System Break

Alejo and Sigwurd were summoned to the guard tower on the wall. Alejo was second to Sigwurd who was the leader of the Bluecloaks of Dawnharbour.

The tower was at the southeast corner of the wall, the closest location for a secluded meeting with the Duke. 

Their Duke sat at a table drinking wine with the Duke of Salastria and the Chancellor from Loctris. The three highest ranked guests in attendance at the tournament. There was an aide who waited on them, but the guard's hall was otherwise empty.

Sigwurd looked up and listened. 

The Chancellor's gaze followed his. "What are you looking at Protector?"

"Nothing," he answered. "I was just checking if there were guards in the tower or if the whole place was cleared."

The Chancellor grunted and his Duke chuckled. "That's Sigwurd, always on duty."

The Chancellor hawked and spat out his wine onto the floor. "This is terrible. And as for duty why was one of your Bluecloaks interfering in the tournament?"

Sigwurd cast a sidelong glance at Alejo before answering. "She did not interfere the match was over."

"What about the next match? Did you think of that? The other team has a right to be upset if she takes the field because of your interference. We need to take care of these adventurers - they are a boon to us, not some harlot from the mountains in the north."

Sigwurd cleared his throat. "I will ensure she does not take part in the next match."

Alejo shifted uneasily but a palm lowered from Sigwurd indicate he remain silent.

"Thank you, Chancellor," the old duke said. "But what's done is done."

The pair looked at the young duke who smiled and nodded. "Sigwurd, if you please. No more interference. If they are wounded or otherwise our people are not to assist."

"Other than the healers in the healer tent," Alejo said. 

The duke nodded. "And the gatekeepers which they paid for. But not our heroes. You're to remain neutral."

Sigwurd bowed. "I'd have it no other way sire."

The Chancellor spat. "But you did have it another way. Can't you keep discipline in your ranks?"

Sigwurd grimaced and it turned to an outright frown when Alejo spoke.

"Sir, we were under no such orders. Kysandre acted on her own recognisance yes, but there was no ill-discipline."

The two older men glared at the young duke.

The young duke smiled. "Yes, yes, but it should have been obvious not to assist any guilds."

The Chancellor said, "And especially the forestfolk."

"Yes sire," Sigwurd said and bowed. He was joined by Alejo and then they left.

They took the stairs down to street level, exited the tower and as soon as they were out of earshot Sigwurd growled. "That was unnecessary. Get a hold of your apprentice."

They kept walking towards the keep and Alejo pursed his lips. "She's not my apprentice anymore. She's one of us."

"You were once my apprentice and you will always be that - even if it's in the past. I don't enjoy being lectured by nobles, especially when it's because of the actions of my apprentice's apprentice."

"That doesn't change the fact we all feel the same way - the adventurers are a pain. They were trying to kill that girl and it wasn't because it was a robust contest."

Sigwurd growled. "Not our problem. We're here to protect the city, its citizens and the Duke."

"We've never had portal storms like this. Not until they came," Alejo said.

Sigwurd stopped, turned, and stared down at Alejo. "That is a different issue. It's not related to the adventurer's tournament."

Alejo shrugged. "It seems like one hell of a coincidence to me. Who but the gatekeepers would have the power to interfere with an island. If it's not natural it has to be them, and these adventurers come from the gatekeepers. There is no doubt about that."

"If the gatekeepers interfere with our island then so be it. It's like complaining about the weather," Sigwurd said. "The dukes, the gatekeepers all these things are not the concern of a protector. We have one job and our very lives are dedicated to it. Because if the Myrkalfar or the Qizhu paid us a visit one day – we'd need a lifetime of training and sharpness to stand up to them."

"Yes sir," Alejo said. "You're right." They arrived at the keep and Alejo looked over his shoulder back through the city. "Can I take my place in the box?"

Sigwurd nodded. "Yes. Someone needs to keep a leash on her. And make sure the mountain girl doesn't compete. Do what you need to."

Alejo squinted. "I'm sure she's still in a cot in the healer's tent."

Sigwurd waved and began to walk away. "Just make sure."

Alejo hurried to the healer's tent instead of the Duke's box. The raven-haired beauty was sitting up in her cot.

"I'm coming," she said and Alejo sighed.

"No," Gisael said. "We will take care of it."

"Benzhi's on his way," Sakaala said hopefully.

Gisael shook her head. "No one can run that distance in less than a day, not even him. And if he killed himself to run it, then to fight? No, we will not make hopeless plans."

Alejo approached the group. "Excuse me," he said. He pointed at Reyas, "You cannot compete the Duke has ordered that you rest. He doesn't want to you to risk your life and have the people upset that you're not an adventurer when you die."

"It is settled," Gisael said and stared at Reyas.

She sighed. "My left arm is better. Much better than this morning."

Alejo waved his hand indicating the sleeping Kysandre. "Because she used all her qi healing you."

Ailen chuckled. "Reminds me of someone."

Alejo raised an eyebrow at the curious adventurer and then turned to Reyas. "I have your word?"

She nodded. "If Gisael and the Duke are against it, then I cannot argue."

"In that order?" Alejo said with a laugh. He turned and walked over to Kysandre. He tapped her cheek. "Wake up insubordinate, annoying apprentice whom I should have never taken."

He coaxed her to her feet, and she put an arm over his shoulder. "I have a qi core for you," he said. She dutifully opened her mouth and he popped a tiny qi core into it.

Gisael nodded to Sakaala.

"Sir. Protector," she said and walked quickly over to them. She held out a qi core. A big one. "This is for Kysandre, with our gratitude."

His eyes boggled at the size. He hesitantly took it. "Don't tell anyone," he said. "But thank you."

Sakaala beamed a smile at him. "Nice meeting you," she said sweetly.

He gave her a puzzled look. "Very well. We must be in the box and you must have a match soon."

Sakaala spun on her heel and took a couple of steps towards Gisael, she turned her head back towards him and said, "Sure. Cheer me on from the box will you."

Ailen peered at his sister. "So, it's just you two."

"Can't you fight?" Sakaala asked him.

"I can barely walk," he said. "I feel like I just woke from a nine-month coma."

Gisael inspected Sakaala. "You're recovered?"

"Just as much as you."

"This will not be easy; I want you to shoot and run. Never stop running."

Sakaala nodded. "I can try."

The pair walked out of the healer's tent and onto the field. The crowd's chatter was loud as their cheers when they saw there was only two from the Forest in the final.

Kysandre made it to the Duke's box and between the walk and the qi core she felt wide awake. She stretched and looked around. "What's all the buzz?"

Alejo pointed. "They only have two. It will be a massacre. Two versus the best guild in the city."

She looked at the striking Svartalfar. "She cannot die. That would be tragedy."

"Yes, and we will do nothing. I will stop you forcibly if I have to."

Kysandre turned and stared at him. "You're serious?"

He nodded. "I will tell you the full story later, but the short version is if I let you do it again, we'd both be looking for a new city to live in."

The crowd had finished finding their seats with street food in hand they watched as the two teams listened to the adjudicator. 

"What's that?" the duke asked. "Alejo? Do you know what the bird is?"

Alejo wondered why a qi martial expert would also be an expert on birds. He peered at the vulture like creature which circled and landed behind the Svartalfar.

"Is it an omen?" the Duke asked.

"I've never seen anything like it sire," Alejo said. "It could be an omen, but it appears that the Svartalfar know it. They live in a forest and commune with animals – perhaps it's one of theirs."

The Chancellor scoffed. "A vulture in a forest? Are you an imbecile? It's begging for food. Someone should shoot it."

"That might be a bad omen and bad diplomacy sire," Alejo said. "If it is indeed known to the Svartalfar."

The Duke waved his hand. "Leave the bird be, it's not hurting anyone. And Alejo is right, we might offend the forestfolk."

The Chancellor frowned. "I fear this bird is a bad omen."