Outskirts of Veil

Okay I’ve got this. How hard can it be?

“Hey kid. Who are you and what business do you have in Veil?”

“I am Richard Thorn, the son of the blacksmith who serves Lord Henry directly.”

“Do you have your papers?”

“No, I do not.” He’s on guard now. His sudden change of tone has alerted the others, but not all of them. “I sneaked out to capture the rumoured witch.”

“You? Someone like you tried to apprehend a witch? You’re joking right?”

“I am not. I am strong enough to fend for myself, in fact. I could take you on if you wished it.” Yes. He’s agitated, another guard has come.

“So, where the hell is the witch then?”

“I failed.” In response to my statement, the guards broke into laughter. “I failed to beat the witch, but I’m confident I can take the lot of ya on.” The laughter stopped.

“Oh, I’d like to see you try young man.” I placed my belongings down and in the most retarded way possible. I trip over my own legs and fall like a clown, flat onto my face. The atmosphere flipped once more, the tension broke and the guards began laughing again. Looking around, the other guards within the vicinity have come. After calming himself down, he reaches out to me. “My apologize young-one. I shouldn’t be challenging a kid to a fight. I was simply bored, and my chin was terribly-itchy.”

“Joseph, Explain this commotion.”

“Sir! It was just banter between two men.”

“That man. I recognize him. Let him pass.”

“Yes Sir!” Joseph turns to me. “Go on then lad, get in.” As I enter Brian whispers to me.

“Richard, stop sneaking out of town already, you’re a peasant you know you can’t be leaving your lord’s land at will. I can’t always turn a blind-eye to you. And don’t forget, you now owe me another drink.” With a pat on my back, he sends me in. I can’t remember correctly whether it was my father who had saved his life, or he who saved fathers. I wonder which was it? Anyways, I better find Deth.

Veil: Arena

After dealing with formalities and obligations. I entered Chizu’s arena and took a seat close to the ring for myself. There wasn’t a single cry of witch to be heard through the day and so I can only assume that Deth has managed so far and, I had picked up rumours of a rare-contestant for tonight’s fight at this Arena. A small and humble arena which stages brawls throughout the week for entertainment and prize money. The rumour is that a girl dressed like a doll, adorning a black dress and a mask has entered the tournament. She Passed the entry-test with flying colours, or so they say. I’ve yet to confirm my suspicions as the next fight has yet to start. The fight in which The Dark Marionette is due.

The two fighting currently are both brawler types. Both barbarically muscular fighting the other head on. Although the fight is intense, the crowd seems bored. Perhaps they’re here for the same reasons as I. For the Dark Marionette, as it is rare for a female to compete in such tournaments. Especially one that is rumoured to be strong enough to beat a man two times her size into submission.

“Young-sir would you like to wager in tonight’s fight?” A barmaid approached me.

“Mm, I am interested. Could you tell me about the next fight?”

“Certainly. Tonight, you’re in for a treat. The Dark Marionette who appears to be an ordinary girl hides her strength behind her guise. Adorning a doll like appearance with her beautiful dress but hiding her amazing face behind a blackened mask. However, her opponent is Mass the Great. His name is no exaggeration, his arms are so strong, not even a bull could best him”

“That’s enough thank you. I’ll place one sovereign on the Dark Marionette.” If my hunch is correct, no one should be able to keep up against Deth. But if I’m wrong, then the loss of one sovereign is going to hurt my purse a lot.

“Certainly sir, thank you for participating.” She scribbles the bet into her tab before handing me a numbered-stick. “Don’t lose this, or you forfeit your bet.” I nod and take my seat.

It seems the fight between the two brawlers have ended. The audience is gathering around the pit, their attention undivided now.

“Hey, who did you wager on?” A tavern goer asks.

“The Dark Marionette, why?”

“Are you kidding? I don’t care what rumours you’ve heard about her; a girl is still only a girl. All that mumbo-jumbo they’ve wrote up is just their way of selling a useless product.”

“Why are you so sure it’s fake?”

“Look, listen here. I’ve seen the way Mass fights. He is a bloody-monster. It’s what he lives for. I’ve heard, he travels from town to town just to enter fights like these. The fact that a girl is being pitted against him is a joke, she won’t survive. Mark my words lad you’ve lost whatever money you’ve placed on her.”

“Alright then, and how much did you place on Mass?”

“Two sovereigns, enough to keep a roof over your head and to keep hunger at bay for a month.” Bloody-hell two sovereigns. This guy is in for a real shock.

“I’ve placed one sovereign on the Marionette.” He’s laughing relentlessly.

“I’m sorry laddie. Look after the match is over, I’ll buy you a cup of mead.” I doubt that. I nod and redirect my attention towards the pit.