[Other Original] [M] The 22

"My father, how are you feeling this day?" The man's daughter sat at his bedside. She held her hand against his wrinkle-less face. There was warmth, but nothing to be alarmed at. She looked into his light blue eyes, peering past the visage of youth that was his exterior and looking deeper into his mind to gauge his true feelings.

The man smiled at his daughter and brushed his hand against her cheek. "I have been better my dear. These past hundred years have been harder on me as the feather's light wanes. Unfortunately, the phoenix has not reached out to me since our first encounter. It seems that she has lost whatever interest she once held in me."

Alessa frowned. "Don't think such things. Surely she must just be busy in her own dominion or some other such thing. She is a goddess, she most likely has many other mortals to watch over."

The man chuckled lightly. "Don't worry Alessa. There are still many things left that we can do even without her help. However, I doubt the common knight could survive the journey that such a thing necessitates..."

"Don't worry father. Even if you have to send one-hundred knights out, I will go with them and return successful. Have faith in your own daughter. Remember, you and Jorman have both taught me swordsmanship since I was young, and recently I've even become able to best you in battle!"

"Yes, I know my girl. But you must not be naive. Even if you are capable of besting both me and the general in one-on-one combat, the real world does not play so fair. In war there is no honor. Only the living and the dead. And those that live will do whatever it takes to continue on doing so. Regardless of whatever consequences or shame it may bring upon them."

The girl leaned back and laughed. "I am sorry, but if you do have so little faith in me then perhaps we should have a real battle once you get well again? I'll even take on you and Jorman at the same time."

The man sighed and shook his head. "It's that kind of attitude that is the exact reason for my worry. If you always hold your head so far up in the stars then one day someone with real skill will simply walk by and take it off for you. You have much to learn... but know that I am not completely against the thought of you going off on this expedition. Though I do stand by my decision of not allowing you to go alone. Hmm. Yes, perhaps... Alessa, would you go and get Markus? I must seek his advice on this thought."

Alessa cocked her head to the side and looked to her father quizatively. "What is your thought father? Perhaps I could help you without bothering my teacher?"

The man rose up from his laying position and stroked the stubble on his chin. "Perhaps what would be best, is to host a competition. A tournament of sorts, to decide on the members for an expeditionary force strong enough to fend off most of the troubles you might stumble upon. Yes, yes a tournament should be perfect for this. We will put all of our knights in as participants with promise of promotion, and then allow any travelers or townspeople to join in and participate as well. Then whoever I find strong enough to hold their own against the champions which I will select shall be named members of this force."

"But father, if it is your life at stake then why not simply ask whoever signs up for the tournament to join in the ranks of the force? Of course the majority of them might die within the first month, but what good is it to waste our time weeding out the weak when we could already be off on our journey and train them in our spare time along the way?"

The man smiled and locked his gaze in with his daughter's. "Alessa... are you so afraid that you won't be able to hold your own against a common villager that you would sooner see them all perish before the might of a dragon? Your sword and armor will protect you from their mighty spells, but what of the commoners who cannot afford such luxuries? What if the only thing to hold them back from surpassing you is their lack of access to Sen Dyrian's armory? Such is the reason for this tournament. All participants will be equipped with training equipment of equal caliber so as to even the battlefield as much as possible. Which means you won't be able to rely on my relics to carry you through battle, but instead you'll find yourself having to rely on your own abilities for a start. But if you are really so worried that you will fail... I will not force you to join."

Alessa shot up out of her chair, knocking it back as she rose. She glared at the king and furrowed her brow. "I will lose to no one. I will join the tournament and play by your rules. And then when I win every battle without a single bead of sweat on my forehead I will force you to acknowledge me father. Until then, I will be borrowing a set of training gear from your all-mighty armory and set to training myself to my limit. I will force you to see..." the girl kicked the chair, sending it crashing against the wall as she stormed out of the room in disgust. She could not believe the words which her father had been speaking about her. She would show him. She would make him recognize her.

As his daughter stormed out of his room, Sen Dyrian moved to get out of bed. He dangled his legs over the side of the mattress and stifled a laugh. "Still just a child I suppose," he whispered as he thought over the recent conversation he'd had with his daughter. He stood up off of the bed and shuffled over to his wardrobe. He pulled out of it a rather plain-looking robe. It was a dirty gray color and lacked anything that might give off the sense that it belonged to royalty. It was however, the king's most favorite robe and he wore it often when there were to be no visitors. It fell to just slightly above his knees, and was flared open at the chest to show off the radiant feather embedded into his chest.

Sen Dyrian picked up the chair which Alessa had knocked over and put it back in it's place next to his bed. He leaned on it and twisted from side to side popping his back. He straightened back out and let out a deep yawn as a knocking came from the door to his room.

"Who is it?"

"Markus. Alessa told me you wished to see me about promoting a tournament I hear?" A honey-sweet voice came from behind the door.

"Yes, come on in Markus. I believe we've much to discuss before we really get on with the planning of the event."

An elderly man accompanied a young girl down the bustling street. Everyone in the kingdom had come out for this day. The tournament was being held on a massive stage that covered one entrance to the kingdom's underground cemetery. Such a thing had never been thought to be held before. Small matches were held behind kingdom walls for advancing ranks, and every so often Sen Dyrian would put on a show of strength and have his ten best duke it out. But this was completely different altogether.

Any willing and able-bodied persons were being allowed to register. And the prize for first place was said to be some artifact from the King's personal armory. Every knight in the kingdom was said to be participating as well, and any man or woman who proved themselves capable and advanced far enough into the competition would also be given the opportunity to join their ranks if they so desired.

But these two who slid between the crowds and moved steadily forward had their minds set on only one thing. This king's treasure that was to be the winner's reward. For it to be from the king's personal armory it would truly have to be something to behold. And the young girl's desire to see it was all-encompassing. As her desire had always been, ever since she was young. And the elderly gentleman only wished to see her out of trouble.

The two had met at the city limits by chance and found that they both shared a peculiar power. It was not apparent to them at first, but as they walked together towards the same destination their secrets were unveiled.

"Why are you still following me old man? I can take care of myself as I have been for the past twelve years. I don't need you to protect so go on back to wherever it is you're from." The girl's voice was soft, but lacked the sweetness that you would expect from someone of her age and size.

"I told you. You shouldn't attempt to enter the king's vault alone. It is home to many more magical relics and weapons than you could ever imagine. I doubt there's a place with a larger collection in existence and it's sure to be guarded by at least one, if not more... It would be wise to turn back now while you still have your life."

"Leave me alone. I've got this under control." The girl turned her head to look at the stalker trailing closely behind her. "I guess I'll just have to lose you then if you won't leave me."

The girl started to run before she had turned her head back. She had only taken four steps forward when she ran in to someone causing them both to fall to the ground. The girl rolled over and pushed herself back up to her feet, not even taking a moment to check that whoever she had collided with was unharmed.

"Watch where you're going dumbass." She shouted over her shoulder as she turned to sprint down a back alley.

The hooded figure turned its head slightly towards the sound of the girl's voice and then started to rise to its feet. The old man reached out his hand to the figure and helped them to their feet. He let out a sigh and then looked over to the alley that the girl had turned down.

"I'm very sorry about that. I'm afraid I've lost her," he turned his head back and faced the person in front of him. "Are you alright?" He craned his head to look under the hood, but the figure turned its face away. "If you're injured I believe I could help. Are you sure you're alright?"

The figure shook its head and then waved the man off. He sighed once more and then nodded his head. He couldn't let the girl get too far, but he really didn't feel right just leaving the person she'd knocked down alone. He glanced around quickly and bit his lip. He bowed his head and shook it from side-to-side before walking away. Nobody had been paying attention to what had happened. It would only be more lost time if he attempted to ask one of them for help. Besides, they had already told him to leave. He would hang his head in shame for a moment, but at least he could save the girl from dying.

The hooded figure knocked on a door close to where they'd been knocked over. They'd nearly reached their destination before they were caught off guard. An man's voice was yelling something inaudible from within and then the sound of something crashing against the floor followed quickly. A quick shuffle of the feet and then the door was pulled open.

"Welcome to Elenora and Dirk's glass wares happy to -" The girl who had answered the door was staring down at the shards of glass in her shoe as she had opened it to the customer. As she spoke however her eyes moved slowly upwards until they were met with the tender violet of her best friend's. A smile stretched across her face as she grabbed the figure by the arm and pulled them in. "Alessa! I'm so glad you came! But shouldn't you be getting ready for the tournament?"

Alessa pulled her hood down and smiled at her friend. "I've already prepared. My equipment is prepared and polished. The only thing missing now is you. Won't you please rethink my offer? I know how good you are with magic and we could really use a good mage! Also I don't think I'd rather have anyone else protecting me than you Ele."

Elenora bent down and picked the few shards of glass from her shoe and shook her head. "Sorry Alessa. I just don't really think I'm cut out for it. I can only make a few balls of fire at a time. I'm not a professional. And besides, my father needs me here to help with the glass blowing. You know how time-consuming it can be. And ever since mom died it's only just been getting harder and harder. Being one of the only two fire mages in the kingdom not already employed into the royal guard..."

"Yes! Exactly!" Alessa interjected. "It's because of that! That's why you have to at least try!"

"I can't afford to Alessa. I'm sorry. I know we've been friends since we were kids... but I can't just leave my dad by himself."

Alessa scratched the back of her head and sighed. "Well, I understand. But I'm also sorry. I already signed you up and promised my father that you'd be there Ele. So if you don't go then he'll only treat me like that much more of a child. You understand right? I need you to do this. I've been telling him for months how much better you are at fire magic than that bum we've got living there now. And besides, if you place in the top twenty two then you're able to become a ranked knight and your family will be taken care of for the next few hundred years! My father promised that to all the participants and even put it up on the flyers that've been up. You know he always keeps his word."

Elenora looked to Alessa and then at the floor. She started to bite on her nail as she thought. "But what good will it do if I don't even make it past the first round? What good is magic against swords and bows? All I'll do is make everyone else stronger and able to beat me easier. I'll be the laughing stock of the whole kingdom by day's end."

Alessa put her hands on Elenora's shoulders and bent down slightly to meet her eyes. "You don't know that though! If you don't even try you'll be laughed at even more! Almost every in the city is already signed up. Even our current fire mage and like I said, you're so much better at magic than he is and he's nearly forty years your senior! Even if you don't make it all the way, you'll at least be recognized as being better than he is and then you'll be able to take his position. Sure you won't be compensated for the next few hundred years, but at least your dad won't ever have to work again! Just think about! Please? Do it for me? Don't make me beg Ele."

"Fine, fine I'll do it. Just, don't demean yourself like that. Please. You are my friend, but you're still royalty. And if another customer or my father came in and saw you begging or anything like that then who knows what would happen?"

"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" Alessa jumped up and wrapped her arms tightly around her friend. "I promise you'll be fine. Just make sure that you're there before the tournament starts! You're a magic user, but you still need to have the gear to protect yourself from everyone else who isn't magical."

The princess released her friend and took a step back. She pulled the hood back over her head and pulled the door open slightly. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were spread wide into a smile that nearly connected to each. She gave a slight nod to her friend as she slipped out the door, pulling it closed behind her. She started down the street, back in the direction she had come. She had done what she had come for and she couldn't be happier.

But at the same time Elenora shook her head in disbelief. She had just agreed to take on the majority of the kingdom in a tournament just because her friend asked her to. Things like this happened much too often. Ever since they were kids there was always something. Alessa always enjoyed playing pranks together when they were younger. As they grew older, the princess grew tired of pranks; however that didn't stop her from pulling Ele into things like sneaking out of her father's workshop to eavesdrop on Alessa's magic lessons.

Elenora chuckled slightly and then turned to go rejoin her father when another knock came at the door. She opened it slightly and was greeted by the shadow of a rather tall man with a balding head. His body was covered in an assortment of furs, skins and hides of slain beast ranging from fox to young dragon. His hands were covered in a brilliant silver and chains were wrapped all the way up his bulging forearms. His voice was deep and gruff, but he didn't seem to be or have any violent intentions. Simply a question.

" 'Scuse me miss. D' y'know the way t' the place the're holdin' the tourn'ment at?"

As the young fire mage gathered her things and readied to escort the stranger to the battlegrounds, on the other side of the city there was another woman who had just finished finding someone to escort. At times she was hired muscle, and at others a hired hand. Her clothes were sparing but her talent was undeniable. A man came out of the alley behind her and dropped a few coins on the ground as he left. The woman pulled her hair to the side and then kneeled down to scrape up the rest of the day's pay.

"Well, it'll buy something to eat while we watch the tournament I suppose..."

The woman tucked the coins into a pouch at her waist and made off down the street. She walked a few districts down and then turned into another back alleyway. A group of children jumped out in front of her blocking the path in front and behind of her. A young boy stepped out from the group and smirked.

"Well well Aaliyah." His voice cracked as he said her name. "Looks like you've been busy. Still got some on your shirt there. Here, let me get that for you." The boy reached out with his left hand and then whipped around a metal pole with his right. He caught Aaliyah across the face, knocking loose one of her teeth as the pole connected. "It's been a while since you've been brave enough to come down this way. You know, you still owe us from the past three times. Counting this one and then all of the interest, I'd say you're sitting right about seven dro. The gang's been unable to eat for a few days now. It sure would be a shame if it turned out you didn't have all my money." The boy tapped the pole against the ground and then twirled it around so that it pointed straight to the woman's face.

"Look Mip, I'm sorry. I don't have your money but please don't do this today. I have to go home and get my son. I worked overtime so that I'd have enough to buy him something at the tournament. Please, it's all I have on me." Aaliyah took a step back and eyed the other children. Mip seemed to be the only one who was armed; the others were only there to block her way and weigh her down should she try to escape.

"That so? Empty it out. Let me see just how much you have. Perhaps we can work something out? See, we wouldn't mind going to that tournament ourselves. Seems it's all that anyone's talking about lately. Heh, maybe one of us could even win the thing. Or maybe you could win it and split the money with us huh? Then we wouldn't always have to meet like this." Mip held his arms out in a friendly gesture, but then burst in to laughter. "Right right. Don't even have to say anything. That was just too stupid. Oh man, I'm too much for myself even."

"Look, Mip. I just want to go home. Give me today and I'll be back tomorrow with your money. I'll work double overtime okay? Just please?"

The boy looked to the others in his group. A few shrugged, others shook their head and then a couple thought to let her go another day. Mip turned his head back to face Aaliyah and then bobbed his head. "Well. Guess it's been decided then." The boy unclenched his fist and the let the pole slide through to touch the ground before grabbing the tail end of it. "Guess I'll just have to enter that tournament." Mip swung the pole upwards, catching Aaliyah under the chin. The damage wasn't very severe, but it had knocked the woman off-balance. She fell to the ground and then the boy stood over and pressed the pole against her chest. "Sad world we live in isn't it? Grown woman can't even protect herself from a single kid. I don't know how you get any other kind of work. All you're good for's- "

"Hey you alright over there?" An old man peered down into the alleyway.

"Mind you own damn business old man, " Mip called back.

The old man shook his head and then started down the alleyway. "See, I thought that maybe that was the girl that I was looking for. But I guess not. She did come running down this way, but I guess she must have turned down the next alley instead. But now that I've seen what's going on over here I can't exactly just leave. Wouldn't be very gentlemanly of me now would it? Can't just leave a lady in distress like this." The man reached his hand out to Aaliyah and lifted her up off the ground.

"Look old man, this doesn't concern you. Get lost before you get hurt." Mip directed the pole to the old man's face and as he did so the rest of his gang got low to the ground and readied themselves to pounce.

"Kid, you're about thirty years too young to be challenging me to a fight. Learn some respect and leave this young lady alone."

"That's it. You asked for it mister."

Mip pulled the pole back and gripped it with both of his hands. Using all of the strength that he could muster he swung it at the old man's knee.

"Well I suppose it's a start, but I prefer to go by Odal."

The man reached his hand out and pressed the tip of his finger against the boy's forehead. As the finger touched the child, his body tensed up and the pole flew from his hands and back out of the alley. Odal took a step back and then slowly pointed his finger towards the sky. As the finger rose, so too did the child. His body remained frozen, but his eyes darted rapidly from side to side. His breathing turned to quick, panicked huffs as his body rose up off of the ground and past the tops of the surrounding buildings.

The boy's pants became wet and a puddle of urine formed on the ground below him. The other children of his group eyed the puddle, pointing at it and responding with a variation of laughs and ewws. The group slowly disbanded as their once fearless leader rose higher and higher into the sky. The old man had barely even touched him, but he had rendered the child completely powerless. Their game was over for the day.

Mip continued to rise higher into the sky until Aaliyah could only just barely see the outline of his body. At this point Odal closed his fist and turned back towards the woman.

"So sorry about that. And just so you know, he's not just going to float there forever. Eventually he will start to slowly descend, but it shouldn't be for a few more hours. If he were a few more years older I might think to really punish him for what he's done. But for a child his age, I believe this was more effective. So now that that's all done and dealt with, are you going to be alright?"

Aaliyah was speechless. All she could respond with was a slight nod of her head. The man smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

"Good to hear it. Now a question for you; have you seen a girl running around here? I'm sure I've lost her by now, but really I can't have. It would be completely unacceptable. See, she's a priestess and I'm kind of her bodyguard I guess. We're supposed to be entering the tournament later, but she's still a bit of a child and hates to do anything really related to responsibility or work. She has her hair cut short and pulled up into a ponytail at the moment, and she's likely wearing the robes of our- "

"Odal! There you are you silly old man!" A young girl took a few steps backwards as she had nearly ran past the alleyway that they were in. She turned down it and jogged lightly over to the old man. "I've been running all over looking for you! You really have to come see this. There's all sorts of neat little shops around here! There's this bakery a few buildings down that's just about to finish up a batch of fresh rolls and they smell so good! They gave me a taste of some of their product from yesterday, and it was still so delicious! They said they were just going to throw it out and I couldn't believe it! Odal? What are you doing? Hurry up! We have to go get the bread before someone else does!"

"Alright Sailla alright. We'll go get the bread, but after that it's straight to register for the tournament alright? We really have to get that taken care of or else they might not let us in. Then what would the mother think?"

The girl jumped slightly off of the ground and then ran off back down the alleyway. "Who cares what the mother thinks! There's bread! And it's not like anyone could really but either of us in a serious battle anyways! We're a shoe-in for this competition so hurry up!"

Odal shook his head and rubbed his temples. "Now you see what I mean. How did I end up here? She really is just too much for an old man like me. Well, I suppose I'll be seeing you at the tournament then?" He looked up and then placed his hand firmly on the woman's shoulder. "Anyways, I really should get going. You take care of yourself and don't hang around here too much longer."

Odal turned his back on the woman and went back out of the alleyway. Aaliyah stood frozen for a few more moments, making sure that he wouldn't return before she finally fell to the ground. There were really scary people in this world. She was truly thankful that she hadn't taken the chance and decided to sign up for the tournament. She sat there for several more minutes to collect herself. She looked up to the sky at where Mip was; his outline had grown slightly more defined, but he wouldn't be landing any time soon.

Aaliyah rose to her feet and then continued on her way down the alley. Her house was only another hundred or so steps, but she still had to think of a way to explain her tardiness to her son without making him upset. With all that had happened in that short time she had almost forgotten that she lost her tooth. She doubled back and picked it up off of the ground. It wasn't a clean break, but she could work with it. That was after all one of the few things that she could actually do with her powers.