*Erissa POV

"Now let's see what we've got..."

I could not let my new valets be lulled towards their receiving admission for the first time. A challenge, informal as it was, had been issued--and we will answer it.

First off, we have to know where the venue is. This is obtained after consulting a map: a large area marked as 'The Arena' exists on the crossroads of three clans--one vampire (Avistras) and two lycan (Zarastra and Kanin). From Vladista we'd have to first cross the Skandis Sea from Arisa; that is, if we are to use conventional travel methods. That's what flying is for, or the purple-smokes.

Also, if you care to remember, Zarastra is the name of Kaltenworf's clan. Wonder where and how he is now...

Oh well. Now we'd have to figure out about our would-be opponent, the Gremory team.

"This," Kouya commented, "would be our first encounter with ones from outside the clan."

"Yes," Andin agreed, "and we have almost no clue about them."

"Oh, but I have," I said, trying to recall Dad's vague remarks about Djinns some time ago.

"How, Princess? We have not viewed any of their matches, for a start."

"Maybe not... but I have come to know from a very reliable source, that the Red Dragon Emperor is among them."

Kaigen frowned. "Who?"

"Is that the name of their key player?" Mestra inquired, "or more like... an alias?"

"An alias, definitely," Juma agreed. "Those in the center of the play would not like to advertise themselves, nor be advertised... but still, for the Princess to know about this!"

"That could well mean an advantage..." Kou joined in, nodding to himself. "Very well, let us not banter as to who supplied the information in the first place, and just use that to polish our edge... shall we? This may never come to pass again."

Good subterfuge, there.

"Now then, Princess, would you please share more of your knowledge with regard to our future adversaries?"

I smiled. "Promise first to keep this well in mind."

"You know we all will."

"Right, so... still according to the same source, the Gremorys will capitalize more on magical attacks--though they may also have those whose orientation is physical attack: swords and all."

Andin nodded sharply. "Prime targets, those. The magical-blabbers don't even deserve mention, other than we should keep a sharp eye on their numbers. Could be troublesome to put off if too many."

Some muttered assent.

"Any chance they will have time-stoppers?" Juma asked.

"Not known."

"Number of team members?" this time from Kouya.

"Expect from eight to fifteen. Standard range. Their base game is chess, same as ours."

Juma grinned. "Might be they'll get fooled by our numbers."

"Slight chance--but once they get the hang of it, expect an all-out attack. Stubborn types, they could be."

"Hey, c'mon. What about the 'informal' thing?"

"Wordings," Mestra snorted in contempt. "A chance for them to gauge our strength. Cloak of informality. Clever."

"Must we pay them back in kind, then, when we realize they're probably just gonna toy with us?"

"Why not?" I stood. "We may not be the first team from a vampire clan that is invited to an informal match, I know; but this will be our debut, come what may. Our newness to the game gives us slight advantage, in that we'll cause quite a stir if we win and few to lose if otherwise. Besides, is this not the point for which we have spent years training? Let us just show them the fruits of it, and let them have some taste whenever possible."

I extended my hand, palm facing downwards.

"Viva Vladista."

The hand was soon buried in five others, their owners murmuring the same simple oath.

"Oh, Princess, might I add..." Kaigen boomed as I turned to leave.

"...Yes?"

"Got a few years under the belt already, this source, eh?"

"Quite," Mestra cut in. "Two weeks 'til the submitting, was it? Now why would we not use the grace for extra polishing? Starting tomorrow, if you like?"

All looked to me.

"Done!"