Chapter 29: The Black Dragon Trials
The announcement did not leave Blackwood Manor until Edwin was satisfied that House Kael could survive the response.
For three days, Darius turned the estate upside down.
The western field was cleared and divided into training sections. Rowan supervised the construction of temporary platforms and complained that soldiers apparently believed wood appeared wherever they pointed. Garrick reopened his forge fully enough to repair old practice weapons and prepare iron fittings for barriers, racks, and obstacle courses. Lily organized registration tables, sleeping areas, water barrels, and food distribution while reminding Kael several times that inviting hundreds of armed strangers onto his land without planning where they would sleep was not leadership.
Kael accepted the criticism.
Mostly.
Only after the preparations were underway did riders leave Blackwood carrying the announcement.
It went first to the eleven villages.
Then to nearby mercenary halls, caravan companies, retired soldiers, hunters, traveling knights, and anyone willing to carry the message farther.
By the second day, handwritten copies had begun appearing in taverns and market squares.
By authority of Kael Asterion, Tenth Prince of the Empire and Lord of Blackwood:
House Kael will select fifty men and women to form Blackwood’s first professional military core.
Birth will not determine selection.
Wealth will not determine selection.
Noble title will not determine selection.
Applicants will be judged by discipline, judgment, courage, ability, and conduct toward those beside them.
At the bottom, one additional line had caused more discussion than everything above it.
Those selected will serve beneath the Black Dragon Banner.
Kael had chosen the name after staring at Blackwood’s old estate insignia and the Imperial Dragon carved throughout the manor. The dragon belonged to House Asterion, but this unit would be Blackwood’s.
Not Imperial Palace soldiers.
Not another prince’s ceremonial household guard.
Blackwood’s first fifty.
Darius approved of the name.
Then immediately told Kael that a good name meant nothing if the people carrying it were incompetent.
That was Darius.
On the morning before the trials, Kael stood on Blackwood Manor’s balcony and stared down the eastern road.
Dust rose beyond the hills.
Lots of it.
Lily appeared beside him holding a registration ledger against her chest.
I think we made a mistake
Kael glanced toward her.
That’s becoming a common opening sentence around here
I expected perhaps two hundred people
How many?
She opened the ledger.
Registered so far? Eight hundred and nineteen
Kael looked back toward the road.
And those?
Not registered yet
More figures appeared through the dust.
Some walked.
Others rode horses.
Small wagons carried groups from neighboring regions. Mercenaries traveled beneath company colors. Hunters arrived with bows across their shoulders. Former soldiers came wearing pieces of old Imperial equipment. A handful of knights wore House crests, though most had come without formal entourages.
Kael stared.
How many are we expecting now?
Edwin answered from behind them.
Current estimate is between fifteen hundred and seventeen hundred before registration closes
Kael slowly turned.
Seventeen hundred?
Bram, standing near the balcony doors, started laughing.
You wanted fifty
I still want fifty
You’ve apparently invited half the western countryside to compete for them
Darius stood farther back with his arms folded.
Good
Kael looked toward him.
You aren’t worried?
No
Why?
Because most will eliminate themselves before I have to care
Bram laughed harder.
Kael looked down at the growing crowd.
The announcement had reached farther than he expected.
That alone told him something.
Blackwood was not the only place filled with people searching for opportunity.
By afternoon, the fields surrounding the manor looked nothing like the neglected estate Kael had inherited.
Temporary fences divided the grounds.
Targets lined the northern edge.
A long obstacle course crossed the western field using ditches, climbing walls, weighted carries, rope sections, and narrow balance beams designed by Darius specifically to punish people who relied on strength alone.
Rowan hated the climbing wall.
Not because it was badly constructed.
Because three applicants had already tried climbing it before the trials began.
Animals, he muttered.
They’re excited, Kael said.
They’re damaging my wood
That appears to be a greater crime
Correct
Near the registration tables, applicants continued arriving.
Kael spent part of the afternoon walking among them rather than watching from the balcony.
He saw a one-eyed mercenary who claimed to have served along the western frontier.
Two sisters from a hunting family who had spent years tracking dangerous beasts through mountain country.
A former knight who refused to explain publicly why he no longer carried his House crest.
A dwarven traveler interested less in joining the fighting ranks than in seeing whether Blackwood truly intended to build permanent workshops.
Several nonhuman applicants drew stares.
Some worse than stares.
Kael noticed that too.
The Empire’s relationship with nonhuman peoples was one of the things he already knew would eventually force him into conflicts far larger than Blackwood.
Today was not the day to solve that.
Today he only needed one rule understood.
If the announcement said birth did not matter, then House Kael would either mean it or admit it had lied.
Darius joined him near the edge of the registration field.
Too many?
Kael looked around.
No
Too few?
Ask me after tomorrow
Darius nodded toward several applicants already comparing weapons.
Remember something
What?
A thousand people willing to fight for you aren’t automatically useful
I know
Darius looked at him.
Do you?
Kael smiled.
You’re going to make me answer anyway
Yes
Kael watched a large mercenary boasting loudly about how many men he had killed.
The best fighter here may be the worst person to put beside someone I need protected
Darius’s expression showed approval.
Good
Kael looked toward him.
You sound disappointed that I answered correctly
I was hoping to lecture you
There’ll be time
There always is
The commotion began near sunset.
At first Kael assumed another argument had started among applicants.
Those had become common enough that Darius had already threatened to remove anyone who drew a weapon before the trials officially began.
This was different.
The shouting spread outward from the eastern registration tables.
A voice carried over the crowd.
It’s a goblin!
Another answered.
They’re letting monsters register now?
Several people laughed.
Others did not.
One of the volunteers from Blackwood hurried toward Kael.
Your Highness
What happened?
There’s a goblin at the registration table
Kael waited.
The volunteer looked uncertain.
And?
He says he’s entering the trials
Kael frowned.
The announcement says birth doesn’t matter
Yes, Your Highness, but—
Then what’s the problem?
The man glanced toward the crowd.
Kael understood.
Not a procedural problem.
A social one.
He looked toward Darius.
The old commander’s attention had already moved beyond the volunteer.
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Kael had spent enough time around Darius now to notice.
You know him
Darius’s eyes remained on the approaching crowd.
Yes
Who?
Darius did not answer immediately.
Someone I never expected to see here
The crowd parted.
A lone goblin walked through.
He stood nearly six feet tall, considerably larger than the image most humans associated with his race. His build was lean rather than bulky, and old scars crossed his green skin in enough places to suggest an extremely long familiarity with violence.
His left ear had been torn years ago.
His right carried several old metal rings.
Across his back rested a long black spear.
The weapon drew attention.
The goblin himself drew more.
Applicants moved aside as he passed.
Some because of disgust.
Others because something in the old warrior’s posture told them standing too close was unwise.
His golden-brown eyes did not move toward the people insulting him.
They remained on Kael.
Then the goblin stopped.
He placed one fist against his chest and bowed.
My Prince
The field erupted.
Kael heard fragments immediately.
He called him prince
Of course he’s a prince
No, like he knows him
Throw the goblin out
They’re raiders
Monsters
Darius spoke.
Enough
He did not shout.
He did not need to.
The conversations nearest him died first.
Then the rest followed.
The goblin finally looked toward Darius.
A smile appeared.
You’re still alive
Darius’s face changed into something Kael had never seen before.
Almost warmth.
Disappointing, isn’t it?
Very
The goblin laughed.
A deep sound.
Then Darius walked forward.
The two veterans stopped several feet apart.
Kael watched carefully.
Darius looked the goblin up and down.
Seventy-four and still carrying that ridiculous spear
The goblin pointed toward Darius’s weapon.
You carry yours
Mine has dignity
Yours is silver
Exactly
Bram whispered from behind Kael.
I like him already
Lily tried not to laugh.
The goblin extended his forearm.
Darius clasped it.
Not the greeting of strangers.
Not even old acquaintances.
Men who had survived something together.
The reaction through the field shifted from mockery toward confusion.
Kael stepped closer.
Are you going to introduce us?
Darius released the goblin’s arm.
Grom Ironfang
Kael’s attention sharpened.
Darius continued.
Former Spear King of the Eastern Clans
Several applicants laughed again.
Darius turned his head.
The laughter ended.
He looked back at Kael.
And once, one of the finest warriors entrusted with guarding your mother
Kael became still.
My mother?
Grom’s expression changed immediately.
Yes
That one word carried respect.
More than respect.
Memory.
Kael looked toward Darius.
You both served her
For a time, Darius said.
Different duties. Different years
Kael returned his attention to Grom.
Then why haven’t I heard your name?
Grom laughed softly.
Because human courts are very good at remembering goblins when they are enemies and forgetting them when they are useful
Several nearby applicants looked uncomfortable.
Kael didn’t argue.
Grom looked him over.
Not the way Darius had.
Something more personal.
He studied Kael’s crimson eyes.
His face.
His hair.
Then he sighed.
You have more of her in your face than your father will enjoy hearing
Kael almost smiled.
I’ll make sure to tell him
Darius actually laughed.
A noble-born applicant near the registration tents stepped forward.
This is absurd
Kael turned.
The man wore well-made armor and carried a sword marked with the crest of a minor House Kael did not recognize.
Your announcement was for warriors of Blackwood
It was for applicants willing to serve Blackwood
The noble gestured toward Grom.
He’s a goblin
Grom looked down at himself.
I had noticed
A few people laughed.
The noble’s face reddened.
Goblin clans have killed Imperial soldiers
Kael’s expression remained calm.
Human kingdoms have killed Imperial soldiers too
That isn’t the same
Why?
The man opened his mouth.
Kael continued before he could answer.
If Grom committed a crime against the Empire, tell me what it was
Silence.
If he personally raided a village, name it
The noble’s jaw tightened.
They’re all—
No
Kael’s tone hardened.
We are not doing that here
The crowd became quieter.
Kael looked around.
My announcement said birth does not decide who enters
He pointed toward the registration field.
That rule applies when it’s convenient and when it isn’t
A mercenary near the back called.
Even beastfolk?
If they’re legally free to present themselves for service, yes
Dwarves?
Yes
Goblins?
Kael looked toward Grom.
Apparently
That brought more laughter.
The tension loosened enough for people to breathe again.
Kael returned his attention to Grom.
You’re here to enter?
The goblin considered him.
I came because I heard something strange
What?
A human prince had been walking through poor villages asking people what they needed instead of telling them
Kael sighed.
The rumor has become exaggerated
Grom’s eyes moved toward Blackwood Manor.
Then I heard you reopened a forge for a blacksmith who refused to make slave chains
Garrick’s posture changed nearby.
I heard you invited village elders into your manor and let them disagree with you
Walter muttered.
He didn’t have much choice
Grom smiled.
And then I heard you were choosing your first fifty without asking who their fathers were
He looked directly at Kael.
That was enough to make me curious
And now?
Now I’m less certain
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Less?
You are younger than I expected
Darius smiled.
I had the same disappointment
Kael gave him a look.
Grom continued.
And surrounded by people who clearly don’t respect you enough
Bram laughed.
I definitely like him
Kael crossed his arms.
So you came all this way to insult me?
Partly
The old goblin removed the spear from his back.
The field reacted immediately.
Several applicants reached for their weapons.
Darius did not move.
Kael noticed that.
Grom planted the butt of the spear firmly into the earth.
The sound was heavy.
Controlled.
I did not come asking for charity because I once served your mother
Good
I did not come because Darius is here
Better
Grom’s eyes sharpened.
And I did not come to join your fifty simply because you’re an Imperial Prince
Kael studied him.
Then why are you standing in my registration field?
Grom’s smile returned.
To see whether the son of the woman I once guarded is worth following
The crowd reacted immediately.
Some gasped.
Some laughed nervously.
Others looked toward Kael, waiting for offense.
Kael felt none.
If anything, he respected the answer.
He stepped closer.
Then enter the trials
Grom’s smile faded slightly.
That’s all?
What were you expecting?
A threat
Why?
Human princes are often fragile when challenged
Darius looked toward Kael.
He’s right
Kael stared.
Are you supposed to be my commander?
Yes
Then support me occasionally
When you’re correct
Grom laughed.
Kael shook his head before looking back at him.
You want to judge me?
Yes
Then watch me
Kael pointed toward the field.
But if you enter the trials, I judge you by the same standard as everyone else
Grom’s eyes narrowed.
Even knowing who I am?
Especially knowing who you are
That answer pleased him.
I was hoping you’d say that
Kael looked toward the registration table.
Then sign your name
Grom glanced toward it.
Your clerk tried to make me leave
The volunteer behind the table immediately went pale.
Kael looked toward Lily.
Please fix that before I accidentally begin my reign by terrifying a sixteen-year-old clerk
Lily smiled.
Come with me, Grom
The goblin picked up his spear.
Before following, he looked back at Kael.
Tomorrow, Prince
Tomorrow
And don’t disappoint me
Kael smiled.
You too
The System appeared only after Grom walked away.
[Exceptional candidate identified]
Grom Ironfang
Race: Goblin
Age: 74
Known title: Former Spear King of the Eastern Clans
Primary strengths: Spear mastery, battlefield leadership, survival, command experience
Evaluation: Extremely high
Relationship to Kael’s maternal household: Confirmed
Current allegiance: None
One final line appeared.
[Recommendation: Evaluate through the same trial structure as all applicants]
Kael stared.
Finally, something sensible
Darius looked toward him.
Your invisible adviser agree?
For once
Kael dismissed the window.
Do you really think Grom needs to compete?
Darius’s expression became serious.
Yes
Why?
Because you just told fifteen hundred people the rules apply equally
Kael nodded.
And if you break that promise for the first impressive man you recognize, the trials become theater
Exactly
Kael looked toward Grom standing at the registration table while applicants maintained a much larger circle around him than anyone else.
How good is he?
Darius glanced over.
At seventy-four?
Kael waited.
Darius smiled faintly.
Good enough that tomorrow will embarrass several people
That wasn’t what I asked
I know
Kael sighed.
Darius continued.
He was one of the finest spear fighters in the eastern clans. More importantly, he led warriors
Kael’s attention sharpened.
How many?
Enough that you should stop thinking of him as simply a strong applicant
A commander
A former one
Darius looked toward Grom.
And one who once volunteered to protect a foreign princess when doing so was politically inconvenient for everyone involved
My mother
Yes
Kael looked back toward the goblin.
Another person tied to a past he did not yet understand.
Another person who knew his mother.
But unlike the letter waiting in Blackwood Manor, Grom was standing directly in front of him.
That conversation could wait.
Tomorrow had its own problem.
Fifteen hundred applicants.
Fifty positions.
One old goblin apparently capable of humiliating half the field.
Kael smiled.
This might actually be interesting
Darius looked at him.
Tomorrow won’t be interesting
No?
It will be miserable
Kael glanced over.
For them?
Darius smiled.
For everyone
Night settled over Blackwood.
Campfires spread across the temporary applicant grounds, turning the fields outside the manor into a small city of tents, wagons, weapons, cooking pots, arguments, wagers, and nervous preparation.
Kael stood on the manor balcony again.
Lily joined him after registration closed.
Final number
Kael looked toward her.
I’m afraid to ask
One thousand six hundred forty-two
He stared.
Exactly?
I counted twice
Kael looked toward the enormous field.
Fifty
Fifty
Lily leaned against the railing.
How are you going to choose?
Kael watched the campfires.
Not by finding the fifty strongest
I know
Not the fifty fastest
I know
Not the fifty people with the most impressive histories
She smiled.
You’ve said that several times
Kael nodded.
Tomorrow I have to prove I mean it
Far below, Grom sat alone beside a small fire sharpening the edge of his spearhead.
Several applicants watched him from a distance.
Some with suspicion.
Some with hatred.
Some with curiosity.
Darius walked across the field toward him carrying two cups.
Old soldiers recognizing one another after years apart.
Kael’s eyes moved across the rest of the applicants.
Former soldiers.
Hunters.
Mercenaries.
Knights.
Commoners.
People carrying noble crests.
People with nothing but patched equipment and a reason for coming.
Some would fail quickly.
Others would surprise everyone.
Kael had no idea which fifty would eventually stand beneath the Black Dragon Banner.
That was the point.
The trials had to reveal them.
Not confirm what everyone already assumed.
Tomorrow, Blackwood would begin selecting the first professional warriors House Kael had possessed in years.
And the first test would have almost nothing to do with fighting.