Chapter: 667 – Failure in Victory

Tala strode across the uneven sand of the arena, her surface area expansion scripts and incredible weight leveling smooth grit along a wavy path as she walked forward, compacting it enough that even Lea didn’t leave impressions with her quick, powerful steps.

The fight was over, and such was the culture of the arcane lands that everyone was departing. There was no thought that Tod would be a sore loser, at least not publicly so close after his defeat.

Similarly, none in his pack would be so foolish or brazen as to either attempt to take recompense or issue a new challenge at this time.

The duel had happened, and it was now done.

Healers were already checking over the two combatants.

It was funny; to Tala’s understanding, the arcanes didn’t actually have many healers, but she supposed that the arenas made sense as a primary employer of those that there were. After all, if the best and brightest clashed violently here, they’d either quickly weed out any who were willing to participate or leave them lessened due to injury or mental stress. Only healers would mitigate those risks.

As it was, the injuries were seen to with rapidity.

Rane’s countenance was stony as his ribs were reset. Even so, the look no longer bore the shadow of rage. Tala could still see the boon manifested within his soul, once more under his tight control even as it tried to burn away at his will, resolve, and restraint.

It would fade over the next minutes. It could depart faster if he let it burn itself out, but that wasn’t who Rane was. He’d rather endure longer under his own auspices than shorten the trial through loss of control.

Tala placed a hand on his shoulder, muttering her love and encouragement, even as Lea did something similar from the other side.

They both wanted to embrace him as their husband or father, but that would be inappropriate in the setting and circumstances.

Rane gave a clearly forced—but just as clearly grateful—smile before his mask of control returned.

Tod was joined by several other wolf-kin who were looking toward Rane with curiosity.

The man noticed, and a series of silent bows were exchanged. Finally, Tod seemed to have re-gathered himself—with his leg reattached due to arcane ministrations—and the powerful wolf-kin moved their way, his fellows in tow.

Rane took one step forward and waited, Tala and Lea respectfully waiting where he’d left them.

Tod bowed lower than required between those of equivalent rank, pausing a few strides away. “Rane Sappherrous. You have shown your ferocity and strength. Your pack is Honored by your protection and presence.” The wolf-kin’s eyes flicked toward Tala before returning. “I do not know what is happening within the House of Blood, despite the rumors, but if their… oddities have allowed them to find warriors such as you?” He chuffed a laugh. “Perhaps we should investigate further.”

Rane returned the bow, not matching the added depth. “Tod of the Segler’s Hunting Pack, you fought well and with honor. Without my… battle lust I don’t know that I would have overcome you in a pure contest of arms.”

Tod shook his head, chuffing another laugh. “And if I had no weapons I would have lost quickly.”

Rane frowned, but waited for the wolf-kin to continue.

After a moment of expectant silence, he did so, seeming a bit baffled to be doing so. “You truly are young, even for one so powerful. Those who attain our advancement generally do not need this reminder, but I well remember the kindnesses my elders showed me, even after I had surpassed them.” He gave a pacifying grin. “Just as a pack is but the combination of its members, each of us is but the combination of our parts, our components, our strengths and our faults. When one member of the pack is more savage, his place is at the front, directed by those more cunning, but still fighting for the good of all. Your battle lust, as you call it, should not direct you—as I see it does not—but it should be allowed to vent its power for your benefit.” The wolf-kin gave a lupine smile. “As I said, I forget how young you humans can be, despite your power. Do not fear what you have, who you are. Wield it for the good of the pack.”

Rane seemed to truly consider the man’s words before he finally nodded. “I will keep your words in mind.” He then bowed, a bit deeper than required this time. “Thank you for your words and display of Honor.”

The wolf-kin bowed once more, then turned and strode off, his pack-mates falling into step beside and behind him.

Rane watched them go for a long minute as the arena continued to empty around them.

The official was long since gone, having left almost as soon as she’d called the duel. Tala didn’t blame the woman. She must be quite busy with all the various goings on even under normal circumstances.

Rane’s injuries had been seen to by the healers rather quickly, mainly because he’d already been healing himself just with his passive nature as one with a Refined body, heavily enhanced. The healers had then departed without a word, their magics meaning that they didn’t need to check with him to ensure he was fully recovered.

Even so, they had taken the time to advise that he get a good meal that night and bias his eating upward for the next few days.

It is interesting that they seemed to be guides rather than creators.

-Indeed. Though, we shouldn’t extrapolate out to all arcane healers from the few we’ve seen.-

That’s fair.

Rane finally turned back to his girls, a smile pulling at his lips despite tiredness in his eyes.

Lea immediately grinned. “Come on, dad! Let’s go celebrate.”

He shook his head. “No, let’s go eat.”

Lea and Tala exchanged an implicative glance, which Rane obviously noticed. “What‘s this, then?”

He looked between them until Lea finally sighed. “Mom said that you’d see this as a failure, not the victory it clearly was.” She gestured after the departed wolf-kin. “He clearly saw you as the victor, he even didn’t care about your… battle lust.”

Rane frowned and muttered under his breath. “Well, he’s a beast-kin, of course he doesn’t see the issue.”

Lea jokingly covered her mouth. “I’m shocked, father, shocked.”

Rane gave his daughter a flat look, and Tala covered her own mouth to—unsuccessfully—hide a humored smile.

He looked to his wife and saw her thoughts on the situation clearly. “Well… fine then.” He closed his eyes and sighed. “Let’s go get food. We can talk more there.”

Tala nodded. “Sanctum or…?”

“Sanctum please.”

Lea feigned disappointment, but Tala didn’t wait, willing them all into their dining room in the sanctum.

At the same time, she left a bit of iron just stoneward of superficial where they’d been—distinct from her stone- and starward selves—and that began moving at her will, shifting the anchorpoint of her expanded space inch by inch back toward the District of Doors.

It was an imperfect solution, slow, easily noticed by those who could see such things, and it couldn’t pass into other holds, but it was less ‘flashy’ than a flier, and it was better than leaving their anchor in the middle of the arena… or leaving the arena on foot before going to eat.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

She wanted to be with her family, not wandering around in the hopes of finding a good anchor spot.

They might go take a walk after, but that was something different. That would be purely for the enjoyment of it.

Dinner was ready for them, as every meal always was.

Kedva and her assistants kept several days worth of food prepared at any given time, the nature of the expanded space keeping it perfectly fresh and ready. They simply refilled that stockpile as necessary, making the whole process more efficient and less timelocked as a task for the group.

Ironhold had been a bit isolated of late, given the nature of Platoiri, but with her city badge, Lyn had been able to take several merchant groups out for distinct, discrete trades.

The Talons were still an unknown to the entirety of Platoiri. Even so, there was always a squad of five ‘on deck’ in case Tala had need of them. Beyond that, the group trained and took time off within the hold.