"Unless you want me to write the whole spell into your skin, you will want the glove."
A few hours later the unit was armored. They had to put on the armor before the bracer, while they could remove things with the shield activated you just couldn't get the shield to include things. They had put on the glove as well, they didn't like it but they put up with it. A few more hours later and I had gone over most of the tricks I had put into their armor. I particularly like the refresh set. When they kneel it would prime by pulling the energy stored from the motion of the battle. When they stand again it will release into their muscles and cause them to feel refreshed. This one I had tested on myself, it was one of the few spells I found that worked on the body without causing pain. It was like getting a good night's sleep, there was a problem with it of course, the mind didn't get any of the benefit. Your body might keep going but sooner or later you mind won't be able to handle it.
It should help with the major disadvantage of having to fight in every round. The last thing I showed my team were the gloves, "Curl your fingers, like this." I showed them and their gloves turned purple when they made the same shape.
"This isn't very natural."
"I don't want it to be, when it activates the shield around your hand drops. Don't test this on each other, I don't want to know for sure it works unless it doesn't matter whether or not it works. If you tap someone on their head or neck while your fingers are curled like that, they will pass out. They won't wake for two to three days. Which is only half of why I don't want to test it. The other reason is it takes quite a bit of power. With the shield rerouted it can only draw that energy from you, until it connects with your target. Then it will use their energy against them. It does also create a moment in which you could bring something with your shield." They straightened their fingers and the shield expanded back around the surface of their gloves.
We spent the next couple of days practicing with the new armor. The messenger was still watching. The day before I sat on the bed I rested like I normally do. I was trying not to let my mind go pass the door. I jumped when someone knocked on the door. I flicked my wrist and the door opened without me needing to stand up. The messenger brought in a tray. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Your brothers aren't worried about this behavior. I didn't really think you should be so alone right now." I tilted my head, the man clearly had a question. "What are you doing anyway?"
I flicked the door closed, "Trying not to eavesdrop. Thank you for the food." I closed my eyes and went back to what I had been doing. The other flame in the room moved to a chair.
The man sat there for hours. "They left a while ago."
"Good for them." I didn't open my eyes.
"What are you trying not to eavesdrop on then?"
"Them."
"That is what I thought but why?"
"I will trade you." The messenger looked worried, but he didn't say no, "How many houses are participating?"
"34."
"So they can decide, and plan if they want to betray me." Up to seven rounds then, I was pretty sure we were looking at over four rounds for our lord to have added the last terms. He didn't want all that blood at once. The first round would be the most balanced since the fighters were ordered from two matches that had already been set. The second to the last round should be the hardest and the last round would be laughable except for the fact that my team will have had to fight so much already.
"You would let them do that?"
"I won't fight my brothers."
The messenger blinked, "That isn't true, you fought in a royal as your second match. Your last opponent was-"
"No he wasn't, I fought as dirt."
"You fought as, oh, your debt was accounted for at the end of that match. You had no brothers before that, but what makes your brothers different from the others?" Was he trying to play mind games with me? I frowned but answered him anyway.
"The ones in my unit, I know. Other than that they are different only because I say they are. I have the power to make that choice and I have. I won't change it, even if death finds me sooner because of it. I believe I have the right to make that choice because I have to live the life I have."
"It doesn't help you sleep does it?"
"I am not god."