Chapter 13

Niko Tuveri stands on a dais which was put there for a specific reason. He wanted to address his guests in a grand manner and introduce his eldest daughter, who was celebrating her 16th birthday, to all the guests. Niko loved his daughters and he wanted to shower her with attention and make her feel special.

The dais along with all the arrangements were done in their big garden inside their family villa. To make the evening even more alluring for his eldest daughter Kai, as well as all the distinguished guests, he had prepared three combat events for entertainment.

Niko, a well known trader of fish in the city’s business circle, had established connections to everywhere in Raison over the course of years of doing business. It was due to this, he was able to lean on a connection in the Order to get his permit approved so fast.

He sent out his assistants to gather fighters for the three planned events and he authorised them to offer the fighters generous joining fees as well as a mouth watering winners pot. Naturally he couldn’t be a miser on this joyful occasion and neither would Kai appreciate it.

Kai, his princess, just like everyone else in this city, loved the combat sport. She attended every major event and tournament and partake in the occasional betting. Apparently, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, Niko smiled while remembering Kai’s reaction when she won her first bet on a combat match… she was adorable.

Kai’s love for combat sports runs deeper than him. She was not content in just watching the professional leagues, she loved to watch the orphan league too. She was obsessed with watching and finding out the ‘next big star’ as she put it from the orphans.

Just the other day, she came running to him, practically jumping in excitement to tell him all about an orphan tournament held in the Sedow Grounds. She had gone there to watch the tournament with her friends and according to her, a new superstar had emerged and he was awesome. She also won big Rais because of this new ‘superstar’.

So, he did what any loving father would do… made sure to hire the services of that ‘superstar’ as a surprise for his daughter. It was her true birthday present. Niko couldn’t wait to see his daughter’s reaction.

He delegated the task of setting up the matches to his personal assistant. Niko had more important things that needed his attention.

The sun was setting and it was time for the guests to start arriving.

Hemon waited at the entrance of the garden patiently. He was told to enter the garden after his introduction was finished. In the contract, it was written that he was to be a part of a three person team going against another three person team in an unarmed combat which meant they would engage in an old fashioned hand to hand combat. This meant wearing body and leg armour were prohibited unless mentioned in the contract. They were allowed to wrap booths fists, wrists and ankles with thick absorption cloth wrapping. He decided to wear shorts in place of his regular long pants for more manoeuvrability.

When he enquired about with whom he was going to team with, he was informed that he would know when it was time for the match to start. So, there was very little time to actually prepare a plan for the match ahead of time.

As the evening progressed, the garden became full with people. Niko’s staff attended the guests and their needs to the fullest. Niko had ordered a big cake for the occasion and when the time was right, it was cut by his daughter to the wishes of everyone there. Now, it was time to entertain the guests and more importantly give his daughter the big surprise he had readied.

The fighting mound was constructed in the middle of the garden and was surrounded by a rope to mark its borders. Niko had put a few of his servant staff to guard the mound and to see the guests don’t walk into it accidentally throughout the evening. Everyone of his guests along with his daughter was aware of the spectacle and was buzzing in excitement as time went on.

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Niko went and stood beside his daughter, who had worn a beautiful dress and in his eyes, twinkled like a star in the sky. Kai too was excited to see what her father had planned. A combat event within her own house and dedicated to her is a day she would cherish forever.

Her father whispered to her, “It’s time my dear”. Then he gave a nod to one of his assistants.

The assistant in turn gave a signal to another man who made his way onto the dais.

The man spoke once he was on the dais “Good evening, honoured guests. I hope you all are having a great evening.

Honoured guests, it’s time… we make this evening from a great to unforgettable!”

There was cheer among the guests after hearing the man speak.

The man continued “My name is Wardho Klefin and it’s my pleasure to announce today’s special combat events.

There were three events planned for your entertainment. We will start with a team fight from the orphan class, then we will have a singles bout from the mid card class and for tonight’s main event… a singles bout among two fighters who are within the top 10 fighters in Raison!”

Another round of cheers from the crowd were heard. Kai, standing beside Niko, was already jumping in excitement.

Wardho went on “So… it’s time to start with our orphan class team fight.

Let me introduce to you the first team, composed of young upstarts who are making their name in the orphan tournaments. In a short amount of time, they have progressed to four finals of orphan team tournaments, winning three of them.

Please give applause for… Free Hawks!!”

From one side, the guests parted and three bare chested fighters walked out among them to a mild applause from the guests.