We left the bazaar when Wendy returned and told me that she''ll help me with the registration. While Neil said he better get going since Roland and Allan was waiting for him. Seems to me he was suppose to do something as an apology from last night. I couldn''t ask him if that was the case since me and Wendy were on our way again, and again leading the way until we reached the east gate and left the walls entirely.
From just outside the gate I could see that the field -- once dominated by farmers and their harvest -- was now dotted by rows upon rows of tent where the citizens looked like ants going inside those tents.
Some were gigantic and some specks from my perspective, yet this place was now like an amusement park just built yesterday.
Descending down from the wall, into the now we joined the crowd as Wendy lead the way passing through several tents before we stood in front of line that lead to one of those giant tent. It was hefty line of men, women, and children, all entered.
“Elfien, this way.”
She said when I began to join the line.
“This is not the registration place?”
I asked when we circled around this tent.
“No, this is the place.”
She said as we treaded along the dirt behind the large tent. Where upon arriving it was also a crowded space but the crowd was filled boys of my age fitting some gambeson and getting dresses by chain mail and helmet by, to my surprise, Katherine and some men at the barracks were fitting and supervising them while choosing their weapons.
After which they were lead inside a large blue and white stripped tent that is very reminiscent to a large circus tents.
“What competition shall you join in then?”
Asked Wendy when we danced through this arming place.
“Is there an option?”
“Certainly, there''s archery, team fight, individual melee, and a riddle competition.”
Well, there''s a lot of option but I think I''ll go with what I''m good at.
“I''ll go with the individual melee.”
I said.
“Very well then, I''ll handle the registration while you choose your armaments.”
She said in glee as she cut through the crowd, show some paper to the people in charge and got in while I joined in the armament.
“Ah, the representative of the guards finally comes!”
Greeted Katherine as I called out to her.
“I don''t think I''m representing any one, I''m just here to win one competition.”
I replied with a smile picking up some gambeson to get suited up.
“Heh. So Captain May hasn''t told you yet that she''s registered you to all events?”
She asked as she gave was about to dress me up in chainmail.
“Wait. What?”
I raised my eyebrow at her.
She looks like she was joking but she told me she was serious.
“Why else would I let you padded yourself with armor? You''re in the list that''s why.”
She shrugged her shoulder as she told me to stand still.
“Every event?”
I did stand still, but I was having seconds thoughts about this.
“I mean, not every event,”
She shrugs when the chain mail finally fitted to me.
“The one that''s only in melee and for some reason you also get to join the riddle competition. I don''t know her reasons are but, I think it''s great that she let you join the games, she was always strict about it.”This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
I didn''t want to believe it but when Wendy suddenly arriving with worried tone and told me that I was already registered in not only in individuals but in team, and riddle competition, that... made me believe in everything.
“Well, no use in mopping about it first event is team melee and it will happen in half an hour, you found a team yet? You need five members or your crossed out.”
Neil, Roland, and Allan came to thought but they could be anywhere and time is ticking low.
“I''ll join Elfien!”
Suddenly said Wendy.
“You sure young miss? Girls are allowed but the majority of fighters are boys here.”
“I can fight, Elfien can vouch for me!”
That I did, since were just fighting some kids within our age then she can take them.
With an ok, Katherine helped Wendy wear some gambeson and armor to some remote place, but were still three members down. Looking around, I asked some guys but they either told me their roster is full or they can kick someone to replace me. Which I quickly said no to that.
A bell then rung telling contestants of the team melee to ready themselves in a few more minutes.
I was going to give up until Katherine and Wendy arrived in a hurry to find me unsuccessful with team hunting.
“Well. There is three guys whose struggling to find some team mates also, I could pitch you with them but...”
Upon pinpointing said trio... I could guess why they''re being rejected. Well beggars can''t be choosers, I called out their name.
John, Grayson, and Billy all suited up in their armor. I was avoiding them earlier but, I can''t really avoid them now.
“You know them?”
She asked in a surprise as the trio waved in glee and ran towards our direction.
“Elfien!”
“The savior of the warren!”
“Hey, you need a team right and I suppose that lass right there is with you, right?”
Like some sort of reunion they gathered around me.
“Yeah, either way, let''s start our strategy.”
I said breaking up their encirclement and asked how well they know the fight.
They recounted our last fight, one that May barged in and pulled me out.
The rules were basically beat evey opponent down. Any strategy is free but there''s one strategy that everyone uses. Two members were going to use a shield and sword, or spear, then behind them are two more members that holds a pike, halberd, or spear. While the last member is called the runner, or flanker who is usually the leader holding a bow, double handed sword, or just a buckler and sword. Said leader would be the one flanking the enemy harassing them at any given opportunity.
John and a guy named Ronnie was usually was sword and buckler while Billy and Grayson were halberd or spear, and Elfien was the one doing the outflanking.
“We almost won if not for your mother.”
Commented Grayson.
“But this time it will be different, you got your mothers permission right?”
Asked John.
“I got more than her permission.”
I replied with an uneasy smile.
Well I did want to join so here I am doing three games. What I''m salty is the fact that May was planning this all along and didn''t tell me anything about.
“Haha! Manchet is on the table this night lads!”
Cried in Joy by John. Just as another bell soon rang and called for us.
Since I was Elfien I was given the role of leader, even if don''t want to 4 votes against one is democracy at play. So this what I told them would be our strategy.
“What''s our group name?”
Asked Wendy as she wore a helmet visor and took the role of being sword and shield, even after we told her to be spear or halberd, but she threatened to quit.
“Killer squirrels!”
Said John as he picked up a helmet and a wooden pike.
“Nobles won''t like it, how about Warren Guardsmen?”
Proposed Grayson when he lifted up the visor of his helmet when he lifted up his wooden halberd.
“I kinda liked it to be honest.”
I said taking a buckler and wooden sword.
“Agreed!”
Snorted Billy with wooden war hammer and a heavy armour. I said in suggestion as he was the one flanking well not flanking but he''s the runner heavy runner at that.
“You sure you want Billy as flanker? Flankers are supposed to be nibble and quick, you know.”
Commented Kath as she registered our name, told us we were first, and was leading us to the arena. And it was an arena almost large as a basketball court. The crowd was sat behind a wooden wall that encircled around us. It jammed pack with noisy, cheering, and eating crowd. While on the middle of the seatings was a high private seating where men with expensive looking armor looked below us with some smile as Katherine lead us to a private bench just under the walled benches
“I... Have no idea if it will work, but I think it''s worth a shot.”
I mean, May told me that sticking together is the best tactic when facing monsters so that means it works on humans. Right?