Making it through the gate that marked the border of the tournament grounds, Ku Lo found the clearing beyond it empty safe for two members of the sword sect.
A woman with sharp facial features and tiny scars all over her skin noticed him. "No time to waste, contestant. Hurry on to hand in your spoils or you will be too late." Her finger pointed down the path he had arrived on in the afternoon, now flanked with swaying torch fires that shone brightly in the dimming forest.
He looked over his shoulder. There was no movement from any of the caves. "My ally, a woman with shoulder length brown hair and an unembroidered white robe, has she passed you?"
"I don't remember anyone like that. You?"
"Haven't seen her. But listen kid. If she's dead, biting your nails here won't change that. And if she's alive, you'll do her a bigger favor by not throwing away your mining claims, so get a move on!"
