Banners of every color flew high in the deep blue sky. Down below, the three teens had to fight their way to the tournament grounds. A carnival atmosphere infected the spindly streets close to the castle. Ribbons fluttered from entryways, song spilled out from pubs, and dull brick had been stained with vivid dyes. The excited chatter became white noise to them the closer they got. The smells of spices and sugar wafted through the air, making Asha's mouth water. Only now her stomach released its knot to remind her how she had skipped breakfast. She groaned internally, doing multiple calculations to try and find the time to eat something. But the sound of horns dashed her hopes. It was the call to arms, the tournament was starting. Dahlia shrieked, placing her hands against both her friend's backs and giving them a shove.
"Go, I'm just going to hold you up! Go on!"
Asha didn't need more encouragement than that, she broke into a dead run. The slippers slapped against the cobblestones below her and she winced at their lightness. The small thought of her sturdy boots crept into her mind before she ran right into the guard posted outside the champion's gate. She caught herself before she plowed into the heavy breastplate, her sweat-slick face stared back from the polished iron. The impassive sentry regarded her with a sniff before staring off into the distance.
Panting, Asha rolled her shoulders back and planted her hands on her hips, "I'm here to compete good sir."
Simon waddled up to stop behind her with Dahlia in tow, "As am I."
The guard sniffed again, "Quite an...eclectic bunch. Pray, what events are you all...endeavoring."
"Magician's gambit," Asha raised her hand.
"Knight's tourney," Simon volunteered. Both voices mingling in their synchronized answer. The sentry paused for a second to decode what they had said. He took in the boy's pudgy figure and Asha's cascade of ribbons.
"Ah...they're hosting troubadours at these events too! Well, I guess it is a 500 year celebration!" he guffawed.
Asha's bottom jaw stuck out, "Are you going to grant us entry or not?"
"Of course, of course," he still was chuckling to himself as he pulled on the chain to open the gate. With matching frowns, the three ducked under the half-open entryway to escape the snide comments. The hallway that met them was narrow and dim. Only the light at the top of the steps filtered down to illuminate their way. The distant rumble of cheers vibrated in every stone. Asha began the mount the thin steps with Simon following after before Dahlia exclaimed.
Both turned back to find the short girl digging through her pockets. After an elongated second of searching, she pulled out a simple white square cloth. She shuffled over to Simon, holding out the kerchief to him, "A token," she proclaimed like she had rehearsed it a million times, "Any good knight needs one...right?"
Simon stared at the bit of fabric in shock, "Dahlia..."
"It's rude to not accept tokens from a lady, you know!" her arm jutted out like a lance.
His lips pursed and he quick grabbed the kerchief from her. It disappeared between his beefy fingers, "I'm going to win this!"
"Of course you are," Dahlia whispered back.
Asha reached over to grab Simon's collar. He gagged with the sudden jerk, "Come on!"
Rubbing his throat, he gave a timid wave to Dahlia before ascending the stairs. All the while, scowling at the magician's back.
****
Asha's hands knit then unknit themselves together over and over again. She sat among her competition, all tremendously cocky and more experienced. They regarded her with half-smiles and snickers. Hands shot up to whisper about the young thing who had managed to sneak into this professional event.
YOU ARE READING
Of Stardust and Wishes (A Wish Rewrite)
Fanfiction"Salvē!" The golden specter repeated. She was in shock. That had to be it. All that tossing around in the water must have shaken her insides around enough to make her see things. She blinked a few times, but he was still there, looking even more con...
