Fomori Invasion: An Epic Fantasy Progression Saga (Shattered Gods Book 2) by Chris Fox

Author:Chris Fox [Fox, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Fox Writes LLC
Published: 2021-12-20T16:00:00+00:00

34

Intentional Victory

The following day we headed to the arena for the second round of the tourney and found ourselves unlimbering in the gladiator cages, once again next to Crispus’s quint.

Tissa came to the bars immediately in the corner, and I moved over to join the lithe scout. Saghir sat upon my shoulder, and Tissa gave him a nod, though she looked to me.

“Crispus told me today’s match will be brutal.” She scrubbed at her hair, testing the ponytail to make sure it was tight. “You’ll be fighting people who have a mixture of illusion and stealth. They’ll keep to the shadows like we do until all of them are ready to hit one target. If the arena doesn’t favor you with something to allow range…it’s going to be nearly impossible for your quint to win.”

“Tissa.” I lowered my voice. “When you were lost in the spire…did you meet someone? Or learn something? We’ve never talked about exactly how you became…what you are.”

Tissa blinked owlishly at me, completely unprepared for the question. She licked her lips and gathered her posture, straightening and facing me as if I were a combatant. “She said you are some sort of demon prince. It sounded like…you were going to do bad things. Really bad things. Why are you asking now?”

My hand fell to the hilt of my sword, and she noticed, of course. Tissa noticed everything.

“I’m starting to worry. After the games, maybe in Valys, you think we can find some time to talk?” I had no idea why I’d picked now to discuss this, but it made sense to fight with a clear mind, and I’d feel better knowing that Tissa was there to help me learn more about this.

“Of course.” She slid her hand through the bars and took mine. “I am always here for you, Xal. We are family. And…I’ve wanted to come talk to you about this. To apologize. I’ve been scared. We’ll talk soon. Win today. Be careful. Word is you’re the threat in your quint, and they’re going to try to eliminate you first.”

Ena came sauntering over, a grin on the former butcher’s face. “Those people obviously underestimate the rat. We all know Saghir is the real danger.”

“Yes.” Saghir’s whiskers twitched. “Danger rat. Fear the rat!”

“Where is Li?” Morog moved up to the bars. “If you’re down a person, there’s no way your quint can win.” Worry tightened the orokh’s leathery face. “I’ve heard bad things about these people, Xal. They’re not just killers. They like slaughtering enemy teams. Take pride in leaving no survivors.”

“I’m right here.” Li’s voice came from the bars right next to Morog, and the orokh jumped back with a yelp.

I focused in that direction and picked out her heartbeat. I had no idea when she’d found time to learn invisibility, but it was Li, so of course, she had.

“Xal.” Crispus prowled over to the bars like a jungle cat and settled a possessive arm around Tissa’s shoulders. She didn’t flinch or sneer at it. In fact, she leaned into the noble.

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