“What about the wrestling event?” he asked, deciding it best to move on, and leave the birds and the bees conversation for another time.
“Not a problem,” Rui said assuredly.
Ere narrowed his eyes at her with a sliver of doubt.
“But…you’re so small.”
“Which is why I’m fast and nimble. My opponents will not be able to pin me down.”
“How will you do the reverse?”
She put away her sword and folded her arms, showing irritation that he seemed to question her abilities.
“I have my ways.”
“All right,” Ere allowed.
He knew better than to impinge Rui’s skills as a fighter. The dragon was deadly in any form. He simply worried because of her stature.
In any case, he had no choice but to trust her. He himself was certainly no judge of warriors.
“Do we need anything in particular for the swimming event?”
At this, Rui barked a rare laugh.
“I am a water dragon. Any more questions?”
Ere grinned as well, feeling more confident by the minute.
“Fantastic news. Just one last thing. There is a championship event on the last day, after a night of celebration for all the participants. This is where the two final contestants will meet, and the last person standing will be awarded the prize.”
“However,” Ere noted, “I have not been able to discover what the event will be. Unless something changes over the next couple of days, we’d be going in blind.”
“Let us address that as it comes,” she said with her usual logic and equanimity. “For now, I shall walk the grounds, get the lay of the land before dawn.”
“You can see in the dark?”
“Water dragon, remember? I live deep beneath the sea. I must be able to see without light.”
Ere nodded.
“Be careful. You are still—”
But Rui cut off his words.
“I am a warrior, Erebu,” she said. “Being small and female does not make me any less deadly or competent.”
He swallowed and smiled.
Good grief, he was well on his way to hero worshipping the little dragon. She’d become his girl crush before long if he wasn’t careful.
“Duly noted.”
With that, she left the tent as well.
Leaving Ere to plot and scheme in solitude, which was whathedid best.
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