Chapter 16

Chapter 16 - The Grand Tournament Begins!!

A/N: Still working on a replacement for "How Things Work"

Act 1, Scene 1 [Kachigoru]
Prince Irakura: Welcome one, welcome all! Here we are, at the 63rd Annual Grand Tournament. Although I love speaking to you, I will let each Noble introduce their teams, and our game masters, Nobles Bepo and Tuma, will explain the games. Let's start with my own clan!
Noble Gachi: Let me introduce the Romu Clan's team. Kasupe will be fencing, Yakusa will be dueling, Pisu will be playing Chisazu, Chyan will be running the course, and Huka will be our archer.
Noble Pachi: My Clan's team is composed of Hemita, Igune, Soubechi, Kaizusu, and Poude, fencing, dueling, playing Chisazu, running the couse, and performing archery respectively.
Noble Tuma: In the same order as the other Nobles, the Kachyu Clan is submitting Anya, Herushi, Paio, Jyo and Sanyuta, my son.
Noble Bepo: My Clan's team is made up of Paizou, Shimu, Zepaku, Hachi, and Kairu.
Noble Chika: My team is Borin, Rakuza, Pumi, Michu, and her sister Munde.
Noble Rebasu: My team is composed of Sezaru, Karetto, Bino, Tochia, and I myself will be competing.
Noble Hebimaru: The Orochi Clan has sent Mimizu, Naru, Rame, Susaka, and Omina to represent them.
Noble Beruze: My team is Munaku, Aishi, Zububu, Giode, and Ankure.
Noble Hendo: My team is Tenji, the Navy's own Admiral Blaze, Tamari, Nananana, and Sunasu.
Noble Baku: Nura, Niku, Machyan, Zemo, and Noruka make up my Clan's team.
Noble Kikuya: My Clan has sent Machimachi, Sumora, Oriza, Tai, and Urou to represent us.
Noble Zen: My team is made up of a woman called Crow, Ikoi, Atana, Jyakuge, and Yu Yan.
Irakura: How exciting! So many names. I'm sure that many of these names will live on in Norea's history, as so much more than competitors in the Grand Tournament.
Tuma: After a short discussion, Bepo and I have decided that this exercise in public speaking would be better for him, rather than me.
Bepo: Thank you, Tuma. And thank you, everyone, for coming! This promises to be the best Grand Tournament ever! Despite the war in Dracoa, and some minor issues at home, the field of competitors is as rich as it ever has been! I'd like to give a brief explanation of each of the games.
The Tournament is played in several rounds, with losers from each 1-on-1 match being eliminated. Firstly is fencing. This will be exciting, and will be purely skill based, with points awarded on contacts. Next is the multiple weapons duel. This will function the same as fencing, but will be fought in several rounds, with 3 points winning a round. After a round, the duelists change weapons. We have a rich variety of weapons this year, and the multiple weapons duel is always popular. The next category is the ever-popular strategy game of Chisazu. This will be a brain game, and as such, doesn't make the best spectator sport. What will be interesting however, are our human pieces! They will be used to show the game on a larger scale for all us spectators. The next game is the obstacle course. This will be judged based on speed. As the Tournament progresses, the course will become more difficult. Of course, there will be minor changes after each go to ensure fairness. Finally, there is archery. There are 3 different archery tests, and whoever is the most accurate in each will win.

Scene 2 [Outside the Arena]
 Sanyuta: Sparrow, you came! Your friends will be glad.
Sparrow: I've agreed to your pathetic plan, now let them go!
Sanyuta: Not until the Tournament is over. By the way, which category are you in?
Sparrow: Fencing.
Sanyuta: Ah. Pity! I myself am an archer, for the sake of my teammates.
Sparrow: For the sake of your teammates? What's that supposed to mean?
Sanyuta: My teammates are the best at what they do. Honestly, the only unbeatable talent we're lacking is archery, so that's where I'm at. I'm no mean shot myself.
Sparrow: I'll have to prove to everyone here that you're teammates aren't the best... I will beat you!

Scene 3 [Arena]
Bepo: In closing, let's all come together and create something wonderful. Let the Grand Tournament begin!
[Exit Bepo]
Tuma: I couldn't agree more! To officially begin the tournament, 12 runners from Romunemu have been running non-stop, trading with fresh runners. The reason for this? They carry torches lit at the great Lord Teradoku's funeral pyre. Those torches are going to be used to light this bonfire here. When the bonfire is lit, we will begin our Tournament with a fencing match between the Kachyu and Kayuchi, to show off the newfound friendship between our Clans!
[Enter Bepo]
Bepo: The runners are here!
[Enter 12 runners bearing torches]
Irakura: Light the fire!
Tuma: The Grand Tournament has begun! Our first match will be a fencing match between Anya of the Kachyu Clan, and Major Paizou of the Kayuchi Clan! Competitors, take your place in the arena!

A Quick Look At ~ Paizou
Paizou is one of General Hanzo's Majors. He is a star swordsman. He was chosen as the representative for the Kachyu Clan because he lacks the bigotry some Kayuchi have shown. His role is very important, as both the inaugral match of the Grand Tournament, and, in a sense, an ambassador to the Kachyu. He is a kind person, though he is extremely obedient to his higher ups.