They start to walk, mixing with the crowd to look for the Rugarith leader. Finally, they see him, near one of the catering tables that are prepared for the guests to the event. However, he is with other people who are not gargoyles. They must be the other leaders of the clans, but because of the clothes they wear, they must be among the most powerful in the city.
As they're getting close, Isabel tries to explain what she knows about them.
"That birdfolk on the right is Iceba, the leader of the birdfolks. He thinks he is funny, but he's a jerk," she says point out to the humanoid with like-a-bird big wings. He's wearing a colorful tunic and a feathered cape that match his colorful hair.
"How is it that there are birdfolks in an underground city?" Leah asks.
Isabel shrugs her shoulders. Then, she points towards what seems to be a human, but with some orcs traits, such as his greenish skin or his strong constitution. He is wearing a t-shirt and trousers, all torn.
"The one at his side is Tharik, the half-orc clan leader. Don't let his appearance deceive you, he is actually a very respected softie among the citizens of Dhismiar."
"Then how is he—" Leah starts saying, but she is interrupted by Isabel.
"His fraternal brother, Khor. He's a really scaring male. And the woman at Tharik's left is the Amazon leader, Xethya. And before you ask," Isabel says, raising her hand to stop Leah's question, "the Amazon clan lives here, in Dhismiar, because here they're allowed to leave the amazon way-of-life without being criticized."
Xethya is wearing traditional amazon clothes: the armor formed by a gold breastplate and a fringe skirt, also golden.
"Did you realized that during your explanation you didn't say any Spanish word?" Leah asks.
"Qué[1]?"
"I said nothing."
Eva and Lucien, still holding their hands, laugh.
"Here comes my candidate, Eva the warrior, and her friends," Arlor says as our heroes approach the group.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Iceba, and you, young man," he says point towards Lucien and starts laughing. "You're such a lucky—"
Leah interrupts him, applauding.
"Stop. Please, don't say anything else... Wow. That was...well, that really lacks originality."
"Yeah, it's always the same script," Eva says.
"Hm! We could even act it."
With a nod, Eva and Leah move away from the group and imitate Iceba's posture.
"Oh, young man, you're such a lucky bastard. You're surrounded by so many beautiful women," Leah says, copying Iceba's speaking.
"Oh, yes! It's every male biggest desire: to have a harem!" Eva says, in the same way, her sister.
"Ha, ha, ha" Eva and Leah laugh arrogantly.
"Aren't you a bit too cocky, bird-boy?" Leah asks.
"Well, looking at his outfit," Eva says, pointing from the head to the toes of Iceba.
Everybody laughs, except for Iceba, who is getting furious. But before he can say anything, a hand pats his shoulder, trying to comfort him.
"Easy, Iceba. Those aren't ways of treating a lady. Excuse him, he's still learning how he should act with our guest. By the way, Ashatises, the secretary of the leader of the vampire clan," says a drop-dead, gorgeous female in a long, black, tight dress.
"Aren't you a lamia?" Eva asks.
Ashatises turns to Eva and she licks her lips. She likes what she sees, she is her type.
"Oh, dear! We, lamias, are vampires. It's just… we are a little bit different," she says, smiling charmingly.
Lucien doesn't like what he is seeing, so he puts Eva at his back, protecting her from that charming lamia.
"Wow! What a fearsome shifter, don't you think so, Jasss?" Ashatises asks the other person who she has come with.
"Yesss, but it's too muchhh usss warm-blooded for us, lizardfolks," says Jass, a humanoid with dark-green scales all over his body. His tunic is very similar to Iceba's, but only with one color: brown.
The leaders are now all looking to the couple intensely, making Eva nervous.
Noticing her discomfort, Lucien says, "Well, I think it's time we go back to the Auction House, so Eva can get ready for the fight."
Then he turns around and holding Eva's hand, they head to the exit of the Arena.
"Aren't you going to stay for the speeches?" Ashatises asks, louder so they could hear her.
"We would like to, but, you see, my sister is really tired from all the training she has done," Leah says, helping Lucien with the excuse.
She and Isabel follow back the couple, leaving a group of clan leaders with a great curiosity to know more about that odd group.
When our heroes arrive at their suite, everyone goes to their bedrooms.
In theirs, the couple is preparing to go to bed, when Lucien says, "Eva, I know I shouldn't say this, but you should try to avoid being alone with that lamia. I don't trust her."
Eva, a little sleepy, nods and kisses him, softly. Then they fall asleep, hugging each other.
***
The next day, after a delicious breakfast, our heroes prepare for the first round of the Red Battle.