Accompanied by a soldier, Cedric and Gabriel exit the Ashencrown house. On their way to the cortege walking toward the arena Gabriel spots a mastiff dog, barking from behind a fence. He walks up to it.
Gabriel can feel Cedric's look teeming with annoyance. He stares down the dog, trying to repeat the sentiments he felt when ridding Dusk. Trying to trigger the blink of transformation that dominated the horse.
After a few seconds he gives up and moves on. In minutes they join the people coming from the lower city. "There are a lot more people today," Gabriel says.
"Anyone can buy a seat today. And the prices are low enough for any working citizen," the soldier begins. "And that crowd is barely enough to fill the tribunes. You should see the number of people who are rejected when it's for a duel between armigers."
Cedric chimes in, "Most of today's duels will be forgettable. Yet almost every year we see future champions make their debut."
They reach the arena, splitting from the queue of spectators to enter directly. After a verification of their identities, Gabriel is guided to the edge of the arena where the participants await. Cedric and the soldier join the tribunes dedicated to families.
The other kids stay away from Gabriel. Darius arrives alone, sitting next to Gabriel. "Hi," he says.
"Hi," Gabriel answers.
"There is a girl staring at you," Darius remarks.
Gabriel glances where he looks, and says, "She wants to fight me."
"She's mad. If we fight each other, you'll go easy on me, right?" Darius says.
"You should never expect an opponent to go easy on you. I won't kill you if that's what you mean," Gabriel jests.
As the tribunes fill an armiger arrives on the central dueling ground. A giant golden sea serpent engraving covers his heavy armor. He carries a longsword on his back, its pommel a bright, almost burning, ruby. He gives off an aura that makes him hard to look at. Behind him, soldiers carry displays. Their contents hidden by silk covers.
The armiger announces, "When this tournament concludes you will choose your affectation in order of your ranking. A gift will be bestowed to the first three, something we hope will help you reach new heights."
The soldiers remove the covers, unveiling three majestic weapons.
A long sword rests under a glass cover where humidity condensates in patches of ice. Its blade shimmers in hues of blue and silver. Two vivid blue crystals form the cross guard. The hilt is made of engraved metal. The pommel features a faceted gem that shelters a spark of blue in its core.
A bow crafted of a wood resembling entangled roots emits sparks of yellow mimicking firefly. A vein of yellow crystal runs along the center of the bow, tendrils of light dancing within. Dark leather wraps the grip, providing a comfortable hold. The bowstring is made of silver threads, glistening in the morning light.
A bone glaive rests on the last display. Its broad mat white blade joins the shaft with a separation of sparking fur. The crackles it emits reach Gabriel ears. The shaft is carved out of the same bone material, reinforced with steel features. The other end, a spike, holds a spheric white gem. Eyes appear in it, staring at Gabriel for an instant, before disappearing.
The soldiers carry the displays outside of the battle ground, placing them opposite to the waiting participants.
"Soldier will come to you when your turn approaches. You will have the choice of both armor and weapon. A duel ends at first blood or when a participant gives up. If you kill your opponent, not only will you be disqualified, but you will also face murder charges," the armiger explains.
Healers stand on the side among an array of potions, bandages, and tools. Soldier moves among the participants calling names. Separated in two lines the next participants don armors ranging from leather to heavy plate. They choose their weapon between a short sword, long sword, targe, shield, spear, mace, daggers, glaive, and flail.
The duels are boring to watch, young inexperience people winning in either a single blow or a long-drawn-out exchange.
Nerys steps on the stage against a young boy. He chose a heavy armor along a spear and shield. His stance and his footing are good, offering no opening. She wears a light leather chest plate and wields a long sword.
He moves forward in small steps. In a burst she slides her blade along his spear to move it out of the way and steps on his shield. Her weight, combined with high distance between her and his hold of the shield, brings him to ground. She places her blade against his neck, and he yells, "I give up!"
Five match latter Tristan Blackwood faces another boy. Tristan equips a heavy armor, shield, and longsword. The boy uses a similar loadout, he visibly struggles to move under the weight. Tristan charges his opponent, and with a shield bash sends him flying backward. The boy slides on the stone floor, his armor scraping it. Tristan follows up on his charge, reaching the boy as he comes to a stop. The boy slashes desperately but hits Tristan's shield. Tristan presses his blade again the boy ventral mail, and he surrenders.
A soldier motion Gabriel to the waiting line. As the current match ends Ophelia Starling is called after him. His ring pushes away his finger at her approach. "What do you think of your opponent?" she asks.
Without glancing at the opposite waiting line Gabriel says, "She is physically weak. And she has been shivering since she saw I was her opponent."
"You friend is doing that too," she points out as Darius comes in line to be her opponent.
Gabriel puts on a mail shirt and steel chest plate, along with gauntlets, greaves, and helmet. He takes a long sword from the weapon rack. His opponent dons a leather chest plate and grabs a spear.
As they walk up stage Gabriel tests the balance of his blade. His opponent takes her stance, holding her spear to maximize reach. Gabriel stops just outside of her reach, and she lounges. He deflects and grabs the shafts with his left hand. With a violent tug he pries the spear from her hands. She raises her hands, and says, "Stop."
They step down, leaving the stage for Ophelia and Darius. Darius chose the safe option of heavy armor, shield, and spear. Ophelia wields a long sword with no other armor than her clothes.
As they begin, Ophelia moves with a speed higher than her light steps should allow. Darius thrusts at her several time, but she dodges each blow with a smile. Her blade slashes at his leg, leaving a small cut with its tip.
A handful of match latter everyone has faced at least one opponent. The looser are brought to the smaller arenas for the loosing brackets.
Duels continue until only four of them remain. Gabriel, Ophelia, Tristan, and Nerys. In the tributes spectators exchange coins and bets. Elara joined Cedric with their meal. The armiger who oversees the duels comes to them.
"Alden and Nerys will begin," he says.
Gabriel reequips the same loadout than for all his duels. He adds a short sword, strappings its scabbard behind his lower back. As they rise to the dueling ground Gabriel attention is attracted by the Nameless Guide gaze. She's away in the tribune, yet she exerts an imposing pressure on him.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
All the looks locked on him tighten his stomach. Opposite to him Nerys is smiling, excited for their fight. 'What did she tell you for you to be like that?' he ponders.
The armiger steps to the side of the arena. "For the last three match, you will only win if your opponent surrenders or falls unconscious," he yells for the spectators to hear.
Both nod. Gabriel moves his neck around to undo the stiffness of his spine. The armiger gives the signal and Nerys burst forward. Gabriel parries and sidesteps to avoid her as she goes past him. To him she's slower than Owen and physically weaker. He feels a sting along his forearm and looks to see a thin cut. Yet, she didn't touch him he's sure of that.
He blocks another of her assault, and they exchange blows. They break and Gabriel realizes that even if he parries her attack, it is as if part of it continued unbothered. Those cuts, too swallow to draw blood, make his arms and legs sting.
As she comes back he parries once more, but this time moves in. Pushing her blade aside he grabs her armor with his left hand. He steps past her placing his left leg to cut her retreat and pushes to bring her to the ground.
Nerys is pinned to the ground, her blade clatters to the side. She rotates, undoing Gabriel grips and kicks his head, sending his helmet flying.
She rolls to her sword as Gabriel presses on his left nostril to blow out blood from the right one. "Good thing its not to the first blood anymore. You would have lost to a pitiful nosebleed," she mocks.
"You would have lost first. The back of your head is bleeding," he says.
She moves her left hand in her short hair, confirming his word as she sees traces of blood on her fingers. Distracted, she sees to late that Gabriel ran to her. His blade slashes at her arm, but the sensation is off. Instead of cutting through soft flesh it slides as if meeting solid steel. A shimmer lingers for a moment where his blade touched her.
Gabriel moves back out of reach. "That's an interesting spell. Not afraid you'll be found out?"
She blushes. "That's not a spell. I will teach you if you want," she says embarrassed.
"I will take you up on that offer," Gabriel says. He drops the longsword and unsheathes the other one. With a step forward he opens her guard and throws a left punch at her chest. The impact resonates along bony cracks. She recoils, spitting blood on the ground.
"That's not good. You should surrender to get healed," Gabriel suggests.
Her blade visually contorts as light bends around it. Gabriel moves back as a magical aura emanated from her. The armiger places his hand on the handle of his sword, preparing to intervene. The Nameless Guide disappears from the tribunes.
Nerys bursts forward in an overarching attack. Gabriel dodges, but as the blade hits the grounds it sends shrapnel of stone on both. She furthers her attack and Gabriel parries. His short sword snaps at the impact point and sidesteps to avoid. The sword doesn't touch him, yet his gauntlet is torn from him.
She exerts all her strength with each attack as if she was wielding a great sword. Gabriel avoids another blows but his right shoulder is pressed and pull from all angles, filling his chest with pain. His sigh pulsates red, but suddenly his mind clears, and he feels as if Nerys slowed down.
On the side the Nameless Guide hides under her arm a ring that emits a shinnying blue light. Gabriel avoids a series of attacks that tear the stone floor apart. With each avoided blow his body is twisted by the force swirling along her blade.
She finally comes to a stop. The aura around her and her blade resorbs. Black veins form along her neck, protruding from her chest. She turns pale white and falls to her knee.
Her attacks twisted and teared Gabriel's armor apart. His holds the remnants of his short sword with three broken fingers. The aura of her blade and the shrapnel it generated caused tens of cut that bleed. Yet, he stands, hanging to his consciousness.
Her eyes lose focus and she falls flat. The armiger approaches and so does the medical staff.
"Alden Ashencrown wins," the armiger announces. He approaches and says, "You can't fight another match today. I'm sorry but you'll only get second place."
"That's fine," Gabriel says blood tripping with every syllable.
"My name is Mira," the medical soldier begins. Gabriel only hears those words before his consciousness fades.
Muttered singing drags Gabriel from his sleep. He's laying in the softest bed he has ever been in, tucked under a thick blanket. He's in an imposing polished stone room, with a towering view of Stormwatch.
In the corner of the room the Nameless Guide is reading a book titled 'The siege of Shadow Keep'.
"You aren't the sight I would have expected," Gabriel jests.
"Elara and Cedric have been visiting you every day," she says with her distorted voice.
"Days?" he asks.
"This morning marks the end of your first week of coma," she says.
"Why are you here?" Gabriel asks.
"Nerys is my student. Her lack of restrain is the direct consequence of my failed teachings. Making sure that you don't suffer their consequences is also my duty," the Nameless Guide answers.
Gabriel says, "I've read your stories. You let thousands die at the hands of your protegees. Why would you care about a single kid?"
She closes her book. "You are well informed little one. Nerys never killed a man, and though this day may come, killing you would devastate her."
"Did you tell her, about what you know of her future?" Gabriel asks.
"No," she answers. "The young Starling has been visiting too. But only because she's waiting on you to choose your reward."
Gabriel sits up, his joints grinding in their socket. He grabs a cup of water left at his bed side to satisfy a growing thirst. "According to the first story you appear in, you already looked like that some eighty years ago," he remarks. As he turns to her he realizes, she's gone.
The door opens and enters Elara, followed by a city guard. Seeing Gabriel sitting on his bed she freezes for a second. With a few steps she goes to hug him. The guard watches for a second and leaves.
"Where are we?" Gabriel asks.
"We are in the castle. Sir Blackwood allowed the stay for you to receive the best treatments," Elara explains.
"And how is Nerys? She exhausted her magic during our fight," Gabriel asks.
"Her teacher took care of her. They had a lot of explaining to do but it seems it all worked out," she answers.
Armored steps come rushing to the door. The sea serpent armiger comes to Gabriel. "How are you feeling kid?" he asks.
"Rusted," Gabriel quips.
A man wearing a white attire enters after him and starts taking Gabriel's pulse. "Breath deeply," he orders while placing his hand on Gabriel's back. After a few more tests he nods to the armiger and leaves the room.
"Let's walk," he says.
Gabriel looks down at his clothes, realizing he's wearing a sleeping ensemble. Elara takes out of a shelf a set of clothes completed with boots and leaves the room. After a minute Gabriel joins the armiger outside.
He guides him along one of the gardens, walking toward the innermost building. "Having one or two very promising people at the entrance examination is already a rare sight. You four will achieve great things, I am sure," the armiger says.
Gabriel gaze dwindles on the fiery ruby in the man's sword pommel. "Did you win it as a prize during your entrance exam?" he asks.
"I did, fifteen years ago. You weren't even born," he mocks. "We couldn't wait for you to wake up to affect everyone to their desired regiment. But no matter where you want to go, we'll make room for you."
"Thank you," Gabriel says.
"We, however, delayed another event while you were asleep," the armiger begins. "You were chosen for the next Gauntlet of Valor. The date hasn't been set yet, but it will probably happen in the week to come."
"What's the Gauntlet of Valor?" Gabriel asks, trying to pry more than he already knows.
"It is a secret. You'll know once you're in it," the armiger answers. He motions the guards of the innermost building to open the gates.
They enter a sumptuous dark marble hall spanning ten meters above. Silent sentinels are placed along the walls and at the base of every stair. Cyan banners carrying the golden griffin adorn the wall. Men and women wearing noble attires discuss of economic, politic, and social matters in a hushed hurry.
The armiger guides Gabriel to a descending stair. Two guards open a massive steel gate at their approach, revealing an ever-spanning treasure room. Weapons, armors, items, gems, tomes and coins are sorted on displays.
A warrior wearing a black and golden heavy armor stands behind the gate. "You are coming to claim your prize, aren't you?" the warrior asks in a voice distorted by his helmet.
"He is," the armiger says.
"Stay here," the warrior orders before disappearing in the alleys of the room. A minute later he comes back with the long sword and the bow, placing them before Gabriel. "The young Blackwood choose the Glaive as his reward."
As Gabriel walks up to the weapons he explains, "This long sword once belonged to a high-marshal from Palemist, a city-state in Nilfmark Isles' northern region. Our king claimed it during his conquest there. Its blade freezes anything it touches." He pauses briefly, then, gesturing towards the bow, continues, "This bow was revered by a primitive clan. It seems to be crafted from the remains of a potent magical creature. Its arrows grow brambles that entangled and weaken the target they hit."
Gabriel attention his drawn to the long sword. Not only he's less interested by the bow, if the description is true, he should take it to give it back to Isabel and her people.
"I will choose the sword."
The warrior sheathes the blade in its scabbard and hands it to Gabriel. "Then this blade is yours. See that you honor its original wielder by your skills," he says.
"Thank you. I will," Gabriel says.
The armiger brings him back to the castle entrance where Elara is waiting. Before leaving him, he adds, "recruit Ashencrown, you have today off. Tomorrow dawn, report to the castle entrance with your regiment in mind. You will join it immediately to embark on your initial training."
"Yes Sir," Gabriel says before walking to Elara.