Since the researchers got pretty wasted we had to do something with them Naalaa proposed to bring them to one of the chambers in the House of Elders where they could spend the night, and get better.

It was kinda annoying but we had to do that. With help from Uhms, we took them all to a room filled with pillows and more potted plants and put them all there. Some protested, but it didn't matter since they couldn't even stand on their own.

Then we returned. Some people wanted to eat and drink some more, but I was actually eager to look around. Ole had to see or even sense something since he proposed something.

- Would you like to see how we, the Despised train? You seem like you had enough eating, drinking, and sitting - he smiled.

- Yeah. I actually really want to stretch my legs.

- Can I come too? - asked Tihana.

- Yes, you can - said Ole.

- Then we will join you too - said Alice.

By we she also meant Ki'rai, who was sitting next to her and looking at us.

- Please follow me - the scout stood up, and went around the table, to go deeper into the House of Elders.

We followed him looking around. There was nothing special in the rooms we passed through at first. More plants and more pillows.

- It's for meditation - he explained to us.

I had to translate, though.

The further rooms he led us to were completely empty, except the bamboo-like poles, resting leaning on the round walls. There were a few of them in those training areas.

- We train here when the weather outside is not good - he said. - Or when the new initiate is introduced and needs to learn basics.historical

Then we got outside and I finally noticed something that escaped me, since I was too focused on the place itself. Ki'rai was freaking riding on Razzle. It was so strange, that I ended up chuckling a bit.

Ole looked at me curiously, so I had to explain.

- She is riding a cat, and it looked funny - I said pointing at them.

Alice smiled.

- What are those? This small one, riding the four-legged black thing, and that other strange creature in the hands of little human? Tihana was her name?

He obviously butchered it, but my fake daughter still picked up on the word and looked at me curiously.

- This is a black panther, a big cat. An animal, that belongs to Alice. The creature riding it is Ki'rai. She is a xuzard and my friend. They live with us, humans, in the city now. And that thing in Tihana's arm is Tam, a chicken. Bird. My pet.

He nodded slowly, then I had to explain to everybody else what it all was about.

Then we finally got outside, and I noticed quite a bit of Uhms there. Some of them were meditating on stone structures, laced near the ponds. Basically, a smaller stone was laying on the ground, and a bigger one, flat like a disc was put on top so the person sitting on had to find a balance, and then remind completely still. I immediately got curious about how they were climbing on.

In other places, the Despised were sparring with one another using the tall flower poles. It was incredible how fast, and flexible some of them were despite their sizes.

- Those are masters of the body - explained Ole, when I got hypnotized by one of the fights where two Uhms did some crazy things.

They were fast and flashy, but not in a stupid way. Somehow they were able to keep most of their blindspots covered. There were very few holes in their defenses. Most warriors wouldn't even notice them, but my eyes were special thanks to the 'Eyes of Duelist' skill.

- And those meditating on the balancing stones are the masters of mind - he continued.

I quickly translated it to others.

- I want to fight them - said Ki'rai, and w wild grin showed on her face, as she immediately reached for her dagger.

- Ok, ok! I'll ask, but don't do anything before you get an answer, ok?

She just gave me a look, and I knew that she didn't like the idea of waiting.

- Ki'rai would like to spar with one of the Despised. Would that be possible? - I asked our host.

He nodded.

- I'll ask if somebody is willing to spar with your friend.

He went deeper into the training grounds, and we followed him, still looking around since it all was so different from the training I was used to seeing in Ark. Even the duels were more interesting because a lot of tumbling, jumping, and was involved. People back in the city rarely were this flashy. Only the strongest, since you needed a lot of experience and speed. Not to mention fights like that happened really occasionally.

For me, in most cases, I was involved in them. Fighting with ghosts, and sometimes dueling my friends, like Will for example.

- This is so cool - Tihana whispered to me.

There was so much going on, that she had a hard time choosing where to look.

- Bawk - Tam agreed.

I saw a spark in his eyes, indicating that he also wanted to show off, but that wasn't a good idea. He was simply too strong for the Uhms.

Ole stopped a couple of the Despised, asking them if they would want to try their skills with Ki'rai, but the first ones declined the offer, wanting to continue the fights they already engaged in.

Eventually, though he found a willing person. One of the meditating people, who apparently just finished, and overheard the scout asking for those interested in a sparing. The guy then went to him, offering to do it.

- This is Han - he introduced the Uhm to us.

He was looking like anybody else here and was wearing the same brown cloak, bamboo hat, and carrying a tall flower cane, to support himself.

- Welcome guests - said Han, and bowed slightly.

- Hi Han - I said, and also bowed.

This led to all of my friends doing the same thing.

- Han has agreed to duel tour friend - explained Ole, and then with a gesture indicated to follow him.

He took us a bit to the side, past the already fighting warriors, where the two of them would have enough space to show their skills.