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hey guys! the writings done! now to post the rest of these bad boys!


Chapter 44: Final Bout Set-up


After another 2 weeks of arduous travel, we trudged our way out of the forest. Olivia made it clear that she was not to leave the barrier and that we were not to talk about it. With that said, next were our good-byes. They were short and lacked emotion, as if we’d see her soon or something. We all preferred it that way, though she had become a close friend.

Now with the open space, we could ride our horses down the wide dirt path. We saddled them up and we went on for the remainder of the day coming closer to our final stop, the ¾ mark. By the time we got there, we were officially in second place, Kratias being the lead by a few hours. The two of us had collected all three flags and were eligible to cross the finish line.

“Hey dude!” Nathan greeted with a wave of his hand. I acknowledged him and looked past him to see Curstan limping, one foot raised and wrapped in gauze, supporting herself a large stick.

“Oh my god, what happened, Curstan?!” Ashley panicked rushing up to her.

“Ok, I fractured my ankle! We were fighting off some Vampyres and I tripped over a log. When I fell, I landed on it all wrong!” she explained.

“How’d you guys get here before us?” I wondered. That was a way better question than asking if they were aided by the Fairies!

Nathan and Curstan looked at each other, unsure of how to answer the inquiry. “Nathan answered, “Eh. That’s not really important! All that matters is that both of our teams our leading!” His tone of voice was totally phony. Nathan wasn’t someone to say things like that in all seriousness. While his words were the truth, it wasn’t satisfying the three of us. We pressed the issue for a little longer, but Team Kratias’ lips were sealed on the matter.

Star looked around and whispered, “Look, we know there is a magical barrier covering the forest. We were lead here by Fairies!”

Hearing this sparked their interest. The duo took another look at each other and nodded. Curstan was the one to look for any unwanted ears. “We were helped by the Nymphs,” she admitted, her companion nodding in agreement.

“So you guys got help from the Fairies? You know they run that place, right?”

“Yeah!” said Ashley, “We even met the Fairy Queen!”

“Seriously?! Nice! We only met the High Nymph!” Nathan said becoming progressively louder. We shushed him and he came back to his senses.
We conversed idly for a while, until I remembered, “Oh! We killed a bounty hunter!”

“Nice!” Nathan congratulated.

“He was hired by some people in Lamis. But from what he said, Melissa and Tyler didn’t even know about him!” Star explained.

“Yeah, we fought him coming out of the Plains. We thought we killed him then. Obviously we we’re wrong!” Ashley sighed folding her arms.

“He was destroying the forest looking for us. Once he found us again, I had to take him out. Stabbed him in the throat,” I told them.

“So you’re the ones Torch was after?” a familiar voiced inquired. That voice belonged to the lovely assistant, Sara. She looked a little different. I think it was because her hair was styled differently. Previously, it was long and straight. Now, it was now done in long, gentle curls that bounced as she walked. The style looked very nice on her.

“Apparently, he was after everyone except Lamis. Torch never found Kratias,” Curstan told her.

Sara was quiet for a while, her head lowered in thought. There seemed to be a look of worry in her eyes until she looked up, shaking her head a bit. “As long as none of you were hurt, it’s ok. Lamis must not know about this. This was not their fault, so they won’t be getting in any trouble,” she informed us. “Do not mention Torch’s name under any circumstances! Do you understand me?” We all agreed silently. Sara sighed once more, this time out of relief. “Good then. We wait for them then.”

We waited. Waited until the next morning. About 10 a.m. to be exact. Team Lamis arrived on foot, without the oxen or wagon they obtained earlier. They came slinking up to us like Kratias did at the ½ mark. Team Lamis had seen much better days. They were attacked by Giant Vampyres and saved by the High Pixie.

Not breaking their word to the High Pixie, they only talked about being attacked. They didn’t have to go into any detail. We already knew. But they didn’t have to know that we knew, right? They also had no idea that Torch was killed or even hired to help them. That secret would be kept for many a year. It made it look like Neravien got off pretty easy. I wish!

Finally, Tom arrived just as mysterious as ever to announce the final spar. “Good morning, all!” he said cheerily. Or response was less than cheery to say the least. “Well, I see the forest was a make-or-break deal!” he mumbled, seeing that we were not amused.

Sara giggled at his failure to do so and took over. “Ok, everyone! The final spar has for gone some unexpected and last minute changes, just to make things a little more interesting! Instead of the usual one-on-one match, we’ve set up and three way every man for himself match.” That was a definite wake-up call!

“Are you serious?! This must be some kind of joke!” Tyler exclaimed. He seemed rather touchy this morning. This was a complete outrage! How dare they do this! Lamis was not meant to win these spars, were they?

Everyone else stood completely silent, exchanging worried glances. Melissa broke the silence, pulling Tyler back by his collar. “Calm yourself, Tyler! That is no way to behave before your elders or peers!” she reprimanded.

Tyler grunted and bowed, “E-Excuse me. Please continue, ma’am.” He’d keep quiet for the moment and see how this played out. This could prove interesting.

“It’s quite all right,” Sara said clearing her throat afterward. “As I was saying, rules will remain the same as far as the fight itself. There will be one member from each team selected. To rephrase it, no two people will be on the same team!”

That only seemed fair. Couldn’t have a team ganging up on one poor soul from another. Tyler’s plans were shot. That was what he was hoping for. Without that rule in place, Team Lamis could’ve had a chance. Those hopes were dashed now.

“The results are in!” Tom shouted. A little unnecessary to say the least. There were no cameras or anything like that around, so what was up with all the yelling? It was a comical scene nonetheless, watching him exaggerate for nothing. “Ashley! Nathaniel! Melissa! You three! Yes, you three shall face off in a three way battle for bragging rights!”