Ronassic weathered the attack of the fiery creature without harm, still affecting a lackadaisical, waiting posture. Finally, he raised one eyebrow as if making a comment on Incanus' provincial ways. The crowd murmured loudly in response, and a cheer went up, "Ronassic!"
The mage shrugged and walked toward the hulking creature of fire. Incanus, suddenly realizing he might be on the wrong track with all the fire, shrank back to his normal size and form. Before he could do more than say, "Oh-oh," Ronassic reached out and touched the cringing wizard. As finger touched sleeve, a sphere of force enveloped Incanus like an eyelid closing. Then, as easily as a stone sinking in water, the sphere fell into the earth, leaving behind only a simple crater.
Silence reigned for seconds as Ronassic stood looking around as if unconcerned with his display of incredible power.
Hennet poked Nebin and whispered, "We have a lot to learn."
When Ronassic was declared the winner, the crowd cheered. Ronassic waved, accepting his accolades with easy grace.
"Wow. Have you ever seen magic wielded so well? I wish we could have seen the others," complained Nebin.
He and Hennet were jostled by the press of novices waiting to begin their final round, now that the grandmaster competitions were complete. "Press" was the wrong word-there were only eight novice casters who qualified for the finals. Looking at that small group, Nebin realized how exceptional it was that he and Hennet both qualified.
Hennet interrupted his thoughts. "Nebin, had we stayed yesterday, Ember would have been without our help. Surely, doing good in the world and helping those in need is worth more than your entertainment?"
The gnome cocked his head toward his friend. "I want to watch the duel, you want to watch the monk. I don't see a big difference."
Hennet flushed, embarrassed. "There is a difference."
Nebin waited for the sorcerer to continue, but Hennet's gaze strayed to the stands. Ember was sitting somewhere out there-Hennet had asked her to attend, and wonder of wonders, she'd said yes. Nebin scanned the crowd, too, but couldn't locate her within the yelling throng.
Nebin suddenly felt a hand clasping his shoulder-a similar hand clasped Hennet's shoulder. It was Aganon, who had strolled up from behind them.
Aganon said, "Look at them! All those people in the stands, all of them ready to see who wins or loses today. Really, what they want to see is a little blood, unless I miss my mark. We shouldn't disappoint them, eh Nebin?"
Nebin shrugged and said, "I suppose if it comes down to it."
Hennet studied the hand on his shoulder. Nebin shrugged out of Aganon's clasp, wishing he'd been a little less friendly to the human when they first met. Something about Aganon didn't strike him as quite right. Nebin tried to put his finger on it, but all he could come up with was that the man's bravado seemed overshadowed by…insincerity.
" 'If it comes down to it?'" repeated Aganon. "The crowd demands a show, and I for one am up to that challenge. Those who win the Golden Wand are expected to possess a certain showmanship-a sense of entitlement. And I excel in both areas, as you may have noticed." Aganon chuckled.
"Well, may the best man win," replied the gnome. "Though you should know that I intend the Golden Wand for myself."
Aganon's usually jovial facade faded for an instant as he said, "Yes, let the best man win, Nebin, but a word to the wise: Don't hinder me, and things will continue to go well for you. I'm not someone you'd care to upset."
Nebin's witty response failed to find his mouth. Aganon's quick anger was like lightning out of a cloudless sky and just as disconcerting. The gnome frowned, understanding he'd just been threatened.
Aganon smiled, the threat wiped away as easily as a hostler wipes crumbs from a table. "But I'm sure it won't come to that. Good luck!"
He laughed jovially, and moved to stand closer to the edge of the arena, watching as another exhibition spell display wound down.
Nebin turned to Hennet and said, "Now, I call that downright odd. For a second, he seemed about to bite my head off. The next, he was as happy as a cat in a milk barn."
Hennet, who had watched the entire encounter, said, "He's a snake ready to shed its skin if ever I saw one. Watch him, I say."
Nebin said, "Don't worry. If luck is with us, he'll lose in the first round."
"If such comes to pass, then the gods indeed are looking out for us, Nebin," said the sorcerer.
Hennet suddenly cocked ear and said, "Listen! We're up. Luck to you, Nebin."
The crowd quieted slightly when the novice final rounds were announced. The first four rounds were called simultaneously. Nebin watched as Hennet was called to face a portly human man in too-tight-fitting orange robes, named Semeel Schniedly. Aganon squared off against a halfling woman in gray who had several short wands strapped to each forearm. Nebin hoped he wouldn't face her wands in the future, but hoped all the same that she would overcome Aganon. Two other mages faced each other, but Nebin didn't catch their names; he'd worry about that if he met one later. He had his own opponent to size up.
Nebin's competitor was a pale-skinned man wearing yellow pants, yellow boots, and a fine, yellow coat. His hat was likewise yellow, but a red feather was stuck in it. His white beard was neatly tied into many small braids on which arcane charms hung.
Fabulous Kuzon was the name the judges called. Nebin had to hand it to him-the human knew how to dress.
"Ready, Fab?" asked Nebin, using the diminutive of the man's name purposefully.
Fabulous Kuzon shot the gnome a sour look. Nearby, Nebin heard the judges for other rounds give the command to begin. Magical flares sparked over the floor of the coliseum-one nearly blinded the gnome. The roar of the crowd rumbled, and banners of all colors waved.
That was when their judge yelled, "Begin!"
The gnome, blinking the light out of his eyes, gestured and uttered words to a spell he considered an old friend. With it, he produced a freestanding pattern of pulsing, flowing, hypnotic lights. Nebin waved his hands, manipulating the colorful swirls to do his hypnotic bidding. He shot a glance at Kuzon, to see what effect his spell was having. If he was lucky, Fab was already staring and drooling like an idiot, but there was no such luck. Kuzon's eyes were closed.
The yellow-clad man finished his own spell and with eyes still closed, directed a beam of violet light from his fingertips toward Nebin. The gnome ducked, and the beam passed over his head with inches to spare. It struck a banner behind him. Both the banner and the beam winked out.
What's he throwing around? wondered Nebin.
The gnome continued swirling his hypnotic pattern in the air, but Fabulous Kuzon steadfastly refused to open his eyes. Worse, he began chanting and waving his hands again. Nebin hoped his foe wasn't preparing another purple zinger like the last one. It was time to improvise.
"Ugh, what did you do to me, Fab? I'm melting!" screamed Nebin.
"What?" gasped Kuzon, opening his eyes.
His gaze darted to the swirling pattern-and didn't dart away. His mouth gaped, his hands paused in their motions. The yellow mage's spell was ruined-Fabulous Kuzon was hypnotized!
The match was called in Nebin's favor. Those in the crowd who happened to be watching cheered, though a few booed. Nebin guessed that Fabulous Kuzon had fans-too bad for them.
The diminutive wizard walked back to the sidelines, his spirits ramping. That was his easiest match yet! He knew better than to expect another easy contest. He recognized dumb luck when he stepped in it. Still, if he could win the next round, the semifinal, he would advance to the final! His stomach was trying to climb up his throat. Apprehension would be his worst opponent, if he couldn't get it under control.