System Break

The stands lined the walls outside of Dawnharbour's main gate. On top of the thirty-foot-high walls were comfortable chairs and sails to keep the sun off the elite guests. Below them in front of the walls were wooden stepped stands for the public.

It was long enough for two matches at once. One at the northern end and another at the southern. While contestants were not limited to an area there were two boundaries to stop them intruding on the public and the other match.

The combatants started at fifty yards apart with the groups of five facing each other.

The young duke of Dawnharbour was atop the wall in a special box made for himself and his guests. With him was the Duke of Salastria and the Chancellor from Loctris as well as a few other dignitaries and aides. At the far end of the box were two of the heroes of Dawnharbour, the martial experts who would fight to protect the city. 

The dukes were in a discussion and barely watching the proceedings when the Duke's young wife said, "Anton look, the green forestfolk."

He laughed. "Oh yes, they are a surprise. I never would have thought they'd come all this way. I would have wagered against it in fact."

The Chancellor stroked his beard. "I would bet they win easily."

The young duke waved his hand in dismissal. "I would normally refuse without knowing more about them. But since it's you who are backing them Chancellor, they're almost a certainty to win."

The Duke of Salastria leaned forward. "I don't see any swords. Three have bows." His eyes narrowed. "Is that a mountain bitch with them? Look she is pale and is wielding axes."

"Tsk, tsk," the young Duke said, "All are welcome here. And adventurers are not like normal folk." All the guests, except the Chancellor and the old duke, laughed. "Green, white, brown or blue no matter the colour of the skin they're all the same my ambassadors tell me."

"There is a Dokkalfar here?" the old duke asked.

"Yes, its with this group. But not a fighter apparently." The duke looked to his left. "Alejo, watch closely."

The bluecloak protector bowed slightly. "Yes sire." He turned to his companion and she smiled. Their capes were light blue with a dark blue swordfish. The same as the flag for Dawnharbour.

The two teams faced off against one another.

An attendant in the box announced, "The Forest first team versus the Paladins second."

Alejo tensed and grimaced. 

"Don't let it bother you," his companion whispered.

"They should not be allowed to use that name Kysandre," he hissed.

"Let's hope the forestfolk cut them to pieces then," she said with a smile. She was as tall as him with long dark hair. Her smooth skin and sparkling eyes were brown, and her lips were voluptuous. 

She smiled and her white teeth beamed. "It begins, let's see what they can do."

Alejo smiled as three arrows flew like lightning bolts across the fifty yards. While the Paladins charged the Forestfolk stayed in place while they shot from their bows.

Two arrows struck true. One pierced a Paladin in the chest, his chain armour may as well have been paper and the Paladin fell. Four of them wielded swords and one was a brawler. They had no crossbows to fire back.

The forestfolk in the centre was a female and she wore unusual leathers. Her arrow pierced the eye and skull of a Paladin. He died on the spot.

The dukes yipped and clapped with glee. The chancellor watched in silence with his lips pursed, as the forestfolk decimated their opponents. The Paladins charged and were taken down by arrows one after the other. The female in the centre was deadly, she never missed; even when her quarry dodged and dived the arrow struck true.

"Fifty yards is too much," the young duke said and laughed. "None of them made the distance."

"They'll need to come up with better tactics against the forestfolk," the old duke said.

"Alejo," the young duke of Dawnharbour called. "What do you think?"

"They use qi-arrow sire. It is well known that their kind possess this ability. It guides and speeds the arrow. It also slices through mundane armour like chainmail. Makes up for the lack of metal; they're made entirely wooden."

"Would it cause you a problem?" the duke asked.

Alejo shook his head. "No sire."

The duke turned back to his entourage. "I'd like to see the protectors fight the forestfolk."

The chancellor scoffed. "They're amateurs against professionals." He rubbed his beard. "Although I'm not sure about all of them."

The duke nodded. "True, not all of them are adventurers. They have forestfolk from the old world to swell their numbers."

The old duke grumbled. "I thought the mountain bitch was an adventurer. Is she not?"

The young duke shrugged. "We made them pay for the accommodation and they did. I'm not sure who is what and they are very wealthy apparently. My man will look for opportunities to lighten their load." He chuckled.

The attendant said, "That was the last match from the round of 32. The round of sixteen will begin after a break."

"Oh really?" the duke said. "How long was that?" He looked into the sky to see the position of the sun.

"It's almost midday sire; it only took the morning. We're on schedule."

"Very good. We shall lunch here, and we can start on the wine after midday."

The old duke said, "You still hold to your father's ways?"

The young duke smiled. "Old habits die hard. Do you think the people are enjoying the show?"

The old duke nodded. "You've done well. All the visitors from Loctris and the qi flowing from the adventurers. I'm jealous."

"Don't be, you'll have some soon. And trust me sometimes I think they're more trouble than they're worth."

"Is that why you're building more guild halls on the isle?"

From the height atop the walls an island could be seen. It was in the centre of the bay and isolated from the rest of the world by water.

"I was asked, and I accepted. We couldn't fit them all here and that land wasn't used for anything useful."

"And you can charge them for ferries and supplies to the island."

The young duke nodded. "And charge more for the guild halls here."

The old duke sighed. "I gave mine away to be rid of the plague of monsters. My protectors aren't making a dent."

"Just tax them," the chancellor said. "Everything they bring back is subject to a tithe."

The old duke nodded. "But what about the Reach?"

"Don't be greedy, if they can get you that mine it will save you a fortune."

The old duke pursed his lips. "It's too dangerous to travel there at the moment. The plague is so bad we lost contact. Will a guild of adventurers survive the monsters let alone the mountainfolk. And now we have one here. I'm uneasy with this arrangement."

The chancellor's eyes narrowed. "You agreed and you must honour those agreements. But there will be more opportunities in the future for you to capitalise on."

"Can I attend the next negotiation with the gatekeepers?"

The Chancellor shook his head. "That is impossible I'm afraid."

The old duke grimaced. "I like this not. Not at all." He stood and walked off in a huff.