Treasures Of Heaven And Earth

The chairs had been removed from the Audience Hall, was the first thing that Dàilán noticed as they returned from the antechamber. Her Grandfather and the Elders were standing around in a small group cl.u.s.tered in front of the dais calmly discussing something and the Head Guard led them over.

"En. Good!" exclaimed her Grandfather, the Elders turning to face them as the three of them stopped next to the group, "Granddaughter, I am guessing you would prefer to have the question of your role sorted out sooner rather than later?"

"I promised Father I would return before the Golden Crow returns to its nest, Grandfather," the young Heiress answered calmly, inclining her head respectfully, "so sooner is better. I assume the Council has decided?"

The sect leader winced at the mention of his son-in-law, but nodded in agreement, "It is good you are filial. And, yes, the Council has decided that we will have a small tournament during the shi of Highest Crow-flight. You will be challenged in a Knife Ranking battle by the current reigning champions of the Sect that have not yet reached the age of A.d.u.l.thood - that is, in your generation - continuing until you are defeated." He shrugged, "I would be mildly disappointed if you did not at least end up replacing one of the current 'Genii'."

A slight noise of disbelief from Chenli made her lift one eyebrow, "I take it this would be difficult?"

Chenli spoke sharply from beside her, "The Knife Ranking is the Sect-Wide Battle Ranking for all members below the age of A.d.u.l.thood, regardless of their level of ability. The highest ranked are referred to as Genius' - or Genii."

Chenli was clearly trying to control her temper, "Genii can fight equally with many of those on the Lists of Justice - the ranking for Sect Members of age. Some of them are like myself - full Enforcers who regularly take missions that require a younger individual."

There was laughter from the other Elders and one elaborated, "The title of 'Genii' is given to Sect members on the Knife Ranking, who remain undefeated in tournaments or challenges, even after battling at least three opponents of a higher Knife Ranking."

Another Elder interjected. "The Founder set up this rule - any Sect member not currently holding an official position within the Sect may issue a formal 'Challenge of the Knife' or 'Challenge of Justice' to anyone of a higher rank on the Ranking the Challenger is ranked on - if they have not previously been defeated by someone of a lower rank for their last ten challenges."

Elder Fuchen shook her head, her jewellery emitting tinkling and chiming sounds and attracting attention, "We are not all battle maniacs," she admonished crisply, "Each discipline has similar rankings - although it is generally agreed that all should participate in Ranking Challenges to test techniques in battle."

Her Grandfather added, "For a Challenge to count as 'higher', the opponent must be a Cultivation rank above the Challenger as well as above them in their Ranking. Additionally, to collect three challenges and earn the title of 'Genius', each subsequent challenge must be against an opponent of a higher battle rank and Cultivation Rank than the last defeated opponent."

"We do not have the time for my mistress to gain a place in the rankings by defeating ten Sect Members," objected Chenli, "Why would anyone accept a challenge from a non-ranked member?"

The Sect Leader nodded, "We are announcing that your mistress is defending her rights to the title of Heir. The winners of the last regular Knife Ranking tournament in each Cultivation bracket are eligible to challenge for the right to be considered for the Heir position."

"The only problem with that," retorted Chenli dryly, "is that she has to lose."

There was a slight stir at that and another Elder shook his head, "We discussed that. It would look bad if the Heir cannot stand at least within the ranks of the 'Genii'. As long as the opponent that defeats her is both older and has a significantly higher Cultivation, it would not be considered odd for the Heir to lose. You would not expect the Heir to beat me, for example - if the Heir was on the Justice Ranking."

"So I have to make sure I defeat everyone below my age and cultivation level and do my best to beat the rest; but you are fairly sure at least one of the older, stronger opponents will be able to best me," Dàilán summarised, "and I have to beat at least ten, before being defeated. Do I at least get to pick who I fight?"

"That did not seem to bother you during your... test," remarked the Head Healer.

"I chose the battle grounds; I struck without warning, from concealment," pointed out the heiress calmly, "none of which applies in a tournament."

"There will be twelve 'Genii', the winners of the last regular Knife Ranking tournament," the Sect Leader declared hurriedly, "under the circ.u.mstances, we cannot follow the standard knockout rounds format - not only would it take too long, but once you start beating their candidates the Factions opposing would claim we were deliberately organising the competition to allow you to build up your tally."

"Before this morning, I would have been one of them," agreed one of the Elders accompanied by nods from a couple others, "even if you were placed against a known strong opponent - if you won, questions would be raised."

"So, we have agreed on a free combat format," continued Elder Fuchen, "this means that it is more realistic, the competitors will need to watch out for attacks from each other - they are all fierce rivals who will not want any of the others to defeat you first. They will be able to attack in any order - which will quiet any questions of a rigged test."

"But they - could - all decide to ally," pointed out the Heiress.

"While unlikely, that is possible," admitted the Sect Leader, "therefore the rules are that once you are defeated, the tournament is automatically over and whomever defeats you has the right to be considered for the Heirship."

"Huh…" Chenli grinned, thinking out loud as she looked up at the ceiling in thought, "So they will not be teaming up, because they could end up helping someone else win; they cannot fight each other for the right to the Heirship from whomever defeats her because the tournament is over once she loses."

Chenli scratch her head thoughtfully, " They are more likely to fight each other to prevent rivals from winning, but anyone who decides to do that is effectively taking themselves out of the running by leaving them open to attacks from others or the Heir - that has possibilities…"

"They will still work together to beat me into the ground - then take each other out before the last person finishes me off," Dàilán shrugged, "unless they are completely unable to look past their rivalries and completely unable to trust each other - if that is the case, then the Sect has real problems."

There was a muffled laugh from the Head Guard, "You are turning your test into a test of the Sect's latest generations - not that I disagree, mind you."

There was a meditative huff from the only other female Elder besides Elder Fuchen, "it is a good thing. Some of the younger generation…" she shook her head, "I am thinking that maybe there has been a lot more tampering from other sects than we realised."

Dàilán's Granfather sighed, "Unfortunately, we cannot blame all our current issues on outsiders, as much as it might be satisfying to do so. Much of this mess we created ourselves."

"That is all well and good, but it leaves me with the possibility of twelve simultaneous opponents - possibly allied - where I am alone, on an open field, with nothing to even the odds. And, you are suggesting a limiter. Even without one I would be hard pressed to escape," she paused and c.o.c.ked her head, then spoke slowly, feeling out an idea.

"...If they have allies, then... I should have at least one too." She turned to her bodyguard, lady-in-waiting and friend, who regarded her warily, "Chen'er… come help your best friend…" she opened her eyes wide and fluttered her eyelashes like a noble daughter to a prospective suitor.

Chenli g.r.o.a.n.e.d, and rubbed her face with an open palm, "They will all come for me as a known quantity. You will not be any better off."

Dàilán shook her head, her expression intent, "No, I just need you to watch my back. If they try to take you out first, that leaves me free to take them out. Stay close - let me concentrate on attacking while you play defence. They have to worry about their allies turning on them - I do not. And as long as you are splitting their attention and staying close enough, it will harder for them to launch more attacks than I can handle."

As she was trying to convince Chen'er, the Elders were discussing her idea rapidly in low voices. A moment later her Grandfather turned around and nodded, "We agree. With the stipulations that Enforcer Fuan may not leave her Mistress' side and may not make attacks - only act in defense of herself and her charge."

"We will not tell that last part to your opponents," one of the Elders shrugged, "if they are being observant they will notice eventually, but… we need to stipulate that so that later the other factions cannot claim having an of age Enforcer to assist invalidates the Heir's test."

"They still will," pointed out another, "but we can point out in return that each of the others are assisted by eleven others, some of them already Enforcers higher ranked than Enforcer Fuan despite not being past the age of a.d.u.l.thood."

Chenli had a sour look on her face, "If males did not have an extra five years before they were considered of age compared to women, none of the current Genii would be higher ranked than me. And my Mistress would not need my help to deal with them, limiter or not."

"We cannot add an age restriction to match the Heir's, it would not be in accordance with the traditions set down for Knife Ranking battles - the other factions would never let it stand and we would not have grounds to defend the limitation," replied another Elder.

"Under the circ.u.mstances," ground out the Heiress, "Enforcer Fuan, it appears I must do this, with or without you to guard my back."

Chenli shot Dàilán a look, "Of course I am coming. Some of them may have beaten me before, but I have had to improve a lot just to keep up with you lately - and they will not be expecting you at all."

Dàilán nodded regally and holding on to her anger turned back to focus it on the Elder Council, her tone frigidly polite. "I am certain, Esteemed Elders, that there are better ways to demonstrate my competence, than a battle royale. However, as I am not yet in charge, I accept your terms."

She turned and swept away, heading for the Audience Hall entrance, with Chenli at her left shoulder - leaving a group of stunned Elders standing with dropped jaws behind her.

"Young Lady, that is most…" Dàilán stopped, standing facing the door as one of the silent guards opened it, her voice cutting across the objection, "Grandfather - I trust you will make the appropriate arrangements. I did not bring my limiter with me."

"Y-yes... Granddaughter," came a somewhat stilted reply.

The Young Heiress nodded, taking another step before pausing and turning deliberately to look back at the Elders who had various expressions of consternation and embarrassment on their faces. "Concealed limiter or not - I will be doing my very best to leave all your 'Genii' out cold. If any enemies are bothered by that let them fear. They still will not know my full capability. You can take your idea of me - deliberately - losing at any point and dispose of it… appropriately."

She turned back to the open door and swept out at high speed, indignation in every line of body language.

---

A shi later, after a light lunch, Dàilán stood with Chenli at the centre of a sand covered combat arena, rhythmically grasping and releasing the sparring daggers that she and Chenli and had picked out from the arena's armoury as the bright crowlight beat down.

The limiter her Grandfather had provided was nestled unobtrusively under the combat robes that Chenli had absolutely refused to allow the battle to proceed without wearing, reminding everyone that this whole exercise had been designed to draw out assassins and traitors and it was likely that not everyone would be playing by the rules.

It meant their opponents were wearing combat robes, armour or whatever protective dress suited them as well, but Dàilán did not mind that - she - was not trying to kill anyone, after all. And she was thankful for the temperature controlling formations woven into the robes, or she would have already been a puddle of sweat on the glaringly bright and scorching hot sand.

"Remember, your Grandfather said to pulse your Essence in a three - five - two pattern to disengage the limiter if the combat turns lethal," Chenli hissed, pulling the hood of her matching robes further over head as she stepped back-to-back with her mistress.

Dàilán snorted without humor. "I will need to find a way to disable or stall my opponents long enough to finish the technique. Not easy." She slowly turned her head, acclimatising her vision by peering through the waves of heat shimmer as she watched the Sect Members filing into the arena.

The stands around the arena were quickly filling with Sect Members and a hum of conversation was beginning to rise to fill the ground, obscuring their murmured conversation as they waited.

"Disengage the damn thing now, then. Your life is more important than trying to keep your tiles hidden," growled Chenli.

Dàilán shook her head inside her own hood, "Even if some of the 'Genii' are plants or from rival factions, they cannot openly attack with lethal intent in front of this many witnesses. I should be able to hold anyone off in my generation - as long as the fights remain non-lethal. If I do not keep some abilities hidden, I will be vulnerable next time an enemy makes an attempt outside."

"If the opponents do not remain non-lethal?" snapped her bodyguard, the tension in her muscles communicating against the heiress' back.

"I still have the hold out blade you gave me in my boot," remarked Dàilán, "switching to that should give an opponent pause, long enough for me to disengage the limiter." She frowned, "what I would not give for Dagger to be here - in this situation her formations would be very useful."

"Can you do anything before the Elders declare the terms of engagement and start the trial?" Chenli tapped her foot at the sand at their feet, "it looks like we might still have a few Fēn left before our opponents arrive."

The Young heiress frowned, "Dagger did show me the simple form of her 'Fortress' Formation, but there are bound to be some of the 'Genii' with skill in Formations, it will only take them by surprise once - they are sure to break it quickly after that."

Despite her words Dàilán started pushing her Essence out into her feet and slowly turned on the spot, as if scanning the arena for possible enemies or advantages. As she turned, the foot moved under the cover of her robes, tracing out the patterns her First Cousin had shown her.

"Still could make a difference," replied her friend as she turned with her, "do you have any other ideas?"

"With the Limiter on, I can still complete internal techniques - so I can run Mountain Mists but not the Veil," responded the young teen with effort, "I have to concentrate - wearing the Limiter is making it very hard to stabilise the Essence through my feet."

"Do not exhaust yourself," warned her bodyguard.

Dàilán nodded as she slowly turned, completing the circuit after a Fēn and drew in a deep breath. "Done. I am going to meditate until the opponents appear - hopefully recover some of the Essence that I just used."

"I have the watch," responded Chenli quietly.

"I know, my friend - Thank you," Dàilán let her mind slip into a standing meditation, her body shifting subtly into a modified horse stance as she awaited the coming battle, letting the external distractions of worry, heat, light and noise drift away.