Just Another Day

The final day of the games arrived where the top fighters among the competing clans would put forth their best efforts to defeat their rivals and assert themselves as the most skilled and enduring warrior. As on the previous days, the spectators thronged to the arena ruins to watch. Unlike the previous events, this one was strictly among the Sylvans and to be judged by the Sylvans.

The grounds had been divided into four parts so that all eight contestants could be present for the first round. The warriors arrived on the field one at a time to be greeted by the cheer of the clan they represented. Waiting for them at the center was an elder from both the Feral and Imperial tribes and a lidded basket beside each. The warriors stood patiently before the two elders and awaited instructions. Without speaking, the elders simultaneously reached into the basked and withdrew one stone. The warriors whose names matched the stones were then directed to one of the four divisions that had been made where two more elders waited for them and to judge their fight.

After which the rules were explained. This was to be a ground fight. No flying off or aerial dogfights. Maiming and killing would be poor taste. The first one to be knocked past the shallow trench that had been dug around their circle would be counted out.