Author’s Note: Wow! Two reviews in under 24 hours! I feel so loved. Thank you Shishio and Lori! Ok, I know this one is rather long and descriptive, but it’s necessary, I feel, as none of the Talsdia Heroes have been really introduced before.

Chapter 2: A Gathering of Heroes

The visitors followed Zentarou through the decorated streets, admiring the town. Everywhere hung colored ribbons and flowers and ribbons, making it seem as if spring had descended with particular vigor there.

“It almost makes me think of Cleyra,” commented Freya.

“Cleyra… city in the center of a sandstorm,” Dregan said. He smiled at her confused look. “Vivi told us about it.” Zentarou suddenly paused, his ears twitching, then smiled.

“One moment.” He scanned the crowd, then took three quick steps to intercept two gray-furred lion children. They giggled. “Gotcha!”

“Hehe, Uncle Zentarou,” laughed the girl. The boy looked over at the large group.

“Hi Dregan, Vivi, Orko, um… all you other people.” Zentarou laughed.

“These two are Adrea and Zyton, my brother’s children.” At about that time Zentarou’s exact double appeared through the crowd, panting a bit like he’d been running.

“At, I see you found those two rascals. Thanks, brother.”

“They look more alike than we do!” Valian exclaimed, getting a laugh. “Okay, maybe not more so,” he conceded, “but at least as much as us.” Zantar smiled.

“Father sent us to see if everyone had arrived,” he said, “because the First Joust is about to begin.”

“Ah.” To the others, Zentarou said, “The First Joust is a little tradition that our father and uncle participate in that always starts off the tournament.” He grinned. “You all can participate if you want in the main tournament. There’s mounted combat, foot combat, strategy competitions, mage duels, group battles, and the like.” More than one of the visitors looked interested.

“Sounds fun,” commented Zidane.

“You can sign up at the coliseum. Follow us.” The Cat brothers led them through the city, past several statues of great heroes of the realm, including Zentarou, Zantar, and Zantar’s family. “Most of these ‘heroes’ are here as well, so you’ll get the chance to meet them.” On to the coliseum they went, which was where everyone else seemed to be going too. More than once Dregan had to act quickly to keep Savander from wandering off.

“Inquisitive child,” Teela commented

“You don’t know the half of it,” joked Dregan. As if he fully knew he was being talked about, Savander cutely giggled and snatched hold of Teela’s hand, happily toddling about between her and his father.

“Don’t let the cute face fool you,” laughed Layrina. “He knows full well everything he does.”

Soon they reached the large arena where a section was reserved for the visitors. Already there were those that Zantar had called the ‘heroes’ of Talsdia, as well as his family and several elite-looking guards, including a panther who was larger than Zantar, even taller than Steiner by an inch or two, wearing the most noble-looking breastplate colored blue and gold, with a halberd tucked under the bench he sat on. It seemed under the benched was the customary place for weaponry. Many curious eyes were on the guests as they took their seats and were introduced.

Southern Caine’s champions were Gelendra Adarion and Mythias Nightborn, a red fox vixen and an elf with ebony skin and pristine white hair who was much taller than any of the other elves there save one. She wore what Dregan would call a bard’s costume; a skirt of fluttery colorful cloth strips sewn into a multitude of layers and a bodice sewn with glittery beads. They learned that she was indeed a bard, and considered the best in any of the four kingdoms that made up the area. Mythias wore beautiful chain armor, and had a presence about him that mimicked Cedras’. In fact, some there might have called him celestial, for his handsomeness rivaled even Quatrill’s.

The lone elf who topped Mythias’ height was introduced as Syn’Rae. Tall and exotic, even by other elven standards, he came from a civilization far in the south of the continent that until recently none of the other four had known existed. An oriental sword was resting easily across his lap, but what really caught the eye was the long, black overcoat that came to his ankles and the dark-lensed glasses propped up on his head unlike anything any of the newcomers had ever seen before. His lady was also a vixen, albeit more gold than Gelendra, wearing armor that was all encasing metal that was as flexible as cloth colored lavender with gold accents. Her weapon was a lance tipped by a flying dragon blade colored gold, and her eyes were a sharp amethyst. She was introduced as Alaya Ember-Rose, Dragoon Savior. At the word ‘dragoon’ Freya’s ears twitched, and they looked each over with obvious interest.

The last two heroes championed the human lands, protecting and advising the young King Valron. Ora Prydwin was a white lioness with golden eyes and armor that appeared silver but was tinged blue, identical to Cedras’ armor, as was her Seven-Ring shield, a large metal shield embossed with the target-like seven rings of the Sir’Kai pantheon. Like Cedras and Aerderwyn her bearing was at once noble and kind, and it seemed they instantly recognized something in each other as kindred, for they nodded to each other courteously. Her partner was Daeranin Andinaros, an elf who just at a glance was obviously a ranger. A quiver and bow were tucked under his seat, though the arrows were so thick that Steiner felt it would go through solid stone.

Next to the lioness and elf sat a teenage human boy, wearing noble garb. His hair was sandy colored, his eyes youthful but yet wise in the way of one who has suffered and yet endured. This lad was introduced as King Valron of the human realm, also self-proclaimed squire to Zentor.

At that, given what each of the newcomers knew of nobility, they began to get suspicious. But before they could ask any questions of their mage friends a fanfare played, signaling the start of the First Joust.