*
The match lasted five minutes and twenty-three seconds, which was longer than many had thought. A lot of wagering had been placed on a four-minute match. The Tarmorians, over the years, had devised an intricate and complicated scheme for wagering. The bottom line, however, was to accurately predict, within a fifteen second window, how long the match would last. This is where the large payoffs started, and then it became larger depending on how accurately the gambler predicted the number of hits, feints, thrusts, parries, and so on. And who would win.
Since Rand's match lasted as long as it did, there were only a few winners. Most of the spectators were tearing tickets and throwing them on the floor in disgust. The few who had predicted accurately, hurried away to collect their winnings.
"I told Rand to meet us here, and then we'd decide what we're going to do." She paused. “He really wants to see the next match here in the main arena, but I told him we were going to watch your, uuuuhh, friend. So, he agreed to go with us. He's such a sweetheart."
Lyil smiled. "Well that works out good, because this is where Ben's match is going to take place."
A puzzled look came over Tam's face. "Your boyfriend is Professor Ben Hillar?" she asked.
"Yes, I told you . . . "
"No, you only told me, Ben."
"Well, his name is Ben Hillar, but I don't see what difference it makes."
An amused smile crossed Tam’s face. Lyil had been friends with Tam for more than three years—long enough to know that smile meant Tam was privy to some trivial piece of information.
Tam said, "No difference. I just heard he's an excellent swordsman. That's probably why he's swording in the main arena."
Maybe she misread Mandril’s smile. "He's a champion on his home planet, which I’m sure means he is very good."
Tam smiled again, but this time it wasn’t that amused smile, “Yes," she agreed, "like Doog is a champion on Galactus, and we all know he is extremely good at swording."
Lyil leaned back in her seat while thinking about Ben. She had only known him for three days, but during that time she had found that he liked classical music and old movies. This was something they had in common. Also, he loved to eat out at restaurants—as a bachelor he rarely ate at home, besides, as he put it, ‘why eat at home when you can eat out for nearly the same price and let them do the work.’ And when he had time he liked to read novels, but he had stated that he rarely had time for that, except when he went on vacation, which was very seldom.
Among his other qualities, the two that Lyil liked most was his confidence—something he was good at hiding—something which she was sure most people never realized. Inside his mind he was a Titan. And two, she had finally found a man who felt he didn’t need to play games. He was who he was and that was good enough for him. He wasn’t going to pretend he was something that he wasn’t.
She was thinking about their last kiss when Rand stepped into the box and sat down beside Tam. He slid his sword case under the three seats that he, Tam, and Lyil were sitting in. "Well my sweetheart, what did you think?"
"You were great!" Tam leaned over and gave him a kiss, and then patted his cheek.
He smiled broadly. "Did you see all the people? The place was more than half full. And you know what that means."
Tam laughed in her husky voice. "It means tomorrow morning I'm going to pick up your check, and we're going to pay off our bills. And next year you're going to practice everyday, and make it to the fifth round, and then it's money in the bank and retirement on the horizon."
Rand leaned forward. He looked around Tam, and said, “I’m sorry. In all the excitement I forgot to say ‘hello.’”
"Hello Rand," returned Lyil with a pleasant smile.
Rand leaned back in his seat. “About the upcoming match between Xil and Ben Hillar . . . .”
Tam put her hand on Rand’s arm. "Actually, I just found out that the match between Xil and Ben Hillar is the match Lyil wants to watch, which means we can stay here."
"Stay here? Hey, that's great. I'll get us a refreshment. Would you ladies like a mead?"
"Sounds good," said Tam.
"Fine," said Lyil. She pushed her long red hair over her shoulders. She liked Tarmorian mead. It had a slightly distinct, bitter taste, but, nevertheless, was pleasing to the palate.
Rand pushed himself up from his seat and walked up the isle.
Usually all the spectators would file out after a match, but this time most of them had stayed—even though it was a half hour wait. Obviously they had purchased a ticket for Ben's match, too. The ushers were busy collecting tickets. And more people were starting to file in.
Just then an usher walked up the steps and stopped in front of the box in which Tam and Lyil were sitting.. "I'm sorry,” he said with a tone of indifference. “You'll have to leave now."
Tam looked him up and down. You seem like a nice young man—just doing your job. And since it’s on the spur of the moment, I’m sure you haven’t been informed. So, let me introduce you to Lyil Zornburst. She has a friend competing in the next match, and that means we can stay here without purchasing a ticket."
"A friend?" asked the usher.
"Yes," said Lyil. "Ben Hillar."
"Professor Hillar is a friend of yours?" An expression of doubt crossed his face. "He didn't report any friends or family."
Tam looked up at the young man. "Like I said, we decided at the last moment to come to the match."
"I see. . . . But you realize I have to check on this?"
Lyil knew it was a matter of procedure. "Of course, I understand," she replied. She didn't take it personally.
The usher hurried away.
Chapter Eight