Long ago, in a land forgotten by time, lived a wealthy king and his family. His wife blessed him with six children - all girls - named Ella, Alicia, Eliza, Olivia, Anna, and the youngest, baby Eva. Ella, the eldest, however, was the King's favorite, blessed with beauty like all of her sisters, but headstrong too. He knew that Ella would make a wonderful queen, but feared finding her a suitable husband.
That was what he and Ella disagreed on the most. While the King wanted his daughter to be happy, he needed a man who could provide for her, and who was still loyal to him, above all else. Thus, the Eight Trials were forged, written in the Kings study by Ella and her father. The trials were Wealth, Athleticism, Chivalry, Intelligence, Wit, Loyalty, Humility, and finally, Ella's Choice.
Thousands of men applied, some very young and a few quite old. Ella declared that she would refuse to marry any man above thirty, and any man younger than her, her age being nineteen. The King selected a hundred applicants who met the first test of Wealth, and thus, the Trials began.
Chapter One-
Ella sat at her vanity, brushing out her long, dark hair, with Alicia who sat on her bed, watching her intently. Ella and Alicia were only two years apart, and the closest of the sisters.
"Are you nervous at all?" Alicia asked.
"I don't take part in the Athleticism Trial," Ella said, meeting eyes with her sister through the mirror.
"You know what I mean," Alicia frowned. "Aren't you the least bit excited?"
"I'm going to meet my husband today," Ella said, without emotion, and began braiding her hair in a twist at the base of her skull. "Whether I know for sure who he is or not, I'm still meeting him." She paused for a while, and abruptly turned around the Alicia. "Don't you think this is a bit strange?"
"What?"
"This competition, it's like...they're making me into some sort of trophy. And I don't like it. I know I helped Father make the Trials, but it's still feels odd to me." Ella frowned. "I don't know, Alicia. I just sort of wish I could do this on my own."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Alicia got up to open it, and their mother was standing before them. "Daughters, the candidates have assembled on the grounds."
"Let's go, then," Ella gave a polite smile to her mother, rose, and followed her out of the palace.
The grounds were swarming with men, and servants were bustling about, herding horses, readying arrows and bows, and preparing the swords for fencing. Ella, Alicia and the Queen took their seats with the King, and people began to settle down.
"My loyal subjects!" The King stood up, addressing the congregation of people with his powerful, booming voice. If her father was good at anything, Ella thought, it was projecting. "We gather here today for one reason - my eldest daughter, Ella!" There was a huge resounding cheer that got the horses rearing and snorting, and the King motioned for Ella to stand. Reluctantly, she obeyed, surveying the crowd of suitors with an uneasy stomach. She didn't like everyone's eyes on her, not like this. "As I am sure you have all been made aware, Ella and I have constructed a series of eight trials you must undergo to be deemed worthy of the princess's hand in marriage. As you have all passed the Trial of Wealth, today will be the Trial of Athleticism. Our first event of the day will be a test of your horsemanship. You will be judged on how well you ride, your control over the horse, and skill in which you complete the riding course established. If you fail at any of these tasks, you shall be disqualified from the competition. So good luck, and let the games begin!"
"It's all just a game to you, isn't it, Father?" Ella whispered softly, as she took her seat. Alicia cast her a look, and then leaned over closer to her sister.
"Look at him!" She didn't point - she had been raised too well to do that - but instead nodded her head towards the direction of a burly, bearded man riding atop an inky black horse. "He looks good."
Ella wasn't really paying attention, unlike her father, who watched every candidate with rapt attention, deducting points as he saw fit. She and Alicia began to critiqthe each contestant, adding their own commentary.
"That one's too short," Alicia muttered and Ella snickered, knowing she was being mean.
"That one's too lanky," She giggled, and Alicia joined in, until both received sharp looks from their mother.
A few people failed the horsemanship challenge, and plenty more the archery. Ella amused herself by critiquing the men's performances with Alicia, and it was only when the swordsmanship contest began did she actually begin to pay attention.
"There are exactly ninety of you left," The King announced. "This next competition will end in only forty-five of you. You will each be paired up with each other, and duel, one by one, before all of us. My scribes have made up a list with the pairings. You will not fight to kill, but instead, the winner will pin his adversary in a position in which the latter cannot win. Best of luck to all of you!" There were some murmurs of dissent and worry, and my father was given the list.
"Our first opponents will be Frederik, Duke of Clark, and Thomas, Earl of Jordan!"
Frederik was a tall, sturdily built man with dirty blonde hair, who carried himself regally. Thomas matched Frederik in height, but was heavier, and had his hair shaved close to his head. They bowed, and in a flurry of steel, began to duel.
Their swords moved so quickly Ella could barely keep track of them all. She had never before seen a duel, and watched with alert eyes. Not quite sure if she should be frightened or not, she cast a look at her father, who looked thrilled. Suddenly, Thomas - or was it Frederik? - gave a cry, and a sword dropped. Ella saw Frederik's sword pointed at Thomas's throat, and Thomas's lying on the ground. Thomas's arms were spread, his palm sporting a bleeding gash that dripped onto the sand.
"I pronounce Frederik as the victor!" The King declared and there was a deafening applause. Suddenly, the Queen was nudging, Ella to her feet, and led her over to a table where forty-five roses were lying.
"I present this rose to you as reward for winning the duel, and an invitation for a banquet at the palace to take place tonight in honor of the victors," The Queen murmured and Ella turned back around to find Frederik kneeling before her father. Ella swallowed, and gave a polite, practiced smile as she walked over to Frederik, who looked up at her when she approached.
"I present this rose to you as reward for winning the duel, and an invitation for a banquet at the palace to take place tonight in honor of the victors," Ella repeated, offering the rose, which Frederick accepted. Before she could pull her hand back, he took it, holding her by the fingers, and pressed her hand to his lips.
"It would be an honor, Your Highness," He smiled warmly at her, and Ella felt herself turn scarlet. Frederick rose, bowed to her and then the king, and exited the ring.
Flustered, Ella took her seat, and her father announced the next two contestants. "Vincent, Baron de Cremeans, and John, Viscount of Letendre!"
Vincent was black-haired with green eyes that Ella could see even from her seat. He wasn't big, but the way he carried himself suggested poise and strength. Alicia nudged Ella excitedly, her eyes huge and excited.
But Ella couldn't stop staring at the other, John of Letendre. John's hair was wavy and black, catching the light of the sun and tossing it around with every step he took. He was handsome in every way, she thought, with a strong build and tan skin. John took up his sword, and he and Vincent bowed.
As they began to duel, Ella found she was paying close attention to the outcome. Every blow towards John, she flinched a little, and she couldn't deny who she wanted to be the victor.
Suddenly, Vincent struck out, sending his sword flying across John's cheek, and the latter drew away, pressing a few fingers to his face and drawing back with blood. Ella gasped aloud, and then looked around, embarrassed, to see who had seen her.
John lunged forward, slicing Vincent's arm, and before Vincent could react, he kicked him hard in the chest, knocking Vincent to the ground.
And the next thing happened very fast. John stepped over Vincent, pressing his boot down over his throat, and Vincent stabbed John, the sword passing through his shoulder.
Neither moved, both maintaining their positions. John was bleeding heavily, and Vincent's face was bright red as he fought for air. Suddenly, Ella got to her feet. "Stop!" She cried, alarmed and terrified. She knew they would both die if they stayed like this. "Father," She turned desperately to him. "Please! Make them stop! They're waiting for your order!"
"Both contestants: release each other!" The king ordered, and John pulled free his foot. Vincent pulled the sword out, and John winced with pain, but didn't cry out. John turned, and Ella saw the blood running down the side of his face and all down his front. Vincent coughed violently, as both dropped their swords and walked towards the King.
Ella had no idea how John was still standing, but he knelt alongside Vincent before the King, his blood dripping onto the ground.
"I am faced with an unusual situation," The King looked uncomfortable. "In the event of no clear victor - " He cast a look at me.
"Both go through," I said firmly. "We will have forty-six remaining suitors." My father cast me a look, and declared. "Forty-six it shall be."
The Queen tried to hand Ella the roses, but she cast them aside, crossing down towards John. "He needs a doctor, now!" She cried, noticing how pale John had become. He looked up at her, looking exhausted, and just as he was about to speak, several physicians came and lifted him up under the arms, carrying him away.
"Ella, the roses," Her mother hissed, but Ella waved her off, turning her back on Vincent and the rest of the crowd.
"I need to take a break," She muttered, and stormed off.
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