Court at Play and the Sekkat Priests

Lady Foster waited for her husband and his guards to finish their security checks in the private gardens before entering. But she took cover behind a wall when she saw her daughter, Lady Candice, enter from the other entrance to greet one of the Sekkat priests while laying out their lunch on a low table.

It was only after her daughter had left that she approached a sekkat priest sitting in the shade away from the table and others. He was an old tuxedo cat with a black mark on his white nose, his green eyes narrowed upon her approach. He stared up at the black-haired and sober-faced centurion lady in a sari-dress of white silk trimmed in jade-green.

"Aye, if it isn't the Valide Sultan's pony on a leash," he sinisterly chuckled.

Lady Foster didn't answer to his slight, rather she stood more upright. "Priest Tsu-ni. Here are your orders."

She handed him a common looking gray pebble. The sekkat absorbed a rune message from it before tossing it in a bush.

"Very good. We lost a kat to that demon-specter. So now we play the long ball game." He yawned, showing her his cat teeth then added with a smirk. "Tell your boss, Plan B."

She bowed before him and entered the audience chamber. She saw Kairo headed for the throne room. The boy was just another pawn. She let out a troubled sigh and continued her walk away from the chamber to perform her palace head chamberlain duties. No doubt she'll be working closely with him soon for the event.

Kairo entered the throne room, and stood a meter away from Lyon who was seated leisurely on his throne, oozing with his usual intimidating aura.

Prince Yanmu Manfred stood to one side of the dais with his guards surrounding him. Kairo took note of his tall and muscly body in purple and gold trimmed robes. A jeweled moon headdress held his silky locks of long silver hair off his angelic features, so his gray eyes were clearly visible. They narrowed with curiosity and machinations toward Kairo. Rays from the throne room's floating lamps reflected the moon crest emblem from his dangling earrings.

Aside from the masked guards, there were only eleven others in the room who were dressed in similar robes as Jan. Kairo guessed they were the other court visors.

"Is this the otherworld wizard?" Yanmu scoffed with a smirk twitching the corner of his mouth. He raised a long finger to the underside of his bottom lip, highlighting his gold-jeweled rings. His expression eased to one of observation.

Kairo stood still and silent before Lyon with his head bowed. The prince stared at him with neither care nor cruelty. If anything, the man's austere and calculating gaze was more unnerving.

"He landed on my lap unexpectedly. No doubt, shadow agents caused it." Lyon's eyes darted to Yanmu; narrowed with seething before relaxing into an expression of bemusement.

"Even though you're at war with your father, it would still do well to send such a creature to the Royal Shaman's for due process," Yanmu advised with composure.

Genie frowned and clenched his hands into fists. Jan gave him a sideward look of warning, which had him relax his hands and expression.

"Oh? As far as I'm concerned the boy is no different to a lump of blue meteorite landing on my lap. Why should I bother the important shamans with trivial matters? In any case, the boy is mine. If my father wants him he can add him to the list of things he wants to fight for," Lyon answered with a composure and expressionless manner to match.

Beams of daylight from high windows moved toward Lyon, casting his shadow on Yanmu and Kairo.

"As it may, taking in a sentient alien as your trophy would be seen as reckless," Yanmu continued to probe the matter more directly, showing some cracks in his demeanor.

The visors had noticed. Their careful whispers reinforced their praises for Lyon.

Kairo gulped sensing a game of thrones being played out with veiled threats.

"Trophy? Do you see his head hanging on my wall? It would be an ugly stain." Lyon continued to play his conversation game with Yanmu.

Kairo was giving it his all to remain steadfast and not show any expression. The atmosphere in the throne room felt heated, heavy and charged with anticipation. It was making his hands sweat and feel clammy.

Lyon sat more upright when he stated, "I have no doubt my father would've tried to claim his life many times. However, the fact remains, Kairo-wizard is still standing here. Is the strength of my father's power truly waning that he can't claim the otherworlder? Weakness must be a problematic worry for him."

Yanmu sighed, if this game between the Marsh Monarchy wasn't always played with high stakes draining resources, he would've made his move against them ages ago. But Lyon Marsh and his father Alric were the same side of a moon-coin: both strategic survivors and only caring for one thing—power.

"Your father is still holding his throne. Besides, I'm curious to see how this alien has proven himself to be someone of value in your court."

Lyon chuckled. "I'm sure you are. But who said he was valuable to me." He glanced at Genie who was keeping himself under control, then added, "Very well if it's a display of entertainment you want."

He waved for Kairo to step forward and gestured for Genie to do the same. They did as commanded with their heads still bowed. "As you recall my younger brother Genie."

A glint of anger flashed through Yanmu's eyes, but he maintained an aloof manner. "I recall him having fun with my palace sentry a while back. But, since he's your younger brother, I'll let the matter slide as a moment of rebellious youth. Next time, please send an invitation, I'd be more than happy to welcome your party in."

Lyon nodded. "Oh? Didn't I recompense the loss to your satisfaction? Anyway, trivial matters. So how shall we proceed with our wizard's entertainment?"

Yanmu smiled. "Indeed. It would be unbefitting of me to not witness a glimpse of this alien's prowess. Perhaps we can learn from him."

Genie bowed to request his permission to speak.

"Speak Genie-bey." Lyon allowed it.

"Genie-bey thanks our gracious prince. May I suggest we battle in homage to our god Kretos within the Arena of Trials?" Genie kept his head still bowed.

Yanmu scoffed and grumbled under his breath. Obviously, these brothers had something planned to counterattack his intentions.

Lyon bellowed with glee as he clapped. "Excellent. Suggestion accepted. Let's put on a feast while we're at it. This can be a fine prelude to our derby, don't you agree Manfred-nun?"

"Of course." Yanmu bowed.

Lyon added for Kairo and Genie who still had their heads bowed. "Prepare yourselves to put on a good show."

They were dismissed from court to prepare for the battle. Kairo frowned the whole time he followed Genie to the Arena of Trials.

"Genie, what did he mean by 'yourselves' putting on a good show?"

Genie stopped and faced him with a smile. "I'm your opponent."

Kairo blinked with a hard stare at the man. He never thought he'd have to battle his best friend. "Are you sure that's wise?"

Genie frowned. "You see me as some weak fodder?! You better put up a good fight, or I'll be mad."

"But what if they want me to kill you?"

"You think, you survived the mage library you're suddenly better than me? Prepare to fight to the death or be shrieker fodder!"

Kairo was taken aback by Genie's anger. He had callously attacked the man's pride without meaning it. "Sorry. I'll do my best."

Genie's expression eased into an honest moment of weariness. Kairo obviously meant no disrespect: he knew the questions were asked out of concern. He grabbed Kairo by the hand and activated a teleportation array, pulling him through it.