Eight Intertwined II

235 - Isle

Victors Hollow was already alive with activity when the travelers arrived at the edge of town. Tressa was immediately on edge, searching for any traces she could find of Leon's long blonde hair and signature blue cape. She had been hoping she and her friends would be able to find out who the champion of Balogar was before they went to the Gate of Finis, but she knew better than to waste time on that. They needed to get moving, and learning who Balogar's hero was could wait until after they knew where they could find Leon and ask for passage on his ship. 

"He must be around here somewhere..." Ophilia hummed from her place at Tressa's side. "Maybe we should go look around the marketplace. I know there are a few stalls up by the arena, and he could be there. The theater troupe told us he was selling his wares in town, so he must have a booth somewhere."

Tressa nodded, and she led the group through the crowds of Victors Hollow in the direction of the arena. Her heart was racing in her chest, and she didn't think it would calm down until she was on the sea. What Tressa needed now was reassurance that everything would be alright, and she didn't think she would find that anywhere but the strange island the gods were summoning them to. 

She couldn't stop thinking about Lyblac. Even though it was against her better judgement, Tressa's mind drifted toward the bizarre woman time and again. Tressa knew very well by now that Lyblac was trouble given Ophilia's reaction to her, but she hadn't ever thought it would go so far as for Lyblac to be Galdera's champion. Even if Lyblac was troublesome, that didn't exactly explain why she had chosen to go to the Gate of Finis with Kit of all people. What did Lyblac want with Kit? Why was Kit's name written in the message Redeye left behind in one of its last moments of sanity? What connection did he have to the Gate of Finis? Lyblac wouldn't do something like that without reason, so what was it?

"There are some familiar faces!"

Tressa snapped out of her trance at the sound of Cecily's voice. The lilac-haired woman was pushing through the crowd with a smile on her face and Ned at her side. Ned seemed to be in a much better state now than he had been when the travelers were last in town, his old injuries having no doubt healed since the tournament. 

"What are you all doing back here? The main tournament season isn't for another few months," Cecily went on. "The small competitions they're hosting these days aren't anywhere near worthy of your skills as fighters." She shot a wink up at Olberic at that, pairing it with a laugh. 

"We're looking for a friend of ours. We were told he would be in town," Olberic explained. "I would love to stay and talk with you about the recent few tournaments, but..."

"You're in a hurry," Cecily finished for him, and Olberic nodded. "How about this? We can call it even if you come back for tournament season and fight for the grand prize again. You really helped my business to boom, and I'd be happy to offer you my services free of charge if you came back in town."

Olberic's face softened with a smile. "I would be more than happy to return. You will have to send a letter to Cobbleston when you are preparing for tourney season. I will do my best to come and compete." His eyes shifted up to Ned. "And hopefully fight against you properly this time, Ned."

"Ye'll get the chance," Ned assured him as he rolled one of his shoulders. "I've been feelin' better than ever lately, and I'm even doin' practice fights to make sure I'm ready for the actual grand prize. Ye had best look forward to a fight to remember."

"I will," Olberic replied with a decisive nod. "It'll be nice to return to the arena."

"And with your new sense of purpose, I bet," Cecily commented, her eyes gleaming. "I can tell something about you has changed since you were last here... But if you really don't have time to stop and catch up, then we'll arrange a chat another time."