Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

As promised, the feast for the diminished ranks of the competitors was indeed something special, at least for Ziana's standards. It was quite a spread, though the elites always ate the finest dishes at every meal, their private chefs feeding them at tables set away from the rabble, though they were still required to make an appearance, albeit while keeping to their own group. Mingling with their lessers was simply not even on the table.

But a lot of other delicious and delightful edible items were on the table, literally, and Ziana happily sampled every last one of them.

It was a marked shift from the prior nights when she and Dorrin had partaken in the group meal. For one, there were far fewer teams remaining. More than expected had been taken out by the particularly difficult course. From what she could gather, this had been a tough one even by the games' already stringent standards.

And yet here they were, sitting pretty, the homecoming king and queen, more or less. Beating the other commoners was just a part of the game, and everyone was competitive when it came to that. But to have not only been the first of the lesser players to complete the course, but to have also utterly crushed the elites as well? And in such a humiliating manner that it would be talked about for years to come? Competitiveness was put aside just this once, and congratulations were freely given to the victors.

Naturally, the elites were all fuming at the sight of the celebration. This wasn't supposed to happen. The commoners were supposed to be ground down and eliminated like clockwork, their failures paving the way for a satisfying, albeit predictable, victory for one of the elite teams.

But the tables had turned. And with them, the tides in the betting pools had as well. That meant Dorrin and his human partner would be scrutinized far more than a regular commoner team, and that also meant that it would be much harder to actively cheat against them, though the elder elites would likely get involved behind the scenes now. But on the playing field itself? Too many eyes meant someone might see something if the younger elites broke the rules, and that was something that could cause enough of a stir to draw the attention of the Dotharian overseer, and none of them wanted that.

So they stared daggers and fire at Ziana and Dorrin, but they left it at that and did nothing more while the celebration carried on. Carried on far later than the usual dining period, in fact, thanks to the announcement that the following day's event was to begin in the afternoon. That meant sleeping in and really getting a good and restorative night's sleep.

So they decided as a group to take full advantage of the extra cushion, and just this once the players actually let their guard down a little and enjoyed themselves despite the knowledge they'd be pitted against one another again come the following day.

It was during the prolonged celebration that an impromptu bit of gameplay broke out. Not the physical type, though, but rather the cerebral variety.

Ziana watched from a distance as several gaming boards and pieces were set up on the tables, various would-be players actually looking relaxed as they challenged one another to a game. Even the elites, aloof as they normally were, got in on the action. It seemed this was something pretty much everyone wanted to play.

The board was similar to a chessboard, but rather than a row of eight squares in each direction, the design utilized nine rows of triangles. Still, the overall appearance was pretty much the same, even down to the row of pawn-like front pieces and an assortment of different shapes in the back. It looked like it was played very similarly to chess, but the additional piece was a novelty she'd never experienced before.

"What's that game called?" she asked when Dorrin had finished his conversation with one of the other male competitors. He was a nice fellow who was at the bottom of the rankings and sure to be eliminated any time now. As such, they could talk pretty casually, the tension of the earlier rounds greatly dissipated.

Dorrin glanced over at the several games already underway. "That is Bolaxis. An ancient game of strategy and skill. It is one of the intelligence challenges that can be made a part of the games."

"Kind of like the puzzle day?"

"Yes. The games are not only about being the strongest or fastest, but also possessing the sharpest mind and keenest instincts. To win the games is to be a well-rounded individual."

"You mentioned that before, but you didn't say anything about this kind of game."

"Because, while we all train in its principles, it is not usually a crowd-pleaser. As such, you can imagine why it has not actually been a part of the games in many, many years."

"They want blood and guts."

He chuckled. "Or at least some movement. Watching two players stare at a board for an hour does not make for the best entertainment."

Ziana noted the food service staff had brought out something new even though it was after dinner. Pitchers of a dark, chilled liquid and squat glass tumblers were placed at each of the Bolaxis boards.

"What are those for?" she asked. "We already ate."

"Lectrolis cooler," he replied with a shrug. "When a game is played, it is tradition to provide Lectrolis for the players."

"Okay, but what is it? Some sort of alcohol?"

"Nothing like that. It's an energy elixir of sorts. Nothing drastic. Just some sugars, minerals, and a few organic compounds that help the brain better process energy. Though it may look tame, playing a fierce game of Bolaxis can be quite mentally taxing, and the brain must be fed."

"Oh, I know all about that. We've got energy drinks at home. Well, that and coffee."

"Ah yes, the coffee you've mentioned."

"It's hot, it's bitter, and it's full of caffeine. It kinda makes you more alert even if you're tired. Some people get really cracked out by it, but most aren't crazy sensitive."

"Cracked out?"

"Sorry. Colloquial saying that I'm actually glad didn't translate. It's a nasty drug some people get addicted to back on my planet. Not something you ever want to experience."

"If it involved addiction, I will take your word for it. We do not have this crack that you speak of, but there are other illicit substances that have ruined lives. Fortunately, the Dotharian Conglomerate has very strict laws about that sort of thing so it is not the problem it could be. But when you venture to the outermost reaches of their influence, sometimes laws are not exactly followed."

"Or sometimes smack dab in the middle, if you're rich and powerful enough."

He flashed her a look, and the meaning was quite clear. Shut up about that , it said, and she knew he was right. Even alluding to the cheating of the elites wasn't a smart move, especially when you never knew who was listening in. Back in their bungalow they could speak freely, but here? Here she had to mind her words.

She turned her attention back to the players now deeply focused on their games, watching them move their pieces, some with confidence, others with caution. Others still seemed to be playing with strategy, trying to lull their opponents into a false sense of security. A few of the elites fit that bill, overconfident and cocky in their superiority. Odds were they had tutors since a young age playing with them, and they may have been very solid players. But their poker faces really needed work. She wondered if perhaps that might prove helpful in the near future.

"You mind if we check the games out?" she asked, giving the cable connecting them a playful little tug.

"That would be enjoyable," Dorrin said, taking a final swig from his drink as he nodded his agreement. He rose to his feet, stretching languorously like a big cat after a satisfying meal, his muscles rippling across his body as he moved, their contours picking up the light in a dazzling way. Whatever attitude and interpersonal issues he may have had, the guy was nevertheless quite impressively built, there was no denying it.

"Cool." Ziana took the lead, walking them over to a table where two of the male competitors were cracking jokes as they played a game.

This was not a high-stakes moment, and the bit of levity was something it looked as though neither had realized they needed but were both glad to enjoy. Their partners were at their sides, each seated by the pitcher of the alien energy drink, ready to offer up a glass if they needed it. Ziana didn't really think anything of it, even after they visited two other games that were set up pretty much the same. She was too busy learning the rules of how each piece moved as well as basic strategy. Amazingly, it really was like chess. And with the extra piece, which she learned moved similar to a queen, but with a few restrictions depending on the positioning of the opponent's pieces, it might actually have been easier.

It was only when they reached Flagro's table, the douchey elite delivering the coup de grace against an elite named Bladzo of the House Dinokta, that the situation became clear.

"I've got next," she said, her spirits still high from defeating him and his bitch of a sister in the day's event.

Flagro looked up at her, glanced at his sister, with whom he shared quite a laugh, then turned his mirthful gaze back upon Ziana, all but ignoring Dorrin, at least for the moment.

"Oh, that's cute. The female wishes to play."

"What did you call me?" she growled, not one bit appreciating his tone or the way he called her a female as if she was some lesser being.

"You heard me." He turned to Dorrin. "Surely, you must have explained to your uncouth partner how Bolaxis is played."

Ziana didn't wait for Dorrin to reply. "I know how it's played," she shot back. "Not so different from chess. And I'm a pretty good chess player."

Flagro and the other elites burst out laughing, genuinely amused at her words. She quickly learned why.

" You play? Oh, silly female. Bolaxis is a man's game."

Ziana looked around, the little oddity that had tickled the back of her mind but that she hadn't really paid attention to suddenly becoming absurdly apparent. He was right. Only the men were playing. Women were simply seated beside them, waiting to serve them a drink if they needed.

Flagro watched her with amusement as she processed it all. "Ah, you see now. Good, you know your place."

"My place is wherever I want it to be."

"You keep telling yourself that," the man sneered. "But you can be a good little partner and fetch a drink."

"Yeah, that's not happening."

"Suit yourself. But only men play Bolaxis. It is a man's game. A game of battle strategy and tactics. Something your female mind would not be able to comprehend."

Ziana's fist balled up, but Dorrin's firm hand squeezed her shoulder as he gently pulled her back.

"She's new here," he said, pulling her further away from the man before she did something they would both regret. "She's learning."

"Yes, run away, foolish girl," Galla called after her, nudging her brother with a wicked laugh. "Do not waste the time of your betters."

This time it was Dorrin who nearly lost it. He took a deep breath, then turned his gaze on the siblings.

"It's funny, but you know something?"

Flagro rested his chin on his hands, eyebrows mockingly arched. "Please, enlighten me."

Dorrin locked his gaze on him, cold and steady. "My partner is a newcomer, totally unfamiliar with the games until mere days ago."

"Yes, we've noticed. She?—"

"I wasn't finished. Yes, she is new. And yes, she may not know all of our ways. But you know something quite funny about that?"

"What?"

"That means today you were not only beaten by a lowly commoner, which is humiliating in and of itself, but also by a woman you consider the lowest of the low. And yet she beat you. Beat all of you. And I don't know about you, but I was raised that actions speak louder than words, no matter how loud your empty words might be." He squeezed Ziana's shoulder and turned his back on the stammering elites. "Come on. I think we've wasted enough of our precious time listening to these poor deluded fools."

They walked away, ignoring the stammering retorts thrown after them. They walked all the way back to their bungalow, and only once safely in its soundproof walls did they let loose the laughter they'd held inside, a moment of true and pure joy shared by them both.

"Thanks," she said, squeezing his arm gently. "Thanks for standing up for me."

"You may not be as skilled as a native, but they cannot disrespect my partner like that. Especially after how you proved yourself today," he replied, his gaze softer than she was used to.

Maybe he's not such a dick after all , she mused. Or maybe this was just a one-off after we humiliated his rival. Whatever the case, at least for tonight it was a nice change. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.