Shepard gave Luke the stink eye, but he tried to ignore his former employee. He had bigger priorities at the moment. Someone had convinced Edobar to throw the Malamon. If Luke didn’t do something about it, all of his Kalibutan friends would be ritualistically sacrificed.

  His best bet would be to convince the elvish royal that Luke was going to fail, so he would be a better choice than Shepard. That way he would be able to win the Malamon and save his friends. The main problem was how to do that.

  At first glance, Shepard and his buddies were clearly weaker than Luke. Their eight foot power armors were clunky and unrefined, particularly in comparison to Luke’s twelve foot sleek design with multiple weapons systems. Then there was the fact that Edobar knew that Luke had a platinum class and the others didn’t.

  Luke would have to undersell his own abilities and somehow highlight Shepard’s combat abilities. All while pretending not to know Edobar was going to throw the fight.

  He didn’t get a lot of time to think about it, because Edobar walked out of the court then, followed by a burly elf. The new guy had a man bun and a fancy robe. Not nice enough to be considered royalty, but clearly a man of means. He gave the assembled humans a contemptuous glance and stalked away while Edobar talked to them.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Edobar said and waved dismissively to the five humans in power armor.

  Shepard gave him a bow and said, “We are reporting as requested, my lord. Luke must be delusional to think you would still want him to fight for you.”

  Luke puffed himself up. “I am here to fulfill the deal we struck. You can’t get out of it simply because you think these jerks are better fighters. Your honor demands that you keep the deal with me.”

  “I am a lord of the Empire. A commoner like yourself cannot dictate what I can and can’t do,” Edobar said firmly.

  Luke grunted in frustration. “Look. Just because I’m only level ten, doesn’t mean I’m not still a good fighter. I bet Shepard went on and on about his years of experience fighting with his class, but I am just as good. Also, I feel like I am close to being able to do what you asked me to, I bet it’ll happen today.”

  Edobar looked like he was considering it. Luke lied about how low his level was and how he hadn’t been able to bond with his leg. That should sway the elf to think he was the best choice to throw the fight.

  Shepard stepped forward. “You know we are more than just our classes and armor, Lord Edobar Falodun. The gods are on our side. This child has no chance to win. Please, allow us to fight for your glory.”

  Luke’s eyebrows rose. Shepard and his sheep were worshiping the Kalibutan gods. That was unexpected. He knew just how dangerous that was since their worship got three coworkers killed. It was good for Luke though, just one more reason for the slimy lord to choose him.

  Edobar glanced between the two options and frowned slightly. He was considering it. Luke opened his mouth to continue making himself look bad, but the lord spoke first. “I have made my decision. I will honor the agreement with Atticus of Business and allow Shepard to fight for my glory.”

  “But Lord Edobar-” Luke started before he was cut off.

  “Hold your tongue. I have made my decision. You refused to take my oath, they accepted. Your services are no longer required. Not in the Malamon, not for culling monsters. Be gone from my sight.”

  Luke’s heart dropped. He knew it was a possibility that he could lose his culling rights to Edobar’s estate. That’s why he sent Vanessa out to talk to the other two lords. Still, having it actually happen hit him hard. Luke stared at the little tyrant, wishing he could wrap his fingers around the elf’s throat.

  If he tried it, he would probably die. They both had platinum classes, but the lord’s level was much higher than his own. Luke spun and walked away. He purposely took the elevator, knowing it would piss off Edobar. The elf scowled, but didn’t say anything.

  The minor act of revenge was forgotten as soon as the elf was out of sight. He needed to come up with a plan B to save his friends. He couldn’t just tell them that Edobar was planning on throwing the fight, no one would believe him. Or even if they did, their oaths would enforce loyalty. Kruro had already told him she wouldn’t be fleeing.

  For the second time, Luke jogged through the forest. His long legs ate up the ground as he thought about different options. If he had thought about this yesterday, maybe he could have convinced his friends to visit Earth and trap them there until after the ritual sacrifice was over. Now it was too late. He couldn’t lure them away now, no matter what excuse he came up with.

  As he furiously considered different options, it occurred to him that he didn’t have to do this. No one was forcing him to save Kruro and Cormac. He would miss them if they died, but it wasn’t like they were family.

  And yet.

  There was a burning desire to protect them. To fight against the system that spent lives like currency. He might not have to save them, but he sure as hell wanted to. If he could find a path to success he would move heaven and Earth to shove the solution down their throats.

  Something Vanessa had said gave him an idea for a different avenue to explore. It would be a risk, but Luke was tired of playing it safe.

  As soon as he arrived at the carved out basin, he made a beeline for his group. They were sitting on the ground and chatting, some of them eating snacks.

  Jeff looked up as Luke approached and said, “Yo, Skywalker. Do we have time to make a quick run to Earth? The snacks here are so bland.”

  “We have about a half hour before it starts. If you decide to go, take at least two people with you,” Luke said and put the tall guy out of his mind.

  Vanessa looked up as he rushed over to her and said, “Whoa. Is something wrong?”

  “Yes, I just found out that Lord Edobar is going to throw the Malamon. He’s having Shepard and his cronies fight instead of me because he knows they’ll lose.”

  “What? Why would he do that?” Vanessa asked.

  “It’s a political thing. He just found out he needs to lose as a favor to someone else. Once he does, they’ll promote him to Baron. We need to stop him somehow,” Luke said and started pacing. “Last week you said something about extra rules to the Malamon. If anyone loses a duel before the event, they get sacrificed instead of the staff. Do you think we could convince one of the other two lords to duel Lord Edobar?”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Maybe? Probably not actually. They talk big game, but I don’t think they’ll actually go through with it. Lord Momoh Evbusogie, he’s the one with the mountain estate, keeps going on about how he would do it if he had a competent dueling second, but he never hires one. The farming guy, Lord Kadiri Imalele, hired a warrior for Lord Momoh, and he made the guy his nephew’s bodyguard instead.”

  “Yeah, I met the nephew. He’s a real ass.” Luke continued to pace. “His uncle though, he’s got an ax to grind. I’m sure he hates Lord Edobar with good reason. There’s got to be a way for us to maneuver him into position. I could be his second in the duel, as long as I don’t get sacrificed if he loses. We just got to get Lord Momoh to commit publicly so he can’t back out.”

  Vanessa shook her head, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have no idea what class either lord has, we can’t know who has a better chance of winning. I bet if Lord Momoh loses you would get sacrificed too.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Cormac mentioned they don’t typically sacrifice the warriors, so the people are protected from the monsters. Can you find out for sure?”

  “I’ll go check. You should come with me in case it’s possible. There isn’t a lot of time before the Malamon kicks off.”

  Luke nodded and they hurried away.

  ???

  “Now that my employer is a free agent, I knew you would want to meet him, Lord Momoh Evbusogie,” Vanessa said and stepped aside. “Meet Luke of Machines, the most powerful human I know.”

  The mountain lord was a stout elf with curly blue hair. He looked like he used to be strong, like a retired football player who liked grilling a bit too much. He wore ornamental armor without a helmet. The armor looked like it fit at one point but was straining to contain him now.

  “Luke of Machines, I have heard a lot about you.” Lord Momoh said affably. “One of those rare humans that has power and doesn’t mind showing it off. My house venerates Kolerego, the god of Righteous Anger, you should join us in worship.”

  Luke gave him a shallow bow and said, “Lord Momoh Evbusogie, it is a pleasure to meet you. Vanessa of Elements has told me a lot about you. She says you are brave and powerful, able to shake the mountains themselves.” He shifted to the left, hoping that would be enough of a signal.

  “Don’t believe everything you hear,” a short and thin elf said as he stepped into the circle. “Lord Momoh may have power, but his ears are cold and cowardly.”

  Lord Momoh scowled and addressed the new elf. “Lord Kadiri, your time in the fields has addled your brain. Have you forgotten the time we fought together at the Battle of Red Fern? Or when I saved your daughter from the attack of a drake? My ears burn red, and I expect an apology if you do not wish to burn yourself.”

  The short elf sneered and said, “You used to be brave, dear Momoh, but those days are past. You gave my champion to your nephew. Your nephew! I’ll have you know Champion Idahosa plans on returning to the capitol as soon as her contract is over.”

  “Do not be upset about that. My nephew needs the protection, I do not.”

  “Cold ears! You threaten to grow a tree on Lord Edobar’s corpse, but the day of the Malamon is here and you still do not challenge him!”

  “You know I need a quality second, and your champion has red ears but a small core. He would have tarnished my glory.”

  “So you say, I say you are a coward and you will never challenge Lord Edobar, even if a quality second is found.”

  “My ears are hot!” Lord Momoh roared. He slammed his fist into his chestplate. Then he took a deep breath and collected himself. He pointed a finger at Lord Kadiri. “Do you think I have unstable foundations? My beams are straight and my walls tall. I know you are being rude on purpose. You are far too kind for your own good.”

  Lord Kadiri looked up and sighed. “I am too kind. My consort mentions it often when I visit the capital. She says I do not have the heart for politics.”

  “Yes, yes. Everyone has failings. What were you trying to accomplish here?”

  “Luke of Machines. He really is the strongest human around. Take him as your second and duel Lord Edobar.”

  Lord Momoh turned to Luke. If he hadn’t been wearing a twelve feet tall mech, the chubby elf would tower over him. He tapped his sides like he was checking for keys, touching instead the small ampules strapped to his belt. He said, “Why should I fight alongside someone I have never met?”

  Instead of answering, the farming lord called over a dwarf in bright red and purple robes. He pointed at Luke and rolled his wrist. The dwarf cleared his throat and said, “Luke Moore, War Machine level sixteen. Either a gold or a platinum class.”

  Luke swore out loud. The dwarf was clearly a Seer, one with a class strong enough to see what grade his own class was. And he just blurted it out to everyone.

  Lord Momoh laughed loudly and slapped his thigh. “Not used to hiding your secrets, are you, human?”

  “No, I’m not used to people blurting out information that might get me killed,” Luke said while giving the seer a death glare.

  She shrugged and stepped back, out of the conversation.

  “Don’t worry about that, Momoh. Just tell me you will fight to remove the mold from our tower. Take Luke on as your second and eliminate Edobar,” Lord Kadiri said, staring him in the face and leaning forward.

  Momoh gave Luke an appraising look. “I suppose a platinum class makes for a worthy second, even if he is a low level. And he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t believe he could defeat Lord Edobar’s second.” He clapped his hands. “Alright, I’ll do it. My nephew needs his own estate. Let’s burn out that mold.”

  The two elves clapped each other on the shoulder, happy to have come to an arrangement. Luke cleared his throat and said, “I believe this position is typically paid. What are you offering?”

  They turned and frowned at him, surprised he spoke up. Luke kept his face expressionless and waited for an answer. He wanted to fight to save his friends, but if he had the chance to earn a little bit more, he was going to take it. He felt like he deserved something after the Seer outed his secret.

  The mountain lord huffed. “Luke of Machines, you may not know this, but it is unseemly to talk of money after your betters have made an arrangement.”

  “Lord Momoh, you have made no arrangement, no deal has been struck. You talked with Lord Kadiri about me, but he has no claim on my services. You will need to discuss this with me directly. And after a target was painted on my back, I’m not feeling charitable.”

  “I saw you talking with the farming lord, don’t act like this whole play wasn’t your idea.”

  Luke elected to say nothing.

  Lord Momoh huffed again. “Fine. I will protect you from people trying to kill you for your core. And I will grant you... one twelfth of Lord Edobar’s assets."

  “I agree to those terms. Let us have a glorious fight.” Luke said with a shallow bow.

  Internally, he was reeling. In all his planning and maneuvering, he hadn’t really considered what would happen if he succeeded. With Edobar dead, his property would be given to the victors. He was saving the staff’s lives, but not their jobs. He was planning on getting their employer killed. Maybe they wouldn’t welcome him as a savior.

  That was a worry for later. First, he had to win this fight. Luke turned to the arena and thought about possible strategies. The stone bowl was wide, about five hundred yards, or as many football fields. It was mostly flat but had several boulders and rock formations that would work well as cover.

  A shadow swept across the field and Luke looked up into the dark blue sky. There was some sort of huge monster bird up there. Maybe a thunderbird or a roc. He squinted as he saw it drop something. It plummeted through the air, aiming towards the center of the arena. As it fell closer, Luke realized the falling object was a person.

  The humanoid projectile impacted the center of the arena and sent a deep thump instead of the splat Luke was expecting. Dust flew up from the impact site and when it cleared, it showed a tall elf standing calm in the center of a small crater. He wore a short black robe with brown leggings. The clothing had large symbols stitched into them with different colors. His robe was open, revealing a heavily muscled chest. Large metal medallions covered the skin of his chest and neck.

  Lord Momoh whispered, “The Indomitable is here.”