Chapter 21: Children’s Tourney of Light

OLIVE

I feel my hands sweaty while I gripped my brothers, he doesn’t complain as we walk past the gates.

This is the first time I’ve gone back to town since Alaric told everyone I had been possessed. 

My parents told me that people aren’t scared, that they’re confident Alaric fixed the Possession. 

But I know he didn’t, my life as Lucarion is still going strong.

If anyone notices something strange if anyone doubts him… I don’t know what would happen. 

I keep my head low as I walk, watching the dust gather on my boots, half-expecting someone to cross the road or whisper when I pass.

“Morning, Olive! Morning Olivander!” call the weaving twins, swinging their legs off their porch. 

“Morning,” Olivander shouts back. I give them a nod.

“Glad you’re out and about, dear!” says Mrs. Elwick, holding out a bundle of sweet buns in waxed paper. “Tell your mom they’re extra soft today.” 

“I will,” I whisper, tucking them into my satchel.

“Thank you.” Olivander added.

People aren’t acting weird around me. No stares. No whispers. Just the same warmth as always maybe even more so. 

“Good to see you, sweetheart,” says Mr. Thorn. “Alaric says you were very brave.” 

I don’t really remember being brave, quite the opposite in fact, but I couldn’t help smiling anyway. 

At the square, a crowd of kids gathers near the fountain, chattering around the wooden notice board. I caught a glimpse of braids and white cloth. 

Emma stood near the center, hands on her hips, eyebrows furrowed in thought as she read something pinned to the board. 

Talla is next to her, Mira was fixing her sleeve.  Jorren lurks just behind them, arms crossed like he’s trying to look tough, though his eyes flick nervously between the flyer and the fountain. Reed, of course, is up front taller than everyone else, reading the message out loud for everyone.

“It says exhibition matches,” Reed announces, like he's already imagining the applause. “So obviously they’ll need someone to lead the matches.” 

“You’re not leading anything, Reed,” Talla mutters without taking her eyes of Mira. “Last time you gave orders, we ended up in the river.” 

“That was strategy!” Reed shoots back. 

As they argue, a voice cries out behind me. 

“Is it true? Is it happening?!” 

I turn just in time to see Dain sprinting down the cobblestone path from the weaving house. His long sleeves flapped like banner flags.

He skids to a stop in the middle of the group.  “Is it official?” Dain asked his sister

Mira already pointing at the board. “Yes! Look! It’s a real tournament!” 

“that’s great, I can’t wait to work on the gear” Dain said practically bouncing. 

The twins squeeze in between Jorren and Talla, who sigh and step sideways to make space without saying a word. 

I hesitate at the edge of the circle, watching them all. No one’s noticed me yet. 

Then Emma glances up and our eyes meet. 

My heart beats just a little faster. And I squeezed my brothers hand tighter.

I make my way over as Jorren writes his name and walks away. 

“Hey,” I say, trying to sound casual. 

“Olive! You have to see this.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me closer.

I lean beside her. A large hand-painted flyer reads: 

Children’s Tourney of Light 

Open to all brave souls aged ten and up! 

Test your strength, skill, and honor with wooden arms and armor provided by Dain! 

A knight’s crest is stamped below it, bright gold paint flaking at the corners. 

“Do you like knights?” I ask, trying to sound casual. 

Emma smiled widely. “They’re super cool. Who doesn’t want to wear shiny armor and save villages? Anyway, I’m joining!” 

I tilt my head. “Have you ever used a sword before?” 

She hesitates, biting her lips. “No. Have you?” 

Talla speaks up, noticing me. “We’ve all had some basic training before. Olivander’s dad is actually the one who taught us.” 

“Yes, and he said I had great potential,” Reed interjects, puffing out his chest. 

“Jorren’s a sinch to win though” Talla told him.

“Not if I have anything to say about that.” Olivander interjected.

“Really?” Emma asks, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at Jorren and Olivander. 

I watch her carefully, then look back at the flyer. 

This is my chance. I’ve been looking for a way to protect myself in the demon world and I didn’t even think about using a weapon, besides… I looked at Emma and how she looked at Jorren of all people.

“Well,” I say slowly, “I’m going to join.” 

She blinks. “You are?” 

I nodded, trying to sound way more confident than I felt. “Yup.  I can’t let my brother hog all the glory. Besides, I think knights are cool too.” 

“I thought you liked books more than battles,” Talla teases. 

“She just wants to hit Jorren with a stick,” Mira says. 

I laugh. “Maybe a little.” 

Emma studies me, lips quirking into a smile. “So, we’re all really doing it?” 

We all nod and write our names on the sign-up sheet, one after another: 

Jorren. 

Reed. 

Talla. 

Olivander.

Emma. 

Olive. 

Dain. 

Mira. 

As the group scattered, I loitered about near the square waiting for Emma to approach, but she started moving towards the church instead.

I pushed down my anxiety and ran after her.  “Emma! Wait a moment” she stopped and faced me a smile on her face. My hands clasped behind my back to try to seem more nonchalant.  “Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the forest tomorrow, I was planning on investigating those purple bubbles we saw.”

She moved a bit of hair behind her right ear “that sounds like an adventure, will your dad be coming with us or your mom perhaps?” 

“No both of my parents will be busy” they were leaving early tomorrow to meet with the leaders of Drowsend to report the battle with the lizardmen.

“Hmm your brother then?” she cast a glance at him, he was with Talla and reed eating some street food. He had a goofy grin on his face as Reed seemed to be telling a joke of some kind.

I was getting annoyed that she kept wanting more people, when I wanted us to hang out alone again. “Nope! It’ll just be us. Just a recon mission, we go in find out what is happening and get out. Perfectly safe!”

*** 

I stepped into the dining room, the warm glow of lantern light casting soft shadows over the wooden table. My parents were already seated, their plates steaming gently, the scent of roasted vegetables and spiced root broth hanging in the air like a blanket. 

“Right on time,” Olivander said, setting down the final plate. 

“Hello, honey,” Mom said. “How was your day?” 

I hesitated for only a moment before moving toward the seat. There was a slight chill in the air from the evening breeze drifting in through the open window, but it didn’t weigh on me the way it might’ve earlier. 

“What have you been up to?” Mom asked in that way mom’s do when they already know the answer.

Olivander had two plates of food in front of him, one with meat already eating with an easy contentment that made me feel lighter. 

“I’ll get you a plate,” Dad said, pushing back his chair with a soft scrape and vanishing down the spiral stair to the kitchen below. 

I slid into an empty spot across from my parents, folding my hands in my lap. “I went into town,” I said simply, trying and failing to sound casual. 

Olivia’s fork paused slightly as she looked up at me. “And who did you meet?” she asked, glancing briefly at Dad, who had resumed eating, though his eyes were fixed on me. 

“People,” I replied. “Ms. Elwick, Mr. Thorn, the kids”

“And?” Dad asked, setting a plate of food in front of me. 

“Thank you,” I murmured. “Nothing. Just everyone seemed nice. Nobody was freaked like I expected.” 

The soft clink of utensils filled the air for a while, punctuated by the occasional gust rattling the window latch.

We ate in comfortable silence at first, but it wasn’t long before Mom spoke again, her tone gentle. “Olive… are you sure you’re all, right?” 

I blinked at her. “Oh. I hadn’t really thought about it since talking with Emma.” I lied through my teeth. The church had been overwhelming, sitting with Emma talking with her making plans for tomorrow, it had helped.  But I can’t exactly forget what happened when every time I go to sleep, I have to live as Lucarion.

“I feel better now,” I said, only feeling like a slight liar.

My parents exchanged glances, like they’d expected a different answer. 

“You’re sure?” Mom pressed. 

“I am.” I said without looking at them. I took a bite of my food. The sweet bread was indeed soft, the vegetables crunchy and spiced just right. 

Dad huffed out a short laugh, leaning back in his chair. “Emily? I’ve not heard that name before.” His tone was teasing, but not unkind. 

I rolled my eyes, “It’s Emma,” I said and despite myself, the name left my lips, carrying with it a small smile. 

“She is one of the new church members” Olivander added 

“I’m glad you have another little friend, sweetie,” Mom said softly.

I paused, glancing between them. They really had been worried, hadn’t they? It hadn’t fully registered before. 

I softened. “I’m sorry for just running away,” I said. “But I promise, I’m okay.” 

I ate a few more bites, and I felt their attention leaving me. Unfortunately, I needed it back. 

“Actually…” I began, setting down my fork. “I wanted to ask something.” 

They all turned their attention toward me. 

“I was thinking of joining the Knights’ Tournament.” 

“And I was wondering if you could teach me how to sword fight.” I said it firmly. 

Dad blinked, caught off guard. “Swordplay?” 

Mom looked uncertain. “I never took you for the fighting type.” 

Olivander jumped in before she could say more. “Dad, you promised you’d teach me anyway and if you’re already teaching one of us…” 

“…It wouldn’t be much more to teach both,” I added quickly, looking at my father. 

Oliver leaned back in his chair, clearly weighing it. Then, with a resigned but amused sigh, he nodded. “Alright. Just the basics to start. footwork and stances.” 

I grinned. “Thank you.” Then, after a breath, “Also… can Emma join us?” 

“Emma?” Mom asked. 

“She wants to enter too. And she’s never had any training,” I said. “It might help to practice together, she’s really excited about knight training.” 

Dad nodded. “If she’s serious and if her parents say yes then yes. She’s welcome.” 

After I finished the last bite, I let out a quiet yawn, my body reminding me how long the day had been and soon Lucarion would be waking. I needed to be in bed by then. 

“I think I’ll head to bed.” 

“Good night, Olipop dear,” Dad said warmly, also getting up from the table. 

“Sweet dreams, darling. And you too, Olivander,” Mom added, though there was still a trace of motherly concern in her voice. 

“Good night, Mom, Dad,” Olivander said. 

I gave each of them a hug good night, and together we started the climb to our rooms. The warmth of my family’s concern stayed with me as I climbed the stairs, and when I finally closed the door behind me, I felt the weight of the day slowly start to lift. 

I focused my energy around me. “Clean.” 

A gentle warmth pulsed across my skin, and the grime from the day melted away mud, sweat, even the frizz in my hair from the forest breeze. Gone in a heartbeat. Wishing I could do the same as Lucarion, I jumped into bed and went to sleep, fresh and warm, and let myself fall asleep.