System Break

Chapter 91: Backbone

The Chancellor huffed and puffed. "Duke, this is a travesty."

The young duke of Dawnharbour was transfixed. He couldn't take his eyes off the Forest's guild leader. "He's actually very good." He watched every blow and grinned at the sight of blood.

His young wife was a beautiful blonde from one of the noble families of Loctris. She was a second cousin to its duke and younger sister to one of the Protectors of Loctris. Despite her good breeding she winced at the combat. 

The young duke grabbed her hand without taking his eyes off the combat. The forest monster as the nobles named him just ripped the head off an opponent.

"Ayeee," the Duke said. "I've never seen that." He pointed. "Don't look away darling, these are adventurers - they're not really dead."

In less than a minute the fight was over.

The Chancellor grumbled, "My lord they can't be allowed to take first prize. Think of the Duke of Salastria."

The young duke kept watching and ignored the chancellor. The crowd was quiet until the monster took off his helmet. "It comes off," he said. "Darling look." She took her hands from her eyes and looked the forest monster raised his wooden mask and the crowd cheer.

The young duke slapped his thigh, stood, and applauded. "Oh, he's good with the crowd." The crowd had turned from afraid, apprehensive, thrilled and now cheered insanely.

His young wife stood and said, "It's because he's no longer ripping peoples heads off and looks much friendlier without that grotesque mask."

"Kysandre," the Duke said, "What say you? Is he someone you could easily beat."

She was silent and her eyes were glued to him.

The duke laughed. "She's speechless." He turned to one of his aides. "Call Alejo back, he was close - I want to hear what he thinks."

"It's dangerous my lord," the Chancellor said. "It'd be better if Alejo kept a close eye on it."

"Nonsense," the young duke said. "He's attacked no one outside the tournament. Look he's going back to the healer's tent to see his people."

The Chancellor glared at the old duke from Salastria. Then he moved his hands to indicate that the old duke say something.

The old duke cleared his throat. "Anton, we will offer them the prize but if they reject the task can we extend the offer to the second placed team and so on?"

The young duke turned. "What and deprive me another guild?"

The old duke shrugged. "That was the original arrangement The Forest entering was a surprise and it was you who approved it not me."

"It's my tournament! Do you want me to dictate what you do at yours?"

The old duke shook his head minutely.

"The prize was something the Chancellor cooked up and I agreed yes. But the reason for the tournament was to entertain my people and make all the disruption we've borne worthwhile."

"And the influx of people and wealth from Loctris," the old duke said.

The young duke peered over the wall. "Where's Alejo?"

"We can discuss this further back at the main hall," the Chancellor said. "Before you award the prizes."

"No," the young Duke said. "No more discussions. I'll run my tournament how I see fit."

"But, my lord," the Chancellor said and reached out towards the young duke. Alejo appeared at the moment and grabbed his hand. 

"Do not lay a hand on my Duke," he said and push the Chancellors hand away.

The Chancellor grumbled and shook his head irritably. "I've had my fill," he said. "I'll be heading back to rest before I depart for home."

The young duke smiled, waved, and said, "Safe travels." The Chancellor returned a glare for the friendly but abrupt send off. He turned on his heel and stalked back towards the main hall.

"Alejo," the young duke said and ignored the Chancellor. "What did you think of the forest monster?"

"Forest monster? You mean the Svartalfar Protector?"

The duke chuckled. "Sorry Alejo, we gave him a nickname. It was all in good fun."

Alejo threw a glance at Kysandre, but she was unaware. She was watching the healing tent.

"He is their protector and is what I would expect of the Svartalfar. My duke, they are cousins to the Myrkalfar after all. They're just normally recluse."

"Is he powerful? That was not an even match. He waltzed through the five adventurers like they were small children."

Alejo stroked his chin with his finger and thumb. "He's an adventurer too apparently."

"Really?" the young duke squeezed his wife's hand. "Did you hear that darling. He's one of them."

"He's nothing like them," she said. "He wasn't wearing armour and used no weapons."

The young duke laughed. "I don't think he needed them."

"He's like a beast," she said.

"What are his abilities Alejo?" 

The bluecloak stared off into the distance. "He didn't need to use many. If I were to guess I would say he used a lot of power, but it was all body enhancement."

"So, when he ripped the head clean off he was supplementing his natural strength?" 

Alejo nodded. "They're fundamental techniques, easy to learn but hard to master."

The duke looked up into the sky. "The bird," he said excitedly. "It came before him. Can you see it? Do you think they're connected?"

Alejo nodded. "I overhead the Svartalfar women talking to it. But they weren't talking to the bird they were talking to him."

"Amazing. You must sit by us at dinner Alejo," the young duke said. "Bring Kysandre if you want. I want to talk with you and the Forest Protector." He smiled. "See I can be corrected, even if I'm your duke I'm not arrogant."

Alejo shook his head. "Certainly not my lord. You're curious which is an excellent trait for a leader."

The duke smiled at the genuine compliment. "Thank you Alejo. You can go, my wife and I will freshen and rest before dinner."

Alejo bowed and approached Kysandre.

"What's wrong?" he asked her softly.

She turned to face him. "Nothing? Why?"

"Are you recovered?"

She nodded. "I still have most of their gift." She pulled it out of her pocket to show him the qi core. He pushed it back.

"Good. Did you hear the conversation about dinner?"

She shook her head and he raised an eyebrow. "Really, we're to be seated with the duke and the Protector of the Forest."

"That's his title? Are we there for protection? Surely Sigwurd is more "

Alejo held out his hand. "Calm down. We're there for conversation and yes that's his title. What's got into you?"

She turned and stared out onto the plains. "Nothing."

He peered at the side of her face. "Choose your words carefully tonight. If in doubt, say nothing. And above all, don't interfere with their politics."

She turned back to face him. "Hmm?" He stared at her. "Oh," she said and smiled. "I know. I won't interfere."

He considered her for a moment. "I'm worried about you. Perhaps you shouldn't accompany me tonight."

Kysandre was a young, healthy woman from the fisherfolk stock. Her parents were fishermen as were her grandparents, siblings, cousins, and extended family. But she was special, and her folk cherished and were proud of her. 

Her hair was dark and silky. Her skin was that of someone who's family spent generations on the sea and in the sun. Her eyes were wide and innocent. 

She shook her head and waved her hands. "No, no. I will come. I want to."