City of IF

[ethereal_fauna]

Chapter 5

His registration complete, Jakeen returned to The Wormy Dog to play for the evening and earn his keep. A dreamless sleep left him well rested for the day, but at breakfast he received a page from Yahoo. This morning’s lesson was postponed until the afternoon, and Jakeen released an inward sigh of relief. That gave him the remainder of this morning to prepare what he intended to say to his mentor, regarding registry in the tournament.

Jakeen headed to the Lyceum after his meal. He not only needed to find out the time for his first competition, but he wanted to watch at least one contest as well. He remembered the intimidating and unpleasant man mocking that one injured mage, and if memory served correctly their contest would take place first thing this morning. He arrived outside the gates of the arena just as a contestant was arriving.

He peered over the heads of the gathered crowd, glimpsing into the litter transporting an injured mage. “So that must be Gorin,” he thought as he stared at what appeared a very mangled magician. “How does the man intend to compete in such an obviously disadvantaged condition?”

Jakeen ignored the shuffling throng around him, focusing on the man inside the litter as if he could discriminate some perceptible magical characteristic from merely watching the man lying reposed inside. Gorin’s rest seemed fitful, and concern creased the scarred lines of the sleeping mage’s face. Jakeen almost afforded a glance around him to see if he could spot some indiscernible force that could worry the slumbering man so, when he noticed small movements of the magician’s hands beneath his cloak.

A murmuring and shock rippled through the gathering behind him, but Jakeen ignored whatever spectacle attracted the attention of the crowd. His eyes remained transfixed on Gorin, as the man’s face appeared to shimmer and waver for the briefest of moments. The effect struck Jakeen oddly, as if Gorin had worn a mask that had slipped momentarily from his face to reveal a healthy visage, but the impression didn’t last long. Whatever had happened in the crowd resolved quickly, and the litter bore the injured man into the tunneled entrance leading to the arena.

Making his was to the registry once more, Jakeen noted that his first contest would occur late in the afternoon, most likely lasting into the early evening hours. He would find time pressing, between his afternoon lesson with Yahoo and his commitment to play at the Wormy Dog come sundown. He knew absolutely nothing about his opponent Sheva, and after a few cautious inquiries only managed to learn that she was an accomplished mage from the east.

He made his way into the stadium and sat nervously amongst the other spectators, anticipating a brilliant show and attempting to calm his jangled nerves. He felt woefully unprepared for his first contest, but determined to discuss his registering for the tournament with Yahoo first thing, before his lesson. His thoughts drifted to that helpful stranger that had encouraged Jakeen to enter the Battle to the End, and as he replayed Tokes’ words in his mind a niggling doubt began to grow.

Tokes had commented on Jakeen’s talent and his desire to learn, and had suggested that he could find a better mentor than a washed-out old wizard. The intuitiveness of this played roughly against Jakeen’s raw nerves. Jakeen had described Yahoo as a kindly man, nothing more, but Tokes’ words suggested a deeper understanding of the situation than what a mere stranger might know. He puzzled on this briefly but lost the thought as Gorin and Gregoh entered the arena.

**

Jakeen had intended to stay and view all the morning’s contests, but the sheer skill presented in Gorin’s battle against Gregoh left him awestruck, and he departed the Lyceum before the battle ended. Gorin had cast off the illusion of injury, and indeed demonstrated a mastery of illusory spells. Despite that, the comparatively matched Gregoh had injured Gorin early in the battle. Jakeen hunched his shoulders as he quickened his pace, the image of blood trickling down from Gorin’s ear appearing redder and more vivid with continued thought. What exactly had he gotten himself into? His natural talent paled when compared to the experienced showmanship he’d just witnessed, and he sped from the arena towards the solace of his sparse room at the inn.

Perhaps he should withdraw from the competition. He didn’t want to quit before he’d even given himself a chance, and he moodily sat in his room lighting and extinguishing the candle on the nightstand. His thoughts swung from deepest despair to lofty hope, lingering little on the spectrum between the two extremes, until he realized that he needed to meet with Yahoo. He’d missed the midday meal, and his stomach grumbled complaint as he made his way to Yahoo’s room.

On his way to his mentor’s lodging, he passed through the tavern proper, and Yahoo sat in the tavern motioning to him. His mentor’s face appeared as a heavily laden sky toiling with fat storm clouds, and before Jakeen could speak, Yahoo broached the subject of the afternoon’s contest. Jakeen remonstrated his procrastination, and belatedly wished that he’d sought an audience with his mentor earlier.

“Well?” Yahoo spoke, leaving the moment hanging in anticipation of Jakeen’s response.

“I joined the tournament,” Jakeen stated the obvious.

The swing from earlier resumed motion in Jakeen’s chest, alternating between despair and hope, until his head spun from the effort of following the emotions. The pressure of the moment amplified its importance, falsely distilling his future to this one decision. Tokes had said that many fine mages would seek him as a pupil if he performed well in the tournament, perhaps skilled mages like Gorin. Yet Jakeen respected Yahoo as well, and held his talents in high esteem. He disagreed with the assessment of the man as a washed-out old wizard.

Jakeen felt it unfair that Yahoo would force him to make this decision right now, but then he also understood the man’s unwillingness to teach an opponent how to defeat him. Considering the potential finality of defeat in the arena, Yahoo had more to lose than gain with any arrangement to further Jakeen’s skills. What had Jakeen journeyed this far to accomplish? He had wanted to find a teacher, to learn of the magic inside his music.

Yahoo ordered another drink, and his face softened. He pushed the mug towards Jakeen and said with a smile, “Drink, and our ways will be parted.”

What manner of man was Jakeen? He felt it unworthy to withdraw from the competition, especially since his first contest would soon take place. The swing suddenly arrested inside his chest, and Jakeen made his decision. The only concern now was to depart without burning any bridges behind him. He attempted to choose his words carefully.

“I think that I should continue in the arena...I mean, you obviously know...uh, my first battle is this afternoon,” he spoke, resolve dissipating in the faintness of his voice. With that he quietly brought the mug to his lips, and drank.

**

The sky grew rosy with the high noon glare fading into the subdued light of late afternoon. Jakeen hurried through the streets towards the Lyceum, bumbling through the tunneled entrance to the arena at the last possible moment. Sheva had already advanced onto the battlefield, and Jakeen hastily passed the checkpoint before entering to face her. His middle rumbled in hunger and anxiety, knotting into a painful lump that pushed up from the pit of his stomach and into his throat, as he listened to he announcer introduce him as contestant number two. Then the traditional phrase signaled the beginning of the competition.

"CONTESTANTS, IT'S LAST ONE STANDING, BE INVENTIVE...AND FIGHT"

The afternoon crowd was smaller and less uproar rose from the spectators. The morning’s contestants were magicians of some renown, but the afternoon presented lesser-known competitors. Thoughts of this morning’s spectacular battle faded from his mind as he surveyed the arena from a different perspective. As a spectator the arena appeared unbelievably large, but standing on the bare earth of the battlefield the space seemed constricting, and his challenger uncomfortably close. Sheva was a surprising opponent.

He studied Sheva, uncertain of what information he could glean from her appearance. Her green hair tucked neatly behind delicate pointy ears, she must hail from the forest elves located in the woods east of Vlusos. Known for superb archery skills, the forest elves relied upon their cunning and savagery to subdue their enemies. He didn’t know what magic she might possess, but he was grateful that her archery expertise would not help her here.

Jakeen stared at her face, unwilling to allow his gaze to drift beyond her amber eyes, until his curiosity pulled his visual appraisal lower. A knotted, puckered scar wound its way from her shoulder and across her chest, imparting the impression of a gnarled dark green vine clinging to the pale skin of her left breast. The form-fitting bodice of her apparel pushed her bosom higher, serving to emphasize the badge of brutality, and completely amplifying the intended effect of terror.

Sheva moved her hands smoothly, the fluid motions erecting a shimmering defensive shield around her. Jakeen played softly on his lyre, A A# B D#, a defensive shield to offer some protection from any magic she might set upon him. So it began.

Taking the offensive, Jakeen first tried a fire spell, playing the pattern eloquently despite the nervous trembling of his hands. Sheva only smiled, the spell rendered useless by her defenses. She delivered a taunt in her native tongue, the meaning of the words lost to Jakeen but the intent of them not. Had he really thought it would be as simple as that, as easy as igniting the hats on top of the street-rats’ heads?

A spray of small stones pelted him, softly at first, then with increasing velocity. He hid his face behind his arms, and heard the rocks bouncing off of his instrument. Twisting his arm behind his back, he shielded the lyre with his body, and his face with only one arm. The assault continued, with the small stones gaining speed although diminishing in quantity, until focused compact projectiles cut into his exposed skin. His mind raced for a solution. Sheva clearly practiced earth magic, commanding the element from outside his magical shield, and then effectively sending deadly bullets through to his defenseless flesh.

The assaults came in spurts; a painful spray of stones followed by a brief moment punctuated only by his ragged breaths and her grunting concentration. He wasn’t sure if she toyed with him, or if her efforts actually required some build up, but the stones came with increasing speed and force, pelting against his clothes and leaving bruises. He chanced a glance in one of the lulls, to see her face contorted with effort and beads of sweat spotting her wrinkled forehead. Her hands stabbing the air, she gestured the appropriate runes, pulling hardened earth into a suspended position, transforming it into jagged stone and with a wave of her hand hurling it in his direction. Her eyes never left him.

Another scattering of stones came flying towards him, and he ducked and rolled in evasion. The maneuver worked as the stones continued along their original path, sailing past where he had stood only moments before. Sheva’s eyes quickly besieged him again. Her targeting appeared limited to line-of-sight, and Jakeen sought to use this to his advantage. His mind raced through options, but not quickly enough. Another barrage of stones hit him, and one painful projectile pierced his side, exiting through the back just below the shoulder blade. He gasped in pain as a glistening crimson stain crawled across the front of his shirt, and he felt darkness encroaching around the edges of his vision. He needed to act quickly before this one simple tactic defeated him.

** Okay team...Jakeen is in his first contest. His opponent so far has erected a magical defense, and employed one simple but deadly assault. What does Jakeen need to do? Defensive...try to wear out her magic capabilities then attack? Offensive...try to find some spell to penetrate her barrier, or some way to overcome a magical shield such as what she’s doing? Discuss away and make good suggestions. We don’t want to lose the first battle just because we didn’t think things through. **

*Images retrieved online and altered from artists' original works.

What is Jakeen's tactic?
Dimming spell, and try to wear her magic out whilst remaining undetected 0
Mental attack whilst moving closer to her to try and throw off her targeting 4
Haste spell to make himself quicker, dodging her attacks until she's worn down 0
Wind spell to turn her projectiles back onto her or to deflect her attack 2
String together random notes in hopes that a stunning attack occurs in his favor 1

[Shady Stoat]

If Jakeen's opponent is limited to line-of-sight, then his invisibility magic should work wonders here. :D

She already appears quite tired from the efforts of the fight so far. If we force her to throw a few more random earth attacks at us, then she may well become depleted and at the mercy of a second fire spell.

Go Jakeen! :biggrin:

[Key]

Great chapter, Fauna! :D

Invisibility is a good option. Another one is some kind of mental magic. If her shield is physical, maybe Jakeen could confuse her or lull her to sleep with his music.

Or maybe he should get closer. With her archery skills, she may be more of a distance specialist. Would she be able to target her attacks at close range?

[ethereal_fauna]

At closer range the projectiles might not have sufficient space to gain ample velocity...or perhaps they'll just travel a shorter distance and hit harder. Good thing to consider her targeting abilities, and the effort it takes for her to work her magic.

Her shield is magical, and protects obviously against fire and probably against other elementals as well. Doesn't prevent her from hearing what is played, however. :cool:

As far as a dimming spell: it makes one less noticible, but we're dealing with someone who practices earth magic, inside a dusty arena. I see potential for problem there.

[luvd]

ethereal_fauna wrote: Her shield is magical, and protects obviously against fire and probably against other elementals as well. Doesn't prevent her from hearing what is played, however. :cool:

That's what I was thinking. Attack the senses so she can't concentrate :biggrin:

[jnmrcs]

I think the invisible thing is better.

[Shady Stoat]

Well, I've been reading back over the chapters again to see what abilities Jakeen has. Not that I've got very far yet... :D

One thing that slipped my attention first time through, is a haste spell. If he could make himself quicker, he could dodge the earth-bolts, leaving him free-er to attack in other ways...

The 'other ways' I'm still working on! *grin*

[Cowofdoom666]

This may seem risky, but may work, I don't know, If it doesn't, I never spoke.

Invisibilty seems the way to go, but what do you do once you gain invisibilty? You want to hit your opponent so hard that eventually when you become visible again, they won't be able to go on the offense, let's face it, Jarkeen can't stay invisble forever. But what spell can he use against that barrier?

I say we gamble.

It seems to me JArkeen has enough skill to attempt a VERY risky manovuer, which could spell success of complete and utter defeat.

Improvise.

If Jarkeen can string together his own notes, and construct a completely new and complex spell, he may either:
a) Get the upper hand
b) Explode

Hey, that's just me.

[Shady Stoat]

Another random piece of information to throw out there:

Jakeem has the ability to 'see patterns' of Wind, Thirst and Anger. With practice (in the background chapter) he has been able to learn to control those patterns.

I agree with Cow that it might be time to take a risk - but not necessarily a blind one! :-)

[Ingrothechundyer]

I'm curious if we could generate a tornado to speed up those missles Sheva so kindly provided Jakeen to around 120 mph and then launch them back at her.

EDIT: or failing that create a tornado shield around Jakeen to put a stop to the stone attacks.

[Mother Goose]

Use your music! Play a frenzied tune to compel her to dance, and prevent her from making the gestures she needs to produce her magic. Keep it up till she drops of exhaustion!

[ethereal_fauna]

Polling has begun. I've tried to include all suggestions. Some I've condensed into 'mental attack', or 'random notes' (for patterns he hasn't recognized or tried). Some options focus on offense and others defense. Choose what Jakeen does next, and feel free continuing discussion on how he should proceed with this contest against Sheva.

[Shady Stoat]

I voted for mental attack.

No real reason, just instinct. If music does anything, it evokes emotional, mind-based responses. I just think it would be easier for Jakeen to experiment with that than to start messing around experimenting with new effects in the physical or elemental realms. :D

[Ingrothechundyer]

I'm voting for wind.

Mainly because it would be nice to try to kill two birds with one stone and a wind spell might come in useful later . :biggrin:

[Mother Goose]

I'm voting for mental attack too - I think that includes using the music to change her behavior (dancing or other change in what she's doing).

[luvd]

Mental for me. :-x

[ethereal_fauna]

Mother Goose wrote: I'm voting for mental attack too - I think that includes using the music to change her behavior (dancing or other change in what she's doing).
Yes, that would include behavioral changes, as well as assaulting the senses, confusion, etc.

Bear in mind that some of the things Jakeen plays profoundly affects him as well, such as those pleasure notes. Regardless of the option voted on, I am still interested in the team's ideas regarding the remainder of the battle after he tries his initial tactic. And some of the suggestions in the vote or on this thread might be included in the next chapter as well, although Jakeen will initially attempt whichever option is voted on.

[Shady Stoat]

Does Jakeen have any weapon other than his musical instrument? I skimmed through the chapters earlier in the week, but I couldn't find mention of anything.

If he has, and he gains the high ground magically, it might be worth facing Shiva physically at the end. After all, if he grew up on a farm, he's going to be physically fit.

It's an option that nobody's mentioned yet, anyway :D

[ethereal_fauna]

Shady Stoat wrote: Does Jakeen have any weapon other than his musical instrument? I skimmed through the chapters earlier in the week, but I couldn't find mention of anything.

If he has, and he gains the high ground magically, it might be worth facing Shiva physically at the end. After all, if he grew up on a farm, he's going to be physically fit.

It's an option that nobody's mentioned yet, anyway :D
Weapons aren't allowed in the arena, only magical items, and perhaps what a magician can conjure. Jakeen isn't a conjurer, so he can't play and have a weapon materialize. Although I suppose he could tackle Sheva, and hope that she doesn't have a different magical attack that she'd use against him.

If he doesn't kill her or knock her out, then the battle is judged on magical creativity. Don't want to lose this round simply because we used brute force instead of magic, so if we go the physical route we better hope that forest elves are easily rendered unconscious. :)

[Cowofdoom666]

Guess who has the only vote for improvising :sad: .

Lol, I'm not sure why fauna included that one, the others make more sense.

[Eragon\'s Ego]

Wind spell to turn her projectiles back onto her or to deflect her attack because it may kick up dirt and blind her too, or atleast slow her progress, and when she posts polls, try and think of the other things it might do too, and post them :lol:

[Eragon\'s Ego]

how do I vote??? :-D

[ethereal_fauna]

The poll for this chapter is closed, and you can view the results at the very bottom of the chapter. I will post a new chapter tomorrow, and after a few days of suggestion and discussion there will be a new poll to vote on.

If you haven't already, you can read through the FAQs and the various topics in the IF Technical Institute, for more information on how to play. :)

[Eragon\'s Ego]

but i dont :lol: see anything