Checkmate

Problem

"Begin!"

The female Warrior was on the attack less than a second after the call came, landing a cracking blow on her opponent's thigh before he could block it and then dancing back as he hit back in swift response, just missing her shoulder. She didn't wait, going on the attack again, but this time he was ready for her, parrying her move with his pole. From then on, it was an equal match, despite the difference in their sizes. She worked him hard and he didn't give an inch, their poles moving with such speed that at times they were blurs.

"They're good."

I glanced to my side at the Guard who'd spoken, one of our delegation. 

"She'd give Alexus a run for his money." Another said, nodding at the female as he mentioned one of our strongest Warriors. There was a murmur of assent and then the focus was back on the challengers who showed no sign of breaking each other and no sign of tiring.

There was a small crowd of Guard, visitors and Vargan alike, gathered around the square, watching intently as the two challengers, evidently Vargans by their colouring, put on an impressive display of strength and agility. 

I watched them, observing their technique and patterns, playing a game I often did - imagining I was up against one of them and calculating my own responses to some of their moves. It was a useful game, I'd learned a lot in the past and it helped me focus when other things were on my mind.

As they always were these days.

I massaged my temples tiredly. It had been a hectic morning and I hadn't slept much last night - unsurprising, after the charged conversation we'd had. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face as he had turned to look at me, the intent in his expression, the hunger in those eyes.

You will say my name.

My stomach still lurched every time I recalled his words. 

They made it clear that I'd gone from being the hunter to being the hunted. And that was something I wasn't used to.

But then, there were a lot of things I had to get used to. 

Frankly, I was relieved he'd been busy with meetings this morning and had been unable to meet. Things were getting more and more intense between us each time - and not just conversation-wise. 

"Lio." 

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Iola's personal Guard behind me. She leaned forward, speaking so that only I could hear her words.

"My Lord Iola needs you. It's urgent." 

I extricated myself from the spectators and followed her out of the practice room, across the grass towards the gardens behind the holding, where Iola was waiting, near one of the fountains.

"Thank you, Orine." Iola nodded a dismissal, waiting until the Guard had retreated before she gestured at me to follow her. "Let's walk, Lio."

I walked beside her, waiting, knowing by her demeanour that it must be serious, particularly if she wanted to talk here, outdoors in an open space, where there could be no eavesdroppers. 

"There's been word from Clanholme." She said eventually. "Directly from Intelligence."

"What's happened?" I asked sharply. 

"Some developments on the Rogue incursions." She said quietly. 

I knew what that had to mean.

"They're back."

"It goes further. It's escalated, Lio." She said gravely. She pulled a sealed envelope from her robes, unmarked except for a small sigil in the corner, a mark that meant it had come from the hands of the head of Intelligence himself. "This is for you. I imagine it holds details. Read it enroute."