The Doll found herself walking down a path at Dreadwood she had yet to explore alongside Malina and Lila. The three of them had nearly forgotten about the duel lost in discussion until the bell of the hour rang, reminding The Doll of her obligations.
Before the bell interrupted them, the three had managed to discuss quite a bit about The Dolls’ problem with The Strings. Unfortunately, neither Malina nor Lila had any idea what The Strings was or how to get rid of it. Though they did both promise to do whatever it takes to find out, Malina even promised to scour the royal library when their first break happened, a shock considering her intense hate for the library at Dreadwood.
It was more accurate to say that Malina said the three of them would scour the royal library, but she was sure that must have been a slip of the tongue.
Regardless, it felt oddly good to tell Malina and Lila about The Strings. The Doll was sure that was just because she had help; she made the right choice.
Still, there was something else…
No, The Doll wouldn't waste time dwelling on whatever that was; she already had far too much to worry about. Such as making it to the dueling grounds considering she previously had no idea where it was. A fact that came as a shock to both Malina and Lila, who informed her that it was part of the tour students took before choosing to come to Dreadwood.
The Doll didn't feel the need to inform them that the choice to come to Dreadwood wasn't her own, instead claiming she had simply forgotten.
The Doll lagged behind Malina and Lila, who were both in a conversation that The Doll found to be entirely unproductive. Instead, she turned her gaze to her left, where the dreadwood tree stood. The Doll had never seen the tree up close, only from a distance whilst walking the academy building.
Its height was rather unimpressive compared to what The Doll had imagined, likely only standing about two floors of the academy tall. Its bark appeared a darker shade than any of the trees in the forest, and it noticeably lacked any leaves on its branches. For all intents and purposes it just looked like a dead tree without its historical significance; perhaps it would be known as just that—a dead tree conjured by a dying woman.
I think I should go towards the tree.
The Doll felt a pull towards the tree as if it were beckoning her to it. She began to walk towards it. This is why she came here. The Doll had simply wanted to see the tree that this academy was named after; it was the only reason she took this path she would normally never deign to take.
A hand on her shoulder caused The Doll to turn rapidly, facing her ambusher.
Twin drill pigtails and light eyes—it was without a doubt Malina. But why was she stopping The Doll? The two of them came here to see the dreadwood tree. Malina wouldn't stop talking about it, and The Doll finally relented and went with her and Lila.
Wait, no, that was wrong.
The Doll had completely forgotten she was headed to the dueling grounds with her and Lila.
She had to watch Lukaz and Darius duel in her honor.
Malina spoke suddenly, “I do find the magic that tree gives off to be fascinating, but we don't have time to waste.” She then raised her eyebrows and added on, “Unless you want to, that is? We could ditch this duel entirely.” As Malina spoke, a sudden ache began throbbing in The Doll's head. The Doll's eyes drifted toward the tree. Only then did she realize where the thought to see the tree had truly come from.
The Strings.
The Doll brought her hand up to her head and said through the pain, “Strings.” Malina's eyes immediately widened in concern as she gently guided The Doll back to where Lila was standing, holding her hand throughout the action.
Back in Malina's room while discussing The Strings, the three of them had agreed that whenever The Strings attempted to control The Doll's body, she would simply say the word "strings." If The Doll ever said Strings, either Malina or Lila would make sure that The Doll didn't do whatever it was she was going to do at The Strings' request.
While the system seemed sound The Doll wasn't quite sure how the two planned to enforce it when they weren't with her.
She would have to think of her own countermeasures later.
When the two reached Lila, she put her hands on The Doll's shoulder and helped guide her down the path with Malina while The Doll dealt with the pain in her head. The pain slowly began to fade as time passed, yet The Doll couldn’t help but think how unbecoming this would look to any onlookers.
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Fortunately the three of them were already running late, so the path to the dueling grounds was subsequently abandoned. This sight would surely spark unnecessary rumors if seen.
But was it truly so bad?
The Doll supposed other students must view the three as friends in some way. Friends comforting each other was a perfectly normal thing.
No, this made her look weak, something she couldn't afford to be in the sight of onlookers.
Such a thing would be unbecoming of a noble of her rank.
As The Doll thought of this in silence, she felt her headache fade with nothing but a slight pain remaining. She took her hand off her head, signaling that she was perfectly capable of walking on her own.
Rather than stopping the act, the two continued to guide her as Lila spoke, “S-So the duel, I wonder what ma-magic we’ll see.” She tenatively said engaging in small talk that was ultimately meaningless.
This was another countermeasure the three had discussed in Malina's bedroom. The idea was simple if untested. They believed that The Strings should be able to exert less control over The Doll if her mind is occupied with something else. If she isn't stuck in her own thoughts, where it seemed The Strings had made itself at home.
Typically The Doll wouldn't engage in such meaningless conversation unless necessary, but she found herself responding. “The Zephyr lineage uses snake magic, a magic that Lukaz uses quite fearsomely. But I've never heard of the Ira lineage, so I'm not sure what to expect.” The Doll only bothered to memorize the magics of families that had high standing; she didn't even know what magic Lila used.
Nobles of high standing, who were supposed to be the only people she ever interacted with,
Malina immediately answered The Dolls implied question, “The Ira lineage uses illumination magic; it always looks quite beautiful.” The Doll couldn't help but stare at Malina in shock that someone of such high status knew the magic of one so below her.
Perhaps she had been studying?
Malina grinned at The Dolls reaction and let out a high-pitched giggle. “I know every lineage magic the Ashencrofts use is cold magic and the Kuraths' cotton magic.” She then smiled brighter as if thinking about something made her happy and said, “Magic truly is so fascinating I can’t help but love everything about it.” She then briefly had a grimace flash across her face. “Outside of combat, that is.” Then she smiled again as if having said nothing.
The Doll turned her gaze to Lila, who was now looking downward with a dark flush on her face. “Wh-Why must you say it out loud? I hardly have impressive magic.” She then muttered something that The Doll couldn't make out despite their close proximity.
Malina immediately responded, "That's nonsense; all magic is impressive.” The Doll felt Malina's grip tighten on her hand as she spoke. "Sure, some magic more so than others, but cotton magic truly makes the most comfortable pillows I've ever laid my head upon. We even have a member of the Kurath lineage at the castle to always fill my pillows up.” Malina and Lila started a seemingly pointless conversation about the Kurath lineages' pillows.
The Doll began to tune the two of them out, but Malina, seemingly noticing this, pulled The Doll back into the conversation. “What about you, Dollie? Have you ever laid your head on a pillow filled with cotton from the Kurath lineage?” Her hand was holding onto The Dolls tightly as if begging for an answer.
The Doll began to simply nod her head in response to say no but stopped herself before finishing the action. If this small talk tactic would work, she had to engage in it; she couldn't merely ignore the conversation or give fake responses she was so used to. "No, in Gelun we would always use fur pelts as pillows due to the cold weather.” The Doll responded instead, revealing something about her personal life so effortlessly an action that shocked The Doll.
Had The Doll grown so accustomed to these two already?
She supposed that if she could tell them about The Strings, she could also at least tell them a little bit about life at home. The three of them continued this meaningless small talk as they walked to the dueling grounds.
It was strange that something so typically pointless felt almost enjoyable to partake in.
However, eventually this small talk would end as the three reached the entrance to the dueling grounds. It was a rather large circular building clearly meant to bear strong similarities to colosseums, where similar duels would be held in less civilized times.
The entire structure was made of gray-looking bricks with the exception of the occasional accent of a lighter material The Doll couldn't distinguish. The structure seemed to curve inward in a way that would fit the most people shrinking on the inside around what was likely the actual grounds the duel would take place in.
Turning her gaze upwards The Doll saw where the staff would be watching the duel. Over the furthest side from the entrance was a box that lay just above the seats. This box was incomplete, having a large hole in the middle to allow the staff to properly view the duel that was ongoing and ensure nothing went wrong.
Overall it looked far too big for the academy, as if it were meant to house far more people than the academy did. Furthermore, various entryways lined the bottom of the arena, yet only one was open, leading The Doll to wonder why the others were there at all.
Perhaps these dueling grounds predated even the academy?
As The Doll inspected the dueling grounds, she felt Malina and Lilas' gazes both lingering on her instead. "Are you going to be okay, Dollie?” Malina asked The Doll, likely worried that she would have another incident with The Strings.
The Doll simply shrugged. “It should be a rather short affair. I can't imagine Lukaz losing to someone below him.” She then paused, thinking back on wherever she witnessed Lukaz spar, “It simply wouldn't be like him; his pride is far too large.” Her voice was confident, not wavering for even a second.
Yet something stirred deep inside of her.
She couldn't quite forget the words Moris had whispered to her on the day the challenge of the duel was made. He had said that Lukaz would lose, stating it far more like a fact than a prediction.
Perhaps he was right?
No, she couldn't afford to entertain that possibility. If Lukaz lost, she would have to face Darius, something that could never happen.
Lukaz would win.
He had to win.