Swim until you can't

The initial greetings had been done and the wolves had been granted a bit of time to mingle and look over Valta’s land if they so wished.  Kotori had planned a number of games and they would be hosted one after another.  Some wolves might have planned to enter multiple competitions and those not competing might gamble on the winners.  Kotori imagined the idea of gambling as a good way to increase the fun, especially in the evening when it was time to start the drinking contest.  

Since the wolves had been given the freedom to explore Kotori gave a short howl to summon any that weren’t nearby.  It was a simple message, it was time for the first game to begin.  The wolf stood near the bank northern end of the lands rapids, watching the water churn below.

“This game is simple,” Kotori announced to those watching.  “Competitors will get in the water.  This is the equivalent of a race but instead of expecting you to move forward the game is how long can you fight the water before it pushes you back.  Once you are pushed into the net you've lost.” Kotori’s gaze turned to watch the water as it moved southward.  “Further down there is a net to stop one from being dragged too far.”  It was also to keep one from being washed to where they had found some nasty rocks ready for one to be bashed into or slashed by jagged areas.  Kotori expected some would find the game easy at first but the waves would eventually tire out the muscles and make the game harder as time ticked by.  Hopefully, this would be interesting to watch as well as compete.  Kotori had wanted to make use of his landscape for the games.  This was one way.

Kotori was rather confused by one entry, it was the Hallows member, an adopted son of Artorias if Kotori remembered correctly.  It was some type of large bird but wouldn’t it be harder for a bird in the water?  Well, for all Kotori knew it could be great at it since Kotori knew no other suck creature.  

One of the wolves that was entering Kotori knew quite well, though he hadn’t spent much time with her as they had grown older.  Kotori’s sister, Gossy, had shown up and inwardly Kotori hoped it would be a Fatalis who would win.  However, right now he would treat all competitors equally.

The other two wolves Kotori hardly knew.  By coincidence, he had once hunted with Ngurulivu.  The hunt had gone well and the short conversation after had included the grey wolf being polite and respectful.  The blue wolf had been at his sister’s wedding but other than spotting him the wolf was a stranger to Kotori.

“Competitors get in the water.  Oh, just in case any are considering it, no you can not attempt to drown or cause serious harm to the competition.” Kotori shrugged, “fast flowing water and it is a game so a bit of shoving or creative ideas that won’t risk serious harm are permitted.” Kotori glanced to those staying on land but watching then back to the competitors.  “Put on a good show!  We want to enjoy this.”

(Three rounds – at the end, I’ll roll 50-sided dice for each contestant – the highest number wins.  Have fun with it.)

"Kotori Fatalis"