AUTHOR'S NOTE: Chapter Three. More Trial of Possession goodness.

I'm guessing that the Clans would remember the decision of the Eridani Light Horse to remain behind in the Inner Sphere rather than join Kerensky, so I added that in. The "rules" of the Trial are taken from both Blood Legacy and Wolves on the Border. Finally, I admit to no little inspiration from the Fort William Henry surrender scene in Last of the Mohicans.

Kat, here's your answer. Rouge, I'll have to introduce Vandervahn Chistu at a later date. However, the fact that he becomes the Jade Falcons' saKhan in future years (before he gets offed by Vlad Ward, of course) doesn't bode well for Cavell Malthus. Maybe there's a reason why he's never mentioned in the books past Lethal Heritage…

Hinata Plains, northwest of Second Try

Planting, Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth

7 December 3050

Marion Rhialla stared through her binoculars. "Here they come."

Calla Bighorn-Vlata raised his own binoculars. "You expected less?"

"I expected an ambush," Marion growled. "You sure are putting a lot of faith in their honor."

Calla sighed. "Marion, that's the way these people work. If we challenged a Kurita samurai, he'd do the same thing."

"Sure, but we know the Snakes. For all we know, ambush is all part of the ritual."

Calla smiled. "Where's your faith, Marion?"

Marion snorted. "My faith is in those." She pointed at the twin Gauss Rifles on her Perennium. "We're sitting ducks out here."

"So are they." Calla's voice held just enough of an edge in it that Marion knew the conversation was over, and she fell into a sulky silence.

Calla looked behind him. Drawn up in a line behind him were twelve BattleMechs, a lance drawn from each battalion, the best each could offer, as decided by that battalion in a bit of hasty voting the night before. Since the Clans had not been sighted deploying tanks, Cannon had to remain behind, which did not sit well with the tank crews. The Sentinel Light Infantry was there, however, drawn up in a line before the 'Mechs, in full battle gear. At their head was Calla's wife, Arla. Calla had set out a small field table and a white tent, placing the flags of the Sentinels and its battalions around it, as well as those of the Eridani Light Horse; whose 'Mechs and infantry waited in a line parallel to the Sentinels'. Edwin Amis caught Calla's eye, nodded, and stubbed out a cigarette. Both of them were wearing full dress uniforms, as Marion had the day before; both men had set large silver hammers on the table–McKennsy Hammers, awarded for superb tactics in battle by the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth.

The rumble of 'Mech footfalls reached them, shaking the ground. Calla counted off fifteen 'Mechs, and about three times as many Elementals, the battlesuits walking forward with the 'Mechs. Among the 'Mechs he recognized a Thor, a Masakari, a Daishi, and a Mad Cat. He was glad he had overridden proposals to simply open fire the moment the Clans came into range; with such a force, he was facing even odds at best. The Jade Falcons too were flying banners from their 'Mechs, the largest being flown from the Daishi, showing the Clan's now-familiar symbol–a green falcon, clutching a katana, against a blue and black background.

The ground shook progressively harder, then stopped when the 'Mechs did. The Elementals walked another twenty paces, then came to attention in a single line matching that of the SLI and the Eridani infantry. About ninety meters separated the two forces. The Elemental line parted, two warriors stepping forward to break the line. With parade-ground precision, they reformed to either side of two men and two women. One of the men Calla instantly recognized as Khan Cavell Malthus.

"I guess that's our cue," Calla said. He nodded at Amis, Rhialla, and Arla, and walked out into the open space to meet Malthus. He had a sudden sense of history: this was how it had been done in ancient times, not long after the invention of muskets, when war was more or less a formalized sport. He half-wished he had a hat that he could doff as he bowed to his honorable enemy.

He stopped what he figured was a reasonable distance. Malthus and his officers did the same. Both sides stood in silence, measuring the others, then Calla came to attention, saluting. The Clanfolk also came to attention, and returned the salute.

"Commander Calla Bighorn-Vlata?" Cavell Malthus said. "You have done well since Persistence, quiaff?"

Calla had no idea what quiaff meant, but decided it was not an insult. "So have you, Khan Cavell Malthus," he replied. "Maybe somewhat better than I."

Malthus smiled. "It appears so, though it is I that is on the defensive today." He put out a hand. Calla looked at it for a moment, inwardly shrugged, and shook hands with his enemy. "These are my officers–my second in command, Galaxy Commander Angeline Mattlov; Star Colonel Evak Mattlov of the 4th Falcon Velites, and Star Colonel Senefa of the 133rd Falcon Fusiliers." He motioned in turn to an older, scarred woman with gray hair, a tough-looking young man, and a young woman that Calla estimated was Sheila's age. All three were dressed in what was obviously a dress uniform, a rather smart-looking outfit of bright yellow and dark green, legs tucked into polished boots, with a green cape attached by talon-like yellow claws. Like the Sentinels, rank was worn on the collars, with a patch apparently denoting a MechWarrior on the left sleeve, below that of the Clan insignia. It was the young woman that took Calla back for a moment; except for her hairstyle, which had one tail of black hair pulled over her right shoulder, a slightly narrower nose, and a haughty, raptorlike expression, Star Colonel Senefa could pass for Sheila Arla-Vlata's sister.

Calla introduced his officers in turn. No eyebrows were raised at the mention of Arla's last name; apparently the Clanfolk either failed to notice the marital link or ignored it. All of the Falcons seemed eager to shake Amis' hand, Malthus remarking that the reputation of the Eridani Light Horse had preceded him. Marion Rhialla made no move to shake hands, but neither did the Falcons towards her; in fact, Calla noticed, it seemed that Marion and Angeline Mattlov were sizing each other up for a fight. Since everyone wore pistols as far as Calla could tell–though Arla also carried the SLI's traditional naginata–there was a real chance that one or the other might provoke an old-fashioned gun battle.

Malthus must have noticed it as well, for he cleared his throat. "You have challenged me to a Trial of Possession, Commander. I am assuming that you know something of what that means, but not all of what it entails."

Calla decided that he could not lie his way out of it. "You assume correctly, Khan Malthus."

"There is no dishonor in ignorance. You have shown yourself willing to fight with honor, therefore, I am honor-bound to do the same." Malthus put his hands behind his back, setting his feet apart. He was shorter than Calla, who stood with one leg placed forward of the other, arms folded across his chest. "The rules are simple. We declare what forces we shall use, what we call a batchall."

Calla held up a hand. "And then we bid until we won't bid any lower, and go at it. Right?"

Malthus smiled and nodded. "Yes. You are very well informed."

"It's my business to stay informed about my enemy." It was getting entirely too friendly for Calla, who suspected that one day he might have to kill this man with the easy smile and smart uniform.

"Quite true. As the challenged, I bid first." Malthus glanced at his officers, then back to Calla. His smile turned feral, and for a moment he actually did resemble a jade falcon, swooping down on prey. "I bid a single warrior." He pointed to Star Colonel Senefa, who stepped forward to stand at parade rest next to her Khan.

"You what?" Rhialla exclaimed.

"You heard me correctly, Major. A single warrior." Malthus' smile was maddening.

"I was right," Rhialla sneered, turning to Arla. "They are fucking crazy."

Senefa's face darkened. "I will fight all of you, if necessary. Alone or in groups. And I will win."

Seeing that Rhialla was about to take her up on it, Calla said quickly, "Let me consult with my officers," and pulled them into a circle out of the Falcons' earshot, feeling their eyes on his back and the unspoken jeers. Malthus had neatly outmanuevered him, and reminded Calla that he was playing on the Clansman's turf.

"Well, that's an unforeseen turn of events," Amis whispered, grinning.

"Maybe a good one," Rhiallla said. "With twenty-four 'Mechs, we'll stomp that snooty bitch a new one and drink beer in Second Try tonight."

"Or maybe not," Arla replied. "She's young, Marion, and she's already a Star Colonel. That means she's good. And she's confident of herself and her 'Mech that she can win." She looked at her husband. "Calla, we can't throw everything we have at her. We'll make a mockery of this whole Trial thing. If we have to use this in the future, the Clans will never trust us."

"I agree," Amis said. "We laugh at their funny ideas of honor, but we've bought into it by standing on the field with them." He glanced back at the Falcons. "I say we match their bid."

"With one warrior?" Arla asked, her eyes wide. "I had in mind a lance–that's a little more fair."

"I agree, but this will set them back. They won't be expecting us to do the same, and that might rattle them. And one warrior might be able to do better than four. A lance of MechWarriors will get in each other's way." He shrugged. "Besides, if we lose, it sounds a lot better that we lost in single combat than if we lost four to one."

"Who's the warrior we get to bid?" Calla asked.

"I volunteer," Rhialla said. "I'll take that little pup apart."

"What if she wants to fight someone of equal rank?" Arla asked.

"In that case, I'll do it," Amis said, straightening up. "I've been around the block a few times, and if I get killed, you can replace me a hell of a lot easier than they can replace you, Calla."

"Agreed, then." Calla took a deep breath as they returned to face the Falcons. Malthus waited patiently. "Okay, Khan Malthus. We'll match your bid. One warrior it is."

Malthus' eyebrows raised, and even the other Falcons looked surprised. "Single combat? I am impressed. Since we cannot bid any lower, the bid is accepted. Who is your warrior?"

"Do you require someone of equal rank?"

Malthus shook his head. "It is not necessary, though it is traditional, to show respect."

Amis started to walk forward, but Senefa suddenly spoke, to Calla. "Commander, I am a MechWarrior. I will fight any of your warriors, in a 'Mech or outside of it, but I request the right to fight another MechWarrior." Malthus stared at Senefa; it was not unknown to request an opponent, but it was usually up to the challenger what or whom to bid.

"I figured that," Calla replied. "You'll be fighting another MechWarrior."

"Ah. Thank you," Senefa said, her face actually lightening. "Commander, I pilot a Summoner." She pointed to her 'Mech. Calla recognized it as what the Inner Sphere called a Thor. "It is seventy tons. I will fight in a 'Mech half that weight or less, if I can fight that MechWarrior, there."

Calla followed her outstretched finger. It was pointing directly at Sheila Arla-Vlata's Shruiken.

"She wants to fight me?" Sheila asked, hurriedly changing into a dress uniform behind her 'Mech. Luckily Calla had required all his personnel to bring one. "Why?"

"She recognizes you from Pascia Grove," Arla replied. "She knows you're a gifted warrior, or so she says."

"I always knew piloting a unique 'Mech was going to bite me in the butt someday," Sheila sighed. "And Dad agreed to this?"

"Not without some prodding."

"From who? Marion?"

"No. Me." Arla helped her daughter pull on her cape, meeting her eyes. "I don't do this because I want you to risk your life, daughter. It gives us a significant advantage. Your Shruiken is seventy tons. If she fights in a forty-five tonner, that gives you at least equal armament, and from what we've seen, more than equal armor. Also, the Clans rarely use jumpjets, so you have an advantage there, as well."

"We'll also lose face if we back off."

Arla nodded, sadly. "Yes. I'm afraid this Star Colonel Senefa has put us in a position. Like the Kuritans, face means everything with these people. Still, I won't be angry at all if you decide not to go through with it." Sheila saw that her mother's eyes were pleading to tell her no, even if it all made sense tactically.

Yet Sheila knew she had been challenged, and one part of her wanted this fight. Not for the glory; Sheila had seen too many deaths and battles to really care much about medals anymore. It was for the same reason that she had never backed up from a fight in school, even when she lost them. No one would call her a coward, not even an enemy. "I'll do it, Mom."

Arla sighed again. "I thought you might say that. Let's go."

They walked towards the knot of people, still in the middle of the damp field. Arla nodded towards Star Colonel Senefa, and Sheila began looking over the person she would fight. To her surprise, Senefa looked not unlike herself. Their hair color and eyes were identical, as was their build, though Sheila noted that Senefa was more muscular. Yeah, but my breasts are bigger, so there, Sheila ruefully thought. She also noticed that Senefa wore a holster, but instead of a pistol, it held a length of black metal. Knowing my luck, it's a neural whip.

"I am Star Colonel Senefa of the 133rd Falcon Fusiliers," Senefa said by way of introduction. She did not offer her hand.

Neither did Sheila. "Lieutenant Commander Sheila Arla-Vlata, Snowbirds SMCAT, Sentinels RCAT," she replied simply.

Senefa glanced at Calla and Arla. "You are related to them?"

"My mother and my father."

Senefa looked somewhat sick. "Freebirth."

"Damn right," Sheila replied. "Born free on Grunwald, in the Lyran Commonwealth." She could see from the look on Senefa's face that she had missed something, but decided she didn't care.

Malthus held up his hands. Between the fingers of his right hand was a single coin, a kroner bearing the likeness of the deceased Archon Katrina Steiner. "The rules of a Trial are simple, Lieutenant Commander," he told Sheila. "Whoever wins the decision chooses the weapon to use–augumented or unaugumented."

"What's the difference?" Sheila asked.

"Augumented, you duel each other in your 'Mechs. Star Colonel Senefa has graciously consented to cede half her tonnage–"

"Tell her not to bother," Sheila interrupted, in a moment of vainglory she couldn't help. "I'll fight her seventy tons to seventy tons." She saw the look of horror on her parents' face, but the respect seeping into Senefa's expression was worth it. Marion's call of "Tell the bitch!" didn't hurt.

Malthus sketched a salute to her. "Very well. Unaugumented, you fight outside of your 'Mechs, with whatever weapons the opponents agree upon. The loser picks the venue. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Sheila answered.

"Good." Malthus stepped sideways, putting himself between Sheila and Senefa. "I am the Oathmaster," he intoned in a solemn voice. "These warriors here represent the best their respective units have to offer. They fight for possession of the city known as Second Try." He looked at Sheila. "If Lieutenant Commander Sheila Arla-Vlata wins the Trial, Clan Jade Falcon will cede to her this city." He turned to Senefa. "If Star Colonel Senefa is victorious, then the forces of the Federated Commonwealth have agreed to not occupy Second Try for three months time." Calla and Malthus had agreed on this while Arla had been collecting Sheila, though as Amis had said, Calla was gambling with money that was not his. Calla had replied that the stakes were high enough. Unspoken was that the Planting campaign probably rode on the decision, but Calla did not want to put any more pressure on Sheila, whom he was quite sure knew it already. "Thus the Trial will be fought. Do you concur in this?"

"Seyla," Senefa answered instantly.

"Concur," Sheila replied. The looks on the faces of the Falcons was enough for her to know that she had made a mistake.

"Then what transpires here will bind us until we all shall fall." He faced Senefa. "You are Senefa and you have seen twenty years. Why are you worthy to engage in this Trial?"

"I asked to represent the Clan in this Trial, which was agreed upon by my peers. I have fought on Persistence, Apollo, Golandrinas, and Beta VII, each time taking three 'Mechs in battle alone. I am of the Malthus bloodline, which stretches back to the founding of Clan Jade Falcon. I have consistently tested out at the top of my sibko, and have never been defeated either in single combat–augumented or unaugumented–nor in a Circle of Equals."

Malthus nodded, obviously pleased with Senefa, his protege. He then turned back to Sheila, his face neutral. "You are Sheila and you have seen nineteen years." Calla had supplied the information earlier as well. "Why are you worthy to engage in this Trial?"

Sheila had thought about what to say while Senefa had been rattling off her achievements. Okay, let's see you take this with a smirk. "I have fought the Jade Falcons and the Wolves since their invasion of my homeland, at Persistence, Rasalhague, Blackjack, and Twycross. I have destroyed five 'Mechs in single combat–" which was not quite true, since Max had helped on at least two of them "–and killed two Elementals in unarmed combat."

"Impossible," Angeline Mattlov blurted.

"Ask the Wolves, or the survivors of Fort Pilum," Sheila replied, trying to sound fearsome. "My bloodline is that of the Bighorn-Vlatas, which can be traced fifteen generations of MechWarriors back to Karelia Bighorn-Vlata, who fought with the Black Watch against Stefan Amaris." Sheila figured that she had laid it on thick as it was, so she went to parade rest and looked at Senefa. To her surprise, the Clan MechWarrior inclined her head in salute.

Malthus nodded, also impressed. He had not realized such an experienced warrior existed in the Inner Sphere, and wondered why Calla had not chosen her to begin with. "The heroism and courage displayed by both warriors have been established and verified." Which was not quite true, as the Falcons had no way of verifying Sheila's claims and obviously did not believe the part about the Elementals. Karelia Bighorn-Vlata was obviously known to them, however, by the looks on their faces; she had fought a five-year guerilla war against Amaris' forces, dying just before Kerensky had gone on the Exodus. They know about the old Star League, Sheila mused, but how?

She jerked her mind back to the present, for Malthus was still talking. "Your claims are not without substance. No matter what fate you meet in this battle, the brightness of your light will not be diminished." He held up the kroner. "Though we train to be able to cope with the myriad situations of combat, we cannot control everything. A warrior worthy of the name must be able to rise above adversity, even at a gross disadvantage. The horrible chaos of war is reflected in this Trial of Possession. The coin will decide. Each will fight on a battlefield not entirely of his choosing. Do you understand this?" He asked both of them.

"Seyla," answered Senefa.

"Seyla," Sheila said a moment later. A glance from Senefa told her she had gotten it right this time.

"Senefa, as the challenged, you have the right to call which side of the coin." Malthus flipped the kroner into the air.

"Heads," Senefa snapped out. Sheila tried to follow the kroner's spinning, but it was impossible.

Malthus motioned Calla over. Both men knelt to look at the coin, neither touching it. "Heads," Malthus said into the silence.

"Heads it is," Calla sighed. He looked at his daughter, but there was nothing to say. Sheila shrugged.

"Senefa, you are the hunter," Malthus said, standing. "How do you choose to fight?"

"This warrior has shown she has both honor and courage," Senefa said, motioning at Sheila. "I choose to fight unaugumented."

Sheila noticed the looks on the other Falcons. Senefa might be saluting her courage, but she was also stacking the deck in her favor, either because she thought she could beat Sheila easily in a unarmed fight–and Sheila was not quite willing to dispute that claim–or she believed Sheila's statement about the Elementals. Nice going, stupid, Sheila groused inwardly. Just had to show off.

"What weapons?"

Senefa looked at Sheila, then to Arla. "Sheila, that is your mother, quiaff?" The word mother seemed distasteful to the Clan warrior.

"I hope you're not insulting her," Sheila warned.

"I am not. Are you skilled in the use of a staff?"

Sheila brightened. She had practiced with a staff since she was seven, and continued to do so, after a naginata accident at age fifteen had laid open her left arm to the bone. "I am indeed," Sheila replied.

Senefa nodded. "I choose staves." Malthus looked to Sheila, who also nodded.

"Bargained well and done. Staves it shall be fought with."

"Seyla," both women answered, Sheila just behind Senefa.

"Sheila, you are the hunted. Where will you fight?"

Sheila could not think of anywhere that would give her an advantage. She looked around, and saw the melted snow on the ground. What the hell, they call me the Snowbird. Might as well live up to it. "Right here," Sheila replied. "I'll fight on this field."

"Bargained well and done," Malthus replied. He turned and ordered his Elementals to form a rough semicircle, porous enough so that others could watch the battle. Arla did the same with her Praxians, then helped Sheila take off her cape. "I shouldn't have gotten you into this," she said.

"Someone has to do it. Besides, I've beaten you with the staff, Mom. This woman should be no sweat."

Arla looked at Sheila. "You don't believe that."

"You're right," Sheila replied sheepishly.

"Believe it. You are the best we have."

Calla put his hand on her shoulder. Father and daughter looked at each other, the silence speaking volumes. "I'll make sure Max has something to do," he said finally. Both knew that the rumor mill was probably already sending back the message of the fight, and the Sentinels' camp was only six kilometers away. Calla looked over at Malthus. "Khan Malthus!"

"Yes?" Malthus asked, turning around. He had been telling Senefa not to underestimate her foe. Senefa said nothing, merely shrugged off her cape.

"This fight isn't to the death, is it?" Calla thought it sounded ridiculous for him to ask, but he had to know.

"Only if the warriors wish it. Either can call an end to the fight if she does not wish to go on, or if one is pushed from the Circle." He paused. "I should warn you that, once inside a Circle of Equals, there are no rules. Only victory."

"Very well." He looked back to Sheila and nodded. One of Arla's troopers came up and handed her a wooden quarterstaff. She took it, spun it a few times, then presented it to Sheila like a daimyo to a samurai. Sheila took it and bowed to her mother, then, with a brief hug, both her parents withdrew to the circle. Khan Malthus, of course, simply gave Senefa a nod and did the same.