Order of Aria

Chapter Fourteen: A Day of Fun Awaits

    They arrive at the tent near the tiltyard. They see many of the knights practicing for their battles and mages readying their tools. Ronwynn grows uneasy seeing how hard some of the knights are treating their sparring partners or their dummies. As they near the tent opening Ronwynn grabs Esmeray's sleeve to try and get her to slow down so she can speak with her.

    "What kid? If we hurry up here then we can go get a sun bow or even watch some of the 'entertainers' scam people out of money. Heh, some of those guys' reactions are a hoot."

    "Well, it's just...You still haven't told me what this whole event is about. I'm not so convinced that it's just for entertainment like you said. I mean, look at the knight's training." She gestures towards the group just as one of the knights stabs a dummy through its chest.

    "Well," Esmeray starts but then watches as another almost slices his friend's hand off after disarming him. Some of the helpers rush over to see what happened and they witness an argument arise between the group. "I see... Well, some guys get into these kinds of things."

"Fletcher would never attempt to slice Keech's hand like that. He tried to separate it from his body." Esmeray laughs nervously and attempts to wave off Ronwynn's statement. "I'm not kidding Esmeray. Tell me why this event is happening or else."

    "Or else what? You're not gonna participate? Fine by me but that just means we've wasted time walking over here when we could've been perusing the stalls."

    "Nope. Something worse." Ronwynn slowly lifts her hand towards the braid on her head.

   "Don't you fucking dare kid. You and I both know that if I was allowed to tell you, I would. I don't know why the knights are going so hard with their prep but, if they do know; then I think Sareiros might be in a lot of trouble with Em and Naermyn."

    "What do you mean? You're telling me that a bunch of people are gonna fight and they don't even know why?"

    Esmeray shrugs, "Pretty much. The reward is big and we gotta do something to entertain the masses while it's figured out. Now come on, let's go get that schedule."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

    Ronwynn groans after she and Esmeray exit the tent. Esmeray rubs her back while reading the list she was given. "You're telling me I have to eat lunch and then go straight here? I'm gonna puke from the heat and food!"

    Hey, just be glad you get to eat something before you go out there. Looks like Elaqirelle and Alespine don't even get lunch. They have whatever breakfast, if any, and then they get their turn. Just be glad you're not the first of the mages to go. Medeis bless Xyrdove, he has to go against Beiren."

    "Isn't Beiren more of an enchanter than he is a spell mage?"

    "Yep. Let's hope Prolium has mercy on him and decides not to bless his follower today. I hope Qinran doesn't have to do any last-minute healing spells or even have to steal a potion from someone."

    "I just hope it's not as bloody as when Beiren first tried out his blade. Sainkiir still can't walk right." They shake their heads as they walk back to the main stalls. "Hey, is Aslocke on the list? Or is he not participating today?" Esmeray's eyes scan the list for his name.

    "Ahah! Found it! Looks like he is going to be out a little before dusk... and his opponent is Oros. Yeesh good thing that it's at night so we can't really see any of the bloodshed. You up to date on your healing spells? Did I even teach you basic aid?" Esmeray pauses and holds her hand up to her chin as she thinks.

    "Goodness, do you think Aslocke knows? I didn't see him out there training with everyone else. Where would he be right now if not training for this?" She pauses to think with her hands on her hips, looking towards the ground. "He couldn't be at breakfast because they've stopped serving it by now. Definitely not sleeping. Hmm." Too focused on her thinking, she doesn't notice the figure approaching her from behind.

    "Whatcha thinking about?" Aslcoke asks, putting his hands on Ronwynn's shoulders. He laughs as she jumps and starts swatting at him. Esmeray jumps from her own train of thought too from the noise. Aslocke grabs Ronwynn's hands to prevent her from trying to hit him any further. "I get it, I get it. I scared you, you're not happy. Nice braid by the way, who did it?" His hand reaches for the braid but is smacked away by Esmeray.

    "Do not touch the braid kid! That thing took a good two hours!" Aslocke rubs his hand from where it was hit and gives Esmeray an apologetic smile.

    "Oh sorry Miss Ravenshire. If I knew it was you, I wouldn't have tried to mess with it." She scowls at him and crosses her arms. He laughs nervously, unsure as to if she is genuinely mad at him or not.

    "You're lucky the kid likes you or else." She says menacingly. He stops laughing and gives a nervous smile in its place. He looks to Ronwynn to see if she'll help him but she only raises her eyebrow at him.

    "I'm not helping you get out of this one, sorry. She worked hard on this work of art. We have to brag about being the best mage-apprentice duo somehow."

    "Right, right. Speaking of bragging, what's this whole thing about me and Oros fighting?"

    Esmeray stops her scowling and holds the parchment to read it over. "You haven't heard about the tournament?"

    "I know there's going to be a tournament but why is he talking about how he 'already has me beat'?"

    "Well," Esmeray holds the parchment out to him so he can read it too. She puts her finger on his name and then slides it along to show his opponent. "You and Oros are the scheduled entertainment for dinner. Better hope Ronnie here can perform aid on you." Aslocke snatches the paper out of her hands and looks it over.

    "What does it mean 'Winner receives a prize'? What's the prize and which winner? Is there gonna be a mage and knight portion of the fights or is it the winner from each one?" Esmeray snatches the list back and then folds it up.

    "That's for me to know and you two to find out. At least the prize that is. I have no idea how they are going to decide the winners from each fight." She places the folded paper in the pocket on the inside of her pants.

    "She hasn't been any help today. She refuses to tell me anything other than we're here to 'entertain the masses'." Ronwynn says with a shrug. Aslocke frowns and looks at Esmeray, who seems to be distracted by something else.

    "You kids have fun. I think I have found something to entertain me. Remember Ronnie, head to the tiltyard either before or during lunch. You are not missing that fight. Aslocke, you make sure she is there." She starts to head off before looking back at the two, "For advice on lunch, go for a small snack. That shouldn't mess with the fight too much and you won't puke. Ta-ta kids." She waves and then continues on her small journey.

    "What did she even see?" Aslocke asks while waving a quick goodbye to her.

"Knowing the environment we're in and the stalls that are nearby," she gestures around them, "it was probably that sign over there that said 'Try our Mixed Mead. It's full of berries you've never heard of and mead strong enough you won't even remember'. At least I think that's what the slogan is." Aslocke looks in the direction that Esmeray went and sees the sign.

    "What do they mean by that? I thought mead was just like a honey wine or something."

    "I'm not entirely sure but she's been wanting to try it for a while. Says it's supposed to be some mixed berry wine combined with mead. Not sure how but it happened."

    "Well then. Where to next? You have to go on after lunch so you're either training or we're going to have some fun and relax. Hang out a bit, you know, while you're well-rested." He laughs and he puts his hand on her back to start leading her in a different direction.

    "Yeah, yeah laugh it up. We'll see how you like it when I spike your dinner with some Bright Eyes."