A look passed across Maelys's face, sending a primal fear into Noble's heart. It was brief, so brief that Flint might not have even seen it, but Noble could not mistake its meaning.
"No one is dying. It was a figure of speech!" The floating Master explained quickly.
"I suppose this cat fight is also a figure of speech?" Syrce furrowed her brow.
"Yes, absolutely. I mean, you don't see any cats around here, do you? In my Realm, all cats went extinct many years ago, probably from all that fighting!" Noble felt a bead of sweat form on her brow.
Was it from her own nervousness or from the heat of Maelys's intense gaze? The elder sister's expression softened slightly. "I think I understand. Flint wanted a competition."
"Exactly!" The surly Master squared his shoulders. "That's all I was trying to say, Blondie. A little healthy competition brings out the best in people. And some unhealthy competition? That's even better!"
"I don't quite understand," Syrce frowned, "But I am glad you and Mae seem to be on the same page for once. What kind of competition did you have in mind?"
"A competition of wits!" Flint offered.
"No!" Noble answered automatically. What was wrong with this man!?
"Ah, I understand. Empty-headed people don't typically do well in that kind of rivalry." The surly Master nodded solemnly.
"Hey, now you are just being rude!" Noble's violet eyes wavered in their color.
"She's right! Only I am allowed to call her that." Syrce wrapped her arm around the petite Master.
"That's right!" Noble jutted out her lip. Then her eyes went wide. "Wait! I didn't mean..."
"Oh, sister, now I understand why you took Bel under your wing. You have always been protective of the less fortunate," Maelys nodded sympathetically.
"Hold on just a second! I am not stupid!" The floating Master pinched the bridge of her nose. "You want a competition? Fine."
Noble looked around, searching for an opportunity to show that she wasn't a complete dunce.
"Lady Mae, I must say you are building quite an impressive fleet of rafts. But I am afraid that your main problem seems to be a lack of wood to expedite the process. Perhaps you and I could have a little woodcutting contest to supplement the supplies. What do you think?"
"Can I participate too?" Syrce's grey eyes twinkled.
"The more, the merrier," Noble didn't mind other participants.
But Maelys shook her head. "I would prefer you be the judge."
"Me?" Syrce pointed at herself.
"I don't see anyone else qualified, do you?" Maelys dared Flint to raise his hand.
The surly Master didn't move a muscle. He might be a loudmouth, but he wasn't suicidal!
"Very well, if you insist." Syrce's cheeks tinged pink. "I know just the place!"
Followed by a hundred of Maelys's soldiers, the two Masters and two Saints made their way to the edge of the forest. While Noble knew the forest eventually encroached all the way to the edge of the mirror lake before the Awakened of the first generation defeated the corrupted wood once and for all, right now, it was set back a good distance from the water.
In this time and Realm, the forest was mundane, so there was no fear of being swallowed by angry trees.
That meant that Noble could focus all her attention on felling wood to construct more watercraft.
The procession of onlookers drew the attention of those still in the camp. By the time Syrce led them to her selected spot, the group of interested individuals had grown twofold.
Even Roan, Helie, and Aether abandoned their respite to investigate the strange development.
Roan pushed his way to the front as the group finally came to a stop. He looked at the three ladies, who were staring at the trees of the forest.
"What's happening?" He asked Flint.
The man shrugged. "It's Bel's lame version of a cat fight, but it should still be entertaining."
Beside them, Aether furrowed his brow as he looked around. "There are cats here?"
Helie patted the young man gently. "Maybe. Let's watch and see."
Syrce cleared her throat. "The one who cuts and collects the most wood wins."
The two competitors lined up at the edge of the trees. After a scan to confirm there were no corrupted creatures nearby, Noble nodded.
Maelys nodded in kind.
"Here are the tools available to you." Syrce motioned to the collection of axes and saws belonging to the convoy.
The group had come prepared for many long nights where they would need to make fires and chop firewood. Since the wood always needed to dry out before being burned, there was a never-ending cycle of chopping, drying, and storing, which the convoy's servants did daily.
Thankfully, the wood cut now could be immediately assembled into rafts. If they worked diligently, they would have enough watercraft to have the bulk of the supplies across the lake before the sun reached its peak.
Maelys picked up two of the axes. She swung them around in her hands experimentally. "I'm ready."
Noble remained in her place, smiling softly. "Me too."
Maelys gave her a curious glance, then turned away to take her position.
"Yes, yes, I know," Syrce muttered softly. Folding her hands gently, she addressed the crowd with a frown. "Did you come to see a spectacle?"
The people hesitated, unsure of their answer under the scrutinizing gaze of their commander.
"Then prepare to be disappointed."
Flint felt the uneasiness of the crowd. They shifted uncomfortably. But just before the first of them turned to flee to the camp, the frown on Syrce's face melted away. She beamed.
"You will see no show! This is not a contest of axes and timber. Oh no! This is a trial of heart and harmony. It is a glorious dance between bark and blade–a ballet between woman and tree. Two ladies, both with grace and charm, will throw aside their dainty desires to toil in your stead. Prepare not to be entertained, but to be amazed!"
Jumping on a stump, Syrce raised both arms into the air. She looked to either side of her and dipped her head.
"Lady Mae and Lady Bel. May your strikes be true and your spirits ever stalwart! Begin!"
The Saint lowered her arms dramatically.
On cue, Maelys sprang forward, holding a blade in each hand. Under her Transcendent strength, the axes became implements of death and destruction to the trunks of the trees nearest to her.
Her arms swung with fervor, felling one oak after another like a child knocking down towers of blocks. There would be no stopping her until time was called. Her strength was inexhaustible and her determination unwavering.
The show of brute strength was both terrifying and inspiring. A mere Master could not compare to the physical might of a Saint of such a caliber.
So Noble didn't try. When the start was called, she stayed calmly in place.
"Did you hear her? Get moving, Blondie!" Flint bellowed.
Ignoring him, Child of Promise stared at the forest and let her eyes swirl.
The pile of hand tools shook, causing those closest to it to back away.
Twenty axes rose and hovered ominously in the air.
A smile formed on Noble's lips.
'Bring it.'