126 Quick Visit (Part 5)

After the dinner, we visited my uncle and aunt. Of course Curly wasn't pleased, since Drak would pester her once more. To her surprise though, Drak wasn't home. She could relax for the time being. "Have you guys been to the Grand Stage or Woody's Course?", my aunt asked. "Actually, we didn't get a chance yet. Not to worry though, we can visit tomorrow. Our business is taken care of, so we can relax and enjoy ourselves now. By the way, where's Drak and his friend Hart?", I replied.

"Oh, today they are playing at Hart's place… You are curious about that Hart kid, right? He is a son of another faction leader… in a way at least. The factions don't matter that much anymore, albeit the three leaders make executive decisions here in Sedon. There's also Mili and Elany, who are kids of another leader", she explained.

"That's good news. Maybe once the quick travel Formation is up, you guys could visit us more often. I'm sure Dante would appreciate some kids hanging around with him", I said. "Hehe, we actually planned on that already. Travelling to you guys will be so much easier, but damn. I knew your mother was wealthy, but not to that extent", she replied. "Are you jealous, auntie?", I teased. "Hahaha, you are tad too young to tease me", she replied with a laugh.

We remained at my uncle's and aunt's place until the evening. Curly's worst nightmare came true once Drak returned home. "Don't worry, we will be leaving soon, and you got the bracelet. Play with him for a bit, he's so happy to have you around", I whispered to her. "Ar…", she barked in defeat.

Curly did a good job entertaining little Drak. I promised her some treats, once we returned home. "Do you guys want to go somewhere? Sedon doesn't sleep during the night really. There are loads of things opened, even the Grand Stage has evening performances", Dawn proposed. "Admit it, you don't want to go home", Tara replied. "Has nothing to do with it, hmph!". "Give it a rest you two. We can actually visit the Challenger's Corner. I haven't been there for a long time. We can visit the Grand Stage tomorrow anyway", I proposed instead.

"Sure, I'd like to challenge Tara to a few games. Besides, the place changed a bit. They got a few shacks now, and the games are more interesting. Moreover, they have a schedule of different games each week", Dawn replied. "Hehe, alright. I'm up for it", Tara replied rather confidently. 'Hmm, she plans something for sure. I just don't know what exactly', I thought.

We headed to the Challenger's Corner, where loads of people met to play games or challenge each other. Dawn and Tara chose a game to compete in, but to my surprise they chose an accuracy game. "You're gonna lose this so badly. What do you want to bet?", Dawn asked. "Well, me and Anna made some profits, how about three Black Hals?", she proposed. "Heh, when did you become so generous? Fine, three Black Hals it is, I'll even pay for the game, since you'll lose anyway", Dawn accepted confidently.

The game they chose looked similar to the one we used to play in the past. Instead of aiming with different coloured balls, they had to throw sticks into a basket. There were three different sizes and probably weights of sticks, each worth different amounts of points. The basket was located about ten metres away, which wasn't a great distance. Though looking at those sticks, it couldn't be that simple.

The game began, and both of them threw their sticks at the basket. Dawn wasn't doing badly. She was the one who practiced the bow after all. Her aim was really good, but then I looked at Tara and her basket. "Impossible!", I exclaimed shocked. Tara seemed to have more sticks in the basket than Dawn. Her throwing method was also weird as hell. Dawn threw the sticks from the bottom, but Tara actually threw them from the top and in a specific way.

'It's like she's throwing… A spear!'. I knew Tara learned how to wield a spear, but her aim was always poor, even worse than mine. This meant she actually practiced throwing her spears, and adapted that technique to that game. I stood there in disbelief, as the results were announced. Tara won, and she won by quite a substantial number of points.

Perhaps the only person more shocked than me was Dawn. She didn't believe what just happened. She even accused Tara of cheating somehow, but the owner of that game assured her no cheating occurred. Dawn lost three Black Hals just like that, but of course this left some questions.

"How did you win? Your aim was always rubbish, how did you do it?", Dawn demanded some answers. "What? Are you a sore loser? If you want, we can go again. You were so sure of yourself, where's that confidence now? Hahaha", Tara replied. "You little… What did you do?", she asked again. "You trained something, but I refuse to believe you'd get most of these sticks in. How did you manage that? Dawn's been practicing for many years, so how did you do it?", I chimed in as well.

Tara flaunted for a bit more, but then finally decided to reply to our questions. "Actually, your father taught me some throwing skills. Because I'm a close combat person, he told me that having a trick or two up my sleeve is always a good idea. Since then, I've been practicing spear throws. I got pretty good at it, thanks to your father's guidance. Now, I carry a few spears with me, which can be used for both close and mid range combat. How do you like that, eh?".

"That's unfair! You got Anna's father help. He's a master of throwing... things. How did you make him teach you?", Dawn asked with a hint of jealousy in her voice. "Don't forget where I live. Apium is not that far away from Anna's place… Actually, it was your father who proposed to teach me. He had some spare time, and you weren't around. I accepted, since who wouldn't want to learn from the Legendary Dark Traveller", Tara replied.

Dawn stared at me instead. "Why are you looking at me? I wasn't the one teaching her", I said. "... I'm surprised you are so calm. You don't mind your father teaching Tara?", she asked instead. "Well, I wasn't around. Besides, if he could help her, why not help her out?", I replied. "Ha! In your face, Dawn! Not so high and mighty anymore, eh?", Tara exclaimed.

Dawn continued to stare at me though. I knew what she was after, she wanted to learn from my father too. "Do you seriously want me to ask my father? Besides, you live in Sedon, and you have your work. How can he teach you when you are here, and he is there?", I asked. "You make sure he will teach me, and I'll go there to train myself", she replied seriously.

"Don't tell me you will abandon your work for this… I mean, he does have a bow, but… What about your parents?", I asked. "He uses a bow?... I'll worry about everything else, just convince him for me… I'll pay you back, anything you want. Just this one favour, please, Anna", she said. My head was starting to ache already. "Fine, I'll help you out this once… Sheesh… Get a grip on yourself, Dawn. You are practically begging me, don't look so desperate in front of my father", I agreed.

She hugged and thanked me many times, but then Tara tried to shatter her dreams. "Hehe, it's not certain yet. Anna will ask him, but he can still refuse". "Oh shut up already. I have my ways to convince him. She's your friend too, so draw the line somewhere. Can't you see how much she cares about that?", I said. Tara finally decided it was enough.

"Now you just have to convince your parents, somehow. I mean, a visit is not a problem for them, I'm sure. Though you'll be absent from work for a long time, and you said they are rather strict with you", I added. "My mother shouldn't be a problem. Once my father learns that an Emperor himself will train me, he will even kick my ass just to get there faster. I'm only worried about… you know. I'll have to leave him a message", she replied.

"Okay, that's enough emotions for one day. Let's head back, and have some rest. We'll visit the Grand Stage and Woody's Course tomorrow", I said, then we left the Challenger's Corner area.