A passable performance. It could have been better. Aemere had eschewed her shield due to her opponent not using one. That had seemed fairer. Yet dents were cheaper to get out of a shield than armour, and she'd taken a few. Some could wait until she could afford them. Others needed attending before she could comfortably wear it.
Aemere counted her winnings, suppressing her distaste at betting on herself. How much would have to go on the armour? Would that leave enough to travel to the next arena? She'd rather stick to the larger settlements, since she'd get better opponents. She didn't want to reach the finals by beating farmers. But honour cost.
There were a few other decent-sized arenas in Sinnir, but she’d be better heading on a route that would take her around a few locations with minimal travel costs. East towards Dadfnir would be better than north towards Irnskyl; the arenas were closer together with better roads. After a few she could hopefully afford to sail to other venues.
'Congratulations.' Augni fell into step alongside her as she left the arena. She didn't hide her suspicion. There was more than curiosity involved here.
She held out the handkerchief. 'My thanks.'
'It was a gift, not a loan. You may find difficult stewards at other venues.'
Reluctantly, she pocketed it. 'What did you wish to discuss?'
'A business proposition.' He smiled. She ignored it, her attention on the road. Most of her attention, leastways. She sized him up as they went.
The casual smile seemed genuine, and despite his easygoing manner she was sure he took in everything around him. He stood a little taller than her, and his strong build said he'd seen some fighting. Probably more brawling than armed combat, although he seemed capable of handling the sword at his belt. That and the way his stride spoke of someone used to walking a lot suggested a guard, despite his air of disrepute.
'I have a Tournament to win,' said Aemere. 'I haven’t time for whatever you have in mind. Especially when your attitude and appearance hint at illegality.'
He glanced at his clothes. 'Illegal. You wound me.'
'Are you saying it isn't?'
'If no one is harmed, except maybe the Society or Alliance, does it matter?'
She suppressed the anger their mention elicited. Her instinctive reaction was to say no, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. 'Yes.'
'In that case I'd probably argue the exact meaning of legality.'
'The meaning isn't hard to define.'
'That depends on whether you mean the laws of the lands, or the laws of the Society.'
She took a moment to ensure she answered calmly. 'The Society does not make the law.'
'That's just naïve, and I'm sure you know better.'
Halting in her tracks, she turned on him.
'What exactly are you after?' she asked.
'A strong sword arm.'
'You seem capable enough.'
'Capable, yes. We need better.'
'Why? Who do you intend fighting?'
'Ideally, no one. A good fighter is useful to avoid fights.'
Aemere stifled her growing irritation. 'Could you be more vague?'
'If you'd like.'
She suppressed a sigh. 'Can you give me one reason why I should consider this offer?'
'Given your predicament, yes.'
She stiffened. 'What predicament?'
'I can appreciate your desire to fight without glyphs. It speaks of a degree of honour I'll admit is all too rare. That makes it odd for you to be betting on yourself.'
She fought to keep her expression from showing the blow he'd landed.
'While not as dishonourable as betting on your opponent, it's out of character from what I've seen of you. I doubt you'd do so unless the money were necessary, presumably to see you through the Tournament. The prize for a bout at this level will hardly cover one of those dents.'
Self-conscious of her armour, she was determined not to let it show. At least he wasn't smug at having read her thoughts. He seemed sympathetic, and strangely she felt she could trust him, despite evidence to the contrary.
But she had things to do without which money would be pointless. 'I have a Tournament to attend.'
'Not a problem. We tend to move about a bit. We'll be going to Thurkyl next, and then on to Culvik. If you accompany me, I'll cover travelling expenses, lodgings, even your repairs. All I ask is that you consider whatever job comes up. If you don't like it, don't take part, no problem.'
'That sounds convenient,' she said, her suspicion growing. Thurkyl would be in the approximate direction she’d intended, if not being her first stop. 'And still vague. You don't know what job you're hiring me for, do you?'
'I know what was intended. Our plans are probably changing given recent events. My... partner plans stuff, and can be difficult to talk to. If you have any problem with what's required you can walk away at any time.'
'I know.' And she was actually considering the offer. That was the irritating part. She didn’t have many alternatives. She might have to go to her family for money, or take whatever random job she could find.
The Tournament was the important thing. That was what she'd trained so hard for, for so long. This was her time. And this was a way to stay in it.
'I'll come to Thurkyl with you, and hear what the job is. That's as much as I'll agree to.'