facing the city. So many ignorant and peaceful people out there, people she needed to protect.
“The Taskmaster wanted me to poison your drink so that you would perish in your next fight. I refused, though.”
Shocked, Amicita’s head whipped around to face her instantly- not that she could see it of course.
“You… You really get straight to the point. A-Astrals guide you, Whispering Blade.” he stuttered.
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timeasmymeasure
FILL: Black Chrysanthemums [7/?]
Date: 2017-04-24 02:59 pm (UTC)“If you need me, call for Mountain Rock.”
The two parted ways, as Sayuri was set on becoming tournament champion as soon as possible and Amicita had some training to do. The Promoter greeted her cheerfully, his eccentric way of speaking giving him away immediately. Her introduction into Gold Tier was different, as to entertain spectators. She had to dodge flaming arrows for a minute. It seemed simple enough, until they flew past her ears. Suddenly it was a year ago again, her father’s voice ringing out across the hall full of betrayal and the feel of her bleeding brother in her arms-
“Dammit!” she cried out as arrows cut through her arms and the fire licked at her skin.
Her throat felt like it was closing up, like an oppressive force was settling itself on her chest. It was difficult to breathe, the arrows whizzing around her. Realising she was panicking, the iron control she had on her magic had slipped and she had called on the crystal to save herself. As if her body was moving on its own, she weaved around the ring, feet barely touching the ground as she warped and dodged, landing gracefully as the horn signalling one minute was up sounded. She vaguely registered the crowd half cheering and half gasping as she felt her consciousness slip.
***
Sayuri woke up to a strange smell and a sticky sensation on her arms. Worried, she moved to sit up when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Are you still in shock? You passed out after the Trial of Fire. Please do not move, I haven’t finished bandaging you yet. I am called Fortune.” it was a warm, feminine voice she heard and yet she did not let her guard down.
“Where am I?” wrinkling her nose at the strange smelling ointment, she opted to breathe through her mouth.
“You’re in one of the luxury rooms reserved for Gold Tier arena combatants. I have been sent by The Taskmaster to take care of you,” Fortune lifted Sayuri’s arm, bandaging it tight, “he wishes to have an audience with you.”
She didn’t have time to consent to a meeting, as she heard the sliding door open and footsteps.
“Hello Whispering Blade. I have been watching you.”
‘You and everyone else at this place.’ she thought, annoyed.
“Your Trial of Fire was most interesting, in fact, I daresay I know of someone who possesses the same magic.”
Sayuri blinked, trying not to let her emotion show on her face. The same magic? That means her eldest brother must still be alive, after all this time! Her heart clenched painfully with the hope that at least one of her relatives made it out of the attack. Thinking rationally, she needed to keep on her toes, maybe this Task Master knew too much.
He seemed like a self-important man, as he did not wait for a response, instead just steering the conversation. He outlined his plan for her, how it was possible that the man that went by the name Mountain Rock would be the next tournament champion. Scoffing, he thought it was an insult that a foreigner could win with all the dignitaries in view. So he urged Sayuri to poison his drink when she crossed paths with him again. If she did this, then he would make sure her stay at the arena was a pleasant one.
Redressing herself she scoffed, she refused to resort to such underhanded methods. As much as she wanted information about his sighting of a unique magic wielder, she supposed she had to go find another source.
***
Pressing a cloth to her bloodied nose, Sayuri frowned. She was supposed to be up against a spear-user but what she didn’t know was that the spear was laced with poison. It had to be an assassin. The Promoter was none the wiser and she believed him- he was an airhead after all. Drinking a curative she sighed, out in the big city for the first time in a while and she uncovered the corruption behind the arena.
If and when she took back her home, she would definitely weed out such shady establishments. Brushing herself off as she stood, she walked towards the Promoter.
“Ah, are you ready for your next bout, Whispering Blade?”
“I’d like to know where Mountain Rock is.”
“Ah yes yes of course! I saw him at the tavern. Now don’t go drinking willy-nilly, I need you two in shape to fight!”
Walking past the courtesans and drunken spectators, she heard Amicita’s voice and zeroed in on his location. Intending to tap him on the shoulder to get his attention, she poked his side instead. Embarrassed at miscalculating the distance, getting a laugh in response made her relax slightly.
“May I talk to you in private, Mountain Rock? It’s important.”
“Well of course… Now everyone, don’t go using my drink tab, use your own!”
The pair walked to one of the balconies facing the city. So many ignorant and peaceful people out there, people she needed to protect.
“The Taskmaster wanted me to poison your drink so that you would perish in your next fight. I refused, though.”
Shocked, Amicita’s head whipped around to face her instantly- not that she could see it of course.
“You… You really get straight to the point. A-Astrals guide you, Whispering Blade.” he stuttered.
“Astrals?”
“That is what we call the Gods where I’m from.”
She nodded, thankful for his blessing.