Rui huffed and just barely resisted stomping her feet in aggravation.
“Can we please get back on topic?”
“Papers,” Ere said alertly.
“Good thing I had the foresight to add a set of those to the winnings last night, along with the loser’s clothes and other personal effects. His name is Geralt the Younger.”
Ere tapped his chin with speculation.
“I don’t recall reading anything about him in the Arthurian legends that I’ve studied, so hopefully, he’s of enough obscurity that no one will question us when we present ourselves with his papers.”
“What does he look like?” Rui asked.
“Average in every way. Barely memorable. In fact, I’ve already forgotten. I think he might have been light-haired, but it wasn’t a shade that stood out.”
“Well, that doubly rules you out to impersonate him,” Rui reflected. “First, because out of the three of us, you will certainly not be the one fighting in the tournament—”
“I heartily concur,” Ere said with passion.
“—and second, you’re too eye-catching, with the dark hair and height.”
“Why, thank you, my dear. I do believe that was a compliment.”
“It wasn’t,” Rui hastened to correct him. “You stick out like a sore thumb.”
Ere sniffed.
“Either Sorin or I will have to impersonate this Geralt,” Rui determined.
“I will do it,” Sorin said, his expression as implacable as ever.
Rui didn’t know the male, but she, and anyone who stood in his presence, could sense the power and strength he radiated, even in human form. There was no doubt that Sorin was a formidable warrior, even though she hadn’t seen him in action yet.
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” Ere immediately argued with a worried look. “You’re mortal now. I have absolute confidence in your abilities, but…”
“We are all human,” Sorin reminded him.
“But you’remyhuman,” Ere said.
Before they could argue further, Rui interjected, “Sorin will not pass for Geralt. He’s too tall and broad. He’s too recognizable. You said the man is average. I can pass for that in terms of stature.”
Ere assessed her with keen eyes.
“We could dull your hair and skin with dirt and ash, bulk you up a bit with padding. At least to gain entry into the tournament. No one will care once you’re in.”
Rui nodded. It was decided.
She would enter the tournament and compete for the prize, which was her intention all along. Frankly, she did not trust anyone else to do it but herself. As competent as Sorin looked, she did not know him.
“What about Wolfe and Tristan?” Ere asked. “They know that we are not who we will claim to be. Will they be competing as well? If so, they are not incentivized to play along with our ruse.”
Rui frowned. Ere had a point.
“I will deal with it,” she said.
She didn’t know how yet, but she’d figure out a way.
“Suppose you do, how assured are you of winning?”