System Break

The ambassador quietened the crowd as they cheered for quality whorehouses. 

"Next we have our second-place guild. The famous Reds led by their beautiful guild leader Ismei or as her members call her the Red Queen."

The Reds guild leader stomped onto the stage and her anger was on display for all to see. Her eyes bore into the ambassador and she threw a glare at the duke.

"The prize for the Reds is quite a surprise. They are being offered a guild hall in the capital and unfortunately the Chancellor has left because of an urgent matter. The details are shrouded in mystery, but it is a great opportunity for them."

The Red Queen's attitude flipped like a coin. Her glares turned into smiles.

"We accept," she said sweetly. "Thank you so much Chancellor." She gave a wave to an imaginary Chancellor. "The capital will suit us much more than a," she turned and gave the old duke scornful glance, "Wilderness outpost."

The ambassador nodded. "We take pride in our Dawnharbour, but it would be disingenuous to deny that the capital has a lot to offer."

"And last before you all go down to the docks to get drunk and make merry we have our surprise guests and winners. The Forest!"

I was surprised how many of the guilds cheered. I looked at Gisael who shook her head and indicated that I should go up on the stage. She had fought led most of the battles, but I understood this is something she'd prefer that I'd do.

I didn't bother with the stairs and jumped up onto the stage directly. The ambassador was surprised at first and it didn't help that I towered over him and was twice as broad.

The ambassador looked at me expectantly and I realised he wanted me to say something. I placed my hands on my helmet and willed it free, then I pulled it from my head and as I lifted it I shouted, "Stay away from my trees or you'll where one of these."

The adventurers were stunned for a second and then broke out in laughter. I grinned at them and pointed to the blood stain. I turned and to see the guild leader's and the duke's eyes on me. They all smiled except the Red Queen who was scowling. 

The ambassador was about to speak again when I heard the Red Queen mutter, "Monster." I wasn't angry, I agreed with her. I was a monster. But her attitude and bitterness irked me. It was deserving of some instant karma.

I stood next to her and lifted my helmet with one hand and her wrist with the other. She struggled against me, but it was like a kitten fighting a bull. She wiggled her hand in my grasp to no effect.

The adventurers roared and cheered. I wasn't sure if it was from action or the look on her face. The young duke clapped and seemed to enjoy a bit of a show. His wife smiled shyly and looked away while the old duke stared impassively.

The Red Queen pulled her hand down with all her might. I laughed and lifted her off the ground which must have reminded her of her death a few hours earlier because she shivered. I let her twist in the wind for a few a while before I relented, released her wrist and let her drop to her feet.

She was dressed in tight red leathers; she must have owned two sets because her first was ripped to shreds earlier in the day. Her mask dropped for a second and fear flashed across her face. I don't know where she hid it, but a stiletto appeared in her hand.

I knew the long thing dagger could be dangerous in the right hands; a punctured lung, liver or kidney was no joking matter. But I laughed anyway.

"Touch me again," she threatened.

I grinned. "You wish." I had to use all my willpower to stop myself smacking her plump ass. She fiddled with her stiletto unconsciously and looked up at me. It was rare for our eyes to meet because she was usually mouthing off or strutting around. In her eyes I could feel her intense shame, fear and the hatred which was borne from them. But there was also a glint of desire.

"You really do," I said and laughed. I looked out to the crowd and didn't see the slight red flush to her cheeks.

The ambassador waited for the crowd of adventurers to die down and ignored the weapon in her hand. "The Forest's prize as you know is a guild hall in the north in the outpost belonging to Duke of Salastria known as The Reach. It is apt match because they're from the north of the island."

"Now it is time to celebrate or commiserate all your hard work and results."

The ambassador released all the guilds and they filed out in a disorderly fashion. The crowd thinned and that's when I noticed him. He was tall, dressed differently to everyone in the place and deep blue. Where Barrin was dark blue almost black this fellow was more of a dark navy blue. And the fact his skin was scaley and head was shaped more like a hammerhead shark than a human made it very unlikely to think they were the same race.

I tapped the Ambassador. "Who's that?" I interrupted him giving instructions to the guild leaders. 

"One moment," he said. When he was done he turned to me and looked up at me with apprehension. I had, after all, threatened to rip his head off only a couple of hours ago. I gave him a disarming smile. 

"You and your companions, Gisael, Sakaala and the Dokkalfar. Will follow me into the foyer to gather before dinner." He smiled. "I have your three seats."

I patted him on the back and he nearly fell over. "Good work Larry."

"Larkin," he said.

"Who's the strange looking guy?"

He didn't have to look. "A Qizhu scholar. You can talk with him in the foyer if you wish he is also a guest."

I nodded and summoned the girls with a hand. Barrin must have been invited under his own banner, he was one of the leaders of the Dokkalfar Stronghold after all and theoretically equal in rank to the Duke.

We followed the ambassador out a different door and down a corridor. 

The ambassador stopped at a large arched doorway. "This room is called the Duchesses Parlour. It is meant for polite conversation before an important meeting or meal. Please drink and relax the staff will call you when it's time for dinner and you can follow them."

"You're not joining us Larry?"

He frowned slightly. "Sacrifices had to be made to make spare seats for guests."

I felt a pair of eyes on me. It was probably normal for people to stare at me, but this was different. I turned and saw nothing unusual except for the bluecloaks, but neither of them was staring daggers at me. I was about to approach them and thank the woman who I suspected was the healer. She was breathtakingly beautiful, but I was becoming numb to that because I was drowning in beauties these days.

I didn't approach her because the Qizhu scholar entered the room. "Bye Larry," I said and waved at the Qizhu.

The scholar obliged and approached us. "Ever met a Qizhu Gisael?"

She shook her head and considered him.