21 Killed by Stellan

Atrius whispered a short prayer before opening the wooden doors. He was welcomed by a large stoned hall with tall pillars on the sides and fired up torches. The ceiling was intricately designed with wood carvings and circular chandeliers. Up ahead was a short plight of stairs, leading to a small wooden chest with steel and leather straps. Waiting up ahead were the Lords Callagahn and Harlan, sitting on gold ornated chairs.

Atrius come forth and stopped in front of the chest. Then, without further ado, he opened the chest wide open and picked up the only weapon he sees. He smiled and was immediately put to tears. After all his hardwork, he will now be known as a knight and not the bastard son of the Vierme's King.

Atrius pulled out the sword and lifted it up for the lords to see. Without any words, the lords nodded and pointed Atrius to the direction where he'll be met by the other scholars.

Next in line was Jacomus. There was a long awkward silence when he faced the lords. He stood upright, waiting for a word for him to make a move. He stood like a rock, and stared like a saint. Jacomus made it more awkward when he raise his brows at each lords in a slow way.

Eventually, Lord Callaghan finally said, "Open the chest Jacomus, and pick up the weapon".

Before doing so, Jacomus breathe deeply and stared at each of the gentlemen upfront. "I would like to thank each of you for this great opportunity. I am honored to represent my family and reach up to this point", he said. When he opened the chest, he gaped as he saw his destined weapon. "Does this mean.. I am.. an archer?", Jacomus said in disbelief as he grab the bow.

"Congratulations, welcome to the chivalry", Lord Callagahn said.

Jac cried happy tears. He even embraced the lords with his tight arms, raised them and swirled around. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!", he repetitively said and then he put them down like nothing happened. Jacomus bowed with his arm on his chest, and left the room as directed.

"That was.. new", Lord Callaghan said as he fix his hair.

Third in line was Falco of Beorg Mountains. He entered the halls with a smug on his face. Loud and proud, he made sure the lords hear him enter. "My lineage is of great warriors and heroes. And I am Falco of Beorg Mountains", he proudly said.

"Just open the chest, and pick up the weapon", Lord Callaghan calmly said.

Falco opened the chest as requested. He creased his brows and somehow got infuriated. He held the chest with both of his hands and checked inside a couple more times. "Is this some kind of a joke? It's empty", Falco disappointingly said.

"This is your destiny", Lord Harlan dryly said.

"This is madness!! I made it this far with blood and sweat and yet, you will not give me a weapon? This is

completely insane!!", Falco shouted in uncontrollable anger.

"The weapons inside the chest that are being given to the participants aren't coerced or forced. We don't choose who will get, and what to get. The magic embedded on this chest sees through the goodness in a person on how he's fair in war, participative in unity, brave in his walks, and humble in his talks", Lord Callaghan explained as he stood on his feet meeting the rageful eyes of Falco. "You failed because you don't deserve to be here", he gritted his teeth as he pointed a finger on the participant's face. "Squire! Escort Falco of Beorg Mountains out of Brandenburg", Lord Callaghan ordered.

"The chest is always right", Lord Harlan imposed.

"No!! Don't you touch me!!", Falco hysterically yelled as the squires take him away.

As the final test proceed, Ottis have been feeling more uneasy as he was getting tetchy and impatient with anyone around. He even snubbed Haelan when she wished him he'll be fine as always. When it was his turn, he stood up and went straight in. Having high opinion of himself, he stood in the middle of the hall, with no plans of going anywhere near the chest. Glaring at the lords, and swallowing a big lump in his throat, he walked in circles as he grab the back of his neck. "Do you remember me?", he said in a lowly voice. "Do you both even know me?", he shouted with his mouth trembling.

"Hmm", Lord Callagahn looked to his sides trying to remember. "By the sound of your voice, it seems like you are vexed of the past. Are we in debt of something?", Lord Callaghan asked.

"I don't care about the chest or passing the tests. I don't care about all these! What I wanted to do.. is put blood in my hands and give justice to my one and only brother Holden!", Ottis said as he breathe heavily in so much anger.

"Holden?", Lord Callaghan asked Harlan.

"Have you forgotten? The participant who was killed in an admission test? The participant who was killed by Stellan!", Ottis answered.

"Holden wasn't killed by anyone.", Lord Harlan explained. "He held Stellan's sword and plunge it through his heart, because he thought that was the only way", he truthfully said.

"Lies!", Ottis said with his widened eyes. "Holden won't do that!", he said in lack of credence.

"That lad wasn't suppose to draw a sword in the first place. It was a paired up duel for a test of brotherhood. When he drew that sword, he already failed. Stellan only protected himself from that blade. And when Holden was on his knees, Stellan still gave him mercy. Yet, your brother held Stellan's sword and plunged it into his heart.", Lord Harlan recalled how coward of a warrior Holden was. Hearing the truth shattered Ottis' plans. He dropped on his knees with his tears continously flowing.

Lord Harlan stood up and approached Ottis with caution. "Are you telling me that you came all the way here, to bring this up and sacrifice your fate for the untold truth of your dead brother?", he asked as Ottis lowered down his head with his hands on his face. "Child, your brother made a choice, a choice that sacrificed his life. Do you know why your heart is so broken?", Harlan kneeled down and held Ottis' shoulder. "Because, you're ruining your heart's desires for that poison in your mind.", he said as he pat Ottis' head.

"Open the chest, to at least find out", Lord Harlan said.