The Stonehearted Knight-Chapter 422: Capture the flag (2)
Hex listened to the rules and requirements to pass the upcoming round. It was quite amusing, if he was honest.
Two teams, each with five people –the leader wasn’t counted – would compete against each other, and the first one to capture the opponent’s leader would win.
"What the fuck," Sterling cursed amidst the soft chuckle around him, as his team watched him with a teasing gaze. "I am not allowed to fight?"
"That’s right," Hex said. "You will be the princess, locked up in her ivory tower."
His remark hit the spot. The group, including the twins, doubled in laughter, while Sterling eyed him sourly.
That was indeed the rule. Perhaps the merchants hated to see their beloved heirs getting injured or disfigured and demanded such a clause. A two-story tower would be placed in a field at opposing ends. The five had to defend and capture the opponent. The tower itself would have enchantments that would attack intruders and defend from area or aerial attacks.
’Nice and entertaining match system,’ Hex thought, seriously intrigued by the match. It was a much-needed distraction from his recent worries.
After the explanation of the rules, the match-making followed. They opted for the easiest way to determine the opponents: drawing lots. Jana, representing their team, pulled out the Green Tigers, ranked twelfth on the list.
"Only twelfth," snorted Quid from the side. "Give us a real challenge, will you—"
An angry prod from the side made him shut up. Deserved. Hex winked at the demure lady at Quid’s side, mouthing ’good job’. The guy was jinxing them. Confident as he was, he would rather not underestimate anyone. These people belonged to factions vying for powers once possessed by deities. Their trump cards could spell trouble if timed well.
Soon, the matches were fixed. Hex scanned the list to confirm the matches of those he knew. At the same time, he hoped to get a better feel for the other teams. The spies had summarized some of the information on the others, but nothing jumped out of the ordinary. None of the contenders, aside from three teams, worried him.
He scanned the crowd, catching sight of Heaven’s Army, but didn’t see Althea anywhere. She hadn’t come–.
’Shit!’ Hex cursed, eyes opened wide. Only now did he remember their last meeting. ’I was supposed to meet her!’
She had invited him to the same old place two days after the final sixteen were announced. He had been busy with his membership, refinement, and then the library, amidst all of which he lost track of time and promises.
’Is she mad at me?’ Hex fell into his seat, worrying a little. It took a second to calm his heart. ’She isn’t the kind to let her emotions guide her actions. Her absence can’t be linked to me. But they are...yes, they are eying me.’
Only now did he notice that the young men and women clad in sky blue with golden fringes were glancing in his direction. Often. They tried to be discreet with it and might have remained unnoticed if he had been paying less attention.
’I wonder what happened.’ Hex wondered about the interest in him but didn’t confront the team with it, nor did he show that he had detected their actions. Instead, he copied their style and directed his gaze at the banners, while observing the Heaven’s Army from the corner of his eye.
Alliance of Cursed Ones (1) vs Green Tigers (12)
Heaven’s Army (2) vs Mountain Sons (9)
Eye of the Sky (3) vs Forest Spawns (10)
Tyrannical Trident (4) vs Wings of Tomorrow (13)
Vineyard Faeries (5) vs Divine Servants (16)
Wrixian Heroes (6) vs Copper Crowns (11)
Touch of Life (7) vs Sea Swords (15)
Shifting Sands (8) vs Marsh Marauders (14)
The names of teams fluttered on the banners, with their ranks from the previous round between brackets to illustrate the weight of each match. Curiously, the matches ended up being the top eight against the bottom eight. A coincidence, according to the representative. As if.
People rolled their eyes at the representative who laughed jovially at his jokes. Typical merchants. Hex disliked them precisely for such behavior. They could have just added a rule stating that the first eight couldn’t face each other. No one would have batted an eye. But they had to complicate things, even irritate people, to make more profit. How that would work in this case wasn’t clear. Hex, however, didn’t doubt for one second they would. After all, every action of a merchant, even taking a breath, was to make a profit.
"Wrixians will hope to see both their teams make it to the next round," he heard Quid discuss with the others. Such debates and conversations filled the room. People, hidden in the crowd, moved and took notes. Only those as Hex, sharp, and focused noted their actions. The betting houses had started their work.
"The matches will start first thing in the morning. I hope to see some interesting strategies." The representative walked away with a broad smile on his face. No doubt, he too had a stake in the bets about to be placed all over Wrixia.
’I should try to inflate my pouch too,’ Hex thought. His senses, coupled with his treasured heart, gave him an advantage over others. He had an accurate measure of the participants. Aside from the troublesome three: Heaven’s Army, Eye of the Sky, and the Divine Servants, the others would be less of a risk.
The betting houses would be open throughout the night. He would visit them a bit later, under the disguise, of course. But first, he needed to try his luck somewhere else.
He slipped away from the hall in the evening, disappearing into the shadows. The evening wind refreshed him as he made his way to the spot, with his heartbeat accelerating with each step. The journey was short in distance, long in time, for he experienced each second pass.
Shadows had turned into dark patches by the time he reached the spot. He had expected the spot to be devoid of any presence, yet when his expectations were met, he felt disappointed. Bad as it felt, he couldn’t complain or blame anyone. He forgot.
Exhaling deeply, he turned. Even the weight of his shoulders was hard to carry. He took a step when his heart stirred. Someone came. Was it her? He stood straight, hope twinkling in his eyes, looking at the person appearing. It wasn’t her.
His smile faltered while eyes opened in shock. He had been searching for her. And here she was. Not Althea. She was...
"Hello, son."
