The next morning a great commotion on the streets woke me up from my uneasy slumber.

With no house of my own and no money to pay for lodging, I simply laid against a wall facing a back alley, a pile of assorted garbage hiding my presence from any passersby. Not the comfiest sleep, but at least I didn’t feel too tired. The medicine had taken full effect by then: the pain was gone, as well as all the bruises, and I could breathe without pain once more. I ate and drank the last scraps of food and ale before leaving my hiding spot to see what the hell was going on.

“Hear ye, people of Ysle! Hear ye!” a crier from the Temple, one of them Priestesses, walked by while ringing a bell. She was wearing orange robes; Fire-keepers, I think they’re called.

As usual when they dared to show up in the slums, the Priestess was escorted by a couple of Temple guards – which due to that silly Taboo of theirs were all female, unlike the regular City guards which were mostly male.

“Hear ye, and rejoice!” the crier carried on with her proclaim. “Yesterday the Conclave ended, and a new Princess has been chosen by the Gods to rule Their Great City! Hail Blessed Princess Shjasta Jaahani! Princess Shjasta’s Presentation will be carried on today at the Grand Temple’s Atrium, starting at the tenth hour! Come all, and greet your new Blessed Princess!”

I couldn’t help but laugh really hard at the “joyous news”. Chosen by the Gods my ass! Did a bunch of otherworldly beings come down to hand-pick this Shjasta fellow personally?

I’ve only been in this “Holy City'' for a couple of years now, and so far I’ve seen no evidence of them being here at all, only some big-mouthed women on fancy robes that allegedly speak with them or something. I fail to see how this “Gods-elected Princess” would be any better ruler than the King of Yeonbrooke, or the Grand Duke of Norden, or the damned Magocrats of Evanor!

The only thing I know is that the Yslean people truly revere their Princesses as Gods-chosen rulers. The previous one was quite beloved, and everyone mourned her passing greatly. I understand she was the one that had to deal with the Ravens when they invaded Ysle, and had no choice but to bow to the whims of the Compact and join them in exchange for liberating her city.

So how good of a ruler this “Blessed Princess” Jaaha was? The city of Ysle, the “Jewel of the Desert'' as they call it, is as full of shit, crime and poverty as any other I’ve ever been, so I’d say she was rather average. Unless the new Princess is hopelessly incompetent, I think she has a very good chance to do it better.

In any case I had nothing better to do at the moment; the only thing I’m good at is fighting, and the pits only open after sunset. So I decided to go to the Temple Atrium and see what the fuss with the new Princess was all about. But first, I had to get a proper breakfast!

That turned out to be an easy task as everybody else, including the merchants, were so very distracted and excited about the imminent Presentation ceremony to notice a few missing food and drink items from their stalls. Once I ate and drank my fill I followed all the people going to the North Hill, the place where the Grand Temple stands, right on the opposite side of town.

I arrived at the Atrium a full hour before the ceremony started, and it was already packed full of people eager to get a glimpse of their new Princess. I decided to stay at the border of the circular plaza, where the large aqueduct provided a bit of shelter from the sunlight and the increasing heat, plus allowing me to have my eyes on practically the entire place. Not that I was expecting trouble to find me, but there’s no such thing as being too careful.

I was starting to get sleepy when the loud blaring of trumpets announcing the arrival of the Princess brought me back to full alertness. The Princess and her entourage were at the raised tribune overlooking the plaza. She was escorted by the top Priestesses and several Temple guards. After a bit more of that Gods nonsense from one of the Head Priestesses, the Princess was formally announced and she approached the border of the tribune to salute her people.

So what can I say about the Blessed Princess Shjasta Jaahani? Well… that at least she’s one hell of a babe, for sure! Quite an exotic look too, with that bronze skin and long silvery hair of hers. She looked lovely in her dress too! But she also seemed a bit nervous, truth be told. She was smiling and saluting, yes, but her body was a bit tensed up, as if expecting something bad to happen at any minute.

But we are talking about governance of a big, important city here, not a beauty contest. Maybe the Yslean Gods like their Princesses nubile and naive-looking. What a bunch of perverts! As for being a capable ruler for the city… well… All of my hopes and dreams were fully deposited with the Priestesses standing behind her!

The cute little thing started to speak. To be honest I didn't really pay too much attention to the words coming out of that pretty mouth of hers, busy as I was ogling the rest of her, wondering how she managed to hide all of her assets beneath those big robes Priestesses wear. Damn! Now that’s a real sacrilege there!

But whatever she said, at least it served to make the people reunited in the plaza cheer and hail her with great enthusiasm. Hail Shjasta, Babe of Babes!

I was starting to think that coming all the way to the Atrium was a total waste of time overall; I normally don’t have to walk that much to leer at hot women, and if I have some chump change they even allow me to do more than just watch. I was about to leave the place when the Priestess accompanying the new Princess said something about a “Sacred Tournament” where the Gods would choose the one destined to become the Princess’ Champion.

“Tournament?” I asked no one in particular.

“New to the city, Yeonbrookean?” asked a man standing next to me.

“Not really… been here for a while now, but I still don’t know much of Ysle or its customs,” which was true, though I didn’t really care for learning them to be honest.

“Every Princess has a Champion,” he simply said, as if I was supposed to know that.

“But the one before her… what was her name? She didn’t have one…”

“Oh, the late Princes Jaaha did have one, but he died while fighting the Anchlesian invasion twelve years ago,” the man remarked. “For every Princess, there is only one Champion. He died while protecting his Charge.”

“I see…” I mused. “So this Champion is simply a bodyguard for the Princess, then?”

“Oh, no no, my friend! The Princess’ Champion is not just her personal bodyguard!” the guy laughed while shaking his head. “He’s… well… The Guardian is also meant to be her consort as well.”

“Wait, what?” I asked in disbelief.

The Tournament thing had my curiosity, but this Guardian business definitely got my full attention!

“I know this might not make much sense to you, being a foreigner and all that… But the gist of it is that the Princess, while technically still a Priestess, she’s meant to be seen as a secular ruler, like the King that rules your homeland.” the man elaborated. “Her position as Priestess does not allow her to formally marry, but the Gods deemed, in Their Infinite Wisdom, that she must have a Champion to protect and comfort her.”

“And this Tournament is supposed to be the way the Gods choose the Champion?”

“Correct! The Sacred Contest is only called once during the Ascension of the new Princess. It will happen three moons from now.”

“And… Can I participate in it?

“Absolutely!” he nodded. “The Tournament is open to all males willing to participate, provided they pay the five thousand Gold inscription fee.”

“I see… thanks…”

I left the place in utter amazement, trying to assimilate the information that man provided. Damn! That was probably the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life! A fighting contest to choose who, in the eyes of the Yslean Gods, is worthy of protecting and literally banging their Princess!?

These Yslean folks and their Gods are nuts!

But even if it was just being a normal bodyguard – you know, the kind that doesn’t get intimate with his boss – this Champion business didn’t sound like a bad deal at all. You get to live in a luxurious palace, never to worry about food or where to put your head to rest when drowsiness sets in.

The “protecting the Princess” part can’t possibly be that hard; I mean, unless the damned Anchlesians showed up again, any would-be assassins aiming for Shjasta’s head would have to get through scores of City and Temple guards before I even have to unsheathe my sword.

The only issue, for me at least, was getting the rather steep five-thousand Gold fee. But with three months until the Tournament happens, I have plenty of time to win a few fights in the pits to raise the money; getting a better sword and armor wouldn’t hurt either!

Later that day, as the sun set and the pits finally opened, I decided to try my luck once more. I went to another parlor located in a different part of town where the one I fought last night was located – it’s not a good idea to visit the same place two days in a row, especially after having a run-in with one of its most… distinguished clients. Sure enough, there were more people willing to fight than usual, all of them for the same reason as me.

I booked a spot on the third event of the night, which would net me around 70 gold coins if I won. With very little to do until then, I decided to sit down and watch the first bout of the night: a pair of amateurs that probably picked up the sword for the first time in their lives. The fight lasted quite long because they were just brushing each other with them. Both had to be taken out of the arena by the bouncers to give way to the second bout, amid the insistent booing of the bored audience. The one with fewer bruises was deemed the winner.

It was then that I noticed that, among the audience, the damned pit boss that mugged me the night before was there! That fucking luck of mine! I did my best to hide from him, and he didn’t seem to notice me. If I stepped into the ring with him in attendance, he would come after me once more.

No way he’ll screw me twice in a row! This time I’m the one doing the mugging!

I excused with the parlor’s boss, arguing that something had upset my stomach and had to leave before the fight. He obviously wasn’t pleased, but let me go nonetheless; still plenty of fools available and more than willing to take my place. I exited the parlor as stealthily as I could to avoid the fat bastard or his men from noticing me.

Once outside I looked for a vantage point overlooking the parlor’s entrance. Across the street was a dark alley where I could hide without being seen while keeping an eye on the other side. I figured the fat bastard would stay there until the final bout of the night, then go home. Naturally, I was getting so bored waiting for him that I started to get sleepy. I had to slap my cheeks several times to stay awake and aware. Patience is not my thing, but for a chance at sweet payback I’ll wait for as long as it takes!

And it paid off. Big time.

The fat bearded man left the place, only escorted by two men, most likely the same men that bloodied me up really good – I never got a chance to take a good look at their faces, being busy getting my ass kicked and all that.

With the advantages of surprise and stealth in my favor, I started following them from a safe distance, waiting until they made a turn on some less crowded street. These guys love to walk through empty streets, often those with few or no street lamps to avoid being seen by guards or rivals. And the fat guy was no exception. I followed them into the dark street, very slowly unsheathing my sword to avoid making noises, hastening my steps as quietly as I could to start closing the distance.

The trio walked in a single column, one bodyguard in front of the bastard, the other behind him. As soon as I was within striking range of the one protecting the rearguard I jumped at him and ran my sword right through his lower back. He only had enough time left for a quick yelp before dropping dead on the dirt.

“Who’s there!?” The fat crime boss screamed, scared. His other bodyguard immediately unsheathed his sword and pushed his charge against a wall while protecting him with his own body.

“An important man like yourself… walking with just two bodyguards? Tsk, tsk! Growing arrogant, aren’t we?” I laughed. I was still partially covered by the shadows.

“That voice… You! The punk from last night!” the boss yelled angrily. “You’ll pay for this with more than just a measly coin and some blood!”

“Dead men cannot collect!” I replied, trying to sound as menacing as I could.

“Show yourself, coward!” the remaining bodyguard taunted while keeping a high guard with his sword.

“Says the one that got me from behind last night, and soon will be as dead as his friend!”

I jumped at the bodyguard from his side. The scared-shitless boss simply whimpered and cowered in fear as our weapons clashed loudly. My opponent and I fell to the ground but quickly got back on our feet. He attacked first with a thrust. I dodged it in the nick of time. His left side now wide-open, I did a thrust of my own, my blade going through his neck cleanly. The bodyguard started to gasp and choke on his own blood, and as life slowly escaped from his body, I went after his helpless boss next.

“Damn you, Yeonbrookean punk!” he exclaimed as I pressed the point of my sword on his fat, blubbery neck. “If you kill me, my entire gang will hunt your sorry ass down!”

“If I don’t they will go after me, regardless.” A said, looking down at him with contempt. “Since I’m fucked up anyway, I guess I can just kill you and tempt my luck...”

“Wait, wait wait!” the man cried, shaking in utter fear. “I get it, you want your money back, right? Here!” He produced a quite fat coin purse, much bigger than the one he took from me. “The money you won yesterday, plus interest! Let me go, and I swear to the Gods I won’t bother you ever again!”

I took the purse from his hands. It felt quite heavy indeed! I smiled.

“So… do we have a deal… Wraith, right? That’s your name, correct?”

“I’ll let you go… this time…” I said, easing back from him.

“Gods preserve you!” the man said relieved as he got up.

“Next time, make sure you bet for the winner!” I laughed hard as the fat man ran for dear life, disappearing into the darkness.

I knew he’d probably come after me once he returned to his hideout and his fear subsided. But having my payback on him was well worth the risk. Fine by me! At least they now know that I’m not to be messed with! This Isn’t my first brush with the underworld, and very probably won’t be the last.

Besides, I got almost twice what I would be paid at the pit that night so it was a big win for me. Still, plenty of fights ahead of me if I wish to get into the Champion Tournament and win that gorgeous Princess!

One fight at a time, as always...