Act 2: Upheaval III - The Master Weaver and the Arena

"We don't know who activated it or why. We've always assumed it was because the Empire got scared of us, but that's all it ever was - an assumption."

"Anyone else have anything to add? If everyone is amenable I'd like to discuss the tournament tomorrow."

"Before that, don't we have a Green Mage to save?"

Nadzieja raises an eyebrow. "Are you going to use the orb on him then?"

"We've got one. And by using it on Duma we're already risking being unable to save someone else down the line."

He looks at Nadzieja - "They Orb is either Duma's, or it's yours. Up to you, but we need to decide now, then get to work."

"It seems unlikely we would be able to orb him before the Tournament so I don't see what there is to discuss other than shoving it into his unconscious body tomorrow. Also, I think we'd be better off giving it to Nadzieja and being done with it for now." Steve looks around at the others to see what they'll say.

The young clan leader answers immediately, having apparently made her decision before this meeting even began. "Then I'll use the orb on Zenon then," she declares.

Steve raises an eyebrow at her decision but doesn't fight it. "And when and how do we do that?"

Konrad, though disappointed, doesn't argue. He nods.

Mihai silently looks at her for moment, until Steve speaks up - "Soon as we iron out the how. I've though something up, but it's not entirely risk-free. And you'd have to expose Duma to the Shroud."

Nadzieja raises an eyebrow and calmly voices her opinion. "I can simply do what Konrad suggested; use the Shroud to enter Duma's room and use the orb while he's sleeping."

"You can get past the locked doors that way?"

She nods.

Amber seems impressed by this.

Steve is impressed too. His eyes light up in that mischievous way they do before a prank. "Why is everything always so wonderful?"

"Still want to standby and make sure you're ok." - Mihai reaches into his pouch and pulls out the Orb - "This could be the last one we see in a long while. Make it count."

He hands it to her.

Konrad steeples his hands, thinking. "Would it be helpful for us to stay here on guard, to make sure there's no trouble tonight?"

Fluffle and Amber smile when they hear Steve's funny remark.

Nadzieja takes the orb from Mihai, peers at the swirling elemental energies, and says, "I will."

She then listens to Konrad and considers the question he raised. "I doubt it'll be necessary, but you could stay the night if you believe it'd be safer for me." She remembers something. "Does that mean I can count on you for the Tournament tomorrow?"

The Szef gazes at the adventurers, pretty sure of what their answer will be, but nevertheless asking them just in case. Amber and Fluffle follows her eyes and wait, wondering if they'll change their mind.

"Leon, Valor and Suzy would beat the crap out of us if you couldn't."

"We are totally going to win the Tournament for you. You just need to tell us how the Tournament works first." Steve laughs.

Nadzieja is initially taken aback by the mention of her adoptive family, but she quickly recovers and listens to Konrad and Steve next. "Thank you," she says. "Your support means more than you think. And yes, I suppose we should talk about how the Tournament will work."

She sighs and pours herself a new glass of wine first. Once she's taken a sip from it, she refocuses her attention on the three adventurers and begins her explanation. "It will begin tomorrow at noon. The Szefowie and their retinues will meet at the center of the Arena and draw their place on the bracket. Only four szefowie will fight; Leopold Czelusniak of Barbazyn, Zenon Duma of Dziki, Wanda Makara of Atak, and me, of Zdetermiwa. The two other challengers withdrew today after we've managed to kill the werewolf."

"Uh? Why?" Amber asks.

"Because my claim was strengthened by this victory," Nadzieja explains. "You can become the First if you're a good fighter, but ruling is different. You need allies and influence for that."

"Oh. So that's why you want them to fight for you," Amber remarks while gesturing at her companions.

"Exactly," the szef says. She then looks at the men again and continues her explanation. "We fight in teams of five until one side yields or a szef dies."

"...Will someone die?" Fluffle asks, worried.

"Hopefully not. The Szefowie usually try to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, but it's been decades since the last Tournament."

"Has anyone ever been attacked prior to the Tournament?"