Session 6 Part 4 - The Winter Tournament

The trio rushed through the city, winding into the vibrant artist district. The streets were packed tightly with vendors and performers, people bustling about in merriment. They turned right, deeper into the arts district, which opened into a wide courtyard. At the center, lit by dim firelight, was a large sandstone dome with two grand stairways on either side leading down into the ground. Wora stood before the right door, tapping her foot.

“There you are!” she exhaled as they approached.

“So sorry,” Sethie laughed. “The day got away from us.”

“Well, you missed the openers, but there's still time. You’re on in 20 minutes,” Wora called to Coada.

Coada nodded. “I spoke with Umeran,” she whispered as she passed by into the theater.

Wora turned, brows raised, but held her words as Coada descended. “Come on,” she said finally to Sumayya and Sethie. “Let’s take our seats.”

They nodded, following Wora down the sandstone steps into an underground bazaar. Past the vendors, they turned left into a large auditorium. The ceiling domed upwards, and a sandpit lay below.

The circular arena was themed in a desert style, with sandstone walls, benches, and ornate decor. It was divided by large gates on each side where the opponents entered and exited. Sethie whistled as she looked around. Their side was much less crowded, with cushioned benches and servants bringing food and wine to and from. Across the way, viewers of all origins were packed tightly into stadium-style seating.

Wora led them to a side seating where a server brought food and wine as they sat. “Fancy, isn’t it?” Wora asked.

Sethie nodded. “I never thought I’d afford to see the tournaments, let alone end up on this side of the audience.”

Wora laughed. “I could say the same. When I got my promotion, I wanted to celebrate with Ovar and Coada, so I bought these tickets as a surprise. It didn't work out as planned, but I am happy to enjoy this with you two.”

“Well, thank you,” Sethie said warmly, clinking her glass with Wora’s. Wora looked past her to Sumayya, who was quietly scanning the room. She noticed Sumayya glancing toward the center of their section, where the most ornate seating was. There, a halfling man with short brown hair and vibrant green eyes sat talking to a young human man with short hair, similarly styled, wearing fine military garb. Behind them stood a fierce-looking woman with long midnight-blue hair, pulled tightly back, and azure skin.

“That’s Arden Leothran,” Wora whispered, leaning over to Sumayya. “His adoptive mother is Alfera Leothran, our army general.”

Sumayya looked back with a raised brow. Wora nodded, continuing, “I heard that he stepped down from his mother’s side and has been gathering adventurers for an expedition into the Ashlands.”

“Why’s that?” Sumayya questioned.

Wora shrugged as she offered Sumayya a glass of wine.

Sumayya accepted, taking in the rich aroma as she drank. The music faded, and a hush fell over the arena. A large figure slipped from the shadowed left corridor. His dark scales and burning red eyes were accented by ornate golden armor. The dragonborn walked quietly to the center, pausing for a beat as he scanned the crowd.

“Welcome, one and all!” he bellowed. “I trust your break was not too long and that you’ve enjoyed our performances so far this evening. For our next fight, we have quite a treat—a battle between beings many of you may have never seen! Are you ready?”

The crowd erupted in cheers and hoots.

“Now, for our first contestant: hailing from our beautiful city, a cleric of House Arcea, child of the Mother of Blood and War, a creature of fierce origins—Coada Alba!”

The crowd cheered as Coada emerged from the right tunnel, warhammer in hand and a cold fierceness in her eyes. She did not acknowledge the crowd, nor did she notice as she stopped beside the dragonborn, patiently waiting for her opponent. Hungry for battle.

“And our opponent, hailing from lands untraveled by our people, a creature unlike anything you’ve seen, a fierce and powerful child of combat, and a looming force to be reckoned with—Sif Vandr!”

The crowd erupted again but quieted in suspense as the sound of deep thunder grew like a hum. A massive figure emerged. Sif stepped into the light, propping a massive hammer onto the ground beside her as it hummed like thunder. Her stone-greyish-blue skin was laced with ornate tattoos, her hair dark blue, shaved at the sides, and loosely braided back with charms adorning it. She looked at Coada with lightning in her eyes and a playful smile.

Coada straightened. This woman must be at least nine feet tall, she estimated, as she readied her weapon. Sif chuckled and began in a thick accent, “This will be fun! Here’s to the better fighter.” She nodded, readying her hammer.

“Remember, fighters, there is no holding back. The last one standing is the winner. At the bell, you may begin,” the dragonborn said, nodding to each of them before exiting the arena. A tense silence hung as the doors swung shut.

Ding, ding! Sif smiled and charged forward, crying out a battle cry. The lightning in her eyes sparked. Coada moved back, casting a holy shield around her and readying for the blow. Sif swung hard, pushing Coada through the loose sand, but Coada was ready, taking the blow as she spun out of the swing, smashing her own weapon toward Sif’s right shoulder.

Sif took the blow with ease, swinging her hammer back toward Coada’s left side. Coada gasped at the force as a rune lit up along the haft. Coada stumbled back, fire in her eyes as she charged forward, swinging wide. Sif swung, but Coada was quicker, ducking just out of the swing as Sif whispered an incantation. The runes light flowed from the hammer and into the blow Coada had taken. The wound began to heal slightly.

Coada swung again, striking hard into Sif’s side. Sif smiled. “Nice hit,” she coughed, spinning around with a heavy whoosh and catching Coada’s side. Coada’s holy shield absorbed the blow.

Coada smiled viciously, reaching out with her free hand onto Sif’s arm, flooding her with necrotic energy. Sif grunted and stumbled back, looking down at the rotted wound tracing up her arm. She smirked and looked back at Coada, then up to the skylight above them. “Okay,” she bellowed, “Magic it is!”

Sif stepped back, planting the base of her hammer into the ground as she called out an incantation. Coada moved to charge her, and a flash of lightning blasted through the skylight, swallowing Coada. The bright light was dwarfed by the blast of noise, deafening the audience and Coada briefly. Sif charged forward in the blinding light, catching Coada’s chest with her hammer and pushing her back several feet with a single swing.

Coada coughed, regaining her breath as she gathered herself. The giantess stood across the ring, readying another charge. The smell of ozone was heavy in the air, and her body burned from the magical electricity. She screamed in rage, charging again with her hand outstretched, just missing as Sif dodged to the right, swinging her hammer toward Coada. Coada was ready, dropping beneath the hammer swing and catching Sif’s arm. Coada’s eyes darkened as she charged all of her energy into the necrotic blow. Dark energy erupted up Sif’s arm, lacing across her neck and chest.

Sif coughed blood as she pulled away, swinging again but missing with her weakened arm. Coada hissed, her hair flaring like a cobra’s hood as she lunged forward, biting deep into Coada’s neck with her poison. Sif’s arms fell limp as she began to collapse. Coada pulled back, still panting with a vicious rage. The ring briefly lit with runes, catching Sif as she fell and filling them both with healing energy.

Coada tensed, finally realizing the crowd around her—silent. Sif knelt before her, panting, her hand over her neck where Coada had bitten. Coada’s eyes widened in panic. Sif looked up at her with a smile.

“Your winner, Coada Alba!” the dragonborn's voice boomed as the crowd erupted in cheers.

Sif stood and approached Coada, extending her hand. “You are an excellent warrior. It was an honor to fight you,” Sif boomed.

“I—” Coada hesitated, taking her hand. She bit her tongue, nodding as they shook hands.

“Come on,” Sif smiled, nodding toward the left door that had quietly swung open.

Coada nodded, following her into the dark hall.

Sethie and Wora cheered wildly as Coada exited. Sumayya sat back with a slight smile, clapping. Her eyes were drawn to the movement near her as Arden and the pair with him stood and quietly left the auditorium.

The dragonborn entered again and began to announce the final battle as Wora and Sethie settled back beside Sumayya to watch the final match.

Coada followed Sif back to the staging area, her heart still racing.

“You fight well,” Sif smiled at Coada.

Coada winced as the cleric pressed on her chest and began to heal her ribs. “Y-You definitely almost had me.”

“Ha! But you were better!”

Coada smiled and shook her head, looking down away from Sif. I can’t believe I was so vicious in front of an audience, she thought to herself. The sound of chatter and footsteps pulled Coada from her trance as she looked up. A small group approached from the far-left door: an older dwarf man, a familiar human man, a halfling man, and a water genasi woman.

“Coada Alba!” Arden called. “Never thought I’d see you out of those church walls.”

“Arden?” Coada questioned. “What are you doing here?”

Arden laughed as the dwarven man stepped up, dropping a pouch of coin into Coada’s hands. “Your reward,” the man said, turning back to Arden with a respectful nod before leaving.

“Well, I came to make sure you didn’t do too much damage to my friend here,” Arden continued, patting Sif’s shoulder.

Coada’s eyes flickered in panic as the group began to surround Sif and banter about the battle. “I am sorry,” Coada began. “I did not know she was with you.”

“If that would have made you hold back, then I’m glad you didn’t know,” Sif laughed.

The group chuckled. “Forgive my rudeness, though,” Arden nodded toward Coada. “Coada is a member of House Arcea, the temple I was practically raised in. Coada, you’ve met Sif Vandr, but these here are Louon Rafkin and Shifa Enara. I suppose you could call them my party.”

Coada’s brow raised. “I don’t follow.”

“I guess you hadn’t heard,” Arden rubbed his neck, looking away awkwardly. “I stepped down from my position. With the increase in Wasting cases, and magic being corrupted, I wanted to investigate that and try to do something useful for the world.”

Coada scanned his group.

“We’re actually leaving first thing tomorrow for the Ashlands,” Shifa added.

“I see,” Coada said thoughtfully. “I wish you the best in your travels then.”

Sif leaned over, placing her large hand over Coada’s shoulder. “Come now, it doesn’t have to be goodbye just yet! Come, drink with us! Celebrate your victory.”

Arden smiled and nodded. “That sounds like a fine plan.”

Cheers erupted from beyond the gates, and moments later, a pair of fighters stumbled through, the clerics rushing to attend to their wounds. “Come,” Arden said softly. “I saw Wora in the crowd. I assume for you. Let’s grab her and hit the town for the night.”

Coada smiled and stood, following the odd group up the stairs and into the cold night air. As the crowd filtered out, Coada and Sif were met by several viewers, shaking their hands, congratulating them on their fight, or just staring at them.

“We stand out quite a bit here,” Sif laughed.

Coada nodded, slinking behind her as she awaited Wora. As the crowd dissipated, Coada spotted her friends exiting the arena. Wora spotted them first, waving and skipping over. Sethie and Sumayya followed close behind.

“I see you’ve made friends!” Wora called, bowing her head to Arden as she approached.

Arden bowed his head in response. Wora smiled and turned toward Sethie and Sumayya. “Please meet Sethie and Sarah, they are Coada’s current associates.”

Arden bowed his head to each of them, and they responded in kind. “Please meet my friends, Louon, Shifa, and Sif!” he smiled.

Sethie smiled warmly as Sumayya nodded. “What a woman,” Sumayya mumbled under her breath to Sethie as she surveyed Sif. Sethie chuckled, skipping past to hug Coada. Wora followed suit.

Coada squeezed them tight. “We have been invited to go dancing with Arden tonight,” she whispered.

Sethie and Wora’s eyes lit up. “That sounds marvelous!” Sethie smiled.

“It’s settled then!” Sif added with a smile. Arden nodded and led the strange group through the dance streets to a nearby dance hall, where music spilled out of the windows and drew them in.

Arden led with Louon, chatting away about their plans for tomorrow's travel. Sethie and Wora followed behind with their arms linked on either side of Coada. Sumayya followed silently with Shifa, Sif trailing both behind.

The dance hall buzzed with energy as the golden light from chandeliers flickered overhead, casting warm glows across the floor. The sounds of laughter, music, and the rhythmic clinking of glasses filled the air. It was a night made for revelry.

Arden, ever the nobleman, was at ease among the crowd. He moved with a grace that caught the eye, engaging in lighthearted conversations with friends, strangers, and even some unfamiliar faces who were eager for his attention. His laughter echoed through the hall, a stark contrast to the more reserved presence of his companions.

Wora stood by the bar with Sethie, her eyes alight with mischief. She tossed back a goblet of wine, grinning widely. "I’m excited to see where it leads!" she declared, nudging Sethie, who chuckled at her enthusiasm.

Sif had already taken to the dance floor with Arden, Louon, and Coada. Wora followed quickly, tossing back another goblet and dragging Sethie into the crowd.

Sumayya watched the dancers with a serene gaze. Her eyes flickered to the group from time to time, noting the way each person interacted with the others. Beside her, Shifa stood like a sentry, her back straight and her eyes scanning the room with precision. She was the quiet one—often more like a shadow, always aware of her surroundings.

"Come on, you two!" Sif shouted, her voice carrying over the crowd and startling the more reserved of the group. "Don’t just stand there—this is a dance hall! The night’s young, and it’s made for fun!"

Shifa's lips tightened into a brief smile, but she didn’t move from her spot. Sumayya offered a gentle shake of her head, but the warmth in her eyes indicated she was enjoying the experience in her own way. Coada and Sif exchanged a brief glance before pushing through the crowd to join their wallflowers.

Coada coiled her tail around Shifa, pulling her into her arms with a flare and dancing her into the crowd. Shifa begrudgingly followed her lead, stifling a smile. Sif bowed before Sumayya, extending her hand. “A dance,” she hummed, “For me?”

Sumayya flushed, bowing her head as she took Sif’s hand. Sif pulled her in tight, spinning Sumayya into the crowd as they all danced away the evening. It wasn’t long before Wora, utterly lost in the spirit of the night, came stumbling over. She’d taken more than one drink, and her steps had become a little wobbly. "Ah, Sumayya! Shifa!" she called with a loud, jovial laugh.

Shifa’s gaze flickered toward Wora, eyes narrowing for just a second as she assessed the situation. Her usual stoic expression softened with a barely perceptible sigh. "You're already halfway to the astral, Wora," she muttered, her tone dry, though there was a hint of amusement beneath the surface.

Coada raised an eyebrow, walking over to stand beside her. "Perhaps we should get her home." She moved swiftly to Wora’s side, wrapping one arm around her and keeping her steady.

Wora giggled, her eyes half-lidded but sparkling with glee. "You’re just jealous! I’m having a great time!"

Sethie spun from Arden to Wora’s side. “You’ve had a lot of fun tonight, I see,” she chuckled. “Let’s head home.”

Coada looked to Sumayya as she danced with Sif and Shifa. Sumayya nodded in response and whispered goodbyes before joining their side. Coada and Sethie nodded goodbye to Arden and his group before leading Wora out into the winter night, Sumayya close behind.

The walk back was slow, as Wora continued to ramble in a drunken haze. Her wild tales about the night's adventures only grew more outlandish with each step.

Finally, they arrived at their destination. Wora, still giggling, was safely inside, sitting with a soft thud on the nearest couch. "I had a great time," she declared, her words barely understandable through her tipsy haze. "Next time, we should all go again. I’ll show you how it’s done!"

Coada smiled, running a hand through her hair. "Next time, we’ll keep you on your feet."