“No idea. Had that been the case, I wouldn’t hold that against you, just so you know. You get to places in life with brains. But I guess I’ll apologize for my wrong assumption, then.”
She shook her head. “No need. It’s understandable.” She still wasn’t sure if he believed in her or if he was just pretending.
“I still want to be your friend.” He sat on a bed. “Tell me, what is it you want?”
“To win the competition.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Is it, though? Because you see, people go on and on saying, ‘I want this, I want that,’ when in fact what they truly mean is ‘wouldn’t it be nice if this or that happened?’ Words are easy. It’s easy to say you want something. It’s easy to convince yourself you want something. The hard part is to do whatever it takes to get it, to commit to getting it. That’s the part everyone skips. On which side are you?”
Zora stepped back. She hadn’t even given it that much thought. All that she wanted was to prove herself, prove Seth wrong, and get help for her people. Then she imagined herself coming home empty-handed, imagined the disappointed looks in her family, friends, students. Imagined they would think she stole their opportunity. “I need to win.”
“You need to win. Hum, interesting. Shouldn’t you be certain you’re going to win?” Otherwise you have already lost.”
He had a point. Seth spoke as if he’d already won the games, but then, perhaps that was idiocy, too. “What difference does it make? I bet most of the competitors think they are going to win this thing. It doesn’t mean they will.”
“That’s a naïve thought, Zora. Some of them only hope to do well, some hope to get as far as possible. Some of them wish they could win. I would bet anything that the only person who truly sees himself holding the Blood Cup is my younger brother.”
“Which is unfair, if he’s helping to organize the competition.”
Larzen had a smirk. “Life is unfair, isn’t it? Do you understand what the winner of this competition gets?”
“Some money, and a place at the royal guard, if we want it.”
“Hum… Do you know what the Blood Cup is?”
“The… special name for the competition this year.” To be very honest, she’d heard it for the first time today.
Larzen smiled. “It’s a red cup. It can only be given to the winner of this competition. I’m not sure what it’s made of. Crystal? But that’s not the point. The thing is, you can brew potions in it.”
That got her interest. “Special potions.”
“Who knows? With the cup’s unique magic maybe you could maybe help your valley.”
“What about the previous winners? Haven’t they used it? Is there a new cup made every now and then?”
“You need to win the competition to be able to use the Blood Cup. As to the previous winners, sadly, they all died. The Blood Cup demands a sacrifice and its last challenge might be difficult, or rather, quite deadly. That’s the reason this competition hasn’t been held in the last twenty-seven years. Why we just called the competition Royal Games and didn’t put the cup as a prize. But this year it’s the Blood Cup.”
Zora was thoughtful. “Griffin wants this cup.”
Larzen smiled. “Exactly.”
Something didn’t make sense. “Wouldn’t you rather he got it?”
He raised his eyebrows “Would I?”
Zora tried to think. Perhaps there was rivalry among the brothers?
Larzen laughed. “I’ll be honest. I don’t care who wins this thing. I just need a friend. So here’s my deal: I can help you win this competition, Zora. But you’ll need to be my friend.” He took her hand.
Zora tensed. “And do what?” Larzen was extremely good looking, but she wasn’t sure if she’d be willing to do anything for his help.
“What?” He laughed, then let go of her hand. “Please. You think I need to beg or coerce anyone for some nice moments? Look at me. And more, most of the fun is in your partner’s enthusiasm. It takes two, right? I mean, two minimum.” He put a hand on his chin and looked up. “But then, there’s the solo thing too. Not sure it counts. It also needs enthusiasm.” He looked at her. “I can see you know nothing about it.”
Duh. She knew the solo thing, not that she wanted to discuss it with him. Zora crossed her arms. “What do you want?”
“Goodness, you put it as if it were a cold exchange of services or goods. I want friendship, cooperation. And I’ll help you get your hands on the cup.”
“I might be able to win on my own.” She wasn’t that confident, to be honest, but didn’t want to bend that easily.
“I thought you were smart. You haven’t seen your competitors, have you?” He didn’t wait for a reply. “They all have teams helping them, strategists, trainers, spies. Nobody ever achieves anything on their own, even if they are selfish and make sure history registers only their name. Go on this competition alone, and you’ll be doomed. Might is not good enough, dear.”
“Only the champion was allowed out of the Dark Valley, though. Of course I don’t have a team.”
“Cause my brother’s a nitwit. Not that he did it on purpose. But he set you up for failure. Or he never thought the Dark Valley would send a serious contender. It was an empty gesture; allow one of you to partake in the competition, as if to say, ‘look how nice I am, allowing this poor competitor to even stand among our best.’ I doubt he thought a Dark Valley champion had a chance.”
The idea stung. Zora looked down. “He’s stupid, then.”
“No doubt. But you shouldn’t play his game. Get that cup.” He laughed. “I’ll confess that part of me just wants to see his disappointed face.”
“I wouldn’t mind that either.” Zora was smiling as she imagined it. She wasn’t sure she trusted Larzen, but hearing what he had to say couldn’t hurt. She then tried to word her request in a way that wouldn’t bother him. “But friends are honest with each other, and I would like to know how I can help you.”
“There’s something you said that stuck with me. When Griffin was suggesting you partake the festivities, you said you didn’t do the whole matching thing.”
She frowned. “You weren’t in the room then.”
Larzen shook his head and sighed. “That thin door! We really need to fix it. But this was important to me. Not sure you realized, but the Blood Cup isn’t the only game we’re having for the annual festivities. There’s the courting game. I need a female player to support me. One that has no stakes in it.”
“What would you want me to do?”
“Nothing much. Certainly not have any fun with anyone. I wouldn’t ask you that. In fact, getting physical too early kind of spoils the game, you know? All I’ll need is for you to, I don’t know, talk to someone, get their attention. You don’t need to be something you’re not. A Dark Valley competitor uninterested in dating or marriage is quite perfect. You’ll go to balls, maybe walk in the garden or other places, and I’ll nudge you here and there. I’ll also get you dresses.”