The second trial

My 20th season had come upon me. Long and hard I had studied and applied all of my effort to the bending of the Light to my will and now was the time for my mastery to be tested. I received word that I was to report to Knight-Lord Bloodvalor in Silvermoon city. He told me that he had been hearing good things about me (no doubt a contrived speech. I'll wager he says that to all Blood Knight Initiates in their 20th season.) and that it was time for me to undergo my second trial so he might see if I was ready for the rank of Adept. He had me report to Master Kelerun Bloodmourn, who would be waiting for me at a pavilion outside of the ruins of Silvermoon.
Master Bloodmourn seemed a pleasant enough fellow but went straight to the point. He told me that passing the second trial would require me to defeat four Blood Knight Champions in single combat one after the other. Then he gave me some time to prepare. I needed only a few moments and soon the trial had begun.
Upon stepping into the pavilion I was greeted by my four nameless opponents who each nodded a silent show of respect which I returned in kind. When I had reached the center of the pavilion and drawn my mace the trial started. The first Blood Knight leaped at me with a yell, his Retribution Aura flared and began flailing at me with his sword. . . fool. His attacks were weak and wielded his weapon with no more control than a child. Still I gave no quarter and soon he fell at my feet beaten. Quickly he retreated to the wall of the pavilion as the next Blood Knight charged in with his mace and shield. Ah, this one was more of a challenge. His weapon skills were also weak but he knew how to use his shield. Time after time, blow for blow he would knock my hammer away. But I was unrelenting and finally my hammer came down upon his shield and his legs buckled. He fell to his knees in defeat. The third Blood let out a battle cry as the last one retreated. He wielded a two handed hammer like me and came at me with all the force he could muster. Long did we fight. We traded blows for what seemed like an eternity. As we fought I kept looking for an opening in his defense that I might exploit until he finally gave me one. The Blood Knight had just thrown me with a mighty blow and as I struggled to stand ran at me with his hammer held high thinking to end his fight. As his hammer came down where I was kneeling I quickly dodged, hooked my hammer behind his rear heel and pulled it from under him. He landed on his back with a loud THUD; his weapon flying from his hand to the floor several meters from him. Without hesitation I got to my feet and reared my mace to make the final blow. As the mace came down the Blood Knight raised his hand in defeat. He had yielded. I caught my hammer a mere inches from his chest and he rolled out from under it. Now it was time for my final opponent.
The Final Blood Knight approached me slowly. She had seen my previous fights and watched carefully. She knew where my skill was. She also knew I was tired. Silently she drew her broadsword, gripped it tightly in front of her and took a ready stance but didn't wait for me to do the same. She caught me off guard with several strikes that were surprisingly fast for the size of her sword. Before I knew what had happened and regained my footing she had put a gash in my shoulder and on in my stomach. Both were fairly superficial but hurt to no end. She knocked me back as I attempted to heal my wounds. As I tried to recover and regain my balance I saw her out of the corner of my eye running in for another volley of attacks. realizing that this may be my only chance to turn the fight I sidestepped her and hit her with the side of my hammer as she passed me. The Blood Knight went reeling off to the wall stunned. As quickly as I could I summoned the Light to heal me, flared my Retribution Aura and cast a Seal of the Crusader. I was just in time too. I heard her scream even as I felt the sting of her blade. The Retribution Aura bit into her as she struck me wracking her with pain. I turned to face her and with a thought, she was Judged. I cast a Seal of Righteousness as she staggered and came at her with my hammer. The combination of the seal and the judgment began to overcome her. Every time she hit me she herself was hurt and every time I connected a blow she reared back in agony. Finally she collapsed in a crumpled heap on the floor. The trial was over. I helped my fallen former opponent to her feet and into the waiting arms of other three champions. They would care for her now. As they left the pavilion's bloodstained floor they all turned to me and saluted. As I returned the salute I heard Master Bloodmourn calling into Eversong woods, spreading the news that I had completed my trial. I emerged from the pavilion battered and bloodied, holding my wounded stomach and keeled over. I looked over at Master Bloodmourn who smiled back at me.
"Return to Silvermoon City and report to Knight-Lord Bloodvalor promptly." he said, "Your arrival will tell him all he needs to know about the outcome of the trial. He will tell you of your remaining tasks on the road to becoming an adept. Hold your head high, Canilia. Many undertake this trial, but very few return to tell of their success."
I returned to Lord Bloodvalor. He was suitably impressed with my accomplishment. He then sent me on the next part of my quest. I was an Adept in name only and would remain so until I could procure the materials needed to have my Blood-Tempered Ranseur crafted. This quest would have me battling all manner of beasts and monsters all over the world. But that is a tale for another day.