Knights of the Inner Rim (Beyond the Outer Rim Book 0)

by Reiter

Next came a hundred-meter stretch of flat ground up an incline. This was designed to sap even more strength out of the racer. For the one-lap heats it was only mildly effective, but everyone knew that in the three-lap final, it was going to be more telling.

  After the mud-basin incline, there was a relatively short section of dry, flat ground which was probably placed in the name of mercy. It provided a respite from a troublesome terrain, allowing the racers to regain their balance and increase their speed, if such was their wish. Because the following section was a favorite among the spectators. The stretch of running track soon became one of five bridges that led to what looked to be a rooftop of an industrial building of some sort. Collectors and condensers were mounted atop smokestacks, and the surface was hard and granular. From that roof, the racers were plunged into a network of pseudo-building rooftops that stretched out for one hundred and fifty meters. The section was as wide as it was long, giving the racers a number of options as to how to traverse the area. At the end of the section there were five more bridges leading to another flat incline.

  With the ground eventually leveling off, the racers would next come to an area where there were three sets of four side-by-side jumps. The ramps, however, were curved, becoming being nearly vertical at the very top.

  The next section was a two hundred-meter stretch of ground. It was a slalom course with the flags randomly changing from simple posts to automatic guns firing force bolts. That was followed by another incline that curved around to the starting line... after a twenty-seven meter drop. That part of the course was yellow. So long as the racers stayed on the yellow course, they would not be allowed to exceed speeds that would be harmful to them should they come to an abrupt halt.

  Valian finished first in his heat and second in the semi-final race, just barely managing to win a position in the final race. After running a near perfect first race, he had fallen twice in the second race; once in the mud and once at the near-vertical jumps.

  In the Prep Room awaiting the result of the last two semi-final races, Kethgeegan paced as Simio examined Valian’s right leg. The newly acquired HealeR – who went by the nickname Desh – was still amazed by the young KnighT and the company he kept... which now included the disavowed physician.

  “I still think you should have claimed a foul on that idiot who collided with you,” the Counsel commented.

  “The judges didn’t think it was intentional,” Valian restated. “I am inclined to see their perspective.”

  “Oh, that’s just your soft way of saying that you agree with me but you don’t want to make an argument!”

  “How comforting to be in the company of those who know me so well,” Valian smiled, looking up at his HealeR. “How is it, Desh?”

  “We’re allowed to apply restorative measures,” Simio said, coming away from his examination. He lifted his left arm to show a bracer that was not his property. “But each HealeR is monitored for all actions they take. The restrictions are more lax in-between challenges but right now we’re in the middle of one. I can wrap the knee to give you some extra support. That should be more than enough for the last race.”

  “Thank you,” Valian nodded, letting his head go back down to the pillow. He closed his eyes and started to meditate.

  Hugh stood closest to the monitor showing the current heat that was drawing to an end. He shook his head in dismay. “Man, one lap looks like it could do you in. How the hell is anyone going to do three?!”

  “Val’s got this,” Carlos quickly replied. “It would be different if he had to carry blocks from one end of the track to the other.” A bit of light laughter rolled through the room as K’Vatti approached Quilori, brushing back her long, blonde hair as her face wore a frown of confusion and concern.

  “Can you help me understand something?” she asked.

  “If I can, K.”

  “Bruntelior’s not even participating in this event,” the young woman stated. “How does he hope to win the tournament if he doesn’t participate in some of the events?”

  “Evard isn’t in this event, but he’s got five of his entourage racing for his standard,” Quilori shared. “You see... the champion might take all the credit for the tournament, but it’s really a team effort. If any one of us were to win an event, the points would be awarded to Valian.”

  “Then why aren’t any of us out there running with Valian in The Chase?!” K’Vatti quickly asked, taking measures to keep her speaking voice low. Still she managed to demonstrate her concerns.

  “Don’t worry, K’Vatti,” Quilori said, turning her data-pad around so that the retainer could see it. “Valian will be depending on your skill with the crossbow.”

  Brown eyes lowered from Quilori’s face to focus on the display of the pad and they blinked when the names appearing under the heading Archery were Valian, K’Vatti, and Hugh. Quilori then tapped on K’Vatti’s name and the display changed. K’Vatti gasped, looking at the events she had been registered to participate in.

  “Archery?” she asked, looking up at Quilori. “I can use the crossbow in an archery contest?”

  “I do so love Middle Rim folk,” Quilori smiled. “Bows and crossbows are allowed, K’Vatti. You might have some trouble in the speed rounds though.”

  “Hugh used to think that the crossbow was slow, too,” K’Vatti returned, allowing a smirk to form on her face before she turned and walked away.

  The Retainer Mistress searched the Prep Room until she found Hugh who was already looking at her. His eyes closed as his head shook slightly, giving her the signal that conveyed she need not be concerned with whatever had been exchanged. The woman smiled, nodded, and went back to her work.

  “Now this is a treat,” Champanna said softly, taking a leaning position next to Annodia and Gilestra. All three of them were looking at Kethgeegan as he continued to pace, muttering to himself. “Is he expecting?” Both women who heard her burst into laughter. Annodia staggered away a few strides, but Gilestra glared angrily at being made to laugh. Champanna pressed her lips together as she lowered her eyes. “Sorry.”

  Gilestra smiled before she chuckled. “He doesn’t handle the in-between moments well, does he?”

  “He’s much cooler when his life is on the line,” Champanna shared. “Now what is this?” Gilestra turned to see Annodia walk up to Kethgeegan. She put her hand to the side of the man’s face and spoke softly to the man, scratching his chin before turning to walk away. Kethgeegan licked his lips before swallowing and going to find a chair.

  Annodia walked by to join the other two women who were staring at her. Annodia adjusted her gloves and shrugged her shoulders. “Sometimes those two forget I own them,” she stated. “I had to remind him he didn’t have my permission to worry.”

  Gilestra looked up at Champanna who lifted her hands in surrender.

  “Don’t look at me... she just took my treat away!”

  As the racers started walking to the starting line for the final heat, Valian had his boots checked by Sandra. She gave him the thumbs up before reaching up to bring his head forward. They touched foreheads and closed their eyes. “Show ‘em how to do it right, kiddo.”

  “Will do, Chief.”

  The two parted and Valian started for the track.

  “Did you tell him to stay away from the Bruntelior racers?” Fessural asked.

  “Nope,” Sandra answered, handing Kayjoe her tool belt.

  “Did you tell him to get out in front and stay there?” the retainer pressed.

  “That didn’t come up either,” she replied before holding up her hand. “You guys need to forget what you’ve seen. Valian knew this was more than a one-race event going into it.”

  “What that’s supposed to mean?!” Bef’Lurro barked.

  “He didn’t run the race before the way he’s about to,” Annodia said, drawing everyone’s attention and Sandra’s smile. “Why teach everybody else how to do it right if they can’t figure it out for themselves?”

  “Jorkethian comb
at training,” Kethgeegan added. “Remember the basics. There are two categories people fall into if you let them: leaders and followers. Conformity is a far more significant issue than any lack of skill.”

  “Conformity?” Kwebb asked. “I don’t get it.”

  “Watch,” Annodia and Kethgeegan said together as the former put her hands on her hips and the latter folded his arms across his chest.

  The gun starting the race sounded off and most of the racers pushed off, skating on cushions of air as they tried to build up their speed. Jumping out in front of the pack was Valian, running on the ground.

  “You can run a great deal faster than you can skate,” Kethgeegan stated as he watched his friend press his body for more speed. It was always something of a treat seeing Valian sprint. For the first five strides he could even edge out his horse Thunderstar, which made for some seriously dazzling running-mount tricks Valian had mastered. “And when you add thrusters to what is already a near-inhuman leaping ability...”

  Valian reached the end of the beginning track and he jumped up and out as far as he could, activating his boot’s thrusters. He climbed even higher into the air as he also gained velocity. When the thrusters timed out he flipped and locked his body into a downhill skier’s squat as he activated his boots. He rode the air coming down with over three-quarters of the hilled section behind him. He slowed his course to drift to the right, using the downside of the hill as a landing ramp and with such a smooth touchdown he lost very little speed. He came up the next hill and used it to jump the rest of the section.

  “... you might even be able to clear the lumpy section,” Kethgeegan finished, turning to look at the other retainers. “Don’t worry... the show’s not over. Anyone want to take wager on how many racers he laps?”

  “Now you’re talking loco,” Carlos said, defiantly shaking his head. “I mean, he’s going to win but–”

  “I’ve got one month’s chores says he laps at least two racers,” Kethgeegan wagered.

  “Oh, now you’ve lost it,” Kwebb snapped. “I’ll take some of that.”

  “Two racers?!” Champanna questioned. “Yeah, I think you’re going too far with that one, too. Count me in.”

  “Make it two months and I’m in too,” Bef’Lurro chimed in.

  “Yeah, make it two!” Carlos added.

  “Taking all parties interested,” Kethgeegan said calmly. Hugh and Kayjoe soon joined in on the wager. More reluctant to add her name, Ereena verified that Valian had to lap at least two racers before she added her name to the bet.

  Annodia covered her face with her hand. She then looked at Gilestra and whispered. “Any idea what Kethgeegan’s going to do when he has no chores for several months?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll find something for him to do,” Lady Gilestra promised.

  Holding his form, Valian allowed his momentum to carry him over the mud. When he got to the cityscape, he took a different path than he had gone in either of his previous two races. The bars many used to swing from he jumped on top of, using the skates to ride them. He moved with such speed and dexterity that most of the audience forgot to cheer.

  Approaching the near-vertical jumping ramps, Valian skated up the side and landed on the edge of the second ramp, jumping from it, flipping forward, landing on the ground, and skating between the second and third landing ramps.

  With the slalom section, Valian maintained his smooth skating, weaving in and around the poles, ducking and jumping to avoid the force blasts, and pushing off from the posts to get even more speed.

  “And here it comes,” Kethgeegan said softly. He had taken a position away from the track, leaning up against a pole and folding his arms again. “I think I will call this one the chore winner.”

  Valian came to the sheer drop; he pushed for even more speed and skated off the cliff, taking a forward lean with his hands pressed against his legs. Most of the people in the bleachers gasped as he came flying the cliff.

  “Master!” Ereena cried, taking hold of Kayjoe’s arm as well as Kwebb’s.

  Valian broke form, lifting his right foot to his chest and extending his arms out from his sides. His right skate boot’s thrusters fired for two seconds; slowing his descent but increasing his forward velocity. When it burned out, he shifted to his left leg and fired those thrusters as well. Once again he was clear of the hills and skipped skating through the mud. He was still moving very fast when he reached the bridges leading into the cityscape. Reaching the first jump point, Valian used it as a ramp and carried over the first two rooftops, landing on a third.

  “Damn!” Bef’Lurro winced. While the spectators might have been drawn in by Valian’s performance, the retainer knew that the young KnighT was only just getting into his stride. The second lap was going to go by faster than the first, and the rear-most racer was just getting to the cliff drop. “It’s going to be a long two months!”

  “Nicely done, partner,” Champanna said, holding up her hand.

  Kethgeegan smiled, smacking his into hers. “I count six non-believers,” he giggled. “That’s twelve months of chores. After the cut, that’s half a year where we don’t have to do a damn thing around the castle.”

  “Gonna be a sweet four months,” Champanna smiled.

  “You were in on it?” Kwebb asked.

  “Hey, fair is fair,” Champanna argued. “I’m still going to pay my two months, which is why I only win four.” Both she and Kethgeegan were still giggling and congratulating themselves when Valian won the race after lapping four racers.

  Believe in yourself, and you will create miracles.

  Kailash Satyarthi

  (Rims Time: XI-4907.04)

  Valian stood there for a moment, looking at the virtual image leaderboard. There, beside the colors of the House Jhormynn, was his name. After two events, he had amassed twenty-two points. The Chase was only worth seven, but the steeplechase had netted him fifteen more. Though the start had been extremely troublesome, both he and Thunderstar had managed to emerge from the quagmire of bodies. They chased after the three contestants who had managed to dodge the attempts of one champion’s group to block the entire field of racers. The attempt, as it were, worked only too well as they also managed to ensnare the one rider they had meant to give a head start to.

  Thunderstar had pulled ahead of the fastest horse and rider just after they jumped the hurdle at the halfway point. KnighT and Charger won with over a seven-length lead.

  “We’re doing well,” he surmised.

  “That’s a matter of opinion,” Kwebb complained.

  “Shut up!” K’Vatti hissed at the man.

  “What seems to be the issue?” Valian asked, turning to face his friends.

  “Nothing, Master,” K’Vatti assured. “Kwebb’s just concerned with how well he’s going to do in his event.”

  “Really?” Valian asked. “You shouldn’t be worried at all. I’ve yet to see you lose at a game of Daggers & Darts. The Hand Projected Range should be quite easy for you.”

  “Yeah, but he’s never gone up against you,” Bef’Lurro pointed out.

  “And should he lose to me, how is that bad for what we’re trying to achieve?” Valian asked.

  “You make a very fine point, Valian,” Kwebb surrendered.

  “And the lot of you are atrocious liars!” Valian returned, his face twisting in anger and disgust. “Seriously, that was just shameful!”

  “It was Kethgeegan who started the betting!” Kwebb revealed, thinking it better for Valian to be angry at someone else.

  “Well, that certainly didn’t take much,” Karlia commented. “All he gave was a bit of a squeeze, and you just up and sang like a bird!”

  “That wasn’t much of a squeeze at all,” Valian agreed, dropping his facial expression. “Seriously, Kwebb. Is that all it takes: a simple hint of displeasure?!”

  “You really have to stop doing that,” Kwebb sighed.

  “I will... when you stop falling for it! Keth, what was the bet, and
how much did you win?”

  “Six months of chores, all said and done, and the bet was you’d lap at least two racers in The Chase.”

  “You took that bet?!” Valian snapped, glaring at the man. “And you’re supposed to be on my side?!”

  “I didn’t bet against you!” Kwebb stressed.

  Again the young KnighT relaxed his face. “Wow... that was fast... and easy! I can see this is going to take a bit of time.” Though he was ready to tease his retainer even further, Valian could hear hurried footfalls approaching – the sort that Gilestra’s feet made – and she was not a woman who rushed about needlessly. He started for the door as she entered the room.

  “My lord, we have a communication with the Jhormynn Estate,” she announced. “The Duke has expressed a most immediate need to speak with you.”

  “Lead the way, Lady Gilestra.”

  Valian followed her out of the Prep Room and downstairs to a room that had been dedicated to his team for the purposes of storing their equipment and setting up a port-link with the estate on Calrios. Stepping up to the viewing port, he could see that the link had not been made using broadcast technologies. This was a spell, and a powerful one to boot.

  “Your Grace,” Valian said, bowing to the image of Vaiyorl.

  “Sir KnighT,” he returned, shifting his focus to Lady Gilestra. “Clear the chamber, Lady Gilestra, I would speak with my son alone, if you please.”

  “At once, Your Grace,” Gilestra replied, quickly turning on her heels. She was proud to see that she did not need to say anything. The Twins were already walking for the door. Kyle had already tapped Dyrvassa on the shoulder. She might have been the latest addition to the group, but the young Vohlterran had proven to be incredibly smart, save for her taste in men. She looked up to see who had tapped her, received the signal to depart, and was up on her feet in the very next instant. Gilestra closed the door on her way out of the room.

  “This can’t be good,” Valian guessed.

  “The moment is not entirely saddening,” Vaiyorl reported. “The viewing device that the Empress provided is working in good fashion, as you can see.”