Chapter 30: The Black Dragon Trials Begin
Dawn broke over Blackwood to the smell of smoke, boiled grain, wet grass, and too many people trying to prepare breakfast at the same time.
The fields beyond Blackwood Manor had become a temporary settlement overnight. Campfires dotted the ground in long uneven rows, tents stretched toward the eastern road, and hundreds of applicants were already awake before the sun had fully cleared the hills.
Some sharpened swords.
Others checked bowstrings or repaired worn boots.
Former soldiers tightened straps on old armor they had not worn in years, while mercenaries sat around cooking fires trading exaggerated stories about campaigns none of their listeners had witnessed.
The noble-born applicants were easier to identify. Their tents were generally better, their equipment cleaner, and several had arrived with servants despite the announcement making it clear that nobody’s household staff would be permitted to assist during the trials.
Darius had enjoyed informing them of that personally.
Kael stood on the manor’s upper balcony looking over the fields.
Yesterday, the final registration count had been one thousand six hundred forty-two.
Apparently, Blackwood had not finished surprising him.
Lily appeared carrying a ledger against her chest.
You aren’t going to like this
Kael glanced over.
That sentence has never led to anything good
More applicants arrived during the night
How many?
She checked the page even though Kael suspected she already knew the number.
One thousand eight hundred eleven registered before the gates closed at dawn
Kael stared at her.
We’re still choosing fifty
I know
He looked toward the fields again.
Nearly eighteen hundred people.
Hunters.
Mercenaries.
Farmers.
Former soldiers.
Young nobles.
Traveling fighters.
People from Blackwood and people who had walked days just for the possibility of earning a place beneath a banner that did not properly exist yet.
Walter stood farther along the balcony.
We’re going to run out of food
Edwin shook his head.
Not today
Walter looked surprised.
Edwin pointed toward the lower field.
Instead of thirty elaborate kitchens somehow appearing overnight, Blackwood had organized what it actually possessed. Village cooks had established several large communal stations. Merchant wagons sold or contributed supplies. Temporary hearths had been built from stone, while barrels of water were positioned at intervals throughout the applicant camp.
Volunteers from Oakridge, Blackwood Hollow, and settlements closer to the manor had arrived before sunrise.
Kael watched them moving.
Who’s coordinating all of that?
Lily raised one hand.
Mostly me
Kael looked at her.
You slept?
A little
Edwin answered for her.
No
Lily glared.
I rested my eyes
Kael pointed toward the manor.
After this begins, you’re sleeping
You’re beginning a military trial with eighteen hundred people
Darius can survive without you for four hours
Darius stood behind them.
Probably
Lily looked betrayed.
Probably?
Darius ignored her and surveyed the grounds.
Kael watched applicants receiving water, directions, numbered cloth tags, and assigned gathering areas.
He had originally thought of the trials as a way to find fifty people.
That morning, he realized the event itself was testing Blackwood.
Could the territory feed visitors?
Organize them?
Record names correctly?
Separate applicants without fights breaking out?
Treat injuries?
Maintain water?
Dispose of waste before the field became unbearable?
A military force was not only swords.
It was logistics.
Kael looked toward Edwin.
How many incidents overnight?
Seven arguments
Only seven?
Three became fights
There it is
No weapons drawn. Darius removed four applicants immediately
Kael looked toward his First Commander.
You removed them before the trials?
They drew steel because someone insulted a tent
Darius shrugged.
Saved us time
Kael could not argue with that.
At the center of the field stood an old bronze bell taken from one of Blackwood Manor’s storage buildings.
Bram waited beside it with both hands resting on the wooden striker.
Applicants slowly moved toward their assigned areas as volunteers called registration numbers.
Kael left the balcony.
He had considered addressing them from above.
Then decided against it.
If he expected these people to spend the next several days covered in mud, carrying weight, and proving themselves beside strangers, he could at least speak to them from the same ground.
Darius approved.
Which usually meant the idea was either good or painful.
Kael walked onto the central field with Darius beside him.
The conversations nearest them quieted first.
Then Bram pulled the striker back.
The bell rang.
One deep note rolled across Blackwood.
Conversation disappeared.
More than eighteen hundred applicants turned toward the center of the field.
Kael suddenly understood why rulers liked balconies.
Standing in front of nearly two thousand armed people was different from addressing a Council chamber.
Darius leaned slightly toward him.
Nervous?
No
Liar
Kael almost smiled.
Then he stepped forward.
I’m Kael Asterion, Tenth Prince of the Empire and Lord of Blackwood
His voice did not magically cross the entire valley.
The applicants nearest him heard clearly, while volunteers farther back repeated instructions where needed.
Kael preferred that to inventing some convenient amplification magic.
He continued.
Some of you came here expecting employment. Some came for the challenge. Some came because you’ve heard enough rumors about Blackwood to become curious
A few people smiled.
Some of you probably came because you think serving an Imperial Prince will be an easy road toward money or status
That produced less amusement.
If that’s why you’re here, leave before the first trial
Nobody moved.
Kael expected that.
I won’t promise wealth. Blackwood doesn’t have enough of it to lie convincingly
Walter laughed loudly from somewhere near the rear.
Several applicants joined him.
Kael continued.
I won’t promise glory either. Most soldiers who talk constantly about glory have forgotten how much marching, digging, waiting, hunger, rain, and terrible food comes before it
Darius glanced over.
Better
Kael ignored him.
I can promise that selection will not be purchased
The field became quieter.
A family name will not earn one of these fifty positions
He looked toward several noble groups.
Being poor won’t earn one either
Then toward the commoners.
Being human won’t automatically place you above someone who isn’t
His gaze briefly found Grom Ironfang.
The goblin stood near the middle of the applicant field, his enormous black spear strapped across his back. People had left more space around him than necessary.
Kael noticed.
So did Grom.
Kael continued.
This trial does not exist to prove everyone is equal in ability. You’re not
Several heads turned.
Some of you are stronger
Others faster
Some have fought wars
Some have never been in a real battle
Equality before this trial means the standard applies to everyone
That was the principle Kael cared about.
Not pretending differences did not exist.
Judging people by what they actually did with them.
A voice came from the noble applicant section.
Your Highness
Kael looked toward the speaker.
A young man in expensive silver-trimmed armor stepped forward. He was perhaps twenty-three, with carefully maintained hair, an embroidered cloak, and the posture of someone accustomed to being listened to.
Kael did not recognize the House crest.
Good.
He had learned how dangerous unnecessary names became in a family as large as the Imperial aristocracy.
The applicant bowed.
May I ask a question?
Kael nodded.
Ask
The noble looked toward Grom.
If these fifty are expected to defend Imperial territory, why should loyal human soldiers be forced to stand beside a goblin?
Murmurs spread across the field.
Some agreement.
Some discomfort.
One man farther back called out.
Goblin clans have raided human settlements for generations
Another voice followed.
They’ve killed soldiers
Grom did not move.
His expression suggested he had heard worse many times before.
Kael considered his answer.
He could have made a speech.
That was what the entire field seemed to expect.
Instead, he looked toward the young noble.
Have you ever fought Grom?
The man blinked.
No
Has he raided your village?
No
Killed anyone in your family?
No
Then you’re asking me to judge him for crimes committed by people who share his race
The noble’s expression tightened.
Their clans are enemies
Some are
Kael looked across the field.
How many people here have lost family to monsters, raiders, or nonhuman armies?
Hands rose across the crowd.
Hundreds.
Kael nodded.
Now how many have lost land, family, livelihoods, or freedom because of corrupt human nobles?
The reaction was slower.
Then hands began rising.
More than the first group.
Not everyone raised one.
Enough.
Kael looked toward the noble applicant.
So which bloodline owns cruelty?
The man said nothing.
Kael continued.
I’ve met decent commoners and cruel ones. Good nobles and corrupt ones. Humans who deserve trust and humans I wouldn’t leave alone with a tax ledger
A few people laughed.
I’ve met one goblin here
Kael looked toward Grom.
He’s already been insulted more patiently than several human applicants managed last night
Darius coughed.
That is true
The field laughed again.
Even Grom’s mouth shifted.
Kael looked back toward everyone.
I am not asking you to forget wars. I’m not asking anyone to pretend history didn’t happen
His tone became firmer.
I’m telling you what House Kael will do
Individuals answer for their own actions here
If Grom fails, he fails because of what Grom does
If a duke’s son fails, he fails because of what he does
If any of you cannot work beside someone long enough to let their conduct prove who they are, then you have already told me something useful about yourself
The noble applicant’s face reddened.
Kael did not humiliate him further.
Return to your section
The man hesitated, then bowed.
Yes, Your Highness
Grom watched Kael as the applicant left.
Not smiling now.
Evaluating.
Exactly as he had promised.
Darius stepped forward.
His presence changed the field faster than Kael’s had.
Most applicants knew him.
Those who did not had learned during the previous day that when nearly every veteran around them became quiet, they should probably follow.
Darius spoke.
If you came here expecting your first test to be a duel, you’ve misunderstood soldiering
Several mercenaries exchanged looks.
A broad man near the front laughed.
Then what is it? Running?
Darius looked toward him.
Marching
The man grinned.
I’ve marched across three kingdoms
Excellent
Darius smiled.
Then you won’t embarrass yourself
The mercenary’s smile faded slightly.
Darius motioned toward the quartermasters.
Volunteers began uncovering rows of standardized packs prepared from sacks, sand, water, blankets, and equipment weights.
Kael had argued about the numbers with Darius the previous evening.
Darius had wanted the trial difficult.
Kael had wanted it difficult without turning the first day into a field full of preventable injuries.
They had compromised.
Which meant neither one was fully satisfied.
You will be divided into squads of ten, Darius said. Each squad will complete a two-day endurance course through Blackwood’s marked southern routes
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Distance is approximately eighty kilometers
The noise became louder.
Darius waited.
Applicants will carry standardized loads based on body size and role, averaging approximately thirty kilograms. Larger candidates may receive more. Smaller candidates less
Kael noticed several people glance toward one another.
The original idea of forcing every applicant to carry forty kilograms regardless of size had sounded impressive until Kael pointed out that fairness was not the same as pretending a five-foot archer and a six-and-a-half-foot heavy infantryman had identical bodies.
Darius had stared at him for a long time.
Then admitted he was right.
Kael intended to remember that forever.
Darius continued.
No mounts
No transportation magic
No outside assistance
Water resupply points exist along the route. Healers will be stationed at checkpoints
One applicant raised his hand.
What if someone falls behind?
Darius’s expression hardened.
Your squad decides what to do
Confusion moved through the field.
The applicant frowned.
So they can leave them?
You can
That caught Kael’s attention even though he already knew the answer.
Darius continued.
And I will record that you did
The field quieted.
Another applicant called.
Does the whole squad fail if one person can’t finish?
No
That surprised many of them.
Darius looked toward Kael briefly.
This had been another argument.
Punishing nine capable people automatically because a tenth broke an ankle taught obedience to arbitrary rules, not leadership.
Instead, they had designed something harder.
Your squad will be evaluated on how it handles failure, Darius said. Injury. Exhaustion. Poor decisions. Uneven strength. Conflict
He pointed toward the routes.
If someone becomes medically unable to continue, you are expected to get them safely to a checkpoint
A mercenary shouted.
That slows everyone down
Yes
What if it costs us first place?
Darius smiled.
There is no first place
That silenced him.
Kael stepped beside Darius.
This is not a race
Several applicants looked genuinely confused by that.
Kael continued.
Reaching the end first doesn’t automatically mean you pass
A squad that arrives quickly after abandoning two people may score worse than a squad that arrives later because they reorganized weight and carried someone injured
Another applicant asked.
Then how do we know what you’re judging?
You don’t
Kael smiled faintly.
That’s part of it
The field shifted.
Less confidence now.
Good.
People behaved differently when they did not know exactly which action would earn points.
Kael wanted authentic choices.
Not applicants performing kindness because a board told them kindness was worth ten marks.
Darius continued.
You will be watched at checkpoints and along portions of the route. Not constantly
Some things we will hear from your squad afterward
Some from other squads
Some we will see ourselves
Kael looked over the field.
And if I discover you lied about what happened to make yourself look better, you’re finished
No appeal?
A voice asked.
Kael shook his head.
Integrity isn’t useful only when convenient
The System appeared quietly.
[Black Dragon selection phase initiated]
Applicants registered: 1,811
Available positions: 50
Primary evaluation categories
Endurance
Discipline
Judgment
Team conduct
Leadership under pressure
Integrity
Combat ability: later phase
Kael appreciated the final line.
Strength mattered.
Of course it did.
These people were being considered as professional warriors.
But strength alone would not make House Kael’s first military core.
The System added one more notice.
[Observation recommendation: avoid numerical scoring where human judgment provides greater context]
Kael almost laughed.
The System was learning too.
He dismissed it.
Registration numbers were called.
Applicants formed squads of ten.
That process immediately created problems.
Friends tried staying together.
Noble applicants expected servants or retainers to join their squad automatically.
Mercenary companies wanted to preserve existing groups.
Darius denied most requests.
Randomized squads, he said.
A knight frowned.
Why?
Because war rarely asks whether you like the person assigned beside you
That ended the discussion.
Kael moved through the forming groups with his notebook.
He watched more than he spoke.
A broad mercenary adjusted his own pack and ignored the smaller man beside him struggling with a shoulder strap.
Kael wrote something.
Two sisters from the hunting family immediately helped an elderly applicant redistribute weight without being asked.
Kael wrote something.
One noble complained loudly that the standardized equipment was beneath him.
Darius heard.
That applicant did not make it another five minutes.
Near one of the farther lines, a human applicant discovered Grom had been assigned to his squad.
He looked horrified.
Grom looked amused.
The man stared at the enormous spear.
You’re really seventy-four?
Grom nodded.
You’re going to slow us down
Probably
The human blinked.
Grom smiled.
You should carry my pack now
The man started protesting.
Then realized the goblin was joking.
A few people around them laughed.
Kael wrote something.
Darius appeared beside him.
What did you write?
Nothing
Show me
No
I’m your First Commander
And I’m your prince
Darius stared.
Kael stared back.
Darius smiled.
You’re learning
The first squads began leaving shortly before midmorning.
Each received route markers, ration allotments, emergency whistle signals, and instructions regarding medical checkpoints.
No magical tracking devices.
No convenient System markers visible to everyone.
Blackwood relied on riders, scouts, trail observers, and written checkpoint logs.
It was less perfect.
It was real.
Kael stood near the departure line as Squad Seven moved out.
Then Twelve.
Nineteen.
Thirty-four.
Applicants who had spent the morning boasting were suddenly quiet beneath the weight of their packs.
Those who had laughed at the idea of a march stopped laughing once the southern hills came into view.
Lily joined Kael after the fiftieth squad departed.
They’re all going to hate you
Kael looked toward Darius.
Mostly him
Darius heard.
Coward
Kael smiled.
Lily looked at the remaining lines.
What happens when they come back?
The ones who come back well enough to continue get very little rest
She stared.
That’s cruel
Darius answered.
Correct
Kael looked toward him.
Reasonably little rest
Darius sighed.
Reasonably
Then?
Lily asked.
Kael watched another squad leave.
Then we find out whether they can think after they’re tired
By noon, only the last groups remained on the field.
Grom’s squad had been assigned a later departure time.
The old goblin stood beneath an oak tree with his pack resting at his feet.
Kael approached.
Still planning to judge me?
Grom looked toward the departing applicants.
More than before
Good or bad?
Undecided
Kael folded his arms.
What would convince you?
Grom looked at him.
Not this
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Eighteen hundred people arrived because you offered fifty places
That’s impressive to young men
Grom nodded toward the volunteers carrying water barrels.
That interests me more
Why?
Because trials are easy to announce
Feeding everyone who answers is harder
Kael smiled.
Lily will be thrilled someone appreciates her suffering
Grom’s expression became serious.
Your mother understood that too
Kael’s smile faded.
Grom noticed.
Not today
The goblin nodded.
Not today
Kael appreciated that more than he expected.
Grom lifted his pack.
One human in his squad looked toward him nervously.
Grom sighed.
They think I’m going to eat them
Kael glanced toward the man.
Are you?
Too thin
The human applicant heard.
His face went pale.
Grom burst into laughter.
Kael shook his head.
You’re terrible
I’ve had seventy-four years to practice
His squad was called.
Grom started toward the departure line.
Then stopped.
Prince
Kael looked over.
Your trial has one weakness
Which?
Everyone knows they’re being watched
Kael considered that.
Not everywhere
Grom smiled.
Good
Then he joined his squad.
From the manor balcony later that afternoon, the applicant camp looked strangely empty.
More than eighteen hundred people had filled the fields that morning.
Now only volunteers, cooks, healers, quartermasters, rejected applicants, and staff remained.
Kael stood with Darius overlooking the southern roads.
You think this will work?
No
Kael turned.
Darius continued calmly.
No trial tells you exactly who someone is
Then why do it?
Because pressure reveals pieces faster
He looked toward the distant hills.
The rest takes time
Kael nodded.
That was true of everything he had learned in Blackwood.
One conversation did not create loyalty.
One mill did not restore a village.
One trial would not magically create fifty legendary soldiers.
The first Black Dragon members, whoever they became, would still need months and years of training.
They would fail.
Argue.
Make mistakes.
Some might eventually leave.
But today was the beginning of discovering who deserved the chance.
Far along the southern route, the squads were already separating into different rhythms.
Some moved quickly.
Some cautiously.
Some had begun arguing before reaching the first checkpoint.
Others were already redistributing weight without anyone ordering them.
Kael did not know which fifty names he would eventually write beneath the Black Dragon Banner.
He only knew what he wanted that banner to mean.
When someone beside them stumbled, they would not ask whether helping was worth losing first place.
Because there was no first place.
There was only the question Darius had helped Kael build the entire trial around.
When moving forward becomes harder because of the person beside you, what do you do?
The Black Dragon Trials had begun.