Fate & Veritas Day 3

The Chieftain of the Fennian's was a large, muscled man, with red skin, a bald head, and a thick grey beard. He was fearsome, but when he smiled, he was the friendliest sight that could ever be seen.

“Ah, Blythe, Meredith, welcome back once again.” He smiled and patted the pair on the back.

“Chief La Bron,” Blythe began, feeling heavy with the news he was about to relay, “I'm afraid we weren't able to free them. And the rest of the team, they were killed too. I was the only one who survived.” Blythe felt guilty with his admission.

“We had scouts in the audience, and they've already given us an account of what happened. I'm just glad to see you're safe and well.”

“There's something else we have to tell you, sir.” Meredith chimed in, a serious look on her face. “Blythe got a Golden Ticket for the tournament.” Meredith and Blythe explained how he received the ticket, and that they didn't think the Queen had suspected he was with the Fennians.

“Those people he's going to be fighting against have been training their whole lives for this one day. Yeah, Blythe was lucky at the stadium, but this tournament is serious. He could die.” Meredith looked away, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Boy, this is true.” La Bron said, appraising Blythe. “If you go through with this, you're probably going to be killed. You haven't had any training, you don't even have a focusing amulet or channeling tablet.”

While they were saying this, Blythe thought silently about a certain advantage that no one else knew he had, and that their worries were likely for nothing. But, he couldn't tell them this, or they would no longer trust him. And he needed their trust to accomplish what he set out to do.

“Listen,” Blythe interrupted, “I might not even be here when the tournament rolls around. It's already been two weeks, and that's longer than I've ever stayed before. I'm sure this won't even be a problem, and if it is, I'll face it then.”

Meredith and La Bron nodded. “ I can't help but wonder what's keeping you here. You're usually here for a couple days, and then gone. Perhaps the Spirit knows our goal, and is on our side, and keeps you here because of that?” Said La Bron.

“Yeah, that could be it.” Said Blythe, though he had a feeling that wasn't the really the case. It was strange, since he first arrived in the strange place called Chimera, he had felt more at ease than he ever did at home. His anxious tendencies seemed to dissipate to the point where he could breathe, and if he tried really hard, he could function and do things.

But when he was home, life was completely different. He was a nervous wreck; palms sweating, heaving to breathe, heart racing, and lightheadedness, were just a few of his daily symptoms. He had to pop sedatives just to feel sane and hear himself think. But ever since the stadium, ever since that big blue fire, he felt even more at ease – he felt a peace and tranquility come over him that he had never even hoped to feel before.

But he knew in his heart it was fleeting, he could already feel the anxiety building back up, and taking his nervous system hostage. All he could do was focus on his greater purpose, on the single goal that kept him going.

“Chief La Bron,” Blythe looked him squarely in the eye, “we will rid this world of magic, and balance will be brought back to nature. The veil will be lifted, and you will join the old world once again. I will make sure of it.”

Blythe had a way of speaking that made the Chief feel hopeful, almost assured about the future. “Yes, of course, we will.” The Chief raised a mug in agreement, and drank deeply.

“Now, you two, it's a long drive here from the city, and it said to storm tonight, so you are welcome to use a spare tent for tonight.”

They wished the Chief goodnight, and headed for the spare tent at the edge of the encampment.

CHAPTER 6

The day of the tournament was finally here, and I felt more nervous than I had a week ago. I walked down to the dining hall with grace, and an air of confidence, but I knew deep down it was a lie. A cheap facade I wore to ensure that my position and power was still in tact.

People are drawn to weakness, and once they spot it, they're out for blood. It was fine if my sister knew the truth, but she wouldn't stand for anyone else knowing it. My weakness casts doubt on the family, which casts doubt on her ability and strength to lead. She would toss me over the rail into the freezing ocean before she let that happen.

Either way, today I would face the truth. Was I too weak to even spar with amateurs? Was my ability so unfocused that I would kill us all? Training had gone well with Hugo, but he still beat me down quickly. I pondered about not getting accepted into the academy, something I had skipped in my youth, due to my early years of diligent training and natural talent, and to now, at almost one hundred years old, not be able to get into the academy, while that dirty little peasant gallivants in – that was just too much for my mind to comprehend.

I finally reached the dining hall, and sat in my place next to my sister's empty seat. I looked down over the other tables, and saw a familiar blond head of hair, and strange violet eyes staring at me. His gaze made me feel like I was losing control all over again. I clenched my fists, and looked away. I can't let this rat get to me, I thought to myself. He is nothing. He doesn't have a title or distinction. He just got lucky. But even I couldn't lie to myself. That stupid little runt was good, he was really good. I looked back and saw him, still staring. I steadied my gaze, and gave him the most disdainful look I could manage, until he looked away.

CHAPTER 7

Blythe and Rubini arrived in the dining hall rather early, but were excited to find that a magnificent breakfast awaited them. They sat down and delved into heaps of pancakes, maple syrup, eggs, and bacon, and nearly forgot all about the challenge ahead of them.

Blythe was surprised that he had managed to stay so long and actually make it to the tournament. He had been sure that he'd be home well before this day. But apparently fate had other plans, he smiled to himself, shoving a spoonful of eggs in his mouth.

Without warning, a wave of dizziness hit Blythe, and he feared that he might be having another anxiety attack, like he was used to back home. But it passed almost as quickly as it came. Rubini noticed, and asked Blythe if he was okay. Blythe nodded. Blythe looked around the room, and spotted a familiar, tall, foreboding figure, sitting up at the table on the stage.

What? Blythe was surprised to see the young nobleman from the execution again, then he remembered that he was also going to be in the ring, participating in the tournament for a seat in the academy. Oh great, he sighed.

“Who are you looking at?” Rubini asked, his mouth full of eggs and toast.

“Oh no one, just the ass from the execution that handed me the ticket”.

“HE handed you the Golden Ticket?” Rubini gaped, food showing, “you do realize who that is, right?”

“That's His Royal Highness, Prince Adairus Glacialis, second in line for the Glacialis crown. And he, handed you a Golden Ticket. I swear, I wish I had half your luck! You must have made a good impression at the execution, saving everyone from that Blue Fire some stupid sod let off.”

Then, suddenly, things became clear to Blythe. It was this Adairus who had let off the insane blue fire. He was a prince, and he used the blue fire to ensure the prisoners were executed, and it got out of control. And then I stopped it, he was wide eyed. Blythe realized now why Adairus had been so rude, and seemed to be enraged- he'd been bested by a nobody.

“Rube, I hope you made a will, cause we're gonna die today.” Blythe felt the terror building up in his chest. There was no way someone as evil as a Glacialis spawn would leave any chance of this happening again.

Rubini raised an eyebrow, but brushed Blythe's worries away as nervousness for the tournament.

Blythe looked over at the high table, and to his surprise saw a pair of icy eyes staring back at him, with volatile hatred. He quickly look down at his plate, and focused hard on his scrambled eggs. This was going to be an interesting, if not horrible, day.

After breakfast, everyone was split into their elements, water, fire, earth and air, and given an orientation on how the tournament would proceed, along with rules of engagement.

Blythe felt awkward being separated from Rubini. He hated to admit it, but growing up with anxiety had led him to a natural distrust of people, and dislike of being around those he didn't know well. It was easier, here in Chimera, as his attacks were less frequent, but at home it was hell.

He was deep in thought when a tall, thin girl, with a big smile approached him. “Hi, I'm Tawry, Tawry Cates. Want to be spar partners?”

“Sure, I'm Blythe Talon.”

The pair headed for the practice room with the others who had paired up.

“So Blythe, where you from?” She asked, summoning a small flame in the palm of her hand. “Well, my family is from a small town called Belgrave, but lately I've been staying with my friend's family in

Blythe put his hand a few inches above the flame and it steadily grew into a ball of orange fire. Toray seemed surprised.

“Wow, you're good at this!”

“Oh, this, it's nothing really. Just picture the flame moving, like the planet does, swirling around..”

“Planet?

“Oh,” Blythe realized his mistake and said, “nevermind ha ha, it's a science thing.”

Toray laughed and said, “I hope someday I can create a ball of fire like you did two weeks ago.”

“You saw that?” Blythe blushed.

“Um yeah, everybody saw that. It was amazing. You saved everyone from-” she looked from side to side and whispered, “Adairus Glacialis' blue fire. It could of killed us.”

If Blythe wasn't convinced before, he was certainly was now. Adairus would be out to get him in a couple of hours, and though this mysterious royal definitely seemed untrained, and unskillful, he had enormous energy, and all he'd have to do is direct it at one target to get the outcome he undoubtably wanted, to kill Blythe.

CHAPTER 8

Practice was over, and I was ready to get my pound of flesh from that scrawny runt. I looked over the charts and Brom had done me well, he had me and Jaques paired against Blythe and some unknown named Toray.

Jacques stood next to me, casting a shadow over the tournament list, and cracked his knuckles.

“We're going to crush them, Adairus.”

“Yes, Jacques, we are. Into the ground.” I savoured the thought. I knew after this tournament, if I decided to let the runt live, he'd have nightmares for years to come about today.

The dinner bell rang, and a herd of water elementals rushed past me, and when I looked up, Jacques had already disappeared among the horde.

I made my way slowly, behind the crowd, wondering what I might say to that little turd when I saw him. Perhaps I would sit with the rabble, and make sure he was within ear shot, where Jacques would boast of my earlier conquests, and abilities from the inquisition. And how word of my presence would cause the men to piss themselves in fear. I had been great once, truly great. And I was determined to be great again. But first I had to deal with a certain little annoyance.

It was a twenty minute walk to the dining hall, and while I'd considered taking a quicker route by water, I kind of felt like walking, and imagining all the different ways to torture the boy. Perhaps I'd make him scream for mercy, on his knees? Or have him –

I was ripped from my sweet reverie, when a blond haired boy darted in front of me from a hallway on the left. He had nearly tripped me, but we'd only just grazed each other. Immediately, he spun around, I stopped, and we were face to face, nearly chest to chest.

“YOU.” I growled.

CHAPTER 9

Blythe found himself face to face with the last person he ever wanted to see. His royal highness himself. He had been hurrying to meet Rubini, as they were going to have dinner with Meredith in the scholar dorms of Wytchtower, but he'd been held back by an eager Professor, impressed by his flame throwing skills.

Adairus said something, but Blythe felt dazed, the shoulder that he'd hit Adairus with tingled. He oddly felt at peace, even when Adairus' enraged face screaming at him. Blythe soaked in the icy pepperment breath of the seething noble standing over him, and felt his senses slip away.

Unconsciously, he reached to touch Adairus' hands, which were raised in anger and disgust. Adairus looked shocked by the touch, and stood stock still for several seconds. Blythe felt his fingers tingle at the touch, and wonder if Adairus felt it too. It was like electricity.

“What are you doing?” Adairus sounded calmer now, but seemed more curious and irritated than angry.

“I have no idea. But it feels neat. Like touching an electric socket and not dying.”

Adairus smacked Blythe's hand away, and huffed. “How dare you touch a member of the royal family, you little creep. I hope your family has a coffin picked out for you.”

“I don't know,” said Blythe, “you didn't fair too well last time I saw you. I shot down your little blue fire pretty quick, especially for a royal.”

Adairus' face twisted and he made to move forward, and Blythe stepped back.

Out of no where, Hugo appeared next to the boys.

“Your Royal Majesty, the Queen wishes to dine with you in her private chambers.”

Adairus stiffened. “Of course Hugo, I've spent too much time with this peasant as it is.”

The pair walked away, leaving Blythe staring from behind, wondering if his life had just been saved by the mysterious bald man.

CHAPTER 10

“Your majesty should refrain from contact with peasants. It's said to cause illness and inflammation of the joints.”

I ignored Hugo's veiled warning, “what does my sister want?”

“It is likely she will want to discuss potential outcomes of the tournament, as well as consequences.”

“Consequences resulting from an outcome of defeat?”

“It is likely, sire.”

We reached my sister's royal apartments, and Hugo departed. The butler led me to the dining chamber, where my sister sat with her ladies in waiting. Upon seeing me, she set down her wine glass, and waved the girls away, so that it was just the two of us.

“Please sit.”

I sat, stiff, and silent.

“I know you've had your troubles, after the illness. Your bed maid has told me you have nightmares, and speak in your sleep. You cry out names, and then awaken suddenly.”

“It's true. I've been taking a sleeping elixer, but even that can't seem to conquer the ghosts of my coma.” I had never told anyone about the dreams, or rather nightmares, before. They were to horrific, and thinking about them for too long forced me to consider there could be some truth hidden in them.

“You should come to me when you feel troubled, we can sit and talk, like we used to. Like we're doing right now.” She smiled, probably trying to comfort me, but it was such an unnatural sight it made my skin crawl.

“I know sister, I should come to you more often, but your duties seem to take up much of your time.”

“That they do brother. But right now, I want to focus on you, and the tournament.”

Adairus lowered his head.

“Your little display had me worried, but Hugo assures me you've gained control over your magic, and their won't be any further embarrassments.”

“And if their were?” I asked, looking her squarely in the eye, wondering if she had the guts for an honest answer.

“My duty is to the crown, and I can't have anyone, not even you dear brother, sully our family's name. We are the strongest water elementals of the realm, and your display at the execution, at least to those who saw it, has put our strength in question. It has put me in question as queen by some of my advisors. I think they're just worried that if one as strong as yourself could lose his ability that they could as well. You were once stronger than me, do you remember?” She asked, sounding wistful and slightly hardbroken, “and just as savage. Where did my fearsome brother go?” She sounded mournful.

“I won't let you down Aduna. I won't let mother down.”

She embraced him, in a stiff cold manner, “I know you won't.”