Into the Temple

"But I don't have any money," Nendi said.

"You really are a stranger to these parts, aren't you?" Pomona said. "It would be unthinkable to charge admission to a temple. I hope that you enjoy the show. We'll try to speak to you afterwards, if you hang around outside the main entrance."

Nendi wondered what the purpose of the re-enactment of the duel was, if not to raise money, but her new friends had already vanished. Were theatrical performances usually held in a temple (perhaps because there were no other public buildings large enough?), or did it have some religious significance?

She managed to get a seat three rows from the front of the rapidly filling main auditorium. Interestingly, the audience was all female. She looked around, impressed by the size of the building, the stone walls, the high roof and the stained glass windows.

After a wait of about twenty minutes, she saw her friends emerge into the area set aside as a stage. They were almost unrecognisable. Their hair had been dyed red or they were wearing very realistic wigs, and they had donned the costumes of the tapestry, which meant that Valinda was not wearing much at all.

They began their pretend duel, which managed to be remarkably convincing.

1. The underdressed Valinda "wins".
2. Pomona "wins".
3. Something goes wrong, and one of the performers is badly injured. Those swords they were carrying were evidently the real thing rather than just props.
4. They had hardly begun to "fight" when there was an interruption.

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