Sentinel

Chapter 23 - Trial by blade, Part II

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Chapter 23 - Trial by blade, part II

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“Welcome, King Darian, Queen Alice, ladies and gentlemen, to the first day of the Silverborn trials!”

Tayne’s voice boomed around the arena, his words clear and confident despite the turmoil Skye knew to be going on beneath his outward calm. He turned and bowed towards the royals, who were seated in their shaded pavilion. They acknowledged him with inclined heads. Tayne came out of the bow and spread his arms wide.

“It is with great honour that I announce the first of many official Silverborn trials! In recent years, the corruption has grown bolder - It strikes against us as a people, seeking our destruction!”

As Tayne continued with his short speech, Verdrana leaned over and whispered in Skye’s ear.

“Are you excited? About being one of the master blades-people Tayne chose?” she asked.

They were perched in seating separated especially for initiated Silverborn who wished to watch the trials. It was situated at the back of the arena, near the central entry point. The idea was the Silverborn could easily move between the two areas. Verdrana had dragged Skye up before the proceedings began, insisting she needed to watch the previous rounds.

“I suppose,” Skye said. She shrugged before continuing. “If I have to go into that arena, I’m glad that it’s with a sword in my hand.” She clenched the bench beneath her with one hand until her knuckles turned white, unable to shake the feeling that she was being watched by something... nefarious.

Verdrana bobbed her head. “That’s one way to look at it. It’s a great honour, you know, being chosen as a master. I’ve been reading a couple of the books from the library. I found one that describes the Silverborn trials of old. Apparently they used to go for at least a week, there were so many people, elves and humans that would try out for it. It wasn't like this, where the inner walls opened to everyone for a few days before they were kicked out. There were feasts and games, a really big event.”

“You mean elves were in the Silverborn once too?” Skye asked.

Verdrana nodded. “Yup. The trials would be held at either Alguarde or Ski’lar, the elven capital... although I suppose you already knew that was the elven capital,” she added after seeing Skye’s amused smile. “Anyway, these trials are thousands of years old from what I could tell. Right from the days in which the Sentinels first arose, I’ll have to show you when--“

Whatever she said, Skye missed as a massive cheer rose up from the crowd. In the arena, Tayne finished his speech with an introduction.

 “I now present to you, Luke of Alguarde, house of Eldas and second in command of the Silverborn!”

Impossibly, the cheering became louder. Skye watched as Tayne stepped to the side and Luke adopted a sure-footed stride into the centre of the arena. Beside her, Verdrana added her own voice to the noise. Skye winced at the unexpected noise, leaning away. Verdrana gave her a sheepish smile before screaming a second time.

The sandy haired knight waited, hands raised as the noise gradually died down. Though his back was turned to her, Skye imagined the grin plastered across his face. Luke loved attention. He was charismatic in a way Tayne was not, although he lacked the diplomatic qualities to lead.

They make a good team, she thought.

“Today, the aspiring Silverborn knights shall face the first of two trials - Trial by blade!” Luke announced. Once again, Luke waited for the following noise to dim before continuing.