Side Story: Enessa's Trial

A/N: Just a quick side story in Common Clay's world, from the point of view of one of his friends. This section would have happened around the same time as Clay was hunting his first monsters, and gives a bit of a different perspective on the Academy's training methods. Also gives some clues on how adventurer Classes work too. Hope it's enjoyable!

The sounds of combat drifted across the courtyard, and Enessa winced.

She should have been braver. She’d been called as an adventurer after all. The gods had chosen her to stand for challenges like this one. It shouldn’t be possible for her to be afraid.

All the same, as one of her fellow potential initiates was sent sprawling by a solid hit, she called up her [Gift] for a little reassurance.

[Enessa Moors]

[Class: Fighter] {Level 1} (Might and Fortitude have a maximum of 20. Other Stats have a maximum of 16.)

[Subclass: Brawler (Gain 20% bonus to all skills and damage at close range.)]

[Soul: 0/100]

[Stats] {Might: 20} {Fortitude: 20} {Insight: 12} {Memory: 11} {Valor: 16} {Will: 13}

[Experiences]

{Athletic: Gain 10% bonus to all physical abilities. Fatigue reduced by 10%.}

[Feats]

{Solid Strike: Three times per level each day, deliver a single blow with 50% extra power.}

Enessa drew in a deep breath and tried to steady herself. The power in that [Gift] was already more than most people could hope to have. Her instructors in the Academy had pushed her to her limits for nearly three weeks, honing her body so that she would have the chance to prove herself in the coming days. She already felt stronger and tougher than she’d ever been. Faster too, though that wasn’t even supposed to be a part of her abilities.

It was enough to make her wonder how she would match up against Clay, now. Maybe she’d finally last a bit longer in a wrestling match…

Enessa winced and tried to turn her mind back to the trials in front of her. Despite her effort, she still had an image of the expression that had been on Clay’s face. His resignation and sadness at being called a [Commoner], while all the rest of them were sent off to fight… it still made her heart twist. He’d always been the one to push for the chance to be an adventurer, to be a hero. Some disloyal part of her kept insisting that the gods had to have made a mistake, choosing her and not him.

She made herself the promise, for the twentieth time, that she’d return and show him what he had inspired in her. They’d get back to Pellsglade someday, and then he would see that even if he hadn’t gone out with them, he’d still been a part of the struggle in his own way. Enessa would make sure of it.

Another crack sounded from the dueling ring, and a young man that Enessa didn’t know was sent sprawling. The [Guard] with the practice spear was left panting in the middle of the ring, looking exhausted, but triumphant. Across the ring, the instructor made a note on a board and shook her head.

Enessa felt her heart sink. They each would only have five chances to prove themselves, and they had to succeed in at least three of them. If they failed, they’d be sent home in shame, adventurers too weak or too foolish to protect anyone. The others called the people who failed the Bonded, since they’d be bound by oath to never leave their lands and to live as [Commoners] did—except for the fact that unlike the [Commoners], they’d be considered a waste of the gods’ blessings.

If there was anything she’d come to fear, it was that fate. Enessa knew, deep down, that Clay should have been here instead. How would he feel if she came back, defeated and shamed, when he’d never even been given the chance? Would he even look at her as a friend anymore, or would he see her with the same contempt the other adventurers did?

“Enessa Moors!”

She jumped as her name was called. When she looked, she could see another instructor gesturing to her. With her heart thumping in her chest, she grabbed her practice staff and walked over.

The instructor examined her for a moment. “Syr Moors. Are you ready for your trial?”

Enessa tried to swallow despite her dry mouth. “Yes, Sir.”

He nodded. “Good. You’re going to be next in that ring.” The instructor pointed. “Go stand and wait by the stake with the blue cloth. Syr Taylor will let you know when it is your turn.”

She nodded and set off across the courtyard. A fussy-looking adventurer with spectacles on looked her up and down and sighed, obviously dismissing her. Enessa tried not to see it as a bad omen and turned to face the ring—only to freeze as soon as she recognized the candidate inside.

Charles was fighting in the ring.

He wasn’t wearing the fine armor or holding the well-crafted sword and shield that his father had sent him with. The son of Baron Pellsglade had been asked to leave his personal weapons in his room, just as she had for the duration of the trials. Practice weapons were all that was needed here.

All the same, he still looked just as noble and heroic as he ever had. Enessa felt her heart catch in her throat for a moment, and the world seemed to slow down for a second as he jerked back from the [Guard] he was fighting. His hair flowed and stirred as he dodged around the strike, his practice sword coming up and around in a perfectly practiced counterstroke. It was a movement that had all the grace of a warrior raised from birth to fight for justice, and held everything she felt she lacked.

The [Guard] didn’t appreciate it quite as much. Charles’ strike landed on his helmet, and the man staggered backwards with a foul oath. Enessa was forced to swallow the urge to scream as Charles blocked the next attack with his shield and pressed in closer, knocking his opponent’s shield from his grasp. In mere moments, the King’s [Guard] had been knocked to the ground, and Charles was left panting and sweating over him in victory.

Charles sheathed his practice sword and then extended a hand to the fallen [Guard]. For a moment, the man looked as if he wanted to refuse the gesture, but then the [Commoner] heaved a sigh and allowed Charles to pull him upright. They exchanged a few words before the [Guard] limped off towards a nearby healer.

Then Charles turned and saw her. A smile that could have lit up the sun touched his lips. “Enessa!”

She waved at him, trying not to blush. The instructor beside her sighed again, but Enessa didn’t pay her any attention. “Charles! Was that your third?”

He nodded, triumph and caution warring on his face. “It was! I made it!”

Enessa grinned. “I knew you would. I guess all those lessons your dad gave you paid off, huh?”

Charles shrugged uncomfortably. Unlike the rest of the ‘generation of heroes’, he was the only one of the group that everyone had expected to have an adventurer’s [Class]. Of course, everyone had expected it to be [Noble], and not [Paladin], but the old swordsmanship lessons that Baron Pellsglade had drilled into him since the first time he could lift a sword were obviously coming in handy now. “I guess so. Have you heard from the others?”

She nodded. “Maribel passed a little earlier on. Didn’t even lose a match. Not sure about Ned or George.”

He laughed. “I’m sure the twins will be fine. I’m surprised that Maribel managed so easily, though.”

Enessa shrugged. “It’s a bit easier when you can just shoot off [Charms] at people, I think.” At least, she kept telling herself that as the day wore on. The snooty little [Mage] hadn’t made things easier on her anxiety about passing, either. Ever since they left Pellsglade, Maribel had been acting like the dirt wasn’t worthy to touch her toes anymore. It was aggravating, especially the way she’d suddenly started rolling her eyes whenever anyone mentioned Clay.

Charles gave her a look that seemed to say he knew what she was thinking. He always seemed to. “In any case, I’m glad she made it. Is it going to be your first match?”

She nodded, and he reached over to pat her on the upper arm. “You’ll do great. Just do what Clay would do.”

Enessa felt her blush deepen, and she forced a quick grin. “I’m pretty sure he’d warn me about not falling into a pit like that one time.”

Charles’ grin grew a little less gentle and a lot more malicious. “Or that time he almost got trampled by a bull.”

“Or that time—”

“Syr Moors.” The instructor’s voice carried a hint of irritation, and Enessa jumped slightly. When she looked over, the adventurer gestured to the ring. “Your opponent is waiting.”

Enessa looked into the ring, and found a woman with a spear and shield staring at her. She nodded. “Thank you, Syr.”

When she looked back at Charles, he gave her another quick smile and a nod. “You can do it, Enessa. I’ll be cheering you on.”

Then he stepped aside and Enessa forced herself to take a quick breath. She entered the ring, her staff still clutched tightly in her hands.

The [Guard] facing her seemed angry, and Enessa tried not to notice the sweat making it hard for her to grip the staff. She gripped it a bit harder, hoping that her first swing wouldn’t send the weapon flying out of her hands. Enessa felt a flicker of resentment pass through her. For all of the workouts and obstacle courses they had put her through, none of her instructors had put her through the first lesson in how to wield her weapon. Unlike George and Charles and Ned, the instructors had seemed to deliberately avoid it for some reason.

She shoved those worries aside and braced herself. The [Guard] was still watching her, up on her feet and ready to attack.

Doubt filtered through her thoughts again as Enessa started to step forward. The woman in front of her had years of experience. She had to have fought dozens of times, maybe even trained every day. How was she supposed to—

Before Enessa could question herself further, the [Guard] abruptly charged. The spear in her hands lashed out at Enessa’s face, and the [Guard] unleashed a brief bark of fury as she came.

It startled Enessa enough that she reacted without thinking. Her staff came up and around in a broad, frantic swing. She saw the [Guard] bring up her shield and realized in blind panic that the hit would land square on the center of the shield. Unable to change its course, she braced herself, half-expecting the weapon to bounce off and leave her completely open.

Then the staff hit, and to Enessa’s shock, it slammed the [Guard] to the side. Enessa stared in surprise as the [Guard] staggered, her charge completely knocked off course. Her surprise lasted long enough that the [Guard] actually recovered and started a second charge. Backing up a step, Enessa swung again, putting just a little more strength into the hit.

Again, the [Guard] was batted aside. The crack of the staff meeting the shield echoed through the courtyard, and her opponent swore as she was sent staggering towards the edge of the ring. Enessa didn’t let her recover this time. Feeling a little incredulous, she stepped forward and swung her staff in a flat arc.

She caught the [Guard] off balance and knocked her completely onto her back. Enessa stepped forward, a little uncertain about how to finish things—she didn’t exactly want to batter the poor woman while she was on the ground—but the instructor spoke up. “Stop. The victory is yours, Enessa.”

The moment the instructor spoke, the [Guard’s] shoulders slumped, and to Enessa’s surprise, her [Gift] flashed a notification in the corner of her eye.

{Path embraced! Soul increases by 10!}

Even as she absorbed that information, a bitter flash of resentment twisted the [Guard’s] expression. Enessa winced in sympathy, and stopped holding the staff over her beaten opponent. She stepped forward and extended a hand. “Sorry.”

The [Guard] stared up at her for a moment. Then she pushed herself up on her own, without taking Enessa’s hand. “Sure.”

Enessa drew back as the [Guard stomped off to the side. Another [Guard], armed exactly the same with a spear and shield, stepped forward. He seemed a little younger than the first [Guard], and gave Enessa a sardonic smile as he entered the ring. “Guess I’m next, huh?”

She nodded, shifting her grip on the staff. Had the last [Guard] let her win? It didn’t seem like they would; she’d seen other adventurers fail. Not as many as she had expected, now that she thought back over it, but still…

The [Guard] stepped forward, a little more cautious than the first one, and she nodded. Enessa stepped forward and swung at him, aiming to knock him down in one blow.

This time, the [Guard] stepped back. Her staff swept past him, and Enessa blinked as he darted in to attack.

It should have been a threat, but he seemed to be moving so slowly. He could have hit her so quickly if he’d moved as fast as Clay had back home, but by the time he stabbed at her, she was already stepping back and swinging at him again. The [Guard] stepped into the swing, grunting as the staff met his shield. Her swing still pushed him back a little, but he’d braced himself well. Enessa was forced to dodge as he thrust the spear at her, but he missed by a long way.

She shoved at him, and the [Guard] staggered backwards a little. He recovered his balance while Enessa readied her staff again. Then, with a grin and a shrug, he charged back in.

Enessa narrowed her eyes. As he drew close, she drew the staff back over her shoulder and reached inside herself. She’d never really used her Feat before; without any combat training, it was hard for her to see how it would have helped her in an obstacle course. As she embraced the [Gift]’s power within her, she felt a thrill as she deployed her abilities for the first time in a real spar.

“[Solid Strike]!”

She shouted the name, and the [Guard] stiffened up as the staff swung at him. Enessa had waited until he was too close to dodge backwards, and the angle meant he couldn’t just duck it. Instead, he had to hold up his shield and hope for the best.

It didn’t help. Her staff slammed into the shield with all the force of a battering ram. The [Guard] yelped as he was sent sprawling across the ring, chunks of his shield tumbling after him. Enessa stared at him in shock, not having expected the blow to have been quite so strong. Despite herself, a small thrill went through her as she realized her own power.

{Path embraced! Soul increases by 10!}

Enessa shook herself and stepped over, only for the [Guard] to scramble backwards, cradling his arm. His grin was gone now as he shook the limb. “What are you, crazy? Could have taken my head off!”

She felt a burst of guilt as he exited the circle. When she glanced at the instructor, the adventurer didn’t appear to be paying attention, but Charles was still there. He was looking at her with worry in his eyes, and Enessa felt another flood of shame. Why had she done that?

When she turned back to the front, however, she tried to set aside that guilt and focus. The [Guard] that stepped forward now looked angry and mean. He was at least a head taller than her, maybe two, and he held his spear and shield like they were toys. There were scars on his face and arms from years of trouble, and his brown eyes were locked onto her.

There was no grin as he growled at her. “So, you want to play it rough, adventurer? Then let’s see how it goes.”

He hefted his spear and shield, as if testing their weight. Enessa brought her staff up, still holding the thing in both hands. She shifted it to give herself a bit more length. Something warned her that she shouldn’t let the man get any closer if she could avoid it.

The [Guard] approached her calmly, with a lethal kind of confidence in his stride. He didn’t charge the way the others had. His eyes were fixed on her, watching the way she moved. Enessa stilled a tremor and waited, ready to strike.

This time, she didn’t hesitate. Enessa moved forward and brought her staff up. The [Guard] was still slower than she was, and she brought it down towards him.

“[Solid Strike]!”

Instead of blocking, the [Guard] stepped to the side. Enessa grimaced in shock, but before she could stop it, the tip of her staff smashed into the ground. Her staff bent against the stone, the wood fighting to flex with the force of her own swing.

Then, before she could pull it back, the [Guard]’s shield struck down and met the staff partway along its length.

At that point, the staff snapped in half. Wooden fragments sprayed across the courtyard, and Enessa flinched as some of them bounced off her armor and face. She backed away, still holding the broken end of her staff, but before she could process it completely, the [Guard] stabbed her right in the shoulder.

The hit knocked her backwards. It wasn’t a real spear, but the blow still managed to sting a little. Enessa staggered, going down on one knee. The [Guard] chuckled, bouncing the spear in his hand. “What’s the matter, little hero? Sting a little?”

Enessa stared back up at him, still processing. Her mind was still slightly stunned. Had she already lost? A glance at the instructor told her that the woman was still watching her, but not bothering to stop things yet.

She looked back at the [Guard], who was stepping forward with his spear raised. The satisfaction on his face was clear. It was obvious that he thought it was over, no matter what the instructor thought.

He seemed surprised when Enessa tossed the broken staff at his face.

Enessa snarled in partial triumph. She rose up off her knee, bringing her fists up. Nobody had ever taught her how to fight with a weapon, but she’d spent half her life wrestling and scrabbling with the rest of the folks from Pellsglade. If the guy thought he’d been in trouble before…

The [Guard] snarled and started to step back, trying to get enough distance to stab her again. Enessa didn’t give him the chance. She ducked in close, getting inside his reach with the spear. When he tried to go for the attack anyway, she knocked the spearpoint to the side and grabbed hold of his shield.

He growled again, trying to use the shield to push her away. Enessa grinned and held on anyway. It felt like she was wrestling with someone half her age, now. She pivoted, yanking on the shield and pulling him off balance. Enessa snaked one foot back behind his ankle and shoved him, catching the [Guard] just as he tried to drag the shield back towards him.

She heard him shout as he went over backwards. He landed on his back, and Enessa stepped in to follow him. When he swung the spear at her, she caught the haft on her left forearm. Enessa barely felt the hit, and before he could pull back, she kicked the spear out of his hand and across the courtyard.

The [Guard] rolled out to the other side, coming up with his shield between them. Enessa followed, jabbing at him with her left hand. He took the blows on his shield, each impact sending a slight jolt of pain through her knuckles. It didn’t hurt nearly as bad as it should have, but all that [Fortitude] had to count for something.

She thumped the shield again, and the [Guard] suddenly launched himself forward with a shout. Enessa stepped to the side, the same way he’d dodged her, and wound up her right arm for a punch. To his credit, the [Guard] saw it coming and got his shield in the way. She smiled and struck anyway.

“[Solid Strike]!”

The punch slammed into the shield with every ounce of weight she could put behind it. Enessa felt it like a lance of pain through her hand, but the results were worth it. Her opponent’s shield cracked in half, and he was knocked back to the ground with a cut-off oath.

He started to try to roll away again, but Enessa crossed the courtyard too quickly. A kick swept the remnants of the shield aside, and then she leaned forward to grab his armor. Enessa brought him up with his armor caught in her left hand, her right hand ready to strike—

“Stop! Victory to you, Enessa. Your trial is over.”

{Path embraced! Soul increases by 10!}

Enessa froze. She stared down into the bitter hatred in the [Guard]’s expression for a moment. Then she nodded and let him go. Still shaking out her right hand, she pulled him to his feet with her left. “Good fight.”

He made as if to ignore her. Then he nodded and turned to head back to the other [Guards]. Enessa watched him go for a moment longer, breathing hard.

Then she took a deeper breath and let it go. She might have broken her staff, but at least she’d still passed. With another deep breath, she turned to head back to where Charles was waiting.

Before she reached him, however, one of the instructors intercepted her. It was an older adventurer, with a sharp look in his eyes and a strength to his stride. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Syr Enessa. Congratulations on your victory.” He tilted his head to one side. “What did you learn?”

Enessa blinked at him. She tried to smile. “I shouldn’t count on weapons so much?”

He coughed, something which sounded suspiciously like a laugh. “Ah. Perhaps.” Then his expression grew a bit more severe. “I meant about your opponents.”

She looked back at the [Guards]. They had gathered around the angry one, shaking his hand and talking as if they were offering their condolences. “They… fought hard.”

“Of course they did.” The man nodded patiently. “Those [Guards] are among the best warriors in the King’s army. The Kingdom depends on them to protect the people from mortal threats. They train relentlessly, and their dedication is renowned.”

Then he paused. “And yet, you beat three of them. With nearly no training, no real equipment, nothing more than what you learned before your Choosing and the [Gift] the gods gave you. Why do you think that is?”

She hesitated, unsure of what he wanted to hear, and the adventurer continued in a calm voice. “There will be times, Syr Enessa, when you or other adventurers question why you have been chosen for this life. Why you are needed to fight when there are so many others that could face the monsters ahead of you.”

He glanced back at the [Guards] before he continued. “You need to know that your [Class] is more than just a blessing. It is a responsibility. We have been granted the power we need to do what they cannot. How many more of them would die, if we set down our arms? How many would we kill with our selfishness, if we turned to our own desires, or simply failed to prepare ourselves enough for what lies ahead?”

Enessa thought back over her fights, remembering the ease with which she had battered the [Guards] aside. Even the last fight hadn’t been nearly as hard as it could have been. She didn’t even think the spearpoint had left a bruise beneath her armor.

Slowly, she nodded. “I understand.”

“Good.” The man clasped her on the shoulder for a moment and smiled again. “Again, congratulations for your work today. I am sure it is one more step along your path to a great legacy.”

Enessa thought back to Clay, and felt her determination to protect him increase. “Thank you, Sir…”

“Leonard. Sir Leonard.” The adventurer nodded to her and turned away. “Good hunting, Syr Enessa. And good fortune.”

She watched as he walked away across the ring. Then she turned to see Charles grinning at her, and felt a burst of triumph. As she walked over to join him, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of excitement wash over her. Not only had she won three times in a row, she’d also nearly made it halfway to her second level! At this rate, she’d be hunting monsters in no time.

Enessa chuckled to herself as she pictured Clay’s reaction when she got back to Pellsglade. He probably would be blown away by how far she’d come.

She couldn’t wait to see it.