“You have never lived until you have almost died. For those who choose to fight, life has a special flavor that the protected will never know”

-Old proverb.

  Nina woke up after hearing the door knocking, her senses slowly coming to life and suddenly being filled with the noises of the world outside the room. She gently slapped her face trying to get rid of the little voice in the back of her head that prompted her to remain in her bed a little longer and quickly jumped out of the bed, still with a heavy head, only to find the room empty, and her mentor Verkan who slept in the same room the night before, nowhere to be seen. She figured it was probably he who woke up early and knocked on the door to give her a bit of privacy while she changed from her simple nightgown into her priestess garments.

  She took some time in doing her hair into a long, elegant braid as she always used to, put on her white linen tunics, and a simple leather coat over them, the signature Field Priest uniform, similar to the one Verkan also wear albeit much smaller. She opened the door after she was finished and walked outside the house to wash her face, and teeth at the water trough. She found Nana’s employees working tirelessly to dismantle everything they had prepared yesterday.

  She located Verkan on the other side of the central square, talking with a group of people she didn’t see last night at the party. They seemed important with their long robes and ceremonial armor and so decided not to bother them until they were finished.

  Nina walked around the house and found the perfect spot to sit in the wooden fence behind it. She watched a group of warriors riding their bulls some distance away; they were easily recognizable for their reddish lamellar armor. They must be getting everything ready for this trial thing Verkan talked about last night, including security.

  She pondered for a moment, comparing these Clan warriors with the Imperial Knights from the romantic tales she used to read when she was younger. She always found the chivalrous elegance of the knights from those tales more appealing than the tribal ruggedness of the highlanders.

            They were better looking too.

-“Good morning, princess” her old friend found her sitting by herself on the fence, interrupting her thoughts.

-“Good morning, sir” she greeted back, feeling a bit embarrassed by his endearing choice of words.

-“I have spoken with the Elders, everything is ready” Verkan commented.

-“For the trial you talked about?” she asked.

-“Exactly, a ‘Trial of Position’ to be precise, it is an ancient clan ritual, they must appoint a new Lord since the previous one has passed” he replied.

-“What will they do?” Nina asked.

-“They will let the Gods decide” was the old man’s response.

-“Remember that man from last night? He has claimed lordship,” he said, signaling toward Nero. The warrior was sitting on a bench not too far away, his eyes were closed and he looked like he was in deep meditation.

-“And what gives him the right to claim the lordship?” she asked again.

-“Just his combat prowess, the Clans do not believe in royalty or nobility, just in merit. If he thinks he's worthy, he can lay claim” Verkan replied.

-“Is he the only one who can claim the lordship?” Nina asked yet again. She felt a spark of curiosity about this trial thing, it was the first time she heard something like it and her old friend proved to be very knowledgeable about them.

-“Certainly not, but all the other possible contenders gave up their claim in favor of him” he replied.

-“Why?” she asked again.

  Even though the old priest felt a bit exasperated by his young apprentice’s questions, he had all the patience in the world. She was a quick learner, and he, a well of knowledge he was happy to share.

-“You'll see dear, a warrior's sense of honor is everything. He is their very best; they won't dare to claim lordship without having bested him first” Verkan replied.

-“That’s why you don’t see succession crisis around here; they don't do things like in the Empire. They don't hold grudges and don't backstab each other. At least not in public that’s it, that would be extremely disgraceful”

-“If you are a warrior and you have a grudge with someone, you solve it in combat” he explained.

-“In a Trial?” Nina asked again.

-“Indeed! Just like this one, by giving up their claim they are saying they respect and support him” Verkan replied.

-“They respect him that much?” she asked again.

-“They do, they don't let petty rivalries get in the way” he replied.

-“Just like the Imperial Knights!” Nina said matter of factly.

-“Only the ‘knights’ of those romantic tales you read” his mentor accused with a mischievous smile.

  Nina’s heart skipped a beat, and her face turned even redder after hearing him saying that. How did he know about that book?! She tried to come up with something; anything but she knew there was no point in hiding it from him if he knew already.

-“Bu-bu-bu-but... You knew?!” was all the girl could say after being busted, bumbling with her words in embarrassment.

-“Of course! Did you really think I didn’t? There is nothing wrong with that, child. But you should be more careful where you leave your books, especially those that happen to be specifically forbidden. Others may not be as forgiving as I am” Verkan replied as calmly as he could.

-“Y-yes sir!” she replied, calming down a bit, and with the feeling she just dodged an arrow.

-“Anyway, the Trial will begin soon. Come with me, I want you to see this,” the old man said.

-“Yes sir!” Nina replied.

  The pair walked towards the central square where the Trial would soon take place, but Verkan was suddenly approached by some of the townspeople. They seemed concerned about something important but didn’t want to bother the warriors or the Elders that were busy with the preparations for the upcoming Trial.

  The villagers talked about food that was stolen from the kitchen during, or after the dinner last night, but that was only discovered this morning when there was enough sunlight. Apparently, Nana’s employees were too busy to notice the theft, or perhaps they did but didn’t want to spoil the evening. Either way, the theft went unreported until now. But what really concerned the villagers was the culprit; they led Verkan to the house used as a kitchen last night, while Nina followed close behind them, they showed him the footprints they had discovered. It belonged to something, some kind of animal they haven’t seen before.

  Verkan was about to tell them it was probably something not important, and certainly not worthy of the Elder’s attention when he noticed something rather unusual. He recognized the footprints as the tracks of a ground dragon, a beast from the old world that was supposedly extinct, and judging by the size of the footprints, probably a big one. If this thing could sneak during the party, and steal food unnoticed, it was certainly worth worrying about.

  A ground dragon! No way! Nina thought excitedly. She recalled reading a book about dragons; various species were still used as mounts and beasts of burden in the far corners of the Empire. The herbivorous ones were quite docile and could carry heavy loads. The predators, however, were quite dangerous, a small number of them were used as beasts of war but most of them were hunted down to almost extinction. They could argue for hours about the dragon thief but Verkan suggested letting the new Lord decide the best course of action, the trial was about to start and the Elders didn’t want any more delays. He left through the main door and walked towards the central square after reassuring the townspeople he would touch the matter with the higher-ups later. Nina followed him as he instructed.

  The Elders gathered in the middle of the square, they welcomed Verkan as he joined them but launched a stern look at Nina when she approached the group. She felt unwelcomed, and a little disheartened but didn’t want to let her mentor down, so she remained next to him while they discussed the last details before the ceremony started.

-“The trial will be at first blood” Verkan commanded.

  The Elders gasped in surprise at this affirmation, some of them discussed it in whispers she wasn’t able to hear. Nina herself didn’t understand what it meant but before she could ask, the eldest of them replied.

-“For generations, our Trials have been to the death!”

-“That's how I have decided it” Verkan replied calmly.

-“That's preposterous!” the elder countered, visibly infuriated.

-“Your Clan has fewer and fewer warriors each day, elder. They die pointlessly for the sake of your traditions” the priest replied as calmly as he could.

-“And you dare to bring this little girl to a sacred trial! You know well that only warriors can attend!” the irritated elder lashed out.

  Nina was taken aback by the elder’s response; she didn’t imagine her presence could bother them so much. She turned toward Verkan for support but before she could say anything, her mentor quickly went to her defense.

-“This little girl is a Priestess! She is above you and you owe her due respect!” Verkan replied raising his voice just slightly but with an undeniably fierce tone. The elder was furious, but after pondering for a brief moment, he conceded.

-“Pardon me, sir, I did not know” the Elder apologized, lowering his head.

-“Now you do” the priest replied.

  She was speechless. This has been probably the first time she saw her mentor and friend Verkan losing his composure. The old man has always been cool under pressure, though this time; it wasn’t him who was under attack. Nina couldn’t help but smile. Who would have thought that Verkan of all people could be the overprotective type?

  The Elders retreated inside one of the many houses to discuss, and make the final arrangements. They summoned the warriors sitting outside; one of them also raced to inform Nero, the challenger warrior that was sitting on the other side of the square.

-“Don't let them intimidate you, Nina, you just have to be a little stern sometimes, and firm, remember that” Verkan turned towards her and shared some of his wisdom. She could only nod her head in affirmation, unable to hide her admiration. He’s so cool!

-“Now come with me” he commanded.

-“But! The Elders said only warriors could attend!” she protested.

-“I decide who can attend, child, now let's go” he replied.

-“Yes sir!”

  Both of them walked towards the central square to take their positions around it, Nina glanced behind her one last time, she saw the challenger Nero stripping off his armor to grab his greatsword. The warrior turned his head towards her, and just for a brief instant, their glances met once again. She quickly turned her head away, she didn’t want to think about it, but she was concerned for the fate of that man.

  Verkan took notice immediately. He probably has seen that same look too many times but reminded his young apprentice that the odds were probably in Nero’s favor rather than against him. He knew the man well; he is a great warrior that earned his position on his own merits during and after the war. Still, you never know with these trials.

  Nina was a girl that worried about complete strangers, and her mentor knew that. Many people might see it as a fault but the old man thought differently. Much like her mother, he knew she would make a fine priestess someday.