As SJ followed the elf down the promoter tunnel, the shouts and cries from the crowd died away. Now that the main fight of the evening had concluded, many had stood and moved back to the bar area. On entering the training room, Malaki stalked by the table. When he saw SJ enter the room, he headed straight towards her, screaming.
"You dirty cheating fae. You have disgraced the cage by your scum of an orc releasing that gnoll."
SJ, taken aback by the sudden outburst, stood her ground, staring at Malaki as the elf interjected on her behalf.
"Malaki, I suggest you calm down and step back. Your behaviour is the only disgrace in this room. The fae you mention has a name, which I believe is SJ, and Jay had every right to rescind the fight. It is every fighter's choice whether or not they rescind."
"This abomination has embarrassed everyone who works here," Malaki fumed.
"Malaki, stop," Dash said as he walked into the training room with Kylian. The muscular dwarf was walking easier now and holding a small empty vial.
"Why should I stop anything," he continued to scream, his face almost beetroot and veins pulsing across his forehead. "I will be speaking to the chief about this."
SJ hadn't said a word since entering and replied calmly yet warningly.
"Malaki, I suggest you refrain from further accusations or comments. I paid the purse fee, and Jay fought bravely and honestly, unlike your own fighter or the orc."
"WHAT?!"
"I saw you give potions to both your fighter and the potion you also gave to Lenny for his fighter."
"HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF SUCH A THING?!"
"I don't dare, I know, and I could also provide evidence," SJ replied with a smile.
"You saw him hand out potions?" the elf asked, turning to look at Malaki frowning. Dash let out a low growl.
"I did. If the orc was diagnosed, you would find the potion effects present."
"You have no evidence of any wrongdoing," Malaki said bitterly.
"Maybe I will ask her worship to come down and confirm for me?"
"Her worship?" Dash asked, confused.
"Her worship Petunia is back in Asterfal and is a friend. I am sure she would come and perform the check for me if I asked her."
Malaki's face suddenly changed, losing colour at the comment. He had seen SJ with Petunia arrive at Otherlisar's dinner party and leave, knowing that SJ knew her.
"This is the biggest sham of a fight I have ever been a part of," Malaki said as he barged past SJ, shouldering her and stormed back towards the tunnel, heading back to the cage. The imposing figure of Jay was just entering the training room supporting Olpi, who were both laughing as Malaki sidestepped them to get past.
"He looked in a hurry?" Jay said as he helped Olpi get a seat.
"Nothing to worry about," SJ said.
"There will be when I finish with him," the elf said, frowning deeply at the revelation. "I think I will have to talk with the chief myself. Dash, would you join me?"
"Of course, Tanes, we can't have cheating like that. I suspect it isn't the first time he has done it. He had been on a winning streak recently. Nigel, will you join us?"
The other human promoter had just been an idle witness watching the issues unfold until SJ noticed him, and he spoke for the first time.
"I will, but first things first. Bluey, do you have the purse?"
The kobold, sitting at the small table the whole time, stood and walked over carrying a leather pouch.
"Here you go," Bluey said, handing the pouch to SJ.
SJ took the pouch, feeling the coin's weight in her hand. She had just been handed 125 gold coins. Trying to stay calm and not feel excited, she took the pouch gracefully and turned to the other three promoters present.
"Thank you all," she said.
"Now that is a prize to savour," Dave said.
"No need to thank us. Jay fought as he always used to. You chose one of the best fighters I have ever seen to represent. I just wish I hadn't allowed myself to be persuaded to drop him," Dash said.
Both Tanes and Nigel nodded in agreement with Dash's comment.
"We were all misled by Lenny and Malaki by the sounds of it," Tanes said.
"You weren't misled. I did attack and injure Gasgut, and I don't believe anyone ever shared the truth with you about why I did." Jay explained to the promoters why he had attacked Gasgut and what had happened between him and Juniper. By the time he finished, the looks of anger on the three were ever-present.
"I think it may be time to change who we allow to be promoters," Nigel said.
There was a commotion behind them as the sounds of angry voices could be heard from the tunnel.
Two large orcs were carrying in a stretcher, the still form of Lenny's fighter lying unconscious on it. Followed behind by a second stretcher carrying the still and covered form of the gnoll that Jay had ended. The groggy-looking form of the other human fighter followed them sombrely, holding his head and walking over to Nigel.
All remained silent as the gnoll arrived at the area where he had been in the room, and the stretcher was gently placed on the ground by the orcs. The orcs placed the unconscious form of the orc where he had been training.
The next group that entered brought the ruckus: Malaki, Lenny, Gasgut, and the chief. Gasgut entered the room, limping and leaning heavily on a thick cane.
"The fae is a cheat and should be disqualified along with her fighter," Lenny stated as they entered.
The chief wore a stony look on her face, and a large troll and Henry followed her.
SJ closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Turning to look at Lenny, she spoke before anyone else could speak, "I have a name. My name is SJ, so I suggest you use it."
Lenny turned, sneering at her, "I will call you whatever I damn well please."
SJ clenched her fists reflexively at her sides as her temper rose.
The air in the room suddenly felt very tense as the chief looked at the gathered beings.
"There has been an accusation of cheating being made and a purse theft due to it. I can't allow purses to be stolen from another by underhand means," she said, her voice cold as ice.
"The only cheats around here are Malaki and Lenny," SJ said.
"And what evidence do you have to support your statement?" the chief asked.
"I would ask what evidence they have to say how I have cheated?" SJ said firmly.
"She is a fae. They cheat at everything," Lenny said.
"Chief, I have known you for over 200 years now. I am sure we can resolve this issue by simply performing a diagnosis spell," Tanes said, stepping forward.
Malaki's confident expression again faltered at the comment of the spell.
Gasgut, with his deep and gravelly voice sounding forced, spoke for the first time. "Why would you need a diagnosis spell?"
SJ noticed the subtle nod that Gasgut had given to Jay when their eyes met, and Jay returned the gesture. It had been so minor that she only believed her heightened senses had allowed her to notice it. Whether they got on, even after what had happened, the pair had a deep respect.
"SJ saw Malaki give a potion to his fighter and also one to Lenny to give to yours, Gasgut," Tanes said.
Gasgut raised an eyebrow at the comment, "Lenny, is this true?"
Lenny's face suddenly lost some of its confidence, not responding.
The chief looked at Tanes, tilting her head as she spoke. "Tanes, we have known each other for over two centuries, and I have always trusted your word over many who have come and gone. You are the one constant who has always been true to his word. Why, though, should I believe the word of a fae?"
"Then get a cleric to perform the spell," Tanes said.
"And who will pay? Diagnosis spells cost many coins, and I don't sit where I am because I waste my coins."
"I will pay," SJ said. "Is there a cleric present who could perform the task?"
Lenny and Malaki's faces were looking more nervous with every passing moment.
"Henry, check upstairs," the chief said.
"Yes, chief," Henry replied as he turned and left the room.
"I suggest everyone sits while we await Henry's return," the chief said.
"Holy freaking halfling warts," Dave suddenly said.
'What?'
"Look what she is wearing."
SJ did not know what Dave was referring to.
'What?'
"Her earrings."
Recognition hit SJ like a train as she took in the dark elf's appearance, fully focussing on her earrings. The shape and design of them were identical.
'They can't be?'
"What else can they be? A dark elf wearing them makes perfect sense."
'If they are, then I need to get hold of them. But how?'
"No idea, but they have to be. They match the design perfectly."
The green drop earrings resembled laurel leaves and had three smaller leaves hanging beneath them. Could they really be the Earrings of the Earth Stone? If they were, she may have just found one of the fae's long-lost treasures and the second piece in her set.
SJ had lost focus on anything else around her as others spoke, her attention taken fully by her thoughts of the earrings.
As they sat waiting for Henry to return, Bluey, whom SJ hadn't even realised had left, escorted a female gnoll into the training room. Bluey escorted her to the stretcher, holding the gnoll fighters still form. Bluey bent and pulled the sheet back, the female gnoll collapsing to her knees, sobbing, and leaning forward across his body.
The gut-wrenching feeling SJ felt seemed to tear her insides apart. A sudden sense of loss and grief crashed over her. It was Malaki's fighter, yet the man hadn't even reacted, ignoring the outpouring of grief, still with his back to the gnoll.
"Do they get compensated?" SJ whispered to Dash, who was sitting beside her.
Noting where SJ was looking, Dash said, "Only if their promoter pays them. There are no rules for compensation."
SJ was astonished that these fighters, who fought for the promoters who had put so much at stake in a purse, might not even reimburse those who had been injured or died. Standing from the table, the others silently watched as SJ walked over to the gnoll and knelt at her side.
"Here. I know it will not bring him back, but hopefully, it will help you get through your grief," SJ said softly as she took the female gnoll's hand and placed five gold coins into it.
The tear-stricken face of the gnoll turned to look at her, looking at the coin in her hand in astonishment before flinging her arms around SJ and hugging her tightly.
"Thank you," she sobbed.
Dave sniffed in her mind, "Your heart is too big."
SJ allowed the gnoll to cry on her shoulder for what felt like minutes before a call came from the tunnel entrance.
"I am sorry for your loss," SJ said, extricating herself from the gnoll and walking back to the table. Bluey covered the gnoll again and then helping assisted the other gnoll towards the exit.
The character that entered the room with Henry was wearing brilliant gold-coloured half-plate armour, and hanging on his belt was a beautifully crafted-looking mace.
"So what do we need?" the man inquired. the man asked.
"I didn't realise you were here this evening, Talos," the chief said, standing. "We require a diagnosis spell to be performed on the orc over there."
The orc still hadn't regained consciousness, and Lenny had not tried to bring him around.
Malaki's face turned ashen, seeing the man who had entered.
"He is a Legionnaire, level 49, and obviously a cleric," Dave said.
"How much?" SJ asked, looking at the man.
"Three gold for diagnosis," Talos said.
SJ walked to him and handed him the gold. He approached the orc, bending down by his side, and touched his forehead. There was a sudden flash of light, and the same ball that SJ had seen used by Petunia appeared before he moved the ball of light down the orc's body. After several moments, the light cut out.
"Well, that is interesting," Talos mused, rubbing his chin.
"What is?" the chief asked.
"He has two effects currently. First, he has had a pain reduction effect recently, but the surprising fact is he has a nullifying effect."
Lenny's eyes shot open at the comment.
"He had been given a potion of pain reduction, but then someone tried to hide the effect through a nullification potion or something similar to hide what he had taken."
SJ watched Malaki's face crack as any sign of confidence he had remaining left him. His eyes were now as wide as Lenny's with fear.
"So it is true, Malaki and Lenny both cheated," the chief said, turning to look at them.
Gasgut turned, snarling at Lenny, "You cheated? You low-life piece of wyvern dung. I know I have stooped low over my years, but never to cheat in the cage. Fighters earn their right to be there through their prowess. Otherwise, anyone could come along using magic and potions and compete."
"I did it for you," Lenny blurted.
The thick cane Gasgut used to support him swung from the side of his chair and struck Lenny across the side of his head with a resounding thud, sending the orc sideways, falling from his chair.
"And Malaki, I assume you gave Lenny the potion?" Gasgut asked.
Malaki paused for a moment before he replied. "I couldn't let a piece of fae scum win."
The moment the last word left his mouth, he knew he had made a fatal error. Seeing how the man had ignored the grief of the gnoll's family and sat there ignoring them and the abuse he had already stated to SJ was the final straw. Flying from her chair, she dived the few feet between them over the table, and as Malaki's head turned back towards her, her fist connected squarely with his bulbous nose, making it explode in crimson.
"If I hear you say another word, I will be dragging you into the cage myself," SJ hissed through gritted teeth.
All the others at the table looked amazed at SJ's reaction and speed.
Gasgut slowly stood from his seat. "Chief, please accept my apologies for my staff's behaviour. Jeff, could you please escort him from the premises?"
The troll who had entered with the chief and Henry strode to where Lenny sat on the floor before bending down and grabbing him by his arm, dragging him to his feet.
"Gasgut. I did it for you," Lenny pleaded as Jeff dragged him towards the exit.
"Henry, please also escort Malaki from the premises?" the chief said.
Henry moved forward to where Malaki was sitting, gripping his nose in his hand, trying to stem the flow of blood. As Henry assisted Malaki in standing up, he said, "You will suffer for this fae."
SJ climbed back from the table, retaking her seat.
"That was interesting," Talos said. "If you have nothing else for me, I will get back to the guild."
"Thank you, Talos," Tanes said.
"Chief," Talos said respectfully as he went to leave.
The chief just nodded towards Talos.
"You have caused more issues this evening than I have witnessed in over fifty years," the chief said, turning to look at SJ.
SJ could feel the static in the air again.
"Be careful," Dave said.
"I apologise for any problems that I may have caused your establishment," SJ said.
"I have just lost one of my chief promoters. Gasgut, I assume you will remain to host fighters?"
"I will chief," Gasgut said.
"Chief, may I ask what has become of the gnoll that the fight was rescinded for?" SJ asked. SJ asked.
"He is still in the holding pen, I believe. He will be released as promised from his debt," the chief said.
"Thank you. May I visit him?"
"If you so wish," the chief replied as she went to stand.
"Jay, are you returning full-time? It was enthralling seeing you back in the cage," the chief smiled.
"I have not decided yet, chief," Jay said.
"I hope you do," the chief said as she turned and walked to leave.
"Gentlebeings," Gasgut said as he left.
"Gasgut. I will escort you," Jay said, standing and walking with the orc.
"Well, this has been the most interesting evening in the Griffin for a long time," Tanes said, grinning. "I believe we all deserve a drink."
Dash laughed and patted Tanes on the back. "Indeed, it has been an interesting night. Nigel, will you join us for a drink?"
"The drinks will be on me, but first, I need to speak to the gnoll who no longer has a debt," SJ said.
"That will be most welcome," Tanes said.
"I will see you in the bar shortly," SJ said standing. "Thank you all."
Walking back up the tunnel, Dave talked. "We need those earrings."
'I know, but how.'
"Maybe kill her?"
'I can feel the power she gives off. I wouldn't stand a chance against her.'
"You keep forgetting you are an assassin."
'I might be, but how on earth do I ever get close enough to harm her in the first place? Don't get me wrong; I feel nothing for her; she is evil and makes a profit from the suffering of others.'
"It is time to plan then."
'Perhaps I need to speak to Lurtew, and I also still need to meet with Carlito.'
Dave laughed nervously, "I had forgotten about Carlito in all the excitement. Great punch, by the way, but I think Malaki will now gun for you."
'I don't care what that worm tries.'
Walking back into the cage area, the room was virtually empty. With no fights underway, there were only a couple of beings still sitting in the stands, and they appeared asleep, probably unconscious from alcohol above anything else. SJ walked around the cage and went down the other entrance tunnel from which the bait had been brought.
The room she entered smelt horrendous. There were several large cages in the room, several of the fighters from the cage now back in them, huddled under blankets, bearing the wounds they had received. None would get any treatment for their injuries. There were also four bodies covered in blankets in one cage area. SJ hadn't realised that they were killed, but they must have been. The cages sat on wooden flooring, and metal buckets were placed in the corners of the cages, obviously for their personal needs. The stench clung to her nostrils.
As SJ entered, a draconian noticed her, challenging her, "What do you want?"
"I am here to see the gnoll who won."
The draconian frowned, "What is he to you?"
"And what has that got to do with you?" SJ said.
The draconian looked her up and down with disgust. SJ was still wearing her brown, reshaped dress and looked like many other commoners in the city. Inwardly cursing, she wished she had changed it now.
The draconian was a little taken aback by her response. "I am the promoter who just won the fight and I want to see the gnoll who had his debt removed."
Surprised, the draconian looked at her, "You are a promoter?"
"Did you not see me at the cage side?"
He didn't respond, turning to look at a goblin sitting with a tankard in his hand at a small table in the room. The goblin nodded towards the draconian, "Sorry, I didn't know. He is in the next room."
SJ stalked past them and through a doorway into another room, which was much smaller. Along its side were what could only be described as small jail cells. All were empty except for the hunched form of Lurtew sitting in a corner.
"Lurtew," she called, running to the cage.
Looking up, Lurtew's bleary eyes looked at her. His eyes looked dark and drawn as though he hadn't slept and had been weeping.
"SJ, what are you doing here? I saw you outside the cage."
"I am here to ensure your release."
