The Duke of Maltana

*James stops and thinks for a second.*

James: <That... might be a complicated request to fulfill.>

=====

*Aegis can't take anymore and decides to finally say something.*

Aegis: <Now wait one minute, sir! Do I look like the fighting type? No! All I do is make potions and MAYBE the occasional food every now and then! You mean to tell me I have to fight? Nonsense, sir! Nonsense!>

*He stops to breathe before continuing.*

Aegis: <But while I'm here, would anyone like anything to eat? I can assure you 100% satisfaction will be granted or your dignity back in full refund!>

"And what would this 'sponsoring' entail?" Oriens questions.

Toros

Duke's Rep.: <Calm down, child. No one's forcing you to fight.>

*The old man smiles to Aegis before proceeding to answer Oriens's question.*

Dukes' Rep.: <You'd represent this kingdom in battles, and receive equipment and other incentives to help you fulfill that honor.>

=====

???: <Wh-Why? I will pay you well, I swear!>

James: <Uhhh, it's not so much of a problem as it is, uhhh...>

*He turns his face away to look in the other direction.*

James: <...Fine. I guess I could take you there.>

=====

*He sighs with relief, but then gets annoyed that no one is interested in his food.*

Aegis: <Whatever. More for me, then.>

*Sorelyn swims as fast as she can over to Gaius*

"I should be able to. Mom gave me a lot of travel money."

"That's tempting but both I and Oriens hold other obligations. I wouldn't want to be held responsible for putting those ahead of Toros if we were to accept. I am sorry" for the first time Alto spoke something that actually sounded intelligent.

Sephira

Ari: <Great. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Do you need any help finding your way around?>

---

Toros

Duke's Rep.: <It is just an offer.>

*The man smiles again, nodding.*

Duke's Rep.: <Thank you for coming. You may leave now.>

=====

???: <Th-Thank you!>

*She bows in appreciation.*

???: <My name is Kayla.>

---

Ars Isle

*Gaius waves at her as he roundhouse kicks one of the monsters' nose. He swims away from them over to Sorelyn, pointing at his throat to indicate he's out of oxygen.*

*Sorelyn points up, towards the surface, then readys her spear.*

James: <I'm James.>

=====

Aegis: <Pleasure was all mine, good sir!>

*He walks out.*

"I could use a map, or something. If it isn't too much trouble."

"It is a good offer but we're here merely to use the arena and then leave that is all" Alto bows and walks away with Oriens in tow.

Sephira

Ari: <Yes, of course.>

*He walks around his desk and opens a drawer, taking out a map of the city that he hands Thiera.*

Ari: <I'll see you soon!>

---

Toros

Duke's Rep.: <Wait, you two. If you're going to fight in the arena, you'll need a permission slip. Your names?>

=====

???: <It is a pleasure to meet you, Master James.>

*She bows again.*

---

Ars Isle

*He nods and swims towards the surface to breathe. The eels dart towards Sorelyn, mouths wide open.*

"Alto S'el Alslief Vauldencroix"

"Oriens Daelph-Mistitleinn"

James: <Oh, I don't need the "Master" at the end, really. Just call me James.>

"Thank you!"

*And so Thiera heads off into the city to find some place to stay.*

*Sorelyn stabs at the eyes of the closest eel*

Sorelyn:[ Can I get though their hides with my spear? Better not to test that yet.]

Sephira

*There are many inns around the city, but she soon finds that the tavern & inn "The Howling Hare" seems to be the most famous around, for whatever reason. It is located halfway over from the castle to the gate she entered the city from.*

---

Toros

*The old man writes their names down on two permission slips and hands them to them.*

Duke's Rep.: <Good day.>

=====

???: <J-James.>

*She smiles and takes a second, less noticeable bow.*

---

Ars Isle

*The eel roars loudly in pain, the other one opening its gigantic jaw to bite at Sorelyn.*

*Sorelyn stabs at the second eel*

Sorelyn:[I need to get out of the water so i can use magic.]

They take the slips and head for the arena.

*She goes there, I guess.*

James: <Now that introductions are out of the way, maybe we should get going. Unless you want to encounter those other guys again.>

Sephira

*The first floor is a spacious and noisy typical tavern. It's pretty crowded with all sorts of townspeople sitting around large wooden tables.*

=====

*Allina, Lucien and Grayson land outside the capital and head inside. Grayson looks around at the city, perplexed.*

Grayson: <It's so... different.>

Allina: <We don't have cities as advanced and big as Yurion, but I'd say it's really pretty, don't you think?>

*Grayson nods.*

---

Toros

*The lady at the booth takes the permission slips and skims through them.*

Booth Lady: <Hmmm. Okay then. We'll have a few free battles happening throughout the afternoon. No big names fighting today, so you should be safe.>

*She hands them back the slips and motions them to head on in.*

=====

*She nods firmly.*

Kayla: <I agree, but it is almost lunch time. Wouldn't it be dangerous to go under the sun now?>

---

Ars Isle

*The second eel snaps its jaw, getting the spear stuck between its teeth. Gaius swims downwards and lands a solid punch on the other one, sending it sinking down for a few seconds.*

Sorelyn:[Dang it!]

*Sorelyn motions at Gaius, pointing at the spear*

Both of them head inside.