After being directed and misdirected by almost a dozen citizens on how to navigate the circular, yet square city of Nuvansa, Vol found himself on very northern side of the city...or at least that's where he believed he was. A guard clad in rather official looking silver and blue armor had instructed him to take a right past the taxation offices and then keep walking north until he found the palace. Or did he say a left? Shaking his head, he strode to the gate, where a guard in similar looking armor stood watching the road leading into the forest. 
"Excuse me, but could you help me get to the palace?" The guard turned to face Vol, his brow furrowing. 
"And why would YOU want to visit the palace?" 
"Well, it's about the tournament. I received an invitation and I need to talk to whoever sent this." The guard chuckled.
"You are quite the weaver, aren't you? Participating in the tourney this weekend, clothes like that..." Another chuckle. Vol's hands curled into fists, knuckles whitening. 
"Just...tell me where I need to go." Shaking his head, the guard pointed forward.
"Out there. You'll find everything you need out in the open world, away from all the fantasies that you've made up in that poor brain of yours." Vol moved his arms up just slightly, but then lowered them back to his sides. 

No. Not worth it. 

"Thanks." Instead of circling back into the city, Vol complied with the guards advice, walking past the guard detail and watchtowers that fortified this part of the wall. He kept walking until the laughter of the guards died out. 
"This was stupid. This was so stupid." He spotted a path that diverged from the road, to his right, that led into the forested area surrounding the main path. Shrugging, he diverted, strolling into the thicket of trees.
"Just dumb. To think that this was even legitimate or to think that I could-" He heard a solid thumping, then it ceased. Again, this time harder. It was coming from straight ahead. Sounded like...wood cutting? Vol paused mid-stride, feet staggered. Another thump. 
"No, just don't..." Before he could talk himself out of it, he was walking toward the source of the noise. It didn't take very long until Vol found himself in a small clearing, watching a woman with about shoulder length hair drink from a nearby stream. When she rose, he took in her full appearance. 

Beautiful. 

Standing rather limply was a doll of some kind, about as tall as she was. There was a weapon nearby and...
"Sorry, but...did I stumble onto something I should't have?"