[color=0076a3][h3][center]~~Seleth~~[/center][/h3][/color]
[@PaulHaynek]
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What...?

Seleth could only watch in mild shock as Nur began ranting. Was that...a normal reaction? Surely it couldn't have been? Whatever it was, Seleth could do nothing. She tried calming down the girl, but nothing she said was sufficient, and soon enough several other priests were on the scene intent on moving the source of the disruption from the shrine itself.

[color=0076a3]"W-wait-!"[/color] She tried to order them to stop, but it was no use. Curses! Was it something she said? Something she did? Seleth's eyes turned to the ground as the incident soon came to an end. The Dark Elf ground her teeth together, turning and heading for her room as the day swiftly came to an end. She needed to clear her head. A bit of meditation always helped.

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The next day came, and Seleth was pleasantly surprised.

Her departure was not quiet. Everyone in the Cathedral seemed to see her off. Had they planned this without her knowing about it? Some courtesy would have been nice, but she couldn't say she didn't enjoy the surprise. Prayers of support and well being met her ears, and Seleth could only smile, basking in the praise and certainty from those around her. Surely they were right? Aylama had granted her victory against the princess, even if it had been close, so of course Varjan would be the same. They even prepared a special carriage. Stepping inside, Seleth took a moment to relax and savor the final day of the tournament.

Ah, she could get used to the royal treatment.

It was pleasantly lively outside the wagon, and Seleth should have been relaxing, right? Certainly, but everything that happened so far sat in the back of her mind. Like a spider waiting to snatch a fly from its web. Try as she might, she couldn't shake some uncertainty from her mind. What happened last night with Nur. Alicia's and Mira's connection to Varjan. Varjan himself...and what the Lot Knight had told her on the first day. Not to mention she was slightly concerned for Alicia. She hadn't seen her since then.

Her grip tightened on her spear.

Well, nothing to be done about it right now.

She had reached the arena, and stepped out of the carriage - and pleasantly surprised, a number of the students were there cheering for her, of all people. Her! Hah, well, it was only right she supposed, but still...after being one of the most insufferable people during her time in the academy she couldn't help but feel she didn't quite deserve it. Well, if they were willing to believe in her, then she'd return the feeling.

Heading into the main Arena, Seleth returned the cheers with waves and thanks for the luck, but as soon as she had entered she was greeted with a familiar face. The Lot Knight. He motioned that he wished to speak with her, and Seleth obliged, coming closer. What he said next however, was of no small consequence.

[color=0076a3]"Varjan? Doping?"[/color] Seleth stared at the Lot Knight, eyes intently trying to burrow a hole into his own, it seemed. The idea seemed entirely far-fetched. Why would someone like him need to cheat? She could only think of two things, either his entire prodigy status was because of the drugs, or they weren't drugs, but something else. Either thought seemed utterly ridiculous...but the Knight seemed certain of what he saw, and Seleth had no real reason to outright deny him.

[color=0076a3]"...that is difficult to believe, Knight."[/color] Seleth replied with a cool, even tone. [color=0076a3]"Why would a prodigy need drugs? And why tell me, not those running the tournament?"[/color] Well, she could likely think of a few reasons he didn't herself. No one would believe him, for one. Still, such an accusation would surely have put a stop to the festivities while an investigation was hopefully made. [color=0076a3]"I have no reason not to believe you, yet no reason to believe you either. Even if he is,"[/color] Seleth turned her head towards the Arena. [color=0076a3]"Not much to be done about it now. Thank you for the warning, Knight. I shall attempt to be cautious."[/color]