It cost me forty gurans, which was more than I expected, but the youth in charge drove quite a hard bargain. Having said that, there's no denying he's organised things well. Children dart in and out of the huge crowd, armed with an assortment of yams, apples, cabbages and tomatoes, continually pelting the Samsarinan Sorcerers. The Sorcerers find themselves in an awkward position. They can't blast Samsarinan children with lethal spells. Even warding them off is difficult, given that there are people everywhere, and any spell directed at the children is bound to hit members of the crowd too. #101 | | |
"Now the fight will be fair," I say. #102 | | |
"To hell with that," mutters Lisutaris. She opens her palm, whispers a word, and discretely sends a spell into the arena. Bhuralin's shield drops out of position. Makri is on him in a flash. As her sword connects with his neck he crashes to the ground and his helmet flies off. Makri stands over him with her sword point at his throat. #103 | | |
"Lethal Stroke," says the Marshal. #104 | | |
"Never tell Makri I did that," says Lisutaris. #105 | | |
By now there is a scene of incredible chaos all around. Children are screaming and laughing as they run through the crowd, still throwing fruit. Sorcerers are yelling and running after them. Stewards pursue them all, with little success, as the children dart through tiny gaps where they can't be followed. Seeing their ragged little bodies go, and examining the mayhem they've wrought, I'm satisfied that my forty guran bribe was money well-spent. Lisutaris and I stroll into the arena to escort Makri from the field. #106 | | |
"What's going on?" demands Makri. #107 | | |
"Thraxas set a gang on children on the Sorcerers." #108 | | |
"I kept getting knocked around," says Makri. #109 | | |
"There was a lot of sorcery coming in your direction," explains Lisutaris. "I couldn't deflect it all." #110 | | |
"I took several mighty blows in your defence," I say. "But you're welcome. You don't have to thank me." #111 | | |
"Did I win the fight fairly?" asks Makri. #112 | | |
"Of course," replies Lisutaris, who, I have noticed, is a very smooth liar, when not addled by thazis. "Once the Sorcerers were out the picture I let things take their course." #113 | | |
"I will report this outrage to the King!" screams a voice in my ear. It's Lasat Axe of Gold. With his face sporting several bruises, and the remains of four or five rotten tomatoes still clinging to his rainbow cloak, he's not looking very impressive. #114 | | |
"What outrage?" I ask. #115 | | |
"These infernal children!" #116 | | |
I laugh, good-naturedly. "I did notice the little scamps running around. Children will have their fun." #117 | | |
"They pelted me with fruit and vegetables!" #118 | | |
"And me!" cries Charius, arriving in an even worse state than Lasat. "It's an intolerable affront!" #119 | | |
"They never came near me," says Lisutaris. #120 | | |
"Of course not," I say. "You're Head of the Guild. They respect you." #121 | | |
"I know you were behind this!" yells Lasat. #122 | | |
"I know nothing about it," says Lisutaris, calmly. #123 | | |
"I intend to give a full report to the King." #124 | | |
"Report what?" I ask. "That the children interfered with your illegal attempt to sabotage Makri?" #125 | | |
Several more fruit-splattered Samsarina Sorcerers arrive, none of them looking happy. Things are threatening to get out of hand when Baron Mabados strides into our midst. #126 | | |
"Silence!" he roars. "As Baron responsible for this tournament, I'm not happy about these events. And neither is the King." The Baron looks at both Lisutaris and Lasat. "The King has called a meeting, to be held before the final." #127 | | |
"I shall be happy to attend," says Lasat. "There is much the King needs to know about our Turanian visitors." #128 | | |
Lasat turns on his heel and walks off with as much dignity as he can muster, given the amount of fruit and vegetables still clinging to his apparel. I leave the field with Makri and Lisutaris. #129 | | |
"Well, this is it," says Lisutaris. "Lasat is going to tell the King we've lost Arichdamis's plans. He's just been waiting for a good opportunity to announce it." #130 | | |
"If he does, just deny it," suggests Makri. #131 | | |
"How can I, if he produces them? I'm going to be completely discredited." #132 | | |
"Cheer up," I say. "We've coped with worse. And we've just won another 10,000 gurans. Didn't I tell you I was the finest gambler in Turai?" #133 | | |
Makri laughs. "It was funny seeing Lasat covered in fruit." Lisutaris laughs too, and so do I. It was funny, and it's generally agreed that as plans go, mine was particularly effective. #134 | | |
"But we won't get away with that again," says Lisutaris. "The final is going to be tough." #135 | | |
