“I beg your pardon?” Vir asked as Tara walked delicately up to him. Her mannerisms were entirely unlike the vicious warrior he’d faced just hours prior.
“Attending the ball without your partner. I expected better of you,” she said playfully.
Vir raised a brow. “My partner? I wasn’t aware I’d have one tonight.”
Tara’s eyes widened. “The Ravager never told you?”
“Told me what?”
“He asked me to be your second tonight.” Tara extended her white gloved hand. “So do be a gentleman and escort me?”
Vir let out a breath. “That old fossil,” he muttered.
“Excuse me?”
Vir gave her his most winning smile and offered his arm. “I said it’d be my pleasure.”
83
THE FIGHTER’S BANQUET (PART TWO)
As Vir stepped into the ballroom, he thanked the gods for his prior experience escorting Tia in Avi. It hadn’t been much, but it was enough to make himself not look like a total fool.
Even, slow strides, to allow Tara—wearing high heels—to maintain her rhythm in those precarious shoes.
The situation was worsened, because unlike himself, Tara looked absolutely at home in this setting. He could scarcely believe it, considering she’d been crushing his bones earlier in the day. Right now, she looked like an ordinary, delicate girl—though one who still exuded an aura of confidence.
“Announcing the arrival of Vaak—of the Ash, and Tara, of Panav,” the greeter called out.
A few heads turned at Tara’s mention, but their entrance mostly went ignored. Vir guided Tara into the large hall, his eyes taking in the spectacle.
In the center was a large open space where a few couples were dancing, but the night was still early, and it was mostly empty. Instead, most of the demons gathered around tall tables, mingling and laughing.
Unsurprisingly, a large group had formed around Cirayus, and unlike nearly all the other guests, Cirayus paid such things as decorum no mind. Vir could hear the giant’s roars of laughter even from here. He decided to steer well clear of that throng.
All along the left wall was a vast assortment of dishes, and many were helping themselves to appetizers.
“What do you say we circle?” Tara suggested. “You’re new, so I’ll point out everyone you should know.”
“I’d… appreciate that,” Vir said, surprised at her graciousness.
“What? I’m not going to strangle you, you know,” Tara said with a snicker. “I may be a badass warrior, but I’m also a girl. I know how to act the part.”
Vir wondered why Tara would have to ‘act’ if she genuinely was as effeminate as she claimed, but wisely chose to keep that thought to himself. She certainly looked the part.
Her backless dress showed off her intricate silver Panav tattoos for all the world to see—a common theme among the other demons. While the males wore clothing similar to Vir’s, the women did all they could to show off their skin, and thus their power.
Vir felt that was a bit foolish. Announcing their abilities like that only benefited their opponents. Then again, most of the combatants had fought before, and all of their abilities would already be known. Vir also supposed this was an opportunity for them to forge connections and show their status. Tattoos here were a bit like clothing and jewelry in the Human Realm. Those existed here as well, of course, though they took second place to the display of physical power.
Tara applied some pressure to Vir’s arm, guiding him to a group of chatting Bairans. “You’ve already met Thaman, the Raja of Baira,” Tara said, gesturing with her chin to the giant who stood a full head and a half higher than his peers.
“But the one next to him—the clean-shaven red four?”
Red four? Though he hadn’t heard that shorthand before, it was clear she was talking about the four-armed red demon beside Thaman. It was a nice naming system, though one Vir hadn’t heard in Chitran lands. Was it a Panav thing? Or Bairan?
“That’s Roshan,” Tara continued, “his son. He’s never won the competition, but he was hoping to prove his mettle this year. That was, until the Ravager showed up. He doesn’t have a chance against Cirayus, but he’s one to look out for. He has surprisingly good mastery of the Bairan regular bloodline tattoos, despite his young age, and his gigantic poleaxe makes it hard to attack him. Don’t underestimate him.”
“Thanks,” Vir said. “That’s genuinely useful. You say he’s young. Younger than you?” Vir ventured.
His question had been driven both out of curiosity and a desire to gain a leg up on the battlefield. Older demons had more combat experience, better Bloodline Art mastery, and had opened more Chakras. It was that last one that bothered him the most.
While Vir thought his question had been subtle, Tara’s tight smile said otherwise. When she drove her heel onto his foot, he knew for certain.
Point taken, Vir thought. The stiletto heel would’ve sent most humans doubling over with pain, but with his prana-engorged body, Vir scarcely noticed it.
“What are you even made of?” Tara muttered, making Vir grin.
“I suppose you’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?”
Tara rolled her eyes and gestured to a group of Chitran Kothis who were talking amongst themselves, making no motion to speak with outsiders.
“That’s Annas and his cadre,” Tara said. “Annas is a veteran of the Tournament. Been competing for almost a century now. He’s not especially talented, but you don’t need much talent when you have that much time to practice. If there’s one thing about him, it’s that he’s dedicated.”
“What’s his fighting style like?” Vir asked, half guessing the answer.
“Fast and agile. He fights with dual katars—something you don’t usually see. Effective, though. It works well with his physique. Not only is he fast, he also packs quite a punch. And of course, he’s got all the regular Chitran Bloodline Arts.”
Which meant he had Warlord’s Domain and Battlecry, and Coercion.
Both of the Warlord abilities could be nasty—striking fear into Vir and slowing him down—but as Vir had witnessed, Chitran abilities shone only on the battlefield. In a one-on-one duel, Vir had some faith he could counter the demon. Especially with Prana Armor protecting him.
Vir continued to circle around the area with Tara when some strangers approached them. It was an Iksana couple, and Vir instinctively focused on his new tattoo. It had been running continuously while he’d been in Camar Gadin, but he double-checked to make sure.
“Well, well,” the Ghael said. “You again? Do you never learn?”
Tara narrowed her eyes. “Nor. A pleasure as always.”
Nor? Zarak’Nor? It was the same Iksana he’d run into with Cirayus on the way into Camar Gadin. The one who’d been angry about Cirayus stealing his kill when the Shrikes attacked.
“Do yourself a favor. Don’t waste a slot. Those are precious. Give it to someone who stands a chance of winning.”
“Funny,” Tara said icily. “I don’t recall you ever winning before the Ravager left. Tough talk from this year’s loser.”
Nor growled. “Watch yourself, Tara. And pray that we do not fight.”
Tara rolled her eyes as Nor’s gaze slid over to Vir.
“Hmm. Have I seen you before?”
“He’s my partner,” Tara said.
“Pleased to meet you,” Vir said, bowing his head slightly.
Nor, apparently finding Vir uninteresting, grunted.
“I’ll see you on the stage, Tara,” Nor said, guiding his partner away. “Just make sure you don’t lose before we fight.”
Tara stared daggers into the Iksana’s back as she watched him walk off.