THE NORTHERN KING

Ivo sat on the feather chair in the room, it reminded him of a plushy chair from his old world, he loved the softness and warmth.

He could have opted for a good sleep if he didn't have to discuss his next course of action with Ida and Melissa.

"Where is your boyfriend?" He asked Ida, who turned away, she had gotten used to his teasing always using phases she didn't understand, but her

Heart felt warm when Ivo tagged them together.

"Is he part of the plan?" She asked.

"Oh no, I can't risk it, besides the next round is far easier than the first, not that I like it."

"What is the next round going to be?" Ida asked as Ivo continued smiling but stopped when his tent door swung open.

"There you are" Thag called out as he smiled so wide his brown teeth were on display, his spear was blood stained and drawn.

His red hair was tied back, and his face stained with blood, He wore a silver breastplate on his bare skin, his spear was rather large with a large double-edged blade made from emperor reformed steel and the handle made from brown ashwood.

Ivo knew how stupid it was to try to use a spear in close quarters, but that didn't matter if the welder had the strength of twelve men.

Melissa was already in front of Ivo with her blade drawn, Ivo's eyes searched for Ida, but Thag's large frame covered half of the room making it impossible to see her

He sighed and tapped Melisa from behind, "it's fine" he called out pulling her away.

"Hello brother…"

"Ahh, so there you are Thag" interrupted as he tapped Melisa's shoulder, "who could have thought you were so strong, I can't help but think I want to take you for myself."

Ivo cleared his throat and tried to continue with was he was saying

"Brother, how was—"

"Shut up!" Thag interrupted as he turned to look at Ivo for the first time since he had walked into the tent, his eyes were full of hatred

"Only weak men hide behind women in battle, I have no reason to talk to a coward who can't stand to fight for himself."

"Well I can't exactly stand can I?" Ivo asked, smiling, he was rather amused at his silly attempt of a joke. He didn't care what Thag thought of him the old Ivo would have jumped down the castle wall because of those words but not him.

Thag was just a brute who thought everything can be handled with raw power, he had no interest in obtaining the favour of such a person.

Ida didn't enjoy being ignored, she had been shoved aside when Thag walked into the room almost loosing her balance, now he had engaged in a battle of tongues with ivo which wasn't exactly his strongest suit.

Using as much of her little strength as possible, she shoved him to the side and walked towards Ivo.

"We don't have time for this, the bell rings in ten minutes" she called out as she looked at the flame dial and then back to Ivo before turning to face Thag.

"I don't care why you are here, but please leave, come back when the games have ended brother" she called out.

Ivo almost laughed at the way Ida had struggled to call out the last word BROTHER, almost as If she'd rather bite her tongue and die.

Thag stared at Melisa, ignoring both of his half siblings.

"Will you fight me after this?" He asked, but Melisa was already nodding sideways, rejecting his offer.

"Don't you feel restricted?" I have fought red hair giants in the east and those have been the best fights I have been in.

"I fought the king of giants once, Tommand Giantstalk, giant fella with immense strength you should see him toss me and Thalia in the air, Thalia is my sis—"

"Thag!!" Ida called out, interrupting his one-sided conversation.

He turned to stare her down, but she held eye contact as he clicked his tongue, picked up his spear and walked out.

Ivo was honestly amused that his sister could hold eye contact with a half giant that could snap her in half, but not with her father, if only she knew she was his favorite.

"So back to the plan" Ivo called out as he poured a drink into his glass cup "but I seriously need a drink first" he added.

The plan was simple.

Ivo had gone over it with Melissa so many times that she dared not forget, she stood in front of the large climbing tower with flags stationed everywhere, it was easy, pick as many flags as you can on the climb up, just as ivo had predicted.

Predicted? It wasn't a prediction it was more like he knew, his confidence and demeanor showed so.

Melisa appreciated the plan in this round, the qualifications for the final stage was five flags minimum. She just had to pick five flags and keep them until the end of the round, no more no less, but her senses told her to expect more than just a simple climb.

She wore lighter armor or rather no armor at all, just a black sleeve with a leather breastplate and grips around her wrist.

Furthermore, she had a rope and hook in her pants hidden away, there were no rules for choice of weapons.

Melisa turned to Ivo in the stands as he waved to her with a smile before mouthing something, she nodded and turned to face the tower again.

She mouthed it back to herself again and again.

Don't draw attention!