by Logan Jacobs
“You got it.” Elissa gave me a thumbs up.
“See you soon.” Eva smiled wide.
“It may be a challenge to find enough helpers to volunteer,” Mahini murmured. “Half the town is competing, after all.”
“They don’t have to be super strong or anything,” I said. “More hands will just help us set up quickly, and I want time to explain each of the events to the competitors before we start. I don’t want us running out of daylight with my entourage still undecided.”
“Very well.” Mahini nodded curtly. “You can count on me, Great One.”
Then we went our separate ways, and I trotted over to the stables to grab Dalwin. The young boy was always super helpful and receptive to direction, so I knew he’d be a good choice in setting up the obstacle courses for me. Once we rejoined the others at the field, I explained more of what was needed from my volunteers.
We gathered large, round rocks, cut down and sharpened the tips of tree branches, and sketched out maps of our longer races. All of us worked together to get everything organized and prepared as quickly as possible, and I was proud of the teamwork already being exhibited.
A short while later, the course was set up, and the competitors had gathered around the edge of the field I’d chosen for the event. I made a mental note to pay Gerulf for the damages we caused later, but the farmer had insisted he didn’t plan on using this field until spring, so it was perfect for my needs.
“Alright, so there’s twelve spots on my entourage,” I announced in a loud voice. “I figured the fair way to go would be to have half women and half men, but in the end I want the best of the best, so everyone will compete as equals. I have designed a few contests to weigh your skills against each other, so I hope you all brought your A game!”
A cheer erupted throughout the gathered townspeople, and once silence had fallen again, I began to explain the rules of the first competition. I’d chosen the three-legged race as the first test since teaming up would allow everyone to loosen up a little in the beginning.
Plus, watching everyone trip over each other would be highly entertaining.
I explained the game to the contenders, and then everyone competing broke up into pairs. Riondale and Jaxtom tied their legs together, Bellona and her husband Gwydion made another pair, and the twins, Isak and Asher, were sure to give everyone a run for their money. It was fun to see who teamed up with who, and a competitive energy filled the air like static electricity.
After everyone was broken up into pairs and given the lengths of fabric to bind their legs together, we were ready to begin. I had the contenders line up on one side of the empty field, and we’d set up a string across the far end so the winner would have to break through it.
“Each event will end with a spot on my entourage being filled,” I announced. “Once you win a game, you are no longer eligible to compete, so you’ll join me on the sidelines.”
“I’ll be there shortly,” Torya called out in a sing-song voice.
“I bet,” I laughed. Then I paused dramatically while the racers prepared to run, and when I was certain everyone was ready, I took a deep breath. “Ready, set… Go!”
It was like a bullet had been shot from a gun, and everyone dashed forward in awkward lunges. A couple teams toppled over almost immediately, and then the bickering started.
“Your left leg! Move your left leg!”
“Slow down!”
“You’re going too slow!”
“Follow my lead!”
“You’re going the wrong way!”
I laughed out loud and clapped my hands together as I watched the contenders struggle to cross the field with their legs tied together. It was a nostalgic moment for me, since I hadn’t seen a game like this played since the field day events back in grade school. I’d lost my fair share of three-legged races, so it was satisfying to watch from the sidelines where I couldn’t make a fool of myself. The people from this world had never experienced anything like it, but I had a feeling there would be recurrences of today’s events for years to come.
Riondale and Jaxtom were among the pairs struggling to work together, but I suspected it was mostly due to the vast differences in their builds. Jax towered over the lieutenant, whose legs were also much shorter, and it was comical to watch them mutter to each other about strategy while the other teams passed by them. They seemed determined, though, and grit was half the battle.
I’d hoped at least one of the two men would have earned a spot on my entourage since they were some of my closest friends, but I was highly entertained even if they did fail miserably. There would always be more adventures to take my buddies on, anyway.
Bron and Sarah suddenly got into a good rhythm, and they pulled ahead of Isak and Asher, who’d previously held the lead, so I returned my attention to the race. It was starting to get good, and both teams were gaining ground swiftly. In the very last moment, though, the married couple pulled ahead of the twins, and the former store owners whooped with joy.
“Bron and Sarah are our first winners!” I shouted, and everyone still remaining on the field groaned with dismay at their loss.
Jax and Riondale’s shoulders slumped as they turned back toward the starting line, but they both had a glint of determination in their eyes when they looked my way.
Bron and Sarah hobbled over to me with their legs still tied together and wide grins stretched across their faces.
“Is it true, Great One?” Bron asked. “Do we really get to join your entourage?”
“Why else would we be doing this?” I chuckled.
“Should we move on to the next event?” Mahini asked as she trotted over to where I stood.
“Let’s do it.” I nodded, and then I turned to Sarah and Bron. “Get comfortable, there’s still the rest of the tournament to go through.”
“I’m just relieved we won the first event and are safely chosen now,” Sarah said with a wry smile. “I don’t know if I have much more energy than what I’ve already spent.”
“Fair enough,” I laughed. Then I raised my voice for all the competitors to hear. “The next event is the sack race, so grab your bags, pillowcases, or whatever else you’re using and head to the starting line.”
This time, everyone was on teams of one, and I could feel the air thicken with ambition. The contenders exchanged heated glances at the starting line, and then they stared down the field with determination on their faces.
It seemed as though this tournament was bringing out everyone’s strongest side.
I stood where all the sack racers could see me, and then I extended my arm high into the air. “On your marks… Get set… Go!”
The competitors hopped forward with loud grunts and groans as the sacks pulled their feet together. Isak fell face first into the mud, and his brother Asher tripped over his twin’s legs. Bellona the seamstress narrowly avoided colliding with the pair, but she hopped nimbly to the side and continued forward.
Jaxtom was hot on her trail, as were over twenty other people, and I held my breath as I watched the final moments of the race. Riondale was struggling, as were Jorgen and Corvis, and the three soldiers lagged behind the crowd. It just showed how even the strongest men could have a weakness.
It was neck and neck between the blacksmith and the seamstress, and time seemed to slow down as the two approached the finish line in their cloth sacks. Bellona shot Jax a sideways glare before she heaved herself up into the air for a massive, lunging jump.
Bellona skidded across the finish line and toppled over into the muddy earth, but she was on her feet an instant later with a loud victory cry.
“Nice try, Jax!” the seamstress taunted, and she even went as far as to twiddle her thumb on her nose.
“Aye, good match,” the blacksmith chuckled with a shake of his head. He stood catching his breath with his hands planted on his knees, and the sight of the strong man being beaten by a woman half his size made the crowd of contenders burst into laughter.
Th
e blacksmith was good-spirited about it, though, and he even joined in with the merriment. He gave Bellona a sideways hug to show there were no hard feelings, and then the seamstress joined me, Bron, and Sarah on the sidelines.
“The second event is over!” I announced. “Bellona Uriel has earned the second position on my entourage.”
“We’ll get the next event set up,” Elissa offered with a grin. “I’m super excited about the next one, it’s going to be hilarious!”
“I’m looking forward to it, too.” I grinned. “So far, our tournament is even more fun than I’d anticipated.”
A crowd of townspeople who were not competing had begun to form on the edges of the field as curiosity brought people away from their day to day lives and out to the outskirts of town. I was sure they’d heard the commotion and wanted to know what was going on, but judging by the smiles and laughter I witnessed from the watchers, everyone was enjoying the tournament.
I spotted Sir Cristoff in the crowd, and I flashed him a friendly smile. It was good to see the knight enjoying the day’s events with the rest of the townspeople, and I hoped he would have a positive report for the king. He held a bag of snacks clutched in his hand, and he wore a happy expression on his face as he munched. Add the soft bed provided by Torya at the inn to the treats he’d acquired, and I was sure the knight was having the time of his life during his trip to Bastianville.
Then I spotted the seamstress approaching me in my peripheral vision, so I turned to greet her with a broad smile.
“Ah, here’s my winner.” I reached down to give her a quick hug.
“Thank you for this opportunity, Great One.” Bellona grinned up at me with her husband Gwydion by her side. “I’ve always wanted to see the high fashion of the palace with my own eyes.”
“I am going to drop out of the competition, Great One,” the seamstress’ husband informed me in a reluctant tone. “With Bellona going with you, I’ll need to stay and mind the store.”
“That is unfortunate,” I allowed with a sympathetic smile. “You will be missed.”
“I doubt I could fight my way through these bloodthirsty runners,” Gwydion said with a shake of his head. “Even Bellona was more dedicated to the race than I.”
“Why did you volunteer in the first place, then?” I asked in a curious tone. “You don’t seem like you were very eager to travel with me.”
“I was going to give my place to my wife if I won a spot,” Gwydion confessed.
“That’s so sweet of you,” Eva observed as she joined us. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear what you said. She’s a lucky lady, sir.”
“Eva, this is Gwydion and Bellona,” I said as I gestured to the couple before I wrapped my arm around the blonde’s shoulders. “Bellona just earned the third spot on our entourage.”
“I hate to pull you away, but…” Eva bit her lip as she hesitated.
“I take it we’re ready for the next event?” I lifted a questioning eyebrow.
“The obstacle course is laid out.” Eva nodded. “Does everyone have their spoons?”
“If not, then they don’t get to play.” I shrugged. “But Deena brought all the eggs she had, so we should have enough for everyone.”
“It seems like such a waste.” The duke’s daughter shook her head. “But I’m sure you know exactly what you’re doing.”
“The amount of awesome entertainment we’ll receive will be worth a few dozen eggs,” I declared with a decisive nod. “You’ll see.”
“I eagerly await the view,” Eva cooed.
I flashed her a grin before I turned to scan the faces gathered around me. Caelia stood with a couple women I hadn’t met yet, and they talked excitedly among themselves. Riondale’s cousins, Thanor, Bryn, and Ean, huddled together near the circle of women, and judging from the sounds of laughter and red faces, they were enjoying the tournament as well.
Everywhere I looked were happy people, and the sight warmed my heart. This was the energy I wanted to always be present in Bastianville, and I knew the tournament would lift the people’s morale for weeks.
I was pretty proud of myself for my idea as I marched into a clear area to announce the beginning of the next event.
I’d managed to kill multiple birds with one competition, and soon I’d be headed to the palace with some of the best damned people in Sorreyal at my back. The thought sent a shiver of excitement down my spine, and the hairs on the nape of my neck stood up. I didn’t know what would happen at the summit of nobility just yet, but I knew I’d have people I trusted with me. Add that to my god-like powers, and I could tackle any obstacle ahead of me.
“Alright,” I called out in a loud voice. “The next event is about to start. All participants, please take your eggs and spoons to the starting line!”
The crowd of people moved and swayed as the contenders separated from the previous event winners and judges, and then everyone was where they were supposed to be. Elissa, Eva, and Mahini sat with Elrin on a bench we’d brought from the tavern, and they watched the events unfold closely just in case there was any argument over a winner.
For the most part, the races and events of my tournament were designed in a way that always revealed a clear winner, but what was a competition without some judges?
Plus, three out of four of the judges were super-hot, so win-win for me.
I checked to make sure all of my competitors were ready for the race, and when I spotted everyone placing an egg very gently into a spoon, I knew it was time to begin.
“Ready… Set…” I flashed my three beautiful women a flirtatious wink as I held my hand up over my head once more. Then I swept it down and across my body to signal the start of the race. “Go!”
The contenders inched forward with careful steps as they balanced their eggs anxiously upon their cutlery. The field was full of obstacles during this race, though, so it was extra challenging to cross the length of dirt to the finish line. This event tested agility and patience, both of which were characteristics I wanted my team to have, so I watched carefully.
The girl competitors seemed to be having a better time gaining ground since the men were all in a hurry. Jaxtom’s egg was the first to fall to the ground with a crack and a wet sploosh sound, but Hal’s was a close second. Soon, the sound of squishing eggs and groans filled the air, and the field of competition slowly dwindled down to a sparse five people.
Torya, Corvis, and Jaxtom’s apprentice, Janus, were all dead even for first place about halfway across the field, but Deena and Caelia were right behind them. Then the black-haired innkeeper veered to dodge a large rock we’d placed in the path, and her egg went flying. Janus fell into a squat to avoid the yolk-filled projectile, and his load bounced from his spoon to the ground.
Corvis lurched forward, but he tripped over another rock, and he and his egg both went flying. The poor horseman faceplanted in the dirt, and the pieces of shell crashed down next to his face. Deena and Caelia were side by side as they took a right to avoid the disaster in front of them, and I saw the heated glances they exchanged as they neared the finish line.
I resisted the urge to cheer on the beautiful shopkeeper since I didn’t want to be perceived as having any favorites, but I was really starting to hope Caelia won.
It was going to be tight, and I inhaled sharply as I instinctively leaned forward in order to get a better view of the finale. I squinted to see down the field, and every second seemed to last an eternity.
Then Caelia lunged to the left suddenly, and in the next instant, Deena went down. Some hidden obstacle had appeared out of nowhere, but the not-so-timid-anymore shopkeeper had maneuvered nimbly past it. She skipped forward into the string of the finish line, and she swiveled around with a huge grin on her face.
“Caelia wins the third race!” I announced in a loud, very pleased voice.
Cheers erupted from the judges stand, and I turned to see all three of my women on their feet and pumping their fists in the air.
I shook my
head in amusement as I began to cross the field to the victor.
I hadn’t realized my girls liked Caelia so much, but maybe their reaction was just due to how tense the race had been. We’d all been on the edge of our seats during the final standoff, and Caelia had certainly earned her victory outright.
“Good job,” I congratulated with a proud smile. “You’ve earned a spot on my entourage, young lady.”
“Y-Yes, Great One.” Caelia’s face was flushed with excitement and adrenaline, and her soft brown eyes twinkled brightly as she looked up at me. “I suppose I did.”
The shopkeeper suddenly seemed to remember herself, and she shook her head briefly before dropping her gaze to the dirt at our feet.
“You did wonderfully.” I smirked as I hooked a finger under her chin and brought her face back up to mine. “Now, go join the winner’s circle and enjoy it.”
Caelia dropped into a low curtsey, and then she scurried away without another word.
I smirked as I followed her path over to where Sarah, Bron, and Bellona stood. I was already collecting quite the motley crew of townspeople to act as my entourage, and I couldn’t be happier. Now, I just needed some brawn, and my team would be complete.
I’d saved the more physically taxing events for the latter half since I wanted to give equal opportunity to the trained fighters and regular townspeople. As long as everyone could ride a horse and keep up with the pace I set, then I was more than capable of protecting a small group.
“What’s next?” someone in the crowd asked in a curious tone.
“Where’s the next race?”
“More!”
Everyone was excited and eager for more events, so I trotted back across the field to the starting line.
“Attention!” I called out, and I waited for silence to fall before I continued. “The next event is going to be located outside of the town walls. It is a short distance from here, but it will be well worth the trek. Follow me!”