King of Swords 10-133
Chapter: 10
“The Celestial sovereign has a great need of many satrapies, vassals, and governors, far more than his (admittedly extensive) bloodline could ever handle on its own. So far out of the province of familial bonds he has turned to the only other bond he seems to find reliable: that of violent bloodshed.”
-Payapop Pritram
Five fingers go where?
These guys are all going to explode in a cruel display of organic fireworks. Probably in one sweeping motion.
Ring around the Rosie…
So quickly the headstrong rush to an execution without pondering what happened to the long string of challengers that came before them. They shall be reunited soon enough in oblivion.
rewarding people for “doing absolutely nothing” doesn’t seem like something solomon would do. As he like… killed all of his masters for doing exactly that…..
But doing nothing IS doing “something” : abiding by the statu-quo. Which, in this instance, is equivalent to bowing to Solomon, bearer of the word “Diamond”, a devious maternal-pounder who thinks himself more clever than he is.
Solomon culls the applicants to select only those who fear Solomon as his next highest governors. Whenever they meet, they will look each other in the eye (or equivalent) and know that each of them continues to exist and enjoy high status only because at the moment of opportunity, they chose to bow the knee to Solomon, and survive. This moment will be their shared covenant. It will haunt them for the rest of their rich, comfortable lives. What price glory?
No shame in bowing to vastly superior enemy. Just common sense.
Really, first move he goes for is “Total Life Oblivion”? Dude has no chill.
This is going to be messier than the front row at a Gallagher show.
And so the Dance of the Dice-roll begins and the King opens with a Forte. It seemslike many glady charge towards the crescendo, while others would attempt to bow out. This promises to be a most bombastic display. The bridge of this song of violence shall grace our senses soon enough.
Such a catchy tune! Shame I forgot my harmonica.
Oh Boy
“Total Life Obliteration” Hmmm. Welll, that doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room, does it?
These folks gonna get blowed up real good.
I mean, this is Solomon Dave’s game, and the house always wins, right? He’s changed the “rules” of this thing several times already, so even without the incredibly badassery of Ki Rata, you’d be nuts to think you’re gonna win.
But add in said badassery and it’s suicide by Ki Rata, pure and simple.
All that remains to be seen is whether only those remaining motionless survive, or if Big Dave will have mercy on those fleeing.
Oh, and how Abbadon is going to depict the mayhem; THAT remains to be seen. Heh.
Truly a wise king, this one. What better way to discover the ambition lurking in a subject’s heart? What better way to provoke it to violence? What better way to eradicate it from his kingdom?
Thus he purges all who would shed blood to wield power.
All, that is, but one.
And behold ; the angelic and ancient technique called “Distraction”.
I don’t think Solomon D is gonna be handing out much coin or many titles…
Funny. Those who would have stood still, and thus won riches beyond wonder, are not the kind of warrior who would have entered into the tournament to begin with.
There wasn’t the promise of wealth and honor then. Many, many wishes should be fulfilled with what they get for just standing down.
Solomon *did* just say that contenders would not be harmed if they remained in the ring. “Total Life Obliteration” does not sound compatible with that.
Gog Agog would like to take this time to remind the audience that seating rows 1 through 5 are splash zones, and that complementary ponchos can be found under the seats in those rows.
Man I am going to miss a lot of these guys
Swolomon Brovid Invokes The Divine Word PECS.
On a more serious note – this is, perhaps, why Solomon is NOT the hero he so aches to be.
As Meti pointed out to her disciples – see how all this power is used. Solomon hasn’t found any joy except in the trap that is violence; he never truly learned or appreciated the monks’ final lesson and his resentment for them has prevented him from ever achieving it.
Pity the Diamond, lost in thoughts of blood.
Actually, he’s about to *teach* a lesson in the futility of violence. (His attackers won’t be around to learn that. They are the lesson, not the students.)
Pity for Solly Parton? I think not. He spent millennia building an empire exactly to his liking, which must have been plenty entertaining and satisfying. So in recent years years he’s gotten tired of waiting for the perfect successor? That’s what we in the hinterlands call a First World Problem.
Or a 111,111 world problem.
In the fullness of time, wisdom earned in blood is forgotten as the blood dries and flakes away. New blood must be spilled to re-learn old lessons. There’s never enough blood in a body to remember all the wisdom in life. Better to spill the blood of others. Solomon learned this early, and so still remembers most of the old lessons.
If I interpret the rules correctly, Allison is now within her right to strike at the emperor, and if she manages to claim a shed drop of blood, she gets her heart’s desire?
That’s how I read it as well
Well, he DID say that ‘anyone’ and ‘everyone’ might have a go at him. Not that I fancy Allison’s chances. Or AlliCIO’s chances, or White Chain’s for that matter.
It’s true that Allison or our other friends on the scene could strike, but I don’t see how they could survive Total Life Obliteration. I’m guessing that our story will continue after Solly clears the field, then the prisoners (Zaid/Nyave/Princess) will appear to raise the stakes.
this is some Isaac Netero level shit going on right here
perfectly choreographed arms movement ALWAYS mean Total Life Obliteration
The only one who is actually staying where they are and doing nothing is that young swordsman on the ground. Wonder if he will be the only survivor?
Also: are we going to see Ki Rata vs. Krayu Mat next, when Solomon David and White Chain go up against each other? Or maybe SD is hoping this demonstration will change her mind? Not that Angels are good at any kind of change, but…
It looks like the Mantis guy is crouching as well. If Blondie survives, then Mantis should too. And given Solly’s statement about decorum being maintained, I can’t see him nitpicking and destroying the several who are running away.
Hey, HOLD UP
what happened to the whole Lucky Felicia thing, was she in the tournament?
She’s lucky enough not to be
An excuse to justify outright slaughter: make your opponents think they have a chance and let them attempt to make the first move.
I’m glad Derby Mantis is not a dum-dum.
Royalty is often described as cutting though anything and everything. But what is it that cuts royalty?
Hubris. Also 6 Juggernaut Star Scours the Universe.