Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

We followed the aloof manservant down the hall. Pairs of wood doors lined both sides and featured intricate carvings that showed people in various poses showing off their powers. The very first door featured a figure with their arms raised. A crowd stood before them with their arms raised in the identical fashion and the name of Hugo flowed from their lips. Some of the figures wielded wands against magical creatures. I couldn't help but nudge Tegan's arm with my elbow and nodded at one scene in particular. It was of a dragon surrounded by a half dozen magic users. Its fangs were bared and it had a wild look in its eyes.

"A relative of yours?" I whispered.

He noticed where I indicated and smiled. "Former relative, by the looks of it."

"These doors are to commemorate past tournaments," the man spoke up without turning his head. "Each scene is one of three tests which was passed by the previous contestants."

I viewed the doors with renewed interest and marveled at the dozens of scenes set before us. "How long has he been doing these?"

"Twenty-nine. This will mark the thirtieth year."

I looked up at Tegan. "Are these trials that important?"

"They gave Lusio enough prestige to land him some very important trade contacts," Tegan told me as he nodded at the fancy wood and lush carpet beneath our feet. "So most of this wouldn't be here without it."

We reached the end of the hall where a pair of elegant doors of simpler design led us out onto a large terrace. The open space was constructed from stones and fitted together with pale mortar to match the tan colors of the rocks. The stones had been polished to a smooth shine and were surrounded by a low stone wall that separated the onlooker from a drop of some ten feet onto the white sands.

The beaches stretched for sixty yards before reaching the current edge of the blue-green waters. A set of stone stairs led down to the sand and it was there where we found the host. A group of a dozen servants were scurrying around the beach. Each of them held a pointed stick with a small jar affixed to the top. Other servants were busy off to the side adding the finishing touches to a set of long white wood bleachers.

A man of about fifty was directing their efforts. Unlike the others clad in plain whites and blacks, he was dressed in a casual suit jacket of plum purple. His tan pants ended with suede shoes and he grasped a drink in one hand as he pointed at one side or the other.

"Not there, you fool! A little farther away than that or they will break each other!" the man snapped.

Our guide led us across the sands and stopped within five feet of the general. The servant crossed his arm over his chest and bowed low to Mr. Suede Shoes. "My Master, you have company."

"Then leave them and bring me another drink," the man snapped as he handed the servant his mostly empty glass. "And make it stiffer. This is not going as well as I had hoped."

"Very good, sir," the man agreed and he scurried off to obey.

Lusio didn't pay us a lick of attention as he resumed his shouting duties. "Farther apart and farther back or they won't stand a chance!" Two of the carriers were so eager to obey that they didn't watch where they were going and crashed into each other. Their sticks fell to the sands and a colorful gooey substance fell out of the jars. The man stamped his foot against the ground. "You fools! Now have Clara refill those and get back here at once!"

"Yes, sir!" they shouted as they scooped up their and scurried not to the house but down the beach. They soon disappeared behind a dune near where white sand met green grass.

Lusio shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "The rest of you rest a moment until they return. Anyone who has been given their spots may return to the house."

Only two out of the remaining ten gladly hurried into the house. The others took their staves and clustered together to chatter.

Tegan stepped up to the master of the house. "Good morning, Mr. Lusio. Domini has requested we be here to-"

He waved his hand at us without looking. "Yes, yes. Domini informed me you were coming and I promptly wrote him to tell him you weren't needed. I'm perfectly safe with the vetted participants and the crowds have already been checked for those who would cause a disturbance."

Tegan lifted an eyebrow. "Do you expect disturbances every year?"

Lusio wrinkled his nose. "Well, not every year, but I'm sure you met those troublemakers on the road here."

"We couldn't help it," Tegan confirmed.

A dark cloud settled on our host's brow. "They've been trying to tarnish my name for many months now with those false accusations. Imagine me going against the rules of the sea when I've made my life and fortune from it."

"A vast fortune, or so I've heard," Tegan added.

Lusio turned to us and gave him a sharp look. "You don't believe those falsehoods, do you?"

"We didn't come here to pass judgment on your life but to protect it," Tegan reminded him.

The man didn't appear appeased as he looked Tegan over. "Whatever your intentions, I need no help. You can stay for the tournament as a courtesy to Domini, but any interruption on your part will result in immediate dismal." He paused and looked over my broom. "And under no circumstances will I allow you to participate. Is that understood?"

Tegan bowed his head. "Perfectly. Thank you for allowing us to witness your tournament. The reputation precedes it and I have no doubt we will enjoy the show."

The corners of Lusio's lips twitched upward. "Yes, well, I pride myself on giving variety. No two years are the same. Take this, for example." He held out his hand to the group of servants but they didn't notice his gesture. He frowned. "You there! Will someone bring me one of those sticks?"

They snapped to attention and half of them scrambled over the other half to meet his demand. They nearly stuck Lusio like a pig with their eagerness to shove their stick at him. He jerked his hand back and gave them a disapproving glare before he snatched an offered stave.

Lusio turned to us and tilted the stick enough so Tegan and I could see the interior of the jar. "Do you see that? Can you guess what it is?"

Tegan took one look at it and nodded. "It looks like some bubble mixture."

Lusio frowned but hid most of his disapproval by clearing his throat. "Yes, well, not just a mere bubble mixture, but you shall see soon enough." He shoved the stave back into the hands of the servant and nearly toppled the trembling fellow. "Now if you will excuse me, I have a tournament to prepare. You may return to the house and Miles will show you to your rooms."

Tegan and I were only too glad to leave our strange host behind and return to the house. We met the stoic servant just inside the doors and he swept his arm down the hall. "If you will come with me, I will show you to your rooms."

I lifted an eyebrow at his inexplicable knowledge but silently followed him. Miles led us to the left set of spiral stairs and up to the third floor. The climb wasn't as brutal as reaching Glistnia but my head was spinning by the time we arrived at our destination.

The butler led us down the hall to the end where a window looked out on the cliffs. He gestured to the last two doors. "You may occupy these rooms during your brief stay with us."

Tegan clapped a hand on the man's shoulder and grinned. "We'll only need one of them."

Miles eyed his hand as a personal offense but kept his stoic mouth. "I see. Will you be needing anything else, sir?"

"The itinerary for the tournament would be appreciated," Tegan told him.

Miles reached into his coat and drew out a pamphlet. "This lists the events and meal times."

"Perfect," Tegan replied as he accepted the flyer with his offending hand.

"Will there be anything else, sir?"

"A list of the guests," Tegan added as he took a brief look at the inside of the pamphlet and held it up. "This doesn't include that."

Miles shook his head. "The list is exclusively held by my master. None may view it unless given express permission by him. Would you like me to ask him for the list on your behalf?"

Tegan smiled and shook his head. "No need. I think we both know the answer to that question."

"Then if there is nothing else, sir, I will take my leave." Miles bowed his head and disappeared down the hall.

"I've had cheerier welcomes in a graveyard. . ." I muttered.

Tegan smiled at me. "At least they didn't put us in the attic."

I lifted an eyebrow. "How do you know this place has an attic?" He pointed at something behind me and above the window. I followed his finger and noticed a hatch in the ceiling. "Oh. Right."

"Now let's see what the accommodations are for this adventure," Tegan suggested as he opened the door.

I stepped inside and my mouth fell open.