Rise of the Living Forge

“This is where you’ll be staying,” Selen said, turning back to face Arwin and Reya. She’d brought them through a portal into a small room at the base of the stands surrounding the stone arena.

There were three chairs arranged around a wooden table. Unlike what Arwin suspected to be the fighters’ quarters ringing the arena below, there was nothing but metal railing and empty air beyond it at the edge of their room.

If anything, it was really more of a fancy balcony than a room. He could hear distant footsteps above him — likely the sounds of people moving around in the stands above them.

“This is considerably nicer than what I was expecting,” Arwin said, sending a surprised glance at Selen. “Not that I’m complaining.”

The Secret Eye representative shook her head in an attempt to conceal the faint amusement behind her eyes. “We have some balcony rooms. They’re normally for overflow guests. Some clients will occasionally bring more than they are supposed to, but they have standing enough to make turning them away difficult.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you,” Reya said as she pulled a chair away from the table and turned it so she could look down at the arena.

Arwin had to agree. This location was perfect. They were probably the closest people to the actual arena. He was pretty sure that, if he were sufficiently motivated, he could have thrown something from where he stood down to the arena floor. Even the front seats of the stands didn’t have a view like this.

“Just don’t talk about how you got it,” Selen said with a shake of her head. She paused for a moment before sending a pointed look in Arwin’s direction. “I trust your teams are prepared?”

“More than anyone could expect. I appreciate the concern,” Arwin said with a small nod. He hadn’t forgotten Selen’s warning about the Dwarven Smith working with Starforge. Wallace had given him several interesting theories as to why that might have been a threat, but the only way to know for sure would be if he could get a look at the weapons the other smith had made.

“Good,” Selen said. “I can’t wish your team good luck, but I hope to see a good showing. This is one of the most competitive Proving Grounds in a long time. I’m certain everyone will be in for a lot of surprises. Enjoy the tournament.”

With that, she adjusted a bracelet hidden beneath one of her long sleeves. There was a buzz and a crackle — and then she was gone in a puff of black mist.

There were several moments of silence broken only by the scuffle and muted conversation of the people moving down the stands above them. Then Reya cleared her throat.

“Well. She’s interesting.”

“She’s concerned,” Arwin said, grabbing a chair and moving it beside Reya’s. “There’s definitely something going on that she isn’t talking about.”

“Do you think she’s plotting something?”

Arwin shook his head. “I don’t think it’s her. I might not be the best judge of people, but I think I’ve gotten a bit better at it in recent times. Selen seemed pretty distraught about nearly causing a Dungeon Break. She seems like she wants to be impartial. For her to be concerned like this means something else is going on.”

“Do you think Olive will be okay?”

The corner of Arwin’s lips twitched. “Oh, I think she’ll be more than fine. Don’t let worry tear you up, Reya. Just settle in and relax. Keep an eye out to see if you notice anything suspicious, but we’re really just here to watch. I think everyone is going to be in for quite the surprise if they ever manage to push her team to the limits.”

***

People poured into the arena over the course of the next few hours. The Secret Eye were nothing if not efficient. Arwin had no idea how many people they’d managed to fit into the arena, but there were easily thousands.

The movement and chatter above them had magnified by a hundredfold with the rumble of excited conversation. People filled every single seat in the stands across from them, and he had no doubt that the ones above him were no different.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

It struck Arwin that, if someone had ever truly wanted to do severe damage to the Kingdom of Lian, all they’d have to do was attack this tournament. If the Secret Eye was charging exorbitant prices for the seats above them, then that meant many of the strongest people in the kingdom were all gathered here.

Then again, so are many of its best Adventurers. This would be a difficult location to attack… but never once did the Horde attack it. Yet another hole in the Adventurer’s Guild’s lies.

I just wish I knew what it was that they were truly working toward. There are so many things I’ve figured out, but I feel like we’re missing massive pieces of a puzzle. Even if we can make out a few parts of it, the final image is obscured.

Arwin shook his head. Worrying about the Guild now would do nothing. This was not the time for him to get distracted. Being able to observe the Proving Grounds was more than just a chance to see how Olive and the others would do.

It was an opportunity to get a look at who his enemies were. The Adventurer’s Guild was here. And, while he didn’t know if the dwarves were going to be his enemies or not, at least one of them would be present as well.

There’s a lot of information to be gleaned if I’m in a position to notice it. I have to pay attention.

“People of Lian!” A loud male voice echoed through the arena, so clear that there was no doubt that magic fueled it. The loud conversations faltered as everyone stopped and tried to figure out where it was coming from.

It took Arwin a moment to find out himself. About fifty feet above the arena was a man in a rather ridiculous looking top hat. He wore a suit and stood upon a floating metal disk covered with glowing white patterns.

“I hope everyone has settled in,” the man called, magic magnifying his words once again. “We’re just waiting for the last of our wonderful attendees to take their seats before we get things properly started. I think you’re all going to enjoy this year’s Proving Grounds. We’ve got some fantastic competitors, new and old. As always, if you’re hungry, simply look to the vendors walking around the stands! And remember — no approaching any of the teams during the duration of the Proving Grounds. If you like the look of someone you see and want to recruit them, you may write a letter and have the Secret Eye deliver it or approach them after the tournament is completed.”

A general rumble echoed up from the stands. Arwin wasn’t sure if people were actually agreeing with the requests or if they’d just started to talk again after the surprise had worn off.

The announcer didn’t seem to care. He just kept talking.

“While we wait, I’ll get started with introductions! My name is Kraven. For those of you that are new, I’ve been the announcer for the Proving Grounds for the past five years. Now, I don’t want to give any spoilers, but we’ve got some teams that I know you’re all looking forward to seeing! I would normally spend some time introducing the champion from our previous tournament, but he unfortunately did not respond to our invitation. It seems he’s gone missing — but don’t fret. We have some of the most competent teams that this tournament has ever seen. You’re going to love this.”

A rumble of disappointment rolled up from the stands — and it wasn’t a small one. A small smile pulled at Arwin’s lips. It seemed that Kien had been quite popular.

Looks like you’re wrong about that, mate. Kien is most certainly in the tournament this year. Just not in the way you’re expecting.

“I wish they’d just get it started already,” Reya muttered under her breath.

“Patience,” Arwin replied. “Even when it starts, there are probably quite a few teams. There are hundreds of ranked spots, so you better settle in. There will be a lot of fights before Olive and Art’s teams are up. Maybe we can figure out how to get some food.”

Reya glanced around the room, then nodded. “Good idea. I’ll see if there’s a way to call for somebody.”

She stood up and stepped to the side. Arwin kept his gaze trained on the announcer in the air, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair in thought.

“There will be several portions to the tournament,” Kraven was saying. “We’ll begin with the group stage. We have a lot of very competent teams, but everyone’s time is valuable and we can’t afford to watch hundreds of individual fights — which is why we’ll be opening this tournament with batched melees!”

“A melee?” Reya glanced over her shoulder, her search suspended. “Like… a bunch of teams fighting at once?”

“Sets of ten teams at once will descend upon the arena! And, of those ten — only one will advance!” Kraven called in delight. The crowd rumbled, this time in excitement. The announcer raised a finger into the air. “A slaughter! Though, and this is a reminder for the contestants, killing is discouraged. This is a tournament. Conduct yourselves with pride.”

The crowd rumbled again. It sounded like just about everyone was in their seats. The announcer seemed to think the same, because he rubbed his hands together before crossing his arms behind his back.

Reya hurried back to the chair beside Arwin and dropped into it. “I’ll look for food later. I think it’s starting!”

“I’ve just gotten word that we’re ready, so let’s get right to it,” Kraven called, confirming Reya’s guess. “Ten teams have been randomly selected and will make their way onto the stage. I hope you’re all ready for this, because the Proving Grounds begin now!”

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