Unholy Player

While Adyr was still weighing the potential benefits of this conflict, Liora finally spoke. "This isn’t something we can decide right now. Let us think it over and give you our answer tomorrow."

She had no desire to provoke Sevrak or the Umbraen practitioners, but she also couldn’t accept the offer outright. This wasn’t a decision she could make alone. It directly involved Adyr.

He might be considered a Velari, but he came from a remote region of the kingdom. More importantly, he was newly advanced, inexperienced. Sending someone like him into a tournament like this was reckless.

"Fine," Sevrak said, rising slowly from his seat. "Then I’ll return tomorrow. Colossith’s staying here for a while anyway, so I’ll deal with it when I come for your answer."

With those words, he mounted his dragon. A deep roar and a powerful beat of its wings stirred the dust and air around them. The creature ascended into the sky, leaving behind dark clouds and flashes of lightning in its wake, almost like a visual signature of its power.

"He forgot his furniture set," Mirela said, glancing down at the rug and chairs. "Mind if I take it? Looks kinda stylish."

Liora ignored her completely. Her attention was on Adyr now. She gave him an apologetic look. "I’m sorry for all this. If you want to stay out of it, just say the word. I’d understand completely."

Malrik and the others also turned their gazes to him. None of them looked like they were pressuring him—they all knew exactly what agreeing to such a tournament would mean.

Adyr paused for a moment, as if thinking. Then he smiled softly. "I can’t refuse if it means preventing a war where so many lives would be at risk."