Chapter Seven

 

The welcome party was being held in the central area of the Terreno where he'd watched Brazio duel the Viper with the black diamond so many years ago. Pandora hadn't wanted him to enter the tournament, but he thought it was better that they both join to increase the chances of figuring out what Dominion was up to, and having a chance at the prized bloodstones.

The space looked nothing like it did even a few years ago. Twinkling lights had been strung up around the walls, and a glittering ball spun lazily at the center. Kuma grabbed a drink from a server, but didn't sip as he surveyed the competition. There were at least a hundred and fifty present, maybe more because he assumed not all would attend, hoping to keep themselves a secret until the tournament began.

Kuma reached for his spike mace, forgetting that weapons weren't allowed. Or fighting. The tournament documents they'd been made to sign upon entering had explicitly warned against brawls outside of their scheduled matches. Doing so could disqualify them, depending on the severity of the infraction.

The crowd was impressive. Kuma shifted through them, purposely staying aloof as not to invite conversation. He needed to get a reading on their competitors. While the tournament was only half of their plan, acquiring the bloodstones would make them individually more formidable and better placed to oppose Pandora's grandfather.

The majority were human with maybe a dozen at most hailing from other realms. Everyone looked formidable, though some more than others. He spotted at least two minor movie stars who were clearly looking to burnish their credentials. Others he knew from when he was younger and they watched pirated videos from the internet. They were either self-taught martial artists, or had some supernatural backer that allowed them to utilize magic.

Then there were the ex-military competitors, men and women in fatigues or the black garb of combat gear. Mercenaries. He spotted both Blackstone Security and Phoenix Corporation badges, and a few others he was unfamiliar with. A tall, powerfully built woman with bright red hair wrapped into a braid looked like she could wrestle a lion with ease.

Kuma suspected there were Hall mages in attendance. Probably from Assassins Hall, or Protectors, though they were cagey enough to know not to reveal their background. After the first round, everyone would know what everyone was generally capable of, and that would make the later fights more interesting.

"Greetings, mortal. You wear the colors of the priesthood," said a thunderous voice from behind.

Kuma looked up into the face of the single Brodarian in attendance, cursing his luck that the sigils of his outfit had been recognized. Expecting this might happen, he'd read up on the Brodarians but feared his shallow knowledge wouldn't be enough.

"The Lady Saha bested the priest and named me her body servant," said Kuma, touching his fingers to his shoulders. "For siege and sign, I am Aman Crownline."

The creasing of the eyes made Kuma fear he'd been exposed, but the tall Brodarian repeated his gesture.

"For siege and sign, I am Noctus Prime of the Eighth Tower. Your lady must be a formidable competitor if she could best a priest of Ghoghali."

"I hope you have the opportunity to kiss her blade upon the bloody sands, Noctus Prime."

Noctus leaned back, letting out a deep belly laugh that brought concern from those nearby.

"Well said, Aman. How did you come to be pledged to the priest? You look like a Cossack, not the human trenchers that live in the outlands."

"My mother was a member of the Golden Helix."

"The Helix!" Noctus exclaimed. "I fought with them on my left flank in the battle of the Divine Canyons. I remember their captain, Latisha, the Siren of Battle. She was a great beast of a woman with a banshee scream that could freeze her enemies in place. I admit I fancied her, but our tents never crossed. Who was your mother? I knew many of the Helix."

A great pit opened in his stomach. It was even worse luck that Noctus had known the Golden Helix. Unless it was a lie and he was being tested. The Brodarians were known for their cunning and strategic minds, and were constantly testing each other, hiding their intentions and strengths behind their outsized personalities.

"Diana Khant."

"I think you're lying to me, Aman," he said, laughing heartily. "Which fills my heart with the joy of battle. A worthy competitor, one who knows the ways of my realm. I wonder if your mother was Latisha, but your look is different. Maybe one of her Maidens. You have a secret fighting technique? What is your weapon?"

"The dire mace."

There was no harm in admitting it since he would see him fight long before they might be matched.

"A brutal weapon. I fight with a single angerblade and chain shield," said Noctus. "It is good your mistress is allowing you to fight. For only in battle can we truly be revealed. Once this tournament has begun, you should join me for a ceremony of haflwyer."

"It would be my honor, Noctus Prime."

The Brodarian patted him on the shoulder, which was like getting hit with a sledgehammer.

"Keep your weapons sharp, Aman Crownline," said Noctus, holding a grin in his teeth as he drifted into the crowd.

The way he spoke had Kuma worried that Noctus had figured out that he wasn't really who he said he was. If he didn't know yet, he'd know at the ceremony. Kuma was aware of haflwyer, a tea-like substance that was drank before a battle, sometimes between the generals of the two sides. Haflwyer was an intense narcotic that came from their world and grew in the fields after battle, nourished by the blood of the fallen. The surface readings of the tea ceremony mentioned the ritual was passed down from warrior to warrior. The priests of Ghoghali were the originators of the event, which meant he should know how to perform it. Theoretically. By asking for the haflwyer, Noctus was signaling he knew, or at least guessed, that he was lying about his identity. The ceremony would confirm it and he had no plausible way to refuse it, as it was a great honor. By offering haflwyer, Noctus was suggesting they were at least close to equals. For the Brodarians, it was less about honor and more about strategy. They were famous for calling chess a child's game. Accepting the invitation was the first salvo in their little war, one that Kuma had not come here to fight.