The Stonehearted Knight-Chapter 421: Capture the flag (1)

"We don’t know how this round will play out. Just be prepared for everything, all right?"

Hex sat with the others and listened to Sterling’s attempt at giving a motivational speech. Instead, he was just trying to guess, hopelessly, the nature of the upcoming round.

They sat in the arena, waiting for the tournament’s start. Behind them, the crowd cheered and sang, their noise reverberating far and wide.

It was unlike anything Hex had experienced ever. He was even forced to rein in his senses, reeling them in. The exposure of his senses to such overwhelming prickles caused pain. Physical pain.

"Is that why you finally brought your main man out today?"

Dollaire asked, looking at Hex. Her smile enhanced the ridicule in her eyes, while her tone challenged Sterling. For this round, Hex appeared disguised as Mike, the top scorer of the previous round. Many eyes would search for him, which he took in stride.

’It’s not like she would be friendlier if I came undisguised,’ Hex lampooned. The twins were too attached to Sterling. He seemed to be their world. One sister protected and showered love while the other attacked every one she considered a threat and took the role of saying the rude things.

"Yes. And be nice. I guarantee he is our best bet to win this thing." Sterling glared at her, shutting her up before she could vomit whatever thorny words she was about to say.

...

"Did you find anything?" Hex whispered once Sterling dismissed the group. His speech hadn’t been much but the people still looked eager for the next round. Perhaps, winning the first round had given them confidence.

"My spies are on it,"Sterling whispered back. "So far we have found some of them, helping the organization in cleaning certain crowded areas. But we have yet to find the mother and daughters."

"Okay. Please continue to search. It’s urgent," Hex said. The things he learned in the library kept him occupied. He had not even slept last night. Different thoughts and memories kept playing out, until they intertwined. He even suspected some of them to be mere illusions his mind conjured, manifesting his own subconsciousness in a way.

He needed clarification. The only way he knew how, was to ask. And the only one who had the answers was someone who had been present at that time. It was risky. He was aware that she might gain all her memories and turn on them. Or not. It could go every way imaginable. But he needed answers. So damn the consequences.

He became aware Sterling was eyeing him strangely.

"What?" Did his behavior give something away? The last thing he needed was more complication when people uncovered the truth behind the remnant soul of his mother inside Cyantha.

"Why are you looking for them?" Sterling asked after a thoughtful look. "She is still a minor. I think."

That...was so far off, Hex nearly burst out laughing. "That’s not it. Believe me. I have my reasons but it has nothing to do with romance."

Sterling didn’t believe him entirely. He didn’t have to as long as he found them, which he assured Hex he would do. That was enough.

...

The teams were seated close to the elevated platform, divided by flimsy walls. Servants, beautiful young women and handsome young men, hurried with trays to keep the participants satisfied.

In some areas they were pulled onto the laps of men and women for increased satisfaction but Sterling, frivolous as he might appear, always maintained a proper attitude toward servants. He also demanded that from his team. Hex respected that.

Suddenly the lights blasted bright light and horns blared through the area. The crowd, instead of quieting down, took the deafening noise as a challenge. Their shouts intensified, competing with the horns till the end. With the horns gradually fading away, the crowd also lost their voice. Literally.

The representatives and council members took the stage with brilliant smiles on their faces. Understanding dawned upon Hex. They had deliberately blown the horns, so the crowd would be silenced on their own...and they would be happy about it.

’These crafty bastards,’ Hex thought. He disliked merchants. He, however, learned a lot from observing them. The attention to details these people had and the subtle manipulation of events so they won in a way where the opponent didn’t only fail to see their manipulations but were also happy with the outcome, was truly a stroke of genius.

’That is what I need to beat the Divine Lord.’ A worrying thought. To become like merchants. A year ago, Hex would never have believed capable of entertaining such a thought. Now, he was already planning what he could learn and add to his arsenal.

"Welcome to the second round of the tournament," the representative, enamored with being the center of attention, said, spreading his arms as if he wished to gather everyone in a giant hug.

"In this round we have something more spectacular planned," he continued, flashing a brilliant smile at the crowd. "I have said countless times that this tournament is designed to find the heir, a worthy person, to take over the mantle of the merchants all over the world."

Indeed, it was said so many times, it bordered on irritating.

"The first round determined the people with the talent and foresight to gather a team of geniuses. It didn’t, however, test the candidates directly."

Hex noticed several candidates standing up in other boxes. He glanced at their candidate.

"They can’t be serious–" Dollaire stood up, cursing loudly, but was stopped by Sterling, who yanked her hand, forcing her back in her seat.

"Don’t make a scene," he said calmly. "I expected this to happen at some point."

"But–," the twin started, this time equally incensed as her sister.

"No. No buts and ifs. This is what I signed up for," Sterling said, giving both a stern look, before smiling assuredly at the others. They appeared worried too, only, they weren’t as vocal as the twins.

"Truly a group of geniuses," the representative beamed. "You have guessed it already. Yes, in the next round, the candidates will participate too. As leaders of their teams they will have to lead a group against an opposing team. The objective will be to capture the other candidate, which is why the next round is called...capture the flag."