Chapter 254 Brightblades Challenge (2/2)

Next, it was Brightblade's turn There were no other lance around the hall, then said without hesitation, ”I would like to ask the House of Flames and the House of Shadows to observe on my behalf”

The hall had been filled with quiet whispers after the Matriarch asked the Houses to choose observers, but now, the spacious room instantly went silent onceon many of the Elders' faces

The House of Seals Elders looked scandalized, but before any of them could object, a crimson-robed man stepped forward — a House of Fla hair and a short beard, both gray with just a few streaks of black rehtblade,” he said in a harsh voice ”And I will ensure that no foul play will interfere with her victory” As the words left his mouth, he cast a hostile look at the three House of Seals Elders, a viciousness to his eyes that suggested he would have gladly fought them himself

Arran blinked in surprise He did not know about any relation between Brightblade and the House of Flames, but it seemed she could count at least one of their Elders as an ally He had no time to consider the matter further, however, because a second voice sounded only a moment later

”The House of Shadows remains neutral in this matter”

The voice came from a black-robed woation Her hair and eyes were as black as her robe, contrasting sharply with the unusual pallor of her ageless face

”But,” she continued, ”I aainst any ave her a brief nod in response, though her expression contained a hint of disappointroup that had forhtblade wasn't done yet

”I suggest that the Matriarch's apprentice be allowed to watch the preparations,” she said ”It will benefit his studies, and serve as a first step toward repaying him for the attack and false accusations he has suffered”

The outraged looks aested that this was no ordinary proposal, but the gray-haired e froht have

”An excellent suggestion!” the man said in a loud voice ”The boy has suffered h no fault of his own A glimpse of our secrets is the least we can offer in compensation I shall take it upon htblade offered the Elder a friendly smile — the first she had shown since they had entered the hall ”Then I believe everything is arranged,” she said ”I shall take my leave and prepare for tomorrow's duel”

Without any further words, she turned around and headed toward the exit

The sudden departure left the hall in silence, but the Matriarch spoke a ements have been made Those of you chosen to observe the preparations, please re over a hundred Elders proved more involved than that, however, and half an hour passed as various Elders approached the Matriarch to ask all sorts of questions Most of these concerned Brightblade and Arran, yet others seemed completely unrelated to the situation

The Matriarch answered the questions for a time, but eventually, even her ah!” she said ”Any further questions can wait until after the duel There is work to be done!”

As the hall slowly emptied, Arran looked at the Elders who reroups There was one group gathered around the Matriarch, another gathered around the two er one — the ones who reathered around Arran hi hi between chatting aroup led by the House of Seals lad to have allies at his side, he found hi just why they were there Because iht be, he doubted that it was her charisma that had won them over

Instead, it appeared they had inadvertently joined one of the Valley's factions — or perhaps not so inadvertently, given hoell Brightblade had planned out her actions But while he had obviously become embroiled in the Valley's politics, he had yet to find out his allies' shared purpose

His thoughts were interrupted by the Matriarch's voice ”Let us depart,” she called out ”We have less than a day to set up the wards for the duel, and achieving that will be no easy task”

She stepped down from the dais and headed toward the exit, several dozens of Elders following behind her When they reached the antechamber, the Elders quickly passed instructions to their students and associates who still remained there, then hurried after the Matriarch

The procession of Elders drew h the House of Seals, and uncomfortably many of those were aimed at Arran This was only natural — it was rare for an initiate to travel with even a single Elder, much less dozens of them — but it still made him uncomfortable

From this moment on, he realized, what little anony of the past Whatever happened, he would be recognized wherever he went

But that was a distant ht now, his only real concern was the duel ahead If Brightblade lost, unwanted fame would be the least of his worries