The Fallen Throne

Chapter 5.4 ✦ Beginning Of Fire

Alaina has heard before that taverns used to have Tavern Games at a large scale, where the taverns organise different types of events as contests to attract regular visitors. The events range from simple drinking challenges and casual dart throwing to arm wrestling and small fist fights, finally to serious battle matches -- the greatest attraction.

The taverns got so popular with such a practice that more taverns bloomed over the last decade and although it managed to encourage travels and visits between kingdoms, it soon got too far as battle matches were a burden of the kingdoms. Not only were there so many casualties, some people even risked their lives in the battle as some showed no mercy; and others who were merely spectators betted and wagered everything until they had nothing left.

Since then, such matches that involve human lives are no longer permitted. The kingdoms put a strict rule, and those who are caught either as an organiser or a participant or even merely so little as a witness shall be executed.

However, despite the rules, some rules still are broken in a way or another. Some taverns -- Alaina has heard rumours -- still hold Tavern Games, and they're pretty good at hiding it from authorities.

The Lion's Den, obviously, is one of them; the battle matches are currently ongoing in the battle ring at the centre of the room.

"And now, the moment you have all been waiting for!" shouts a loud voice, and Alaina spots the source at the long table. "The finals!" the commentator yells, and cheers erupt the room.

"Noisy, so noisy," mutters Lloyd, covering his ears. On the contrary, Rose is excited; she perks her head high, constantly keeping on tip-toes in hopes of catching a glimpse of the game.

Lancaster is impatient and rather annoyed at the crowd and noise. Not wanting to waste any more time, he turns to the owner and asks, "where do we find the informant Trevor?"

The owner, who was smiling at the success and popularity of his Tavern Game, brings his attention back at the group at Lancaster's question. "Ah yes -- he should be somewhere around here..." he looks around, and after a moment, he says, "there! It's hard to not notice him, even in a crowd."

And he is right, for the owner brings the four of them to a hooded man, now standing in front of them, who looks very suspicious -- especially in a lively place like this.

"Trevor," the owner says, gesturing to the four of them, "these are travellers. They are seeking information."

The hooded man, Trevor, only bows his head. "Greetings."

"Well, I'll leave you guys to it," at that, the owner bids them farewell, walking towards the battle ring.

Alaina watches the owner leave, and as she does, she catches a glimpse of the game. The man with the dragon tattoo is just being announced, and he walks up to the battle ring full with pride. "He who stands in very secured and definite first place, the annual champ!" the commentator announces, and the tattooed man raises his arms high, earning nearly the entire room's cheers as he walks to the centre of the ring to face the other opponent who, in Alaina's opinion, doesn't stand a chance -- he is only a boy around her age, two times smaller than the man with the dragon tattoo; with bandages wrapped up along his arm and legs. "Our favourite champion will be up against a new and very young participant -- Kai is his name; please go easy, champ!"

It must be not only Alaina who thinks so; because Lancaster raises an eyebrow, incredulous at the sight of the other competitor while Lloyd and Rose wince.

With a snap of fingers, the hooded man, Trevor draws all four of their attentions back to him. "Well? What is it that you wish to know?"

"We are wondering," Lloyd starts for the group, improvising while he is at it. "If you could tell us anything you know about this," Lloyd pulls out the paper with Caecilius' image on it he'd brought along with him, and hands it over to Trevor.