The Beginning

Chapter 1 Revised

It all started on the day of the Dragon Festival. The town blazed with vibrant colors befitting the grand occasion. Townspeople had already gathered in the central arena, listening intently as the Master of Arms announced the contestants who would participate in the mock combat. They would fight among themselves to earn the prestigious right to join an adventuring party and search for the scepter of Cosiximus Laxitus.

“I’ll be late if I don’t hurry!” Kawn said as he threw his pack onto his horse. “You can come wish me luck if you want.”

“I’ll be there then,” his wife said, tossing her hair back. “I’ll cheer so loudly that you can’t possibly lose.”

“Marvelous, Mrs. Renduit. I’m off now,” he said, swinging his leg over his horse. “I’ll meet you at the gate when the day is done.”

“Then consider me there and get going, Kawn Renduit!” his wife replied, walking back to the door. “I’ll prepare your favorite meal tonight.” She blew him a kiss as he turned and rode toward the arena.

At the arena, the Master of Arms’ voice boomed across the crowd. “Our greatest warrior must brave the tests of the Dragon Lord. There are six tests precisely: agility, strength, luck, charisma, endurance, and last but not least, knowledge and wit. We’ll form a party of six members who each score at least fifteen out of eighteen. Who will endure the six days and claim victory?” he declared. “Let the games begin!”

“Name?” the scribe in the stables inquired.

“Kawn, Kawn Renduit, sir,” Kawn replied as he dismounted.

“Kawn, you barely made it!” his brother Balder shouted from across the stable yard.

“Well, I made it, didn’t I?” Kawn said as the stable boy took his horse’s reins. “Take good care of that horse, boy!”

“Yes, sir!” the stable boy replied shakily, leading the horse to a fresh stall.

“Come pick your weapons, Kawn. The contest has just started,” Balder said, grabbing his brother’s arm and leading him toward the armory.

“So how well do you think you’ll do, Balder?” Kawn asked as his brother guided him down the corridor. “Do you think we’ll win the whole thing?”

“I think I’ll do fairly well. I’ll be one of the people to advance, or my name isn’t Balder Renduit,” he replied as they reached the armory door. “Here we are. Just step inside and pick the weapon that’ll lead you to victory. That halberd in the corner is mine.”

“Very well, I’ve got my eyes on that b*****d sword on the wall. You know I don’t like halberds anyway, Balder,” Kawn said as he approached the sword.

“I know, but I had to give you a hard time before the contest starts. Our shields are waiting outside,” Balder remarked as he followed his brother out to the central arena. The moment they stepped onto the fighting floor, Kawn and Balder found themselves parrying attacks from all sides.