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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Haraash Saan" data-source="post: 3280701" data-attributes="member: 46615">The following day, the twelfth of Low Summer, I woke to find that the sun was up, as were many notables from the previous evenings feast, including Timandra, today wearing an enchanting emerald green dress, Zmrat and others of the Massive Hand. Morgan, Argonne and the rest had all risen earlier than I, and were standing to one side of the gathered courtiers, talking in earnest amongst themselves.A canvas awning had been assembled within which were many chairs, presumably for the courtiers and the Baron himself. In front of the awning was a table upon which were six bags. The Baron, dressed in a long overcoat and shielded from the rising sun by a cowl, arrived with Kuruul at his side, the two of them strolling like old friends across the grass. The dog, it seemed, did not have to prove himself to make the grade. Yorath pushed back his cowl and seated himself in the centremost chair, Kuruul curled up on the grass beside him. The others bustled about and took their places. My party of six, including myself, still stood off to one side looking and feeling, I must admit, a little uncertain and awkward. Finally Timandra stood and called us forward.“Mortec the Gnome, please come forward and stand by the table.” She called out in an official and authoritative tone. “Argonne woodsman, please come forward and stand by the table.” And so on and so forth until I was called last of all.“Gerard d’Mowbray,” My name sounded like a beautiful song when it left Timandra’s lips. “please come forth and stand by the table.”How could I deny her? I moved to stand beside Morgan.“Ladies’, “ the Baron began with a courteous glance to Timandra and the one other female present, “and gentlemen,” a good way to start for speeches I thought. “Welcome to my annual trials. Before you, you see five brave and courageous men, and one Gnome of similar ilk,” he said with kindly smile to Mortec. “Today they seek to pass my challenges. Their reward for success is a place in this year’s Halfast games and my patronage.” There was pleasant applause from all and sundry. He continued, “Their failure, well, could be most dire for the individuals concerned. For all tests carry risk, some greater than others.”“Gentlemen, now you must make your first choice. You see before you a bag.” He was all for pomp and ceremony wasn’t he. “In each bag are ten Silver Sickles.” Only Moxadder drew in a short quick breath. Whether it was excitement or some drug induced respiratory problem I was unsure.The Baron continued “If you wish you can leave these trials before they commence and take those ten Sickles. They should see you comfortably back to Halfast. Or, you can leave the coins and participate in the trials and perhaps win much, much greater glory. Now choose!” he boomed, adding to the dramatism of his speech. His steely gaze transfixed us.I stepped away from the table almost instantly, followed quickly by all except Moxadder. He grabbed the bag, fumbled with it, such was his eagerness, and opened it. He peered into the bag, nodding his head as though counting to himself. He stared for time at the contents of the bag, then let it slip from his fingers to clank with finality on the table. He turned with a sigh and joined the rest of us. I do believe that I actually felt camaraderie for my companions for the very first time in that moment when Moxadder stood with us.A long and wearying day followed. The Baron’s tests were rigorous and challenging. Archery, sword play, horsemanship and jousting allowed us to demonstrate our martial skills. Riddles and an oratory performance tested our mental capabilities. Finally the last trial saw us bond, in our own unique way, as a team. There were simply too many strong and competing personalities for us to operate cohesively, yet we still managed to achieve the desired result and satisfy Baron Yorath. Whilst individually not one of us passed all the tests, we did all succeed in being offered a cherished place within the Baron’s third gladiatorial company. I had succeeded in what I had set out to do; receive the patronage of the Baron for the Halfast games and commence on my road to fame and fortune. I really must write to Father and Absquith, I am sure they would be pleased.The next fourteen days passed quickly. We were given little time to do anything but train. My primary teacher was Zmrat. He, with a little help from the lovely Timandra, refined my knowledge of the courts and how to use my natural charm to best advantage. They also taught me how to listen and watch for mannerisms that may indicate mistruth or distraction. Zmrat took me under his wing somewhat, we got along well, and also taught me the art of performance. How could I grab the interest of a crowd? How could I manipulate it, inspire it or captivate it? All these things and many more Zmrat and I spent hours discussing. Usually we sat and talked, or listened mainly for my part, in the ancient amphitheatre on the cliff top that overlooked the waters of the ocean to the east. However, my teaching was not all just the finer points and niceties. It also involved rigorous rapier practice. Zmrat and I would fence as a break from other studies. He was an excellent teacher.Another thing that Zmrat did was to open my mind and empower my words with such feeling as to create distractions and minor magics, just as Isabella had shown me. It was as if he unlocked some sort of latent power that I knew not I possessed. Unfortunately I am not particularly gifted, and many of things he demonstrated were well beyond my capabilities. I only managed to learn small tricks of light and sound, but it was enough to captivate me. My twin had shown me some of her magics and now I understood the joy of harnessing the energy of the arcane.A whole new world had been opened to me! My natural thirst for knowledge now had a new topic to pursue. Zmrat knew only the conjurations that he himself had been taught years before. So I thought to ask the mages of the Five Kinds of Death for their wisdom of magic. I had only glimpsed individuals from the group from time to time for they were secretive and secluded themselves in their own rooms.</blockquote>

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