Mage And Wolf

The rest of the Sect participants, minus one, are there when we get back to the hotel. Apparently he was seriously injured in an attack and had to turn back. We explain about the incident with the Divine Fist Sect guys, just in case we’re recognized later. If they show, they won’t be happy.

"What I can’t believe is that she spent 2 days with those snobbish nobilites and didn’t kill anyone" One of the other disciples laughs.

"Excellent disguise though, you even followed through and won the cooking competition" another laughs.

"What does that say about our luck though? Elder Po is secretly getting the best food in the country and we’re eating at the mess hall."

"Impress Elder Po with your martial arts and he might invite you for dinner" I tease and the disciples cheer.

"That’s right, do better than The Young Miss and you’ll get to have her serve you dinner with me in my pagoda" Elder Po ups the ante.

"Game faces on everyone. Alchemy competition starts in an hour, listen for your group number." Elder Ming calls and I look at the draw sheet. My registrant number is in the first group of the morning, day 1. Alchemy runs through the first 3 days, all in the mornings, then day 4 is a final round where the top 10 draw a random prescription to make for an extra prize.

Fighting is in the afternoons, so the crowd, which often drinks itself insensible, has time to recover and watch all the bouts.