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Author: hayashi
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Sorry for the long long delay! But at last here is part 7. Please enjoy the extra long article and expect the remaining ones to be just as long or longer!
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The journey to Ascalon was short and smooth despite the long and coarse roads. As dawn approached, the main gate of Ascalon opened to let in the inflow of traders and travelers. What astounded Aidan wasn’t the amount of people gathered at the gates, but the number of warriors waiting casually around it. If Nolani was a city of crafters, then Ascalon was a city of fighters.
“Father, are all these people here to take the insignia test?”
Aidan’s father let out a hearty laugh.
“No son. The insignia test is an exclusive test for the best warriors of Ascalon. It’s a luxury that normal people cannot afford. The men you see are probably here to seek the weapons and armory offered within Ascalon walls. Also, some of them are here to fight in duels, hoping their victories will grant them the fame that will get them into a prosperous guild.”
The roads were crowded with weapon crafters and salesmen. Aidan was instantly attracted to a small shop where columns of bows were on display. Aidan picked up a bow and stretched the bow string, admiring the fine craftsmanship.
“Hey there little brother,” said shop manager. “What you got there is a rare bow. It served under the hands of the Ascalon Chosen in the guild wars! For only three hundred gold you may take this bow. Only for you my brother, because I see the spirit of a ranger in you.”
Aidan gave a nervous smile and scoured his pockets for money. The manager, realizing the boy didn’t have the money quickly shooed him away.
“Where have you been?” asked Aidan’s father.
“I was just browsing, father.”
“Let’s get settled down in the inn first. Tomorrow you can browse all you want.”
“Inn? Do we have the gold father? I don’t mind sleeping on the grass outside the city gates.”
“I mind, Aidan. Remember rangers are not poor hunter boys who love to camp out. Show some class, Aidan.”
Aidan’s father suddenly paused in the middle of the road. Aidan stopped behind his father and curiously looked in the direction of his father’s sight. A giant man walked towards them. The man wore a thick brown leather vest and carried a heavy looking hammer that rested on his shoulder. On his other shoulder sat a golden hair little girl of around ten years of age. Aidan father gave the man a slight bow.
“My, my, long time no see, my dear Argus,” said the giant man.
“It’s my honor to meet again, lord Mordakai,” replied Aidan’s father.
Mordakai looked at the little Aidan and let out a warming smile.
“Argus, this must be your son.”
“His name is Aidan.”
“Aidan, a very strong name indeed. So, Argus is back in Ascalon and that can only mean one thing… is he finally ready to take the insignia test and be selected into the Ascalon Chosen?”
“No, my lord. It is true that I have come for the insignia test, but it is my son who will take it.”
“Your son? Aidan? He is way too young. What are you thinking Argus. He is clearly not ready for the insignia test. There is still two weeks before the test begins, have him stay in my guild and I will have our rangers teach him a few tricks. Tricks that not even his father may know.”
Aidan’s father raised his hand and rubbed Aidan’s soft hair.
“My lord, my boy already knows tricks that I don’t know. Thanks for the invitation, but that will not be necessary.”
“Then best of luck to you both,” said Mordakai, looking a bit insulted by Aidan’s father’s words. Mordakai flipped his guild cape and walked past the two in large arrogant steps. He turned back and yelled, “Argus, you will regret this. Your son is not ready!” With that said, Mordakai disappeared into the crowd.
A gentle pull on Modakai’s ear made him turn his head.
“What is it, my dear little Devona?”
“I think that boy there will pass the test, father.”
“Haha, I know he will… I know.”
Two weeks passed by rapidly, perhaps too rapid as Aidan was still caught up in the fast paced Ascalon life. Every morning Aidan would practice his marksmanship in an archery range near the inn. There was also a gladiator mound near the inn that provided Aidan with entertainment after a long morning of practice. But alas, the two good weeks were over and the day of the test is here. A new excitement rushed through Aidan’s veins.
“The test will be held inside the walls of Kyhlo, the hall of the Ascalon Chosen,” said Aidan’s father as he led his son through the heavily guarded inner gates of Kyhlo.
“Excuse me gentlemen, would you please let us through,” said a voice behind them.
A young man of about twenty stood behind Aidan and his father. The young man had long golden hair and wore a blue suit with golden linen. As he combed his hair with his hands, Aidan noticed the jewel embedded on his forehead. The man, whose hands were occupied by two lovely women beside him smiled arrogantly.
“So the women in this town adore men who decorate themselves with jewelry. I thought this is a town of heroes but apparently useless sons of aristocrats roam around here too,” said Aidan.
“Aidan! Have some respect,” shouted his father.
“I can’t believe there is someone younger than me in the insignia test. How could your irresponsible father send such a charming young son to such a dangerous test,” said the young man, who then looked at the girls and cued for their agreement.
Aidan’s father dragged Aidan by the arms and pulled him over to the side.
“Make way, Aidan.”
“Why, thank you sirs,” said the young man. “Sir Aidan was it? Please learn from your father, because he knows not to play with fire.” The young man walked past the two rangers and disappeared into the castle gates.
“We should head in ourselves.”
The guild hall of the Ascalon Chosen was decorated with golden banners and guild symbols. Near the inner gate, an old woman in ragged clothing sat in front of the entrance. Aidan noticed the strings of spirit energy coming out from her fingers. Tracing the strings, Aidan looked up onto the towers. His eyes stared in awe as hundreds of spirits stood guard in the tower perimeter.
“Are you here to look, or are you here to fight, young man,” whispered the old man in a soft and coarse voice.
“That’s a lot of spirits! Are these all yours?” asked Aidan.
The old woman grinned and then began to cackle.
“You must not know me boy. You don’t fear me.”
“So, are these spirits all yours?” repeated Aidan with eyes of curiosity.
The old woman raised her hands and intensified the spirit strings that stretched into the towers. A stream of golden aura shot from her fingers and into the bodies of every spirit. The spirits began to tremble and sway.
“They’re in pain,” said the old woman. “Let’s just say little boy, if I do not control these spirits, you and your father wouldn’t be standing before me right now, alive.”
Aidan’s father stepped forward and gave the old woman a slight bow. The old woman closed her eyes.
“Oh, to what does this old hag deserve this honor,” said the old woman. “Please, proceed into the inner hall.”
Aidan’s father gave Aidan the eye signal to get moving. As the two stepped into the inner hall, they were greeted by a young looking gentleman. The gentleman had sky blue hair and wore a green suit of similar design to that of the arrogant young man’s.
“Here for the insignia test I presume?” said the gentleman as he lowered his head to Aidan and his father.
“The ranger insignia test,” Aidan interrupted.
“Only the examinee may proceed on from this point. I apologize but the test isn’t a spectator sport. We will inform you when the test is finished.”
Aidan’s father gave a slight bow of acknowledgement.
The gentleman turned to Aidan. “Please, follow me this way.”
Aidan was led into a small waiting room in the inner quarters of the guild hall. There, he was convened by 7 other examinees. A scrawny man who looked twice Aidan’s age stood up and gave Aidan a huge welcoming style.
“My my! Our last person is finally here,” said the scrawny man. “Hi there, my name is Shikata, but you may call me Shi. All of us were dying to know who the last person would be… and I have to admit we’re quite surprised that a little boy such as yourself would appear before us!”
“Speak for yourself,” said a man who sat in the far left bench. “Age does not matter in the Insignia test, only skills. I wasn’t a bit surprised by the entry of this young man. Have you forgotten Mordakai’s daughter?”
“Ha!” another voice yelled. “That little brat didn’t pass though.” A young woman in her mid twenties stood leaning against the weapon rack. “She did try her best, just that her best just wasn’t good enough,” giggled the woman as she wiped her sword.
Shikata cut in and with a soft voice said, “my fellow contestants, the fact that we’re all here proves that we’re all not good enough yet right?”
“Weren’t,” replied the woman.
“I’m good enough!” yelled Aidan.
A loud laugh came from the back of the room. It was the young man who Aidan met at the front gates of the guild hall.
“My dear Balthazar, that old man wasn’t kidding when he said his son is entering,” said the young man. “Leave you little runt, before you seriously get hurt.”
A thundering slam of the door suddenly stilled the atmosphere. The examiner stood in front of the eight examinees. Those who were sitting immediately stood up, as if a sudden jolt went through their spines. The examiner, a man of mid thirties, was dressed very casually for the occasion.
“Okay, I don’t know why they had to use my room to keep examinees but, let’s just say I’m not very thrilled to be your examiner.”
The examiner began to scratch his armpits. Aidan looked on in disgust.
In a very displeasured manner, the examiner finally began to speak.
“Okay ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Insignia test. I’m your honored examiner and my name is Joal. I happen to have what all of you are after… the insignias right here in my pocket. Don’t worry, they’re not dirty or anything. To make a long story short, there are eight different types of insignias and each one is sought by one of you. As you can guess, only one of you would be able to take an insignia home. Rest of the unclaimed Insignias will become my dog’s chew toy. Questions so far?”
A moment of silence ensued.
“Great! I’m so happy to have a smart group. Anyways, here are the rules… on second thought; I rather not read the rules out loud. I’m ridiculously tired and I need all of you to get your buttocks out of my room so I can have my rest. The rules are all on this scroll and you can read it for yourself. “
Joal tossed the rule scroll onto the floor outside the room.
The crowd of examinees exited the room and most ignored the rule scroll and went to get ready for the test. Aidan, quite surprised by everyone’s leave picked up scroll and began to read. A gentle tap behind the shoulder made Aidan turn around. It was the arrogant young man.
“Don’t hog it.”
“Oh, so you’re a newbie too,” teased Aidan.
The two began to browse the rules.
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| Rules of The Insignia Test |
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1. The test is based on a point system. Examinee with the highest score will be declared the winner.
2. Each examinee will fight a total of four rounds with a pre-selected examinee in the same group.
3. The victor of the round will be declared when one declares his own defeat or is physically knocked out of competition.
4. Examinees will win a total of four points with each victory.
5. Examinees will lose two points with each defeat.
6. If an examinee wins by killing his competitor, he will only be awarded 2 points.
7. The time limit is thirty minutes. If no victor is determined within the time limit, both contestants will lose one point.
8. There is a three hour break between matches. Your wounds would be taken care of by our very best monks.
9. Thank you for reading the rules, please check new match up pairings in the south lounge bulletin.
“Hm, there are no rules about the weaponry and tactics allowed in the exam,” said Aidan.
“Not to mention, we technically get awarded for killing. I like this; no restrictions,” added the young man.
Aidan, guided by the newly installed signs, navigated himself to the south lounge. He squeezed himself through the crowd of contestants and looked for the name next to his.
“Frith Schanager, the elementalist examinee…who is that? Why am I getting paired up with a mage examinee? Did I enter the wrong exam?”
“How lucky of me,” a voice behind him said. It was the arrogant young man again. “Not only are you a worthless kid, you didn’t even pay attention to what the examiner briefed. Having a free four point on the first round like this makes me feel guilty.”
To Be Continued:
Aidan chapter 8 – The Flame And The Blade
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