The third round began with Peter’s attack. This time he went for a thrust with his sword. An attack almost impossible to block and giving him a chance to block if Sien avoided it. Once Sien jumped to the side he wasn’t that surprised and backed his sword, ready to block. 

With their swords crossed, Peter thought he would overwhelm Sien with his strength but the boy was sly and moved his sword along Peter’s blade. Peter was pushed down by his own strength. Sien was about to land a third hit but Peter grabbed his sword and was about to land a hit on Sien but he stopped.

“Sorry. I got carried away.” Peter released the boy’s sword and took a step back.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of.” Sam walked into the arena without any announcement.

“Master!” 

“In a real fight, there is a possibility for your opponent to grab the sword even if it will hurt him. Some will do everything to not lose.” Sam explained.

“That’s not the point… I said it’s a friendly duel and then pulled something like this…” Peter explained, disgusted by his behavior, especially against someone younger than him.

“I don’t see anything wrong about it. It’s just a duel. Even if you landed that hit it wouldn’t hurt much because of the armor you prepared. You’re a good person and I wouldn’t be angry at you.” Said Sien with a most innocent face, a chivalry that wasn’t taught to him yet. He didn’t see anything wrong with the action Peter made. It was even logical to him.

“Thank you… Mind if we duel one last time? I promise. I won’t pull a trick like that anymore.” Peter promised with a fist close to his heart.

“Okay!” 

More people gathered around the arena. Many caught interest after hearing the crossing of the swords in an earlier round. The villagers bet on the contenders. Not with money but with words. Showing interest in both of them. Most of the people said that Peter would win but those who saw the earlier rounds were with Sien.

The duel began with Sien dashing to his opponent with a wide swing from the side. Peter blocked the attack and pushed Sien’s sword away. Giving him a space to move in. Sien made a move on a whip but it was effective. He bent back and made a flip at the same time kicking Peter’s attack away. The crowd was amazed and cheered on the fighters.

Even though Sien kicked Peter his flip was slow enough for Peter to return to attack. Sien had to block the upcoming attacks with his stand not solid enough. He was on the verge of falling to the ground. For a moment he saw a chance to win and gambled on that one move. He thrust his sword, hoping to land a hit before Peter. A sword went flying and the duel was over. Sien didn’t make it in time and Peter was able to parry the attack.

“Good fight.” Peter extended his hand toward Sien. 

The boy accepted his opponent’s gesture. “Good fight. I had fun.” Sien breathed heavily as he was exhausted after the fight. Peter noticed it and knew that he had won only because Sien was out of stamina. The people cheered as he left the arena.

After having some fun and having a dry mouth left by the duel, the party went to get some snacks and drinks. 

“There is one thing I appreciate the most at the festivals. The variety of food and light beer.” Sam downed the rest of the beer he had in one sip.

“Don’t get drunk on us. I won’t carry you back.” Bluntly said, Celine.

“Nothing to worry about. I don’t drink to get drunk. I’m taking the last mug and will drink it for the rest of the night.” Sam promised as he took a smaller wooden cup with a beer he would drink for the rest of the festival.

People began to gather around the platform. A time to reveal what is behind the curtain drew closer. Sien ran to the stage, hoping to get a good view of what might the curtains hide. Sam and Celine followed slowly behind, not rushing anything.

“I heard there will be a play.” The crowd chattered about what might be behind the curtain.

“Last time it was a trick show. Maybe they will try again.” An old man said to his grandson, sitting beside him.

“It must be connected to recent events. After all, the family gave some money to fund the attraction.” A lumberman said as he joined the group of his friends.

The curtains fell, revealing a stage with wide cloth and painted scenery on it. It looked like a dungeon or a dark room beneath the castle with many chests around. 

A man with his face hidden under the hood checked all of the chests until he found a box. Laughing as he left with his newly found treasure. After a moment two guards and a man wearing purple robes entered with torches. They checked each of the open chests.

“Someone broke in!” The guard loudly announced.

“Did they steal something?” The man in a purple robe asked.

“Yes! A powerful artifact that could endanger our nation!” The other guard said as he dramatically pointed at the chest that previously had the box in it.

“Who would dare to steal a royal treasure? And from all the gold and diamonds they chose a powerful weapon! They must be evil!” The curtains rose for a moment so the actors could change their clothes and change the scenery.

The next scenery was brighter but still between walls made of stones. A long table was set with many people sitting by it. They all had clothes similar to the nobility. All were sitting but one man. He wore blue robes and had many silver rings on his fingers. 

“Our family shall win this year and rule this country. I can guarantee you that! I’m prepared for that!” The man in blue robes announced. 

As he ended his speech a new curtain fell down. Black but see through. A man with an open book entered the front of the stage, having the curtain right behind him.

“Those were the words of a man plotting something against his fellow nobles and not hiding it from anyone. His intentions were clear but no one knew what the man had prepared. All but one man!” The lector said as the curtain moved a bit revealing the man in a purple robe who was seen in a last scene with guards.

The curtains hid the stage once more and after many footsteps, the scenery was revealed. A room with a bed and chest by the side. There was a painted window. Behind it a night sky. The man in the blue robe stood in the middle with a box in his hand, laughing as he poked the box.

“With this!” He raised the box above his head. “With this, I shall win the tournament and rule this country! And no one shall stop me!”

Suddenly there was a loud knocking sound. The man in a blue robe jumped and ran to the chest beside his bed. He hid the box inside the chest.

“What is it?!” The man shouted as he walked to the right end of the stage. Then he walked backward as two guards came out close to him. They stepped aside so the man in a purple robe could enter.

“I great Lord Donkiel of House Peresia declare you Lord Zimowit as the suspect of thievery and a traitor to our nation!” The man announced and the crowd followed with loud gasps. All but one person. The boy now understood what the play was about. He ran out of the front row of the crowd with tears in his eyes, almost tripping to the ground because of the people who only paid attention to the play.

“What a poorly written story…” Said Celine.

“That’s… the story is a lie. Celine. This is a story about Sien’s father.” Sam began looking for Sien but it was too crowded to spot him.

“Oh… My bad… I didn’t know…” 

“That’s okay. Now we know. Let’s find Sien. He is probably devastated by the play.” Sam explained as he tried to walk through the crowd. 

“Let’s get into clear space. I’ll use a spell to find him.” 

Celine and Sam went behind the platform where only a few people stood, either drinking beer or finally enjoying the food without a long line of customers. Celine drew a magic circle on the ground.

“It’s not a rune. It’s a magic circle that is based on runes. It should be powerful enough to find him even if he ran to the forest.” The circle began glowing a green light. Using her wand she lifted the circle. Once the spell shattered a ball of light appeared and flew toward the forest and then exploded. People thought it was a firework and observed the beautiful colors of green covering the sky. “He is under that light.” Celine pointed in the direction of the explosion. Sam ran to the forest with Celine slightly behind him.