Royal Selection 2

Kaelin Darkhaven, the eldest of the Sanian clan, stood tall and proud, his eyes scanning the room with a hint of wisdom. He bowed low, greeting the king and his ministers, before turning to face the assembled maidens.

"Greetings, young ones," he began, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Kaelin Darkhaven, and it is my honor to preside over this contest. As a member of the Kaleekis, I believe that whoever deserves to be queen must first demonstrate a understanding of our ancestral rituals and the magic that permeates our land."

He paused, his eyes sweeping across the room. "So, let us begin. Our first question is: Who was the first monarch of Eridoria?"

The room fell silent, as the maidens pondered the answer. Lili, her brow furrowed in concentration, was the first to speak up. "Was it King Arin?" she ventured, her voice hesitant.

Kaelin's expression was kind, but firm. "I'm afraid that is incorrect, young miss. King Arin was indeed a great ruler, but he was not the first monarch."

Other maidens offered their answers, but each was met with a gentle correction from Kaelin. It seemed that none could recall the correct answer.

Just when it seemed that all hope was lost, a soft voice spoke up from the back of the room. "King Lucio," said the maiden, her voice clear and confident. "He was the first human to hear the gods."

Kaelin's face broke into a wide smile. "Ah, yes! You are absolutely right, my dear. King Lucio was indeed the first monarch of Eridoria, and the first human to hear the whispers of the gods."

The judge of the contest, a wise old man named Thorold, marked a small tick on his parchment, signifying that the maiden had answered correctly.

"Well done, young miss," Kaelin said, his eyes shining with approval. "You have earned your first point. Let us see if the others can follow in your lead.

"Young miss, you have proven your knowledge of our history. Now, let us move on to another question, one that requires wisdom and courage."

He paused, surveying the room. "What is the fundamental principle of ancient magic?"

Another maiden, named Kia, spoke up, her voice clear and confident. "The fundamental principle of ancient magic is balance, elder Kaelin Darkhaven. It is the understanding that every action has a consequence, and that one must always strive to maintain harmony within oneself and with the world."

Kaelin nodded, his expression impressed. "Very good, young miss. You have earned your first point."

As the contest continued, Kaelin Darkhaven, the esteemed elder of the Sanian clan, posed a question that would test the maidens' wisdom and courage. "Imagine yourself in a perilous situation where a ferocious lion is charging towards you, intent on taking your life. Nearby, an injured person lies helpless, and assisting them would undoubtedly slow your escape. How would you react in this perilsome scenario?"

The room fell silent as the maidens contemplated their response. Senah, with her quick wit and sharp intellect, spoke first. "I would prioritize the well-being of the injured person, even if it meant putting myself in harm's way. It is our moral obligation to protect one another, and to value the safety of others over our own."

Lili, with her compassionate heart and strong convictions, responded next. "I would willingly sacrifice my own life to ensure the safety of the other person, Kaelin Darkhaven. Although the gods may no longer communicate with us directly, we are still expected to uphold the principles of humanity, which include protecting and loving one another."

Another young woman, Micah, answered, "if the injured person is a slave, why would I bother to save a slave instead of saving myself? I believe that the life of a noble should matter more than the lives of slaves and if I become the next queen, I believe that I need to protect myself first."

The other maidens responded similarly, some demonstrated their bravery and selflessness, while some demonstrated their tyranny and selfishness. When they finished, Kaelin Darkhaven nodded in approval, his eyes shining with admiration.

"Well done, maidens. Five of you have demonstrated exceptional courage and wisdom, and have earned the right to proceed to the next phase of the competition. Lili, Senah, Kia, Micah and Yon, you have proven your worth, and I congratulate you on your achievement."

The five selected maidens beamed with joy and relief, while the others departed, some in tears, others with envy and disappointment etched on their faces.

As the rejected maidens bid farewell, Kaelin Darkhaven addressed the remaining five, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "Remember, maidens, this competition is far from over. You must continue to demonstrate your courage, wisdom, and heart, for only one of you can claim the throne of Eridoria."

After their successful completion of the first phase of the contest, the five selected maidens were escorted to their royal quarters within the palace. The luxurious chambers were adorned with opulent furnishings, and the maidens were treated to a sumptuous feast to celebrate their achievement.

As they indulged in the delicious cuisine, Kaelin Darkhaven explained the rules of the second phase of the contest. "Tomorrow, at dawn, you will embark on a journey to retrieve a rare and elusive root, known as the 'Starlight Root'. This root is not only edible but also possesses extraordinary healing properties. However, it can only be found on one of the majestic mountains surrounding our kingdom."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "You must rise early, and using your wit and resourcefulness, determine which mountain to ascend and how to identify the Starlight Root. You are not permitted to ask your maids or bodyguards or anybody for assistance; this task is yours alone to accomplish. You must return to the palace before sunset, with the root in hand, to be deemed successful."

The maidens listened intently, their minds racing with the challenge ahead. They knew that this task would require courage, intelligence, and determination. Little did they know that the journey would also test their resolve, their compassion, and their abilities.

And so, with a sense of excitement and trepidation, the maidens retired to their quarters, their minds already racing with strategies and plans for the daunting task that lay ahead.