Forgotten by the Realms

Chapter 3: The Performance

20 years ago- Valley of Triumph

The skates slid fast over a drift, causing their wearer to go flying through the air, they landed masterfully, and swerved around a couple going the opposite way. Everyone knew the gates to the arena closed at precisely 12, and no amount of coaxing could convince the guards to open them again. Leif was determined to make it there right at the dot, getting to see the show, but also aggravating the guards. He chuckled as he imagined their faces when he would slide past, grotesque distaste implanted on their faces for the foreseeable future.
As he neared the citadel walls, he artfully weaved back and forth, flipping and spinning, ducking and leaping until he made it through with seconds to spare. The gate nearly clipped his cloak as he leaned underneath.
"NEXT TIME BE EARLY TERATI!" Yelled a tall pudgy guard, who resentfully handed him a ticket.
Leif grinned, as he dramatically bowed low.
"I make no such promises!"
The Valley Arena was certainly impressive, but it didn't live up to Leif's expectations.
"It could use a lot more pizzazz. Hummmm, maybe add a few more fireworks, flaming hoops to jump through, a dozen or so dangerous creatures, and a lights show! Now that... would be impressive."
The young light haired ruffian chuckled to himself as he contentedly climbed up in the stands to find a seat for the performance. He expected to find one of the shaded balconies, or even a front row seat, instead the only open spot was smack dab in the middle of the 11th row.
Sighing, he slipped between spectators to the vacant seat. Upon closer observation it was covered in snow and dirt. Unacceptable. Leif groaned and allowed himself to be openly dramatic about such a disappointment. A girl in the seat beside him, glared behind her mask, and reluctantly whipped all the snow off the chair with her dark black cloak.
Leif looked down at the chair in disbelief. This was new.
No one had ever done something like that before, they normally just ignored his theatrics or laughed. Who is this feisty female, immune to his charms?
Smirking slightly, he sat down and stuck out a hand to the girl.
"Hallo there, Leif Terati at your service darling! Might I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
The girl glared over unamused, but firmly shook his hand.
"Freya Korizo, and don't call me darling." She snapped back.
Leif grinned ear to ear, the rebuttal giving him ammunition.
"Don't worry darling, I can do this all night."
"I'll take your word on it, now silence your vocal cords, the performance is starting."
Leif shut his mouth, but couldn't help looking over at Freya during the performance. He had never met anyone like her.
It was intoxicating.

~

People flocked out of the coliseum gates. Cloaks flapping, and voices raised in boisterous frivolity.
Leif ducked and weaved through the crowd, closely following the mysterious Freya. Even though he was tall, Leif was having trouble seeing over the numerous flying colors and banners, which fluttered in the wind. Before long he lost sight of Freya's messy bun, it was almost as if she melted into the crowd, like sand into a river. He sighed as he swerved backwards to avoid a fireworks cart, and flipped forward to avoid the drunken vagrants who were fighting behind him. Pleased with his athletic display, he decided to head back to the Village of Dreams and call it a day. The ski lifts were chalk full of numerous caricatures of people, some talking loudly, others frowning and complaining at the drop in temperature, and others staring wistfully out at the snowy peaks contemplating their day.
Leif yawned boerdly, as he tried to seem interested in a conversation that a strange merchant was trying to start with him.
"Busy day young lad? Those theatrics at the colosseum were something eey?"
"Oh yes indeed, quiet spiffing."
"There something of a conundrum to me, I can never seem to understand the way they charge such high admission when we only get to see the last leg of the race. Did ya know, back when I was a young kid like yourself...."
It went on and on. It was the longest lift ride he had ever taken. The merchant had forgotten that he was still talking to Leif, he was simply talking now, as Leif dosed off leaning on the shoulder of an old woman. The ski lift came to an abrupt halt, knocking him forward. He rolled over to avoid the trampling feet of the passengers, while he straighted up and swung over the side.
Feet sliding down an incline, he swerved through groups of children towards the village square. There was always something to do there, some spontaneous performance to perform for, some samples of crab cakes to try. The gaily colored tents came into view, as he leaped high into the air and grabbed onto a tent pole. Sliding down the pole he landed gracefully on the ice, without a wobble, and looked around for any admiring looks or claps of approval. A group of dark masked kids giggled and clapped as they ran up to him.
"Hallo younglings! Leif Terati at your service! How can I help this handsome lot today?"
"How aren't you afraid of heights?" One in the middle squealed.
"Simple. I'm not. I use my fear to stay smart while I'm up high, if I wasn't afraid I would do stupid stuff."
The young boy blinked his eyes in confusion, gently adjustng the duck he had in his arms.
"Well, let me explain." Leif said, ushering them over to the middle of the ice rink.
"Fear keeps your brian working, keeps you on your toes. If you are worried that something will go wrong, you over analyse what you do. If you aren't afraid, then you skip crucial steps which could be bad." He tapped a small girl on the head.
"You there! Do an Axel." The girl laughed quizzically, as she lifted her hands to the side and leaped off the ice and spun around midair, landing on one foot, she wobbled unsteadily for a moment before plopping solidly on the ice.
"See? You weren't afraid, and you let your confidence get the better of you! Now do it with your eyes closed."
Her eyes widened, before her comrades giggled and wrapped a linen scarf around her eyes, watching in anticipation what would happen next.
The girl waited a second before carefully lifting her arms up and leaping into the air, this time her legs spreadinging out in the circle giving her balance, and landed on both feet before lifting up her right leg and spinning.
Leif smiled broadly as the children started clapping and cheering. The girl grinned as she pulled off the blindfold and looked where she landed.
"Stupendous job! The stakes were higher, you couldn't see your surroundings, and you did safer moves as you were in the air. That's the mentality you should have when you do tumbling or tricks, and it will help you in a number of situations." Leif shook their hands, and skated off the rink, as the kids excitedly practiced spinning and leaping through the air.
He turned and leaned against a colorful tent pole as he watched them figure out the best way to perform a trick.
"Quick learners, aren't they." Chuckled a familiar voice. Leif spun around to see a far more relaxed Freya Korizo, leaning against the other tent peg.
"They might! I mean... They will! I mean..... They are!" Leif stumbled, smacking his hand on his forehead. "Sorry, you just caught me off guard."
She grinned. "I've been told I have that effect on people."
Leif relaxed, as he walked closer.
"So what are you doing here, Love?"
"I live here. At least for the time being. I use to live in the Isle of Dawn, but this place is better for my ...work."
"Ahh, I'm surprised I haven't met you before!"
"I have a habit of keeping out of sight."
"That's a shame, your the type of person I want in my sight."
Freya frowned and glanced backwards at a gathering crowd, ignoring his comment.
"What's going on over there?" She said, skating over.
Leif followed quickly as they pushed through the crowd. A bestraught merchant was dashing about, picking up rolling scrolls and empty bowls which he assured people had been filled to the brim with precious gems. He held up some loose gems that were left behind to an officer and begged them to find the rest.
"I'm sorry sir, they must have grown wings and flew off. There is no footprints around your stall other than yours, and you knocked over the bowls so they could have gone anywhere."
Leif watched fascinated until he felt something was off. Freya was slipping away out of the crowd and behind a building, almost as seamlessly as the wind. He quickly followed, quick enough to see the tip of her cloak before she turned a corner. He slid into a quiet alley, high walls on all sides. A dead end, and Freya nowhere in sight.
Did he turn too soon? Did she run down another ally? Or was she hiding somewhere in here? Leif stepped forward cautiously checking behind the pots and bins. Something sparkled in the snow behind an old box. A fresh cut ruby. It stayed unassuming on the snow, twinkling at him, before he received a flying kick to the face and fell unconscious.