Chapter 3
Zale stood outside the Spirit Hall and accepted a bag from the Senior Abbot. He could tell it had money in it but he dared not look at its contents in front of the Abbot, otherwise he would appear greedy. The Abbot also gave him a letter with the Spirit Hall's wax seal on it. It was addressed to a D. Malchi. Zale had never heard of this person before.
“Over the next year you need to train hard, we expect a lot from you during the tournament. We’re only allowed to sponsor one person so you had better do us proud. That is a letter of recommendation for you. Seek out General Malchi, there should be more than enough coin to pay for travel, we hear he is living in Delvers Ridge.”
Zale had never heard of General Malchi but if he held the title General it meant he was strong. Delvers Ridge was a boarder city, and it had less attention from the Empire because it was not near one of the important parts of the neutral zone. Lawless was how he had heard the city described by merchants when his Father had brought him to Jeskai to trade.
“Also we have one pill that will weaken the effects of lightning on the body for a brief duration. This is a very expensive support pill and the Spirit Hall could only afford one, but maybe it will help with that F rank skill of yours.”
Zale was about to thank the Senior Abbot when a girl with red hair came stomping over, her face furious. He remembered her introducing herself as a Jeskai, the ruling family of Jeskai. This girl definitely exuded authority, but Zale was keen enough to realize it was covered up largely by an aura of arrogance.
“I have been waiting for nearly three hours now Abbot, how can you deny me an audience for so long?”
The Abbot looked at the girl sternly. “Miss Sorana, I have been told you received your awakening, why have you not gone home to celebrate with your family?”
Sorana crossed her arms shooting a glance at Zale and especially the bag and letter in his hands. “I was told by my father to wait for my sponsorship awards given by the Spirit Hall.”
The abbot frowned. “I’m sorry Miss but the Spirit Hall has decided to sponsor another person this year. We will be glad to cheer you on however during the tournament next year.”
Zale hid a smile. Sorana’s face had reached a boiling point about to explode.
“I am of the Jeskai clan with an A rank passive and active. When my father finds out I was not selected he will have your head.”
Zale couldn’t help but try and shrink away from the sassy girl. If he talked that way to an elder his parents would have his head. He couldn’t help feeling responsible though for the Abbot getting in trouble with the Jeskai family. He was the one the Abbot had picked over Sorana. The Abbot had already helped him so much, and Zale was just going to leave for home leaving the Abbot to the wolves.
“If that is all Sorana, you can go back to your father now.”
Sorana gave one more glance toward Zale and then stormed off. Zale stayed silent as the Abbot shook his head.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” the Abbot said.
“Sir, if I’m going to cause you trouble I can give everything back and you can sponsor her. You’ve already helped me enough. If I could keep the recommendation letter though, that would definitely help.”
The Abbot laughed. “She’s mostly bark. Lady Sorana is known for her temper. If I wasn’t part of the Spirit Hall it may be followed by a bite as well. I believe that in her anger she forgets that the Spirit Hall only answers to the Emperor, the only power in every city that can threaten a ruling clan. Her father can’t do anything to me except not invite me to social functions, and to be blatantly honest they are normally boring to begin with.”
Zale knew the Spirit Hall was powerful, but it was still shocking to learn that even a ruling family that essentially owned an entire city would still fear and cater to them. It just showed how powerful and influential the Imperial family was.
“Thank you again Senior Abbot. I better be on my way or it will be dark before I reach home.”
The Abbot nudged him onward. “Until next year then, train hard so that you prove I made the right choice in picking you.”
Zale left and ran toward the eastern section of the city and paid five copper to a farmer to catch a ride toward the countryside. He was lucky because there weren’t many left in the city this late. He settled in-between a basket of potatoes and a bucket of corn, the hay of the wagon acting as his mattress. He drifted off fast enough and didn’t expect to wake until he reached the countryside in a few hours.
Unexpectedly however, he was woken up after only thirty minutes of sleep by shouts and swords being drawn.