The last of the Elders took his position next to where Verkan and she were standing; one of them looked at him and nodded, signaling they were ready. Finally, the five Wardens walked into the square that would double as the arena for the occasion, all stripped from their armor from the waist up, showing off their naked torsos, and formed a semi-circle in the center, facing the challenger. Verkan then motioned his hand towards Nero, who also walked towards the arena. Nina watched him walk slowly, and couldn’t help but stare at his muscular body covered with scars. His long black hair covered his back, and his eyes emanated absolute determination.

  If this was an ordinary trial, the many pretenders would face each other in single combat, until only one stood. The winner then would face the current Lord who could either concede defeat without fighting, if he was too old to fight, or otherwise proceed with a mock fight. Some of the old Lords would follow tradition, and ask for an honorable death, while others would only step down to continue giving advice to the new Lord, but this trial was far from ordinary.

  Of course, this only applied if the Clan Lord was deemed a worthy leader, if the Lord showed incompetence in his position or disgraced himself with dishonorable conduct; it wouldn’t last long without being challenged by ambitious warriors. It was considered disgraceful to try to challenge the current Lord if he was loved and respected, but a tyrant or incompetent one was free game. That was the reason why Nero waited until Lord Burgan’s passing to bid for the Lordship, despite his faults, he was loved by his people, and the warriors respected him, even his rivals and enemies from other clans held him in high regard. He was a war hero after all.

  But a new Lord must be selected since, unlike in the Empire, the position cannot be passed down to an heir. The current pretender is required to fight his elite guard instead. The Wardens were chosen from career warriors by the last Lord and renounced any claim to Lordship to become honor guards, the highest position a warrior could achieve without getting involved in the obnoxious politics that comes with the position of Lord.

  Verkan decreed that this Trial would be at first blood. That means the warriors only need to make the other bleed to win the fight instead of outright killing their opponents. Still, the tension between the wardens and the challenger was high, the wardens were incredibly loyal to the late Lord and would gladly follow him in death if they didn’t have to defend his position.

  To say there was animosity between contenders, if not outright loathing, was a huge understatement. Nina could feel the sheer hatred in the air; the combatants stared at each other in silence for several desperately-long minutes until the silence was broken by the sound of swords unsheathing.

-“I claim this Trial of Position against the warriors of Clan Irfis! Who stands in opposition to this claim?!” the challenger called loudly, raising his greatsword in the air with one arm, throwing away its sheath outside of the arena.

  Immediately, the wardens followed suit, unsheathing their swords in response, also rising them in the air.

-“I, Higen, the fifth warden bid my sword in defiance of your claim!” the fifth warden exclaimed loudly in response.

-“I, Izar Irfis, bid my sword in defiance of your claim!” the fourth warden replied.

-“I, Zekk Irfis, bid my sword in defiance of your claim!” the third warden replied.

-“I, Hann Irfis, bid this great sword in defiance of your claim!” the second warden replied.

-“I, Mando Irfis, bid this sword in defiance of your claim! I will crush you like the unworthy vermin that you are!” the first and final warden replied, without even bothering to hide the bad blood.

  The warriors lowered their swords and just stared at each other, patiently waiting for the signal to finally begin with the trial. Nina could see the sheer determination in their eyes. As much as she wanted to indulge her eyes with their well-built, muscular bodies, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  She knew there would be blood spilled soon.

-“I am Field Priest Verkan of the Church of the Seven. I will oversee this Trial. May the wisdom of the Great Father be made evident in battle” the old man replied, giving the warriors one last blessing before they carried on with the Trial.

-“This Trial of Position has begun”

  The wardens retreated a few steps back, spreading out the semi-circle they were previously formed in, except for one, the fifth warden Higen, who stood patiently facing the challenger for a few seconds until the arena was clear.

-“Come, warrior. Let us see the color of your blood” the warden declared calmly, perhaps too calmly for someone whose life was at the stake. Both warriors slowly approached each other with their swords at the ready.