"Alpha," I nodded in greeting once I'd arrived at the transition area between the arena considered land-based and the deep pool I'd had dug out for the Hindel, "thank you for coming. I was delighted to learn that some of the Hindel would be interested in participating."

"Jai," the Alpha responded, "We are honored at the invitation. And at the expense and effort you made to accommodate our people.

"The tunnel network that serves as a passage is an inspired idea. You have surprised us and honored us by allowing us to observe comfortably. And to be given a chance to participate is a rare opportunity.

I considered explaining that the additional expense was minimal. The tunnel system I'd had built connecting the area where the river and ocean met and the area beneath the arena was less than a day's work. Something I had talented House cultivator steeped with earth elemental Qi finish.

I had used my own control over water to hold back the waters until the tunnel and deep cavern aquarium had been completed. Once construction was finished, I released the wall of water I was holding. I made sure to filter the water that entered so that the aquarium where the Hindel could move freely and watch the events in the arena unfold was filled with ocean water and not the brackish water found where the river and ocean met.

The only actual cost I'd added to the stadium's construction was the environmental arrays. They would allow the Hindel to duel and move about the arena itself. And that was insignificant considering the cost of building. At best, a dozen cores out of the thousands I'd spent was a rounding error.

The highest cost had been the spatial changes that the arena platforms required. When cultivators dueled, they often flew, and for Beast Tamers, that was even more likely. Each arena platform had to be inscribed to allow for flight and distance. Each platform also had to be inscribed with runic arrays that expanded the dimension inside, making it possible for range and flight to become a factor in each duel.

Creating that type of array was beyond my people for the moment. But those dimensional arrays were enough in demand that it hadn't taken long to source a configuration I was confident would meet the needs of any of the cultivators participating, primarily since I'd restricted the competition to the Nascent Soul Realm and below.

"I wonder if I could ask a favor," the Alpha said, excepting my explanation. The Hindel, like Elves, tended to take you at your word. I had claimed the effort and cost to construct this area for the Hindel was negligible, and she had accepted that as fact.

There were subtle differences. Mianzi required Elves to present themselves in a way that might be different than how they behaved. It had taken the Hindel too long to realize that Elves could and would distort the truth. We did lie, but only if we were confident it wouldn't damage or compromise those issues about 'face.'

"Of course, Alpha. I will try to answer any favor you might ask," I replied. I did not immediately agree to whatever it was she needed. I didn't want to promise and give my word only to find that her request was something beyond my capabilities or something I found morally questionable. Something the Hindel considered acceptable and cultural.

"There are many duties Alphas are sworn to abide. Oaths are given that are tied to our Qi and our cultivation. One of those duties is to choose a consort. I have delayed that duty as long as possible since my last consort died in battle, but recent events touching on our initial meeting have forced the issue to be addressed.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"I was hoping to take advantage of the facilities you have created to host a contest amongst the Hindel. A battle for primacy among those of my people who think themselves capable enough and worthy enough of becoming my consort."

"Would these battles need to be private?" I asked, quickly considering the boost to my prestige hosting the first-ever event of this type.

The Hindel had never really explained how they gained their titles and positions. The Alpha wasn't the only Hindel of that name, and I hadn't realized a consort position existed. The Alpha's title was like the Patriarch's, and she had a name of her own, but few used it among her people, and no one knew it among the Elves.

If I could schedule and advertise this event, more people visiting the Sect's affairs should be interested enough to attend. Of course, they would command the most luxurious accommodations I could supply. I would have to remember to have arena personnel notified. Floating Pagodas would find their prices inflated now that this new event was available.

"No, privacy is not an issue," Alpha replied in amusement, inferring from my question how excited I was at the prospect of a contest for position amongst the Hindel. "The more people who witness the success and failures of those participating, the higher the prestige the winner will eventually accrue."

"How soon would the Alpha like to begin this contest, and how long do you anticipate it lasting?" I asked.

"You can schedule the fights as you please. It should take no more than a day, two at most, to determine a winner."

"Do you know how many Hindel will be participating?"

"Fifty in all likelihood," The Alpha replied thoughtfully. "There shouldn't be more than seventy, I believe. Not based on the number of Hindel that accompanied me. I suppose a few more might filter in if you wait a few days before beginning the trials."

"Ja Fiat, what day does the Sect have the fewest events scheduled over the next two weeks?" I asked.

"Six days from now," she replied after consulting her calendar. "There is a breakfast gathering, but nothing for the rest of that day."

"Then, six days from now, beginning at noon, the arena and Fief Myche will be honored to offer our services and facilities to host the trial if that works for you, Alpha," I replied earnestly.

I hadn't bothered to hide my conversation with Ja Fiat. There was no point. It wasn't evident that the Alpha wanted this trial to be witnessed by Elves, but I was confident that was a factor in her decision. If I had to guess, I thought she planned to put on a display of martial abilities for those watching to showcase precisely how ferocious the Hindel could be in battle. And what the consequences of bad faith and disrespect between our two people might cost.

I would make sure to record each fight and offer copies for sale across my territory and to interested parties. I would also make sure to use a feature I'd insisted be included in the arena's arrays to obscure the battles as they occurred, making it impossible for anyone but me to record the trial in its entirety.

"There is one foreseeable problem," I mentioned after she had agreed to the event's timing. "The arena formations can only protect the audience from battles at the Nascent Soul realm. It is the reason I have only allowed those at that level and below to participate. Will that present any problems for the participants?"

"We will provide you with additional protection you can activate, Hindel conchs that absorb the energies being released and provide defensive shields to protect those watching," the Alpha said, explaining the feature of a conch her aid had produced and offered for my inspection.

"Do you mind if my people examine the conch?" I asked, finding it hard to hide my greed. The Hindel did not share their knowledge of runes, arrays, or inscriptions often. And when they did, it was almost impossible to reverse engineer. Even the devices the Alpha had supplied to help heal the coral reef had stymied those of my House members.

But this.

Even a casual examination using my perception showed that the conch had not been activated, and the feature to prevent tampering and study hadn't been engaged. If my people could examine this, it might be an opportunity to advance our knowledge significantly.

"I will allow it," the Hindel replied. "You may examine and learn from this one, and only this one device. I suggest you consider where it was crafted when you begin to explore how it was created and what the inscriptions and runes do."

I understood her meaning immediately. If we poked and prodded at the conchs anywhere but underwater, we would destroy them. I wondered if that wasn't why we had little luck with reverse engineering before now.