Chapter 63: Invitation to the Univited
It was a cold night that left the earth as frosted as a cake.
Lyolis stood in the garden, her hide-wrapped shoes crunching on a patch of stiff grass everytime she shifted weight between heels. It was the nicest morning since she'd been there, and the coldest morning at that.
With each inhale, icy air bit at her lungs and then emerged from her lips whitish-gray like a mist over the mountains of Totem. Oh, how I miss home, she thought. The song of the birds perched in the trees while the hymn of the falls rose above the village. And the smell of pine that the wind brought while carrying the leaves of another fall. She took another breath. Oh, how I miss home…
Lyolis opened her eyes to find herself back at the estates. The large, white-pillared building looming over the gardens and fountains, reminding her that she was a captive of this place.
At last the sound of hooves beating against stone came from the west and she turned to greet it. The trot echoed a few steps more until two white-arched heads, blurred and bobbed into focus. They were not like the golden-brown mountain horses of home; ones bred for pulling wagons through dense forests and windy mountain trails. These horses were those of divinity, bred for carrying respected guests between two points of a city. She saw their struggle up the hilly road; their breath labored while their lips were white and bubbled with froth. Her weight would only add to their burden. Thankfully they'd be descending and not climbing.
The coachman, who sat straight, with the blue of ice in his eyes, climbed from the carriage and lifted his chin, placing a hand behind his back. "All aboard—"
A gust of wind caught her as the carriage door whipped open. A blonde haired and icy blue-eyed girl glowed in the morning dawn. "Lyolis!" Tonsi's voice carried like song of birds. "Here … take my hand!" Outstretching a hand wrapped in white-silk.
Suddenly Lyolis felt like a peon dressed amongst royalty; her hides bright and wrapped in brownish-blonde fur while yellow and red beads hung from strands on her chest. Unlike Tonsi whose blonde hair was tangled in elegant buns and her small frame was wrapped in a lavish white dress while the smell of roses perfumed from her milky skin.
"You look … stunning!" Lyolis stammered, running her down her braided-black.
"As do you," she smiled, taking her hand gently. She tugged her arm and Lyolis climbed aboard, planting herself on a buoyant cushioned seat. "You look like an Earth Goddess."
Lyolis cheeks grew red as wild grape leaves. "If I knew you were going to dress up I would've worn…" She thought about the attire in her closet, nothing but hide dress and more hide dresses. "Something less earthy."
They giggled.
"Well I envy the attire of your people." She slid off a glove and stroked the pelt like she'd been stroking the fawn it was skinned from. "Such beauty in the hands that groomed this dress … and the one that wears it." She winked.
Lyolis fingers glided across the woman's dress, made from a fine, smooth fabric. "Nothing as elegant as what you're wearing."
"Nonsense…" Tonsi slipped off her second glove then threw them both on the seat beside her. "My father made me wear it … a bit uncomfortable and overly formal if you ask me." She brought her hand to her lips and giggled. "I guess that's what I get for telling him I was staying with you tonight; 'you must expel an outstanding impression,' he told me." She giggled once more. "He can be overbearing at times…"
"How is he, your father?" Lyolis remembered to ask.
After Tonsi had adopted the tickets from Bonejaq, Weebert returned to the bar with a face as red and plump as a fresh cherry. The Yurk was able extend one low, rock-hardened fist that connected to the right side of the Pompies face.
"He'll be fine … Bonejaq hardly popped him … though if he had fully extended he might've taken his head," she giggled. "But father can take a hit, especially after a belly full of froth. You see, father used to be a boxer before he sold guns ... He loves nothing more than guns and fists … not like his brother Drajorik Gordon who loves music and poetry." Her forehead wrinkled. "I think I've got my father's fighting spirit … though I can't seem to understand his fondness for fancy attire."
They giggled once more. Tonsi slipped two envelopes from her a white-pearled bag by her side, holding one out for Lyolis hand. She took it and slid out a golden card, decorated in purple swirls and flowers.
She looked to Tonsi whol nodded insistently. "I've already read it, go ahead.
Lyolis flipped the card over, gazing upon purple, curved lettering. A soft and smooth perfume trailing to her nose. She mouthed:
Congratulations!
You have been chosen to attend our second event, where we'll demonstrate
what we have in store for
The Iron Alchemist Tournament!
We will then select fifty attendees to participate in our final event. If selected you will be no longer be watching the tournament, you will be involved
injected into the tournament.
May the best step forward,
Mayor Thompkins
Lyolis glanced at Tonsi lost in a stream of thoughts. "Injected into the Tournament? What do you think this means?"
"Maybe he intends to have them compete." Tonsi shrugged. "It doesn't make sense … contestants die in those tournaments … unless he's trying to rid himself of his enemies."
"Nobody in their right mind would agree to that. Not even if they had protection."
Tonsi lifted her ticket, "remember who received these … Bonejaq would love nothing more than to prove himself in battle."
"But I've heard that war between the Pioneers and Yurks is imminent." Lyolis said, while the carriage bounced and jerked down the hillside. "If he is who you say he is, maybe what the Mayor is giving away are tickets to participate in the tournament." She rubbed her chin. "And if that were true then Bonejaq would accept the challenge … you cut the head off the snake and you won't be bitten."
Tonsi eyes narrowed, "you're saying the Mayor maybe plotting accidental death to his enemies? That makes sense … The man loves a spectacle as much as he loves lavender." Tonsi gave the letter a whiff then tossed it aside; her face wrinkled like she swallowed a whole lemon. The girls giggled.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone