With a Grand Championship tournament due in less than four years, interest in any fighter who had a chance to make the cut was reaching a frenzied peak. This was the last Veteran's masquerade where every Gladiator at the event would have the time needed to reach the required rank of Master before the Grand Championships began.
The current Masters were known quantities, played out or already aligned. Many of the Veterans attending the Masquerade were rising stars with strong fan bases and more malleable allegiances. These were seeking new allies or playing the field to see if they could get a better offer. Other Veteran ranked fighters were often hungry, even desperate, for support and patronage, anything that would give them a chance at the Grand Championship.
The Chosen, Faction elites, and any serious player in The Great Games came to the party to seek out new talent, and analyze the power plays of their rivals. Star Gladiators might switch sides, and alliances might be made that would affect the course of the Grand Championships in 1150 AR.
In short, the Veteran's Masquerade of 1146 AR was an irresistible lure for anyone who had an interest in who the next Chosen would be.
o-----
“Well, at least the food will be good.” said Ravius. He was gazing out the window of the Cabin he shared with Omodo, Vintia, and Cleothera watching as massive, brightly coloured airships landed in the town proper. Gavin was in the room with him. Sadira had not yet arrived and so he sought out the company of his friends instead of waiting in the suites he would share with her. “Although I guess you have a feast of a different kind in mind...”
Gavin smiled. “You sound put out, old friend. Surely there is more here for you than a free meal.”
“I don't know, little brother,” Ravius replied, turning away from the window and stalking into the room. “I used to think I had it in me, but I'm not sure now. No one is here to see me. It is a bit of a blow to the ego, you know?”
Gavin shrugged. “I've gotten used to it, I guess. I don't care about being a Chosen anymore; I just want to make it to a place where I can be closer to Sadira while she makes her run. That is struggle enough for me.”
“Have you given any thought to Omodo's plan?” said Ravius.
“Yeah,” said Gavin. “If I can make a little fame and fortune and help a good friend out at the same time I'll do it.”
“That's a good way to look at it,” said Ravius. “I guess I can put my talents to use and see if I can help make him some contacts. He has great fan support. If we can get him into some of the bigger Free Leagues venues, he has a real shot at the Grand Championships. He just needs patronage, and he's too damned honest to promote himself properly. I could help him with that at least.”
Gavin nodded. He could see Ravius warming up to the idea of acting as an agent for Omodo. It would put the skirmisher's skills to good use.
o-----
“It will be nice to have the old team back together in one place,” said Vintia. She and Gavin were attending one of the many small events that preceded the masquerade, an information session about the Warbound. “Although, Karmal... well I'm worried about her, she is taking a run at Sadira.”
“I know,” said Gavin. “It must be difficult for you having your two best friends at odds.”
“You'd think so,” said Vintia. She made a sour face. “But Karmal really hasn't made much time for me lately. She's changed. I visit Sadira at least once a month, but I've only seen Karmal a handful of times since she left the Oasis.”
“Speaking of the Oasis, do you think your team is going to win this year?” said Gavin.
“Bloody Reckoning yes!” said Vintia, her bright eyes lighting up. “Although my two losses to Azure Dream this season are a little embarrassing...; that ruined my chances at a Grand Championship. We're kicking ass otherwise. The Reds will take the Oasis again.”
“I wouldn't feel too badly, Azure is very good.” Gavin nodded. He was well aware that Azure Dream was an impossible match-up for Vintia. The Blue Faction Skirmisher, a friend and rival of Sadira's who would likely make the Grand Championships, was an expert at taking apart defenders. “You held her points down in both matches, which gives your team the season. It's a good trade. And as for the Grand Championships, they're still nearly four years away. I'm getting tired of people acting like they are imminent.”
“The fans look forward to them Gavin,” said Vintia. “It is an event that only occurs every fifty years unless a Chosen dies. Most people get a chance to see one or two in their lifetimes. Even with four years of hard work I am not going to make Grand Champion. Very few defenders will make the cut; we just aren't flashy enough for modern audiences. I need to think of my future. Have you ever considered becoming Warbound?”
“When I was younger, yes,” said Gavin. “Now... serving in the Legions would take me even further from Sadira.”
“You can always join her Hearthbound when she joins The Chosen,” said Vintia. “If I serve as a Warbound, I could eventually swear fealty to her. You could do the same if you felt like joining the Legions.”
“I'm not sure,” said Gavin. “She deserves an equal...”
“Don't be silly Gavin,” said Vintia. “If you sundered right now and went to her as a vassal she had still take you.”
“Remind me of that next time I get slimed by a Kraken,” he replied. “What about you?”
“I've always thought about it,” said Vintia. “My family are freeholders, old legion stock. It’s in my blood. Don't tell anyone but I actually have a position lined up already. I want to announce it after the masquerade.”
“Congratulations,” said Gavin. He imagined Vintia dressed in Warbound's Lorica and smiled. “Sadira will be happy to hear that.”
“It seems so right to me now,” said Vintia. “My family want me to be Warbound more than they wanted me to be a Chosen. My Father... service to the realm, and all that.”
Gavin shook his head. “A noble sentiment. You will make your ancestors proud Vintia; you are one of the best people I know.”
“Careful, boy,” Vintia said with a bright smile. “I'm still tempted to fight Sadira for you...”
o-----
Sadira and Lina arrived the day before the masquerade as part of the entourage that travelled with a group of from the Southern Domains including Chosen Giselle, Chosen Artuis diKrass, Chosen Shadowvain, almost a score of Gladiators and a similar number of vassals and Grey-Robes. They were conveyed to the masquerade in a sleek, luxury airship that carried them nearly halfway across the Domains in just over a day. While the light lasted the view of the land below them was awe-inspiring, akin to gazing down on a valley from the highest mountain peak.
It was the first time that Sadira had ever ridden in one of these wondrous machines, usually forbidden to Gladiators, and she marvelled at the grand achievement of artifice and rune-craft. The agile ship cut through the air smoothly, with strong enchantments that prevented it from being buffeted by the turbulent winds.
The vessel was powered by a new type of engine called an elemental furnace, a potent combination of ancient elemental theory and cutting edge clockwork engineering. Rumour had it that the elementalists and the artificers, who were often at odds, had only combined their arts to create this wondrous engine at the behest of Chosen Giselle. Sadira was not surprised to hear this; the Chosen was very good at bringing rivals together, most of the time.
Regardless of the engine's impressive pedigree and fantastic power, its patterns were wondrously complex and Sadira found herself entranced by it. It did not hurt that the engine room was far away from Karmal, who was acting up again.
Gavin was waiting for her when they landed. Sadira's heart leapt when she saw him. She barely restrained herself from pushing through the other Gladiators and even The Chosen to get to him as quickly as possible. Instead she met his gaze and smiled while slowly making her way off the ship. She could read the joy radiating from him and drank it in. They embraced and kissed after the Chosen and most of the other passengers had c
leared the landing.
Most of Gavin's attention was given to Sadira, but he did notice that Lina seemed happier and more confident than before.
o-----
“I wish we had time to spar,” said Sadira.
“We could have skipped sex,” said Gavin.
She made a disgusted noise, rolling her eyes before vaulting out of bed. The rooms they were staying in were a lover's suite: expensive and garishly sensual. “It's so strange staying in a town without an arena.”
“This place doesn't even have a Gladiator's quarter,” said Gavin, watching her move about the room. The flow of the muscles in her legs and the swing of her hips threatened to arouse him again. He missed the times when they could be together every day. “Although you'd hardly guess that right now. We've taken over the town.”
“Yes, although I'd like to see fewer newsmongers,” said Sadira. He could sense an edge to her voice. “Some of them have written some rather nasty pieces about me. G.G. White has his attack dogs going after me with increasing frequency. Morgan di'Isle called me Giselle's pampered pussy. I wonder if she thinks the innuendo is actually clever/”
“You should try not to worry about what they have to say,” said Gavin. “Many of them are paid character assassins more than anything. Morgan works for White, and White supports the Blues. They want to make you look bad so that you don't lure fans away from their employers.”
“You're right, beloved,” said Sadira. “But I'd still love to come up against them in the arena one day...”
“You can't solve all your problems by fighting,” said Gavin.
“I can actually; sadly it would be against the rules,” said Sadira playfully. Gavin could sense some underlying tension in her.
“Karmal did not even look at me when she arrived,” said Gavin. “Is she still at odds with you?”
Sadira turned away from him, sighing. She seemed to deflate, her shoulders slumping subtly. It was not a posture she took often, even when dealing with the frustrations of their separation.
“Yes,” she said, after pausing for a heartbeat. “She's intent on being a bitch. I need to teach her who's boss.”
o-----
They gathered for a midday meal, a reunion of sorts, in a private room at a bustling lodge, Karmal was cool towards Sadira when they both arrived, but overtly friendly to everyone else. Lina and Cleothera excused themselves quickly as she arrived. Gavin was surprised to see his old team-mate up close. The flame-haired Gladiatrix was nearly a head taller than last time they had met, with a muscular frame that was at odds with her enhanced lips and inflated breasts. Even her emerald eyes were different, strangely luminous. She no longer looked human, or quite like a person of any race he had ever seen. It reminded him of Valaran and set him on edge.
“Those are new,” said Ravius, staring at Karmal's over-ample cleavage as she sat down next to him.
“Be polite,” said Vintia.
Karmal laughed heartily. A chill crept down Gavin's spine as he saw that her incisors were long and sharp now. Karmal had added the Bloodthirster discipline to her arsenal. He felt deeply repulsed by the changes in Sadira's old friend. She had learned some of the most lethal, notorious disciplines available to a Gladiatrix. Perhaps Sax was right; flashy wasn't always good. Gavin didn't want to win popularity by becoming like Karmal.
“Thanks for noticing, Ravius,” she said. “I'm happy to get the looks. Competition is fierce for those of us who have a shot at the Championships and I wanted to stand out. I can't let Sadira get all the attention.”
Sadira bristled. She was proud of her good looks, but the idea that appearance was the source of her fame deeply offended her.
“You've added quite a bit of mass in general Karmal. Path of the Juggernaut?” asked Omodo, referring to one of the disciplines that vastly increased a Gladiator's size and strength.
“Yes, I have been working on the Way of the Berserker too,” said Karmal. “I could almost challenge you on strength, if not on mass, Omodo. I have a pickier diet than you did, as well. I only eat red meat, as bloody as I can get it.” She flashed her fangs, a sign of some form of Vampiric discipline.
Omodo chuckled, ignoring Karmal's barbs.
Vintia felt ill. Karmal had always been tempestuous and self-centred, but now she seemed uncaring and drunk on power. The disciplines she had chosen were a reflection of her desire to win at all costs, no matter how brutal. Sadira too, was angry, but did not appear to see her old friend as a serious threat. Vintia could now see that Karmal put power above everything, even friendship and honour.”
“Your choices will give you a tremendous advantage on offence, Karmal,” said Gavin conversationally. “And I've always felt that you have crowd appeal. But what about defence? It might help you in the Grand Championships.”
“No offence Gavin, but why would anyone take your advice on getting into the Championships?” said Karmal. Everyone at the table stopped and stared at her. “You don't win by hiding behind your shield. You win by crushing your opponents and looking good while you cut off their heads. I understand that, and that's why I have a chance at becoming a Chosen and you don't.”
Sadira's face went red with fury; she was about to yell when Gavin startled them all by laughing. He was not surprised at her response. In truth, he was now absolutely certain that this was the last time they would all meet as friends.
“I may not be a contender for Champion, let alone Chosen, Karmal,” he said, “but I do know history: the arena is not kind to one-dimensional fighters.”
Karmal smiled. “History is written by the victors, isn't it?”
“That doesn't mean what you think it does,” said Gavin in response.
“How would you know?” sneered Karmal. “You aren't exactly a contender.”
“Can't we be civil, friends?” said Ravius, interjecting before Sadira lost her temper.
“Your right, Ravius,” said Gavin. “I'm sorry Karmal.”
“Don't expect any apologies from me,” said Karmal, getting to her feet. “Winners don't say sorry. I'd also like to see some gratitude from people I've carried in the past. I'm tired of not getting my due.”
“Karmal...” said Ravius and Sadira simultaneously.
“You want civil?” said Karmal icily. “Stay out of my way, and I won't hurt you.”
With that she turned and walked away. They stared after her. No one spoke for long moments after she left. Vintia felt ill at ease, her feelings in turmoil. Sadira was torn between anger and sorrow. Ravius was frustrated that his attempt to calm down his former team-mate had failed. Gavin was unsurprised, he knew full well that Karmal was ambitious and temperamental, and that her behaviour was in fact a form of attack on Sadira, an attempt to get under the skin of the woman she now saw as her chief rival.
“Well...” said Omodo, breaking the silence. “I would love to hear how that situation developed...”
“Karmal is angry with me; she failed a ranking test we took together,” said Sadira. Omodo and Ravius were surprised at her tone. She seemed subdued; her very words seemed listless, which was greatly at odds with the image they held of her in their minds. They had expected her to be angry, at the least. “She blames me. She might have a point. We fought against some sand-slayer serpents. The plan was for Karmal to use her attack spells to hurt them as much as possible while I ran interference and finished them off. They turned out to be very resistant to her magic. I improvised. Karmal did not react well to this. We won the match, but she failed to earn her Rank.”
“Why does she blame you?” said Omodo. “Plans often change in the course of a match. We all know this.”
“She accused me of deviating from the plan on purpose, so I would outshine her,” said Sadira.
“That certainly fits Karmal's behaviour,” said Ravius. “She always needs to be centre stage.”
“Even if it means climbing over our broken bodies to get there,” said Vintia. There was frost in her voice.
“I don't think tha
t's fair,” said Sadira. “My relationship with Karmal has always been complex. After I beat her, and show her my skills, she will see reason again.”
“When we left Scorpion's Oasis, she was the only one who was happy,” said Vintia. “She did not care that we got separated. I put my body on the line for her, more than once. She gladly took all the glory and never even thanked me once.”
“Vintia, she's our friend,” said Sadira. In her heart she still felt she could make amends with Karmal. She had always felt they would climb together.
“Is she?” asked Vintia. Her bright eyes flashed like cold steel.
“I won't give up on her,” said Sadira, feeling her own anger rising.
“Friends,” interjected Omodo. “We certainly won't resolve this issue now. Let's not waste our time together on something over which we have no control.”
“Truth,” said Gavin. “Let's put it aside for now and enjoy our time together.”
o-----
The Dragon Plazmittrax had made her lair in a series of caves that ate into the side of Spearpeak, a mountain that distinguished itself with its impressive height and the way it thrust its jagged summit brutally into the underbelly of the sky. Gavin, Omodo, Ravius and Vintia went to the masquerade late in the afternoon and the redness of the setting sun gave a bloody appearance to the mountain, as if it were gruesomely engaged in disemboweling the clouds.
Domains of the Chosen 02 Bloodlust: Will to Power Page 14