Infinite Lives

Bryan sat in his throne, leaning back while Fredrich spoke.

“I prepared reports for the previous council members, but thought I’d let you know first.”

Fredrich coughed to clear his throat, then continued.

“Obviously we had zero casualties, the coalition made a full retreat, and the work you ordered to fill in the holes has begun.”

Not much useful there…

“Anything else?” Bryan asked.

Fredrich nodded as he responded, “It has only been a week, but the former coalition has begun sending formal apologies and gifts.” He took a brief pause, then spoke again,

“In short, they have formally recognised Silvergate as an independent state ruled by you”

Useful going forward.

Bryan nodded then spoke, “Have they reopened their borders to trade?”

Fredrich smiled and replied, “Yes, Sire. They have, with the increased trade from the ports; this should be very good for us.”

“Any difficulty negotiating the trade agreements?” asked Bryan.

“No, Sire. It has gone very smoothly”

Good, post-war they are more amenable.

Bryan stood up then spoke, “Well, if there is nothing more, I will check some things then go to my room.”

After he said this, Clara bowed and hurried out of the room.

Odd…

Fredrich bowed as Bryan passed; he made his way out of the room, towards the library.

He peered in to see several people looking through books and taking notes.

Good, that is progressing nicely.

Why is there a female demon, asleep, surrounded by books… odd, but reading is harmless.

Walking down a corridor until he reached a large window with a balcony, He opened it and stepped out.

Looking out below was the palace courtyard and the noble district.

Enhance senses.

Focusing closely, Bryan could make out people practising spells in the arena.

No reports of many accidents, and they look like they have good form.

Bryan stretched and cracked his back and shoulders.

Turning around, he headed towards his room.

Once there, he saw a panting Clara waiting with an ale on a serving tray.

Tilting his head, Bryan took the ale, but before he could speak, she did.

“Sire, I have instructed others to fill a bath for you.” After speaking, she had a big smile on her face.

Efficient…

Bryan thanked her.

She bowed before speaking, “Sire, anything for our saviour.”

Bryan entered his room and sat at his desk sipping on the ale.

***

Bryan sat up and shuffled to the edge of the bed.

Tournament tomorrow. Hopefully something else requiring my attention occurs.

He stood and put on his underwear before hearing a knock at the door.

“Sire, are you awake?” Clara asked.

“Yes, just getting ready,” he replied. Before he had finished speaking, she walked in with a smile, placed a glass of milk on the desk, bowed, and left the room.

Fair enough.

Bryan finished dressing in his armour, drank the milk, and made his way to the throne room.

Once he entered, Fredrich bowed, while Bryan took his seat on the throne.

“So what reports do you have?” Bryan asked.

Fredrich shuffled the papers in his hands, then spoke,

“First thing is the tournament is tomorrow. I implore you to attend, Sire; the people want you there,” Fredrich said.

I don’t see how me going changes anything.

“If the tournament is to improve morale and improve productivity, then how does me attending help that?” Bryan said while tilting his head at Fredrich.

Fredrich paused and thought a moment, then replied,

"Sire, the tournament is for the people. If they see their king taking an interest in it, they'll feel their efforts are recognised. That alone will raise morale." Fredrich pleaded.

Makes no sense, but he has been useful…

“Ok, Fine. I will attend. What other information is there?” Bryan said after sighing.

“The noble district is improving as nobles from other areas are moving to the city and purchasing the homes that were abandoned,” Fredrich said before turning to another page.

“The negotiations with the neighbouring kingdoms have gone smoothly, so trade has increased dramatically, and food costs have gone down as a result,” Fredrich said.

Good, that aids with efficiency.

Fredrich turned to another page, then spoke,

“I have a report from Lord Kaelor; one of his trainees has completed his course. So we have our first graduate and new battle-ready mage.”

It proves the concept. Now to determine whether it is repeatable.

Bryan nodded at him to continue.

“Because the war ended and our prosperity increased, refugees from other kingdoms have begun arriving seeking a better life. They are setting up tents outside the walls; we will need to figure out how to house them.”

Will require expanding a wall and months of construction… a problem for later.

“Ok, we will consider that later as it’s a long-term issue,” Bryan responded.

Fredrich nodded and spoke, “That is all for the reports currently, Sire. Next, meetings to give orders and your normal duties.”

Bryan gestured to Clara, who brought over an ale for him.

After many hours of meetings, Bryan was done with them and about to leave the room.

Well, efficiency is improving and not much happened today…

When a cloaked man entered, he walked up to the throne, bowed, then spoke,

“Sire, slight increase in crime outside the walls due to the refugees, but in the city it has decreased since your awesome display of blowing up an army,” the hooded man said with a smile.

Bryan nodded at him and thanked him.

Fredrich squinted at Bryan before speaking, “Sire, do you still need to use these criminals?”

Bryan tilted his head, then spoke, “They are still the most efficient way to collect information the guards can’t…and who better to understand how criminals work than former ones?”

Fredrich sighed and thought for a moment, “It is hard to argue with that, as much as I want to.”

“Well, I will go and do some hunting before I turn in for the night,” Bryan stated while standing.

***

Bryan awoke in his bed, shuffled to the edge, stood and put on his underwear.

A knock came at the door, followed by Clara entering, placing a glass of milk on the desk, then leaving again.

This is an efficient system.

Bryan put on his armour, drank his milk and opened the door to leave.

Stepping into the hallway, Bryan saw eight royal guards in gold-trimmed armour.

Well, that’s new.

As he walked down the corridor, the guards walked in formation, four in front, four behind.

Bryan walked down the stairs and entered the hall leading to the throne room.

Waiting for him was Fredrich in much more extravagant clothes than normal and Gregory in full ceremonial robes with his large staff.

Odd, why is he dressed differently?

“Sire, glad you are here. Then we are ready to start the procession to the arena,” Fredrich said with a restrained smile.

Bryan tilted his head at Fredrich before speaking, “Procession?”

“Yes, Sire. We are walking there escorted by royal guards, music and other important people,” Fredrich stated.

Bryan sighed, then responded, “That sounds excessively needless”

Fredrich shook his head, then spoke, “No, Sire. This isn’t what you’d call pointless tradition.”

He took a brief pause before continuing, "This is for the people. Seeing their king arrive like this and attend the tournament with them is the point."

It would be much quicker if I walked alone.

Bryan frowned at him, but before he could speak, Fredrich spoke again,

“This will help humanise you, and that will raise morale” Fredrich then bowed.

This doesn’t track logically, but Fredrich is usually right about this kind of thing.

Bryan sighed then responded, “Ok, lead the way”

The group then formed up with Bryan, Gregory and Fredrich in the centre.

While walking, Gregory spoke to Bryan,

“Thank you, your majesty, for inviting me. I had feared you may have held our first meeting against me. I was only following church orders, you understand.”

Fredrich invited you… Which priest is he again?

One of the singing ones perhaps?... Not relevant.

Bryan gave Gregory a polite nod; they then stepped out of the palace to the sound of horns and stringed instruments.

Once in the palace courtyard, the members of the council joined Bryan, Fredrich and Gregory.

The fifty royal guards waiting outside fell into formation, half in front and half behind them as they walked slowly into the Noble District.

This is such a waste of time and resources.

Yarek, who was smiling widely, spoke to Bryan,

“This is amazing, can’t believe you went from an adventurer in the lower guild with me to this”

It’s logical he was there when I arrived… I only remember Reorn, though.

While they walked down the centre of the street, the path to the sides was full of commoners and nobles; the clapping and cheering mixing with the music.

“I’d imagine this is just another day for you now that you are king, but this is my best day since being promoted to lead the guild,” Yarek said while looking around, eyes wide.

The procession reached the courtyard that was full of trade carts and temporary stalls selling food and trinkets.

Well, this appears good for the economy.

As they got to the arena, crowds outside stood looking up at large blue floating planes of magic showing the inside of the arena.

Curious… I was not aware they had magical projection screens…

I will ask Kaelor about this.

They made their way past the crowds, and all but eight guards waited outside. Bryan and the other walked up to a large viewing box overlooking the battlefield.

Bryan looked around the stands at the crowds of people.

Hmm... roughly five thousand people, with perhaps twice as many outside.

Fredrich, Bryan and the others sat on seats and waited.

“I’ve not seen this many people in one place,” Yarek exclaimed.

“People from surrounding areas came for the event; we even have competitors from some far-off nations,” Fredrich replied.

Bryan looked at Kaelor and spoke, “Those screens; I was not aware the technology existed here?”

Kaelor smiled and replied, “The idea has been around a long time; it just took too much power to maintain”

Makes sense. Maintaining various moving projections would require a significant amount of Mana.

“I tested the orbs you gave me, and the Mana stored in them was plenty for this” Kaelor stated.

Bryan scratched his head, then spoke, “Wouldn’t they be better saved to bolster the city shield if needed?”

Kaelor paused a moment, then replied, “Possibly, but we are not at war, and Fredrich pointed out that doing this we are more likely to draw more visitors for celebrations.”

A trade-off… economy vs defence, reasonable.

They sat for a while with the crowd talking amongst themselves.

A lone man stepped onto the field holding a metal box to his throat.

“Welcome all, I am the master of ceremonies for today,” he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the arena.

After he spoke, the crowd fell mostly silent.

“Today's tournament is the first of its kind, featuring competitors from across the continent!” the man said before pausing a moment.

“The grand prize will be ten platinum! May the best fighter prevail!” The man said, throwing his hands in the air.

High enough to change someone’s life…

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause that echoed around the arena.

Once they settled down, the man continued,

“Our first match will be between Silvergate's own Keith and the travelling adventurer, Reorn!”

Expected outcome… Reorn should win.

As the two fighters stepped into the arena and took their positions, Bryan gestured to one of the servants in the viewing box.

A moment later, an ale was placed into his hand.

“Begin!” the man announced.

The fight began with a quick flurry of strikes, sparks flying as the blades connected.

Keith’s footwork is sloppy…

After a brief exchange, Reorn took advantage of an opening and swept Keith’s leg, knocking him to the ground.

Reorn stood over him, his blade pointed at Keith’s throat.

Cheers erupted in the crowd as the man spoke again,

“Reorn wins the opening match!”

Since the trade route opened, I wonder if monster activity has reduced…

I will ask Fredrich or Yarek later.

Match after match passed. Bryan's attention drifted between the fights and the problems still left to solve, while beside him Yarek somehow found enough enthusiasm to cheer even louder with each round.

"After many hard-fought matches, only four competitors remain," the announcer said, before taking a brief pause.

"It is time for the Semi-finals! First, representing Silvergate, the knight Erichus! His opponent... the Beastkin warrior Rharzar, who has yet to break a sweat in this tournament!" the announcer declared, prompting an uproar of cheers.

Yarek shuffled to the edge of his seat, eagerly watching.

Rharzar walked onto the field. Tall and heavily muscled, he looked closer to a lion than a man. A thick golden mane framed his face, while a long tail swayed lazily behind him. He wore plate armour over his chest, leaving his arms and legs unarmoured, and carried a massive sword in one hand.

Erichus entered from the opposite side, clad head to toe in polished plate armour, a shield in one hand and a sword in the other.

Might be an interesting fight.

The announcer shouted “Begin!” and immediately sparks flew from Erichus’s shield held above his head as the large sword from Rharzar glanced off it.

Strike after strike rained down, sending sparks and shards of metal from Erichus's shield across the arena. He could do little more than retreat behind it, each blow forcing him another step backwards.

Rharzar grasped the shield with his free hand, claws digging into the metal as he launched Erichus over his head and across the arena.

Erichus slammed into the ground and slid to a stop. He coughed, clutched his stomach, but quickly got to his feet, only to find Rharzar waiting inches away.

With a loud crunch, Rharzar punched him square in the chest, launching him twenty feet into the arena wall.

He appears to be holding back considerably.

The announcer stared in stunned silence for a moment before speaking.

“Rharzar has won again!”

Rharzar bowed his head to the box and returned to the area where the fighters waited.

A servant was handing out buns to those in the box; Bryan took one and took a bite.

Hmm, some kind of honey bun… It’s good.

“Sire, glad you tried one. I told them to bring us some as they are selling well for those attending,” Fredrich said with a smile before biting into his own.

Bryan thanked him and turned back to the arena.

Yarek spoke, “That Beastkin was awesome. I wonder who will face him in the finals!”

The announcer stepped forward again and spoke,

“We are ready for our second semi-final, Reorn the wandering adventurer against Valkier the arch mage”

Arch mage? Odd… Mages can often beat warriors.

The crowd’s cheers and clapping echoed across the arena.

Both of them got into position in the centre facing each other.

“Begin!” the announcer shouted.

Valkier started firing Fire Bolts at Reorn, who raised his shield to block them. The Fire Bolts exploded against the shield one after the other.

Using the cover of the smoke, Reorn dashed towards the mage. Once close enough, he swung hard, his sword glancing off a magical shield.

Valkier jumped back several feet and, using both hands, launched a lightning bolt at Reorn, who only just pulled his shield up in time.

Reorn hopped back from Valkier with speed, pulled an orb out of his pocket and attached it to the hilt of his sword.

Curious about the purpose of that orb…

Valkier began launching Fire Bolts from one hand and Rock Shots from the other as Reorn ran around the edge of the arena, explosions trailing behind him.

Once Reorn was about twenty feet away from Valkier, he mounted the wall and propelled himself up.

Valkier smiled as Reorn descended, clearly expecting his shield to stop the attack once again.

Reorn swung his blade down, and his blade cracked straight through the shield. In one smooth movement, Reorn uppercutted Valkier with his shield, knocking him out.

It allowed him to break the shield. Interesting.

The announcer stepped onto the field and spoke, “The winner, Reorn!”

The crowd was in an uproar of cheering.

Yarek shouted before turning to Bryan and speaking,

“That was amazing, wasn’t it!”

Bryan replied, “It was a well-executed fight, yes.”

Fredrich turned towards Bryan, then spoke, “See, Sire. It wasn’t a waste of time to attend”

Arguable… I could be doing something more useful.

Bryan nodded at him and was turned back to the arena by the announcer speaking again.

“Well, this has been an exciting tournament, hasn’t it?”

The crowd cheered in response.

“Well, like me, I bet you’re anxious to see our two finalists clash”

The announcer took a dramatic pause before speaking again,

“Rharzar the mighty! Against Reorn the tactical!”

Yarek spoke up, “Wait, does he just give people nicknames…I should have joined the tournament”

To get a nickname?... very irrational.

Reorn and Rharzar stood opposing each other.

“Are we ready for what is sure to be either a very quick fight or a hells of a show?” the announcer shouted.

The crowd reacted with raucous cheers.

“Begin!” the announcer shouted.

Reorn threw a pouch at the ground below him, and smoke plumed out, covering a large area.

A loud crash could be heard, and the ground shook; more small bangs and more smoke filled the arena.

Yarek exclaimed, “This sucks, I can’t see anything… we better not miss the good bits”

Enhance senses rank eight…

Hmm, Reorn is using the cover to manoeuvre and avoid direct attacks… it won’t last though.

“Reorn is avoiding crater-making strikes from Rharzar,” Bryan stated to Yarek.

Yarek squinted at the arena, then Bryan, before responding,

“You can actually see what is happening? But the smoke is so thick”

Bryan sighed, then spoke, “Yes, a spell… now shh please”

Yarek scratched his head, then grumbled, “No spell I’ve heard of”

More loud crashes one after the other, shaking the ground with each.

Even with cat-like senses, he still can't locate Reorn.

Two more loud crashes could be heard before a moment of silence.

He is trying to hear him… Reorn is moving in for a strike from behind.

The sword struck Rharzar’s back…. It did nothing…and he has hold of Reorn.

Rharzar could hear his position. He allowed the strike to land to trap him...

The smoke slowly cleared, and the arena could be seen.

Rharzar was holding Reorn off the ground with his legs flailing.

“Haha, that was a good trick, very clever. I’ll throw you over there, and we will see what else you have,” Rharzar said before throwing Reorn twenty feet away.

Reorn twisted in mid-air, landed on his feet, and skidded several metres before regaining his balance.

He then grabbed an orb from his bag and slotted it into his shield, and another into the hilt of his sword.

Interesting to see what they do.

Reorn then dashed towards Rharzar with inhuman speed, who then swung at him on the approach.

The sword bounced off a glinting magic shield projecting from the shield, Reorn thrust his sword, grazing Rharzar.

Rharzar swung an arm, pushing Reorn back several feet to avoid it; they both darted towards each other, swinging faster and faster.

Yarek said, “Damn, they are moving so fast… looks fun”

The exchange went on for a solid minute before Reorn had to dive away. He tried to catch his breath, but the large sword was coming from above.

Reorn raised his shield; the sword cracked the magic shield, and upon impact the shield shattered into pieces.

Interesting… Rharzar is clearly still holding back considerably.

Rharzar stood there watching for a moment as Reorn grasped his arm in pain.

“I’m sorry about that; I expected the shield to survive the hit.”

Rharzar then handed him a Health potion before speaking again.

“Our match is over, but you managed to graze my cheek… You should revel in that.” Rharzar said, patting Reorn on the back.

The announcer took a moment, then stepped out holding a purse.

He then spoke, “The winner of our tournament, Rharzar the mighty!”

Walking over, the announcer grasped onto Rharzar’s large bicep and raised his hand into the air; the crowd erupted into a huge wave of cheers and claps.

Eventually, once the crowd had calmed down, Rharzar stepped forward and spoke very loudly,

“You may give the prize to local healers, to help those who need it”

Shall see what his real reason for being here was… if not money.

He took a pause, then walked towards the box and bowed before talking again,

“The reason I attended was to use this opportunity to challenge King Bryan to face me”

Didn’t expect that.

Fredrich looked at Bryan, then spoke, “Sire, this is highly irregular… You can say no”

Yarek spoke, “Oh, come on, that was so cool. I’d do it…I’d lose, but it would be fun.”

Bryan raised a hand at them and stood up; he walked to the edge of the box overlooking the arena.

“Sure, we can have a tournament-style duel,” Bryan stated dryly.

This should be interesting…