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Chapter length: 2,863 words

Current novel length: 32,861 words

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Chapter 12

Sylfinas and Kaera arrive at the arena and are scanning the seats for empty spots. "Hey, you two! Over here!" They turn in the direction of the voice and behold Merrick waving at them amongst the crowd. There are spots next to him that are open. After scooting past a few people, they sit next to Merrick. Sylfinas is on his left, and Kaera is on his right. "What have you two been up to? I thought you weren't interested in watching Arven, Sylfinas?"

"I was at the potion shop hanging out with the owner," Sylfinas answered. "I'm still mad at him but calmed down enough to decide to come here. I'm good as long as that topic isn't brought up again."

"I mainly followed him around," Kaera replied. "How are you still eating after what you and I did not too long ago?"

"That was then, and that's just the way I am."

"So what have we missed so far? Is Arven still in it?"

"Yes, he's still in it. There were way too many people that signed and showed up that they had a pre-qualifying round to trim the size down to eight. They navigated a maze that appeared from out of nowhere, to multiple trees, and the first eight people to climb to the top of one of the trees advanced. Apparently, this guy named Taeral designed the maze and loves booby traps. I saw that Arven got into a couple of skirmishes and won, and I saw him be the last person to advance after he chopped a branch another person was using."

"They got Taeral to make the arena," Sylfinas asked energetically. "They really went all out for this year."

"Yes, they did," Merrick replied. "How do you know him, Sylfinas?"

"Who's Taeral," Kaera inquired.

"I read about him from one of many books I got my hands on. He's known for designing arenas with special quirks to make things exciting for spectators. He is known as the Mad Architect for his designs. His most famous is the Pandemonium Coliseum in the capital of Lutis."

"I believe I heard Arven say he wants to fight there someday," Merrick replied.

"I wouldn't put it past him," Sylfinas retorted.

"So what's going on right now, Merrick," asked Kaera.

"Right now, Kaera, it's a fifteen-minute break before the real fight begins for the clerics and other healers to heal Arven and seven others. Then they will come out, and they will be randomly paired against each other."

"Is that Envarn over there along with his crew?" Sylfinas points Kaera and Merrick over to where he sees them.

Merrick nods in acknowledgment. "I was wondering where he was. One of his friends is one of the other seven that made it to the top of one of the trees."

"It doesn't look like he knows where we are."

"I prefer to keep it that way."

Kaera snarls slightly. "Well, if he does know and makes his way over, I'm sure he'll rethink his decision after dealing with me."

"Appreciate the offer Kaera, but the guards will throw us out if we cause a disturbance," Sylfinas replied.

"Offer still stands."

All eight people that advanced came out to the arena after fifteen minutes were. They appear in pristine condition, thanks to the healers. "Congratulations on earning your spot in the actual competition," Andur spoke. "Your names will appear in the diagram above me in the four squares. The two names that share the same square will face off against each other in their assigned round. It's single-elimination, and as a reminder, you're gone when you're unconscious for 10 seconds or are knocked outside the arena boundaries. Anyone need a rehash of the rules?" The contestants are silent. "Then, let's start assigning opponents!" Arven is in the second round against one of Envarn's friends, Dylar Mittle. I'm against one of Envarn's crew members. I can't wait to kick his ass.

"What are the odds that Arven would go against that guy?" Merrick questions.

"One out of seven."

"That was a rhetorical question, Sylfinas."

"Surprise, you used rhetorical correctly." Merrick starts to use his powers to give static shocks to Sylfinas.

"Ouch! Stop that, Merrick."

"Do I need to separate you two?" Kaera threatened.

"We're good, Kaera," Sylfinas answered.

"Yeah. We're cool," Merrick responded.

"Excellent. I want to watch Arven and not deal with your little conflict."

The first round lasted five minutes, and the winner was a female half-orc named Orma. Arven and Dylar wait in their separate holding areas as the healers quickly take Orma and the other person out of the arena for healing. The janitors cleanse the stadium before the next match begins. The gates then open, and Arven and Dylar walk out to greet each other. "Alright, you two, I want both of you to shake hands and have a clean match. On my signal, you may begin your attacks," Andur said to the both of them.

Arven extends his hand. "Good luck."

Dylar extends his hand. "Same to you." They both shake, and Dylar pulls Arven closer so he can tell him something in private. "I'm going to enjoy watching you squirm beneath my boots. I gave my word to Envarn to make it so if I ever fought you."

Actually, when I'm through with you, Dylar, facing Envarn's wrath, will feel like a blessing. They both go to their sides of the arena. Andur signals the start of the round, "Begin!". They both waste no time as they immediately charge at each other with their weapons in hand. They collide and produce a sound of metal clanging as they parry and block each other's attacks. Dylar kicks Arven down to the ground. Arven then rolls away from Dylar's several attacks before lifting his sword across his face to block another attack. He gets up and puts Dylar on the defense. Something unusual begins to affect Arven. His armor is getting hotter and hotter to the touch.

Sylfinas notices the change. "Something's not right."

"What is it, Sylfinas?" Merrick asked.

"Look at Arven. He's gritting his teeth harder than normal. His grip is tenser as well." He points him to where he's looking.

"I see it now. What's going on?"

"I wonder." He looks at the direction towards Envarn and his friends. "Just as I suspected. One of Envarn's friends is concentrating on a spell. It's the same spell Elvlin used against us in the sewers."

"Why aren't the officials doing anything?" Kaera asked. "That counts as outside help."

"I don't know, Kaera," Sylfinas answered. "I have an idea, however. Come with me."

"So, I guess you're not mad at Arven anymore?"

"Still am, but I loathe cheaters more. Whether he wins or receives an ass-kicking, it needs to be fair and square."

"So, what will I be doing while you two are gone?"

"You can be the lookout, or you can stay here. Up to you, Kaera."

"I'm coming."

They get up from their seats and head into the food vendor area. Instantaneously, they detect comestibles' aroma from beef, pork, duck cooking, roasting over an open fire to fresh fruits and vegetables, and herbs and spices.

"So, what's your idea?" Merrick asked Sylfinas.

"I purchased a few things from the potions shop: a few ingredients and a potions book. I skimmed through the book as Kaera, and I walked here and found something interesting. I intended some of these ingredients for a couple of minor strength potions and a healing potion for us to eventually use when dealing with the Phantom Brotherhood. Turns out that when you screw up the process in brewing a minor strength potion, it creates a concoction that gives someone some strong motivation for finding a bathroom fast."

"And what does it take to screw it up?"

Sylfinas holds up a handful of tiny, dark red colored berries in his hand. "These are berries from a niphilwort plant. There's another name it goes by, gutweed. The reason being is inside these berries, some seeds are very brittle and poisonous. It actually requires way more than what I currently show and have to kill someone but not much to cause them to spend part of their day in the bathroom or near the vicinity of one. I plan on leaving a few seeds inside as I mash a few berries up and slip it into the magic user's food. Will cost me the ability to make a minor strength potion, though."

"What makes you think that they're going to accept food?"

"Because I saw him flag someone down and gave that person a food order as I was looking at them. He pointed to several places on the menu that you should've gotten when you entered before Kaera and I. Envarn's rich, so it doesn't surprise me that he has a personal server here."

They can hear the audience in their seat roar with excitement.

"Sounds like something big must've just happened," Kaera commented.

"And Arven just wrestled Dylar's weapon away from him! It's now a fistfight between both of them, and Arven is showing signs of exhaustion!" Andur shouted to the crowd.

"That explains it," she said with a nod.

"Sounds like Arven is not dealing with the spell anymore," Merrick spoke. "That's a relief, so there's no need to go through with this."

Sylfinas shakes his head. "I wouldn't count on it. I suspect his armor is the one under the spell or will be very soon. We need to expedite our mission."

"Where is the server, and do you know what he looks like?"

"Speak of Azathamalon, there he is right now." Sylfinas points towards a food stand that serves cotton candy, candied apples, and popcorn balls. There he spots the server picking up his orders at the register and leaving. He puts the food on a cart and pushes it towards his next destination. He parks the cart close to the next food stand he stops at. "If you two can come up with a way to distract the crowd, I would greatly appreciate it."

"On it." Merrick looks around and sees a spot that serves ale with several people already there drinking. "How do Fenri handle their drinks, Kaera?"

"We can handle it," Kaera answered. "Only dwarves are the ones I'm aware of that can match or beat us."

"Up for downing a few rounds?"

"Sure."

"Merrick! Is that you?!" an unknown voice shouts.

"Oh no," Merrick said dreadfully.

"Oh, no, what? Who is that?" asked Kaera.

"My boss Mr. Dirran. He owns a tavern called The Golden Keg, and I work in the back, mainly cleaning. He's a dick, to put it nicely."

Mr. Dirran shows up looking a bit intoxicated. "Why aren't you at work at this time? My wife's been wondering why you didn't show up."

"Sorry, sir. Been hanging out with Arven and few other friends and helping Arven's dad around the farm that I forgot."

"Well, get your sorry ass back to the tavern at this instance. You know this festival means big business and lots of people from around Adoran flock to Belburn."

"I'll be there tomorrow. Promise."

"Now!"

"But I'm busy with…" Merrick loses his words as Mr. Dirran punches him to the ground, lifts him up, and shoves him against a surface, choking Merrick.

"Listen here, reject. My wife and I are the only ones in Belburn gracious enough to take you in when no one else would give you a second thought. If it weren't me, you'd be more skin and bones than you are right now. So show me some respect and get your ass to the tavern right now. I'll be cutting your pay as punishment."

"I quit."

"What did you say?"

"I quit." Mr. Dirran punches Merrick three additional times and then pulls out a dagger.

"Now Mr. Dirran, let's talk things out a bit," Sylfinas tried to defuse.

"Quiet Half-Elf! Unless you want to suffer with him."

"I'm sure we can negotiate before…" Kaera darts towards Mr. Dirran before Sylfinas finishes his sentence. "Before we resort to violence."

Kaera punches Mr. Dirran square in the face, and Merrick is free from his grasp. She growls and bares her teeth as she stands between them. "Listen here, walking carpet. This is between him and me. This doesn't concern you."

"Oh, yes, it does. Now leave," Kaera warned.

"Like I'm taking orders from a wolf."

"I'm not a wolf!"

Mr. Dirran rushes forward with the dagger out. Kaera dodges the diminutive blade to the side, grabs the arm wielding the weapon, and disarms him. They start to exchange punches. During the fight, Sylfinas notices everyone, including Envarn's server, is distracted, so he sneaks some crushed seeds from a niphilwort plant into a random drink on the cart. As much as I hate it, this is probably the only chance I have to do this. I have full faith that Kaera can win. After a couple minutes go by, Kaera finishes the fight by forcing Mr. Dirran to the ground and is in the position to dislocate one of his shoulders if she so chooses. That's when security showed up and broke up the fight. They interview Kaera, Mr. Dirran, Merrick, and Sylfinas. Other people nearby gave evidence that Mr. Dirran was the aggressor.

"So do you want to press charges against him?" one of the guards asked.

Sylfinas answers, "No, we won't. Put him somewhere where he can sober up, fix him up, and prevent him from consuming alcoholic beverages." The guards take Mr. Dirran away.

"You alright, Merrick?" asked Kaera. She notices a black eye on his left. "That's a shiner."

"I'm still alive and in one piece, so that counts for something," Merrick responded." You know you didn't have to jump in."

"I made a promise, remember. To be a servant and protector while you, Sylfinas, and Arven take me back home. I must honor that as best as I can. I'm not making that same-forget I said that. Even without it, I still would've done what I did because you're my friend, and the Fenri are fiercely loyal towards those they view as friends."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. You do need to learn some fighting skills, and I'll be more than willing to teach you the basics sometime."

"I'm going back to see how Arven's doing," Sylfinas interrupted.

"On our way, Sylfinas," Kaera replied.

They return to their spots and notice the events are not looking well for Arven. Both he and Dylar have taken quite a few hits, but Arven struggles against the Heat Metal spell on his armor and is on the defensive. Envarn's server arrives to deliver the order as Merrick, Kaera, and Sylfinas watch the plan unfold. The food and drink are handed out to each member of Envarn's crew and begin consuming. The one in the eating competition against Merrick and Kaera takes a few gulps of his drink when he stops suddenly. He gets a queasy feeling. All three watch Envarn, and the rest look at their friend with a mix of concerned and confused. Suddenly, he barfs all over the one that's doing magic. That's enough to cause the spell to end as he and the rest leave while their friend continues to vomit.

"Not what I expected, but it'll suffice," Sylfinas spoke.

"Does that happen when eating the niphilwort seed," asked Merrick?

"It can happen, but that's rare. The unintended companion just happens to be one of those people that react that way. I wanted the other crony to ingest it, but I took a random guess."

"Look! Arven's back on the offensive," Kaera spoke.

Merrick and Sylfinas turn their attention back to the arena. Arven is on the last bit of endurance left when the searing pain from his armor ceases. Thank gods that's over. I gotta end this now. Summoning his last reserves of strength, he grabs his sword off the ground and charges at Dylar and deals heavy blows against him. The attacks force Dylar to slide back. His reinforced wooden shield begins to crack before splintering. Andur gives a loud whistle that echoes throughout the arena.

"We have a winner!" Arven and Dylar look around in confusion before figuring what happened. Dylar's right foot is out of the boundaries, and Arven advances to the next round.

The crowd cheers though from Sylfinas's and Merrick's position, Kaera's cheers the loudest.

Dylar looks at Arven. "You got lucky, Runestalker."

"Consider yourself lucky I let off that easily. I hope Envarn's punishment would make up for what I would've done."

"I would've won, and you know it."

"And yet, I'm moving on, and you are left behind." I would've beaten you a lot faster had it not been for some outside interference. _Arven looks around and waves to the cheering crowd. _Wherever you are, Merrick, thanks for the help. In case it's someone else, thanks as well. Ash, this win is for you. Arven walks out of the arena with a couple of healers by his side.

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