The Tournament

Ephraim whilst walking the crowds bumps into his old master Aron.

Aron the plump old wizard is just enjoying a funnel cake

She grinned, though was a little surprised he accepted so quickly. Ah, well. She then rushed over to her troupe to explain what was happening. Their conversations were saturated with dramatic hand flourishes and facial expressions. Then there were tears, and hugs and alternative courses of actions all bombarded at her at the same time from many people. They would need to find a new, skilled dancer to replace her, and as this was a rather unsuccessful show, they were rather begrudging to give over the coin she required. But she had to leave to protect them. Leave the people who she felt were like a family to her. A while later, once she pried the insisting hands from herself, she made her way back to Valstrad, the coin he requested in a small velvet pouch. Although she had managed to keep it together during the farewell, her eyes glittered with moisture, but she loosed a breath and forced a smile. "What now?"

"Well we have two options."Valstad had been quietly considering their options, while the dancer was messing around  with goodbyes, honestly why were there so many tears, ans so much hugging when there were assassins nearby, did these people not understand what a life or death situation was? ugh why didn't they just lock her in a room with a knife and wait for her to try and cuddle it, the stupidity of it all made him feel a bit ill. He had narrowed it down to two sensible options "We hide or we go after them."

"If we hide, we'll be doing so for the rest of my life. I'm not too thrilled with that idea," She said, with a frown.

"Then we take on the entire Assassins guild." Valstad said calmly

"We? I'm a dancer, I'm not a fighter," She responded, glancing around nervously.

"By we i mean I will fight them, and you will also be there." Valstad said dryly to the seemingly useless dancer

"Perfect!" She clapped her hands together, evidently unfazed by his dry tone of voice. "Let's get going!" The quicker they did this, or rather he did this, the quicker she could return to her family.

Ok so he had to babysit this kid for two weeks to the capitol then take on an assassin's guild... Great.

"So, what is thy name, kind sir?" She asked, grinning.

"Call me Valstad" The wizard said to the dancer, as he gave her his plan, he doesn't waste time asking hers "Supposedly they operate out of the capitol, the crystal city although no one knows exactly where"

"Cool," She responded, spinning on her heel. "I'm Cerise."

"Knew I'd find you around here master, you were always fond of your funnel cake" Ephraim states with a smile.

"Alright" The Valstad said as he looked about for any sign of danger, whoever it was seemed to have fled, but they would try again later.

"Some things never change young one" Master Aron said "Care to sit, and chat with an old man?"

"Well I would but there are no chairs around here" he states frankly.

The fifth tier wizard creates one with fifth tier magic

"Oh...oh yeah right"Ephraim says as he sits down in the chair.

"So you haven't surpassed me just yet then?" The wizard asked his former apprentice with a chuckle. A lot of the other master wizards frowned upon master Aron for not putting the effort they do in their typically unsuccessful attempts to master the sixth tier. The old man was formidable with the first five tiers, especially magical combat, it is said that he was once a legendary wizard duelist, but now the old man contented himself by honing his abilities in the first five tiers and getting fat with a well deserved life of luxury. "Now listen too me boy; because a unique window of opportunity is about to close for you." He pointed to Celise as she walked by "She is a dancer hinted by the assassin's guild, If you offer her your services, you will take your first step in becoming a wizard far greater than myself.

Ephraim nods as he glances over the girl "Hmmn, it seems dangerous but I'm willing , if it will give me the knowledge I seek" He replies slowly "The assassin guild you say? Those known as the deadly nightingales?"

"The Night owls actually" the old wizard said naming the deadliest assassin's guild in the kingdom "Now run along, your window is closing"

He nods "Alright, if you say so old man , I'll see you around" He states then runs off to confront Cerise.

Cerise was just skipping along, chatting away to her companion. It seemed she never stopped moving, and never shut up.

Ephraim is trying not to be a pervert and stare at her rather generous form, and how it's framed in her dancers outfit, he manages well enough.

By contrast Valstad remained alert, and gave only the occasional nod, or a one word reply to her, oh how he longed for intelligent conversation intead of her nonsense. When Ephraim approached Valstad glanced at him, "What''s your business?" he asked