The Vampire & Her Witch
Chapter 356: Final Preparations

Chapter 356: Final Preparations

At the arena, a veritable army of servants had labored almost non-stop since Heila’s ninth victory on the bloody sands. The work had paused only briefly when Nyrielle’s army appeared and marched into the city like a snake made of flame with the torches they carried to march in the darkness. Once the spectacle had ended, however, frantic supervisors had urged their staff back to work in order to transform the mighty stadium in time for the following evening’s festivities.

Outside the arena, every marble statue had been cleaned and polished. In honor of a visit from the famed Blood Princess of the Arena, every fountain surrounding the arena as well as those within its more opulent spaces had been drained, scrubbed, and refilled with water and copious amounts of red coloring that made it appear as though the fountains had been filled with blood.

Inside the arena, the lowest level had undergone a startling transformation. Where common folk normally stood shoulder to shoulder, jostling for the best view of blood spilled on the sands above, now elegant tables draped in deep crimson linens formed intimate circles throughout the space. Ice sculptures of famous arena champions towered over the gathering, their crystalline forms catching and scattering the light from hundreds of oil lamps that had been hung to illuminate the normally shadowy space.

Common benches had been cleared away, replaced by elegant chairs and luxurious sofas that ringed the arena, offering the best view of the bloody battles below to the powerful and prestigious guests who would fill this space tonight.

Normally, the lowest level of the arena could accommodate nearly two thousand people, and as many as five hundred more were known to crowd into the space when popular champions met for the most anticipated battles of the year. Now, however, after arranging personal invitations for a small, select group of people, a mere four hundred tickets had been auctioned off to those wealthy enough or influential enough to rub elbows with the visiting dignitaries.

In High Lady Erna’s private box, Ashlynn stood with Heila and her newly appointed personal guard Virve as they watched the final preparations being made. Overhead, the sun had already sunk low enough in the sky that it couldn’t be seen from within the arena and the sky itself had turned a brilliant shade of pale orange with rosy highlights on the few wispy clouds that dotted the sky.

"I wish Nyrielle could watch sunsets like this," Ashlynn said softly as she looked out across the arena. Though the shade wasn’t quite the same as the sunrise she’d watched with Nyrielle in the dream they shared, it was close enough to the vampire’s favorite color that Ashlynn briefly wished she’d made arrangements to create a shadowed corner that was dark enough for her lover to emerge early, just to witness the sight together in person instead of in dreams.

"I’m told that, in the winter, there is a tower that she uses to watch the sunrise on days that the mist is thick enough to shield her from the early light," Virve said softly. "According to Captain Lennart, whenever she does, we have to block off all the hallways between her tower and her chambers so no one delays her when she returns to her bed to sleep away the day."

"I suppose I’ll have to look forward to it this winter then," Ashlynn said with a soft, wistful smile. This winter she also intended to travel back to Blackwell County with Nyrielle. If something like what Virve mentioned could be arranged in the Vale of Mists, perhaps they could find a way to do something similar in the place where she’d watched the sunrise in their dream.

"You should slip down there and steal a bite to eat while you can, Heila," Ashlynn added, changing the topic and pointing to the tables on the lowest level that were heaped with food.

The richness of the autumn harvest was on full display, as was High Fen City’s incredible access to rare spices and ingredients from all across Eldritch lands. The scents of roasted meats, fresh baked bread and heady alcohol reached all the way up to High Lady Erna’s private box and the aromas were sure to be much more tantalizing once someone entered the level on the arena where they were being served.

"I can’t," Heila said, her cheeks heating in embarrassment. "My stomach is too full of butterflies. It’s been like that before every fight in the arena. The lunch we had was big enough for me," she added, placing a hand on Ashlynn’s wrist to reassure her. "As long as everything goes well, I’ll eat a big meal after the battle."

"Young soldiers are the same way," Virve said, placing a hand of her own on Heila’s shoulder. "Captain Lennart has to scold them to eat so they don’t fall faint when they stand their first night watches on the walls."

"I’m not that bad!" Heila protested. "It’s just... this time, Lady Nyrielle will be watching, along with all the soldiers and leaders she brought with her. I can’t shame Lady Ashlynn in front of them by falling short tonight."

"Have you been able to learn what Yotsun has prepared tonight?" Ashlynn asked. "I can’t imagine he’s given up on defeating you, even if the past few days have been fairly mild compared to the day he sent Tuscans after you."

"It doesn’t matter," Heila said as she watched the servants bustling about below. Several kegs of fine ale had just been wheeled into place and a staggering number of smaller wine casks had been placed next to collections of expensive crystal goblets, ready to serve the refined palettes of the most notable patrons who would visit the arena tonight.

"Whatever Yotsun has in mind, there are still things he hasn’t seen from me yet," the diminutive witch said confidently. "When the time comes, I promise, I’ll deliver a victory that will make Lady Nyrielle proud."

"You don’t need to do anything to make her proud," Ashlynn whispered. Moving slowly, she knelt on the ground next to Heila and wrapped her arms around the diminutive witch who was currently the only member of her tiny coven. "You don’t have to do anything more to make me proud either. Whatever that slimy merchant has in store for you tonight, so long as you survive it, nothing else matters."

"I know," Heila said, burying her face in Ashlynn’s chest as she embraced the woman who felt just as close to her as her own mother. She knew that Ashlynn never demanded victory from her and that he love wasn’t contingent on whether she performed well or not.

But that was why it mattered even more to Heila that she achieved something tonight. Lady Nyrielle had returned with an army of more than a thousand soldiers, many of them elite warriors from their nations or clans. Now, if Heila could defeat the opponents that Yotsun had selected for their final confrontation, she’d be able to add one hundred champions from the arena to that force.

In the end, it all came down to tonight’s final battle...