A Trial Of Emperors and Empresses

Chapter 8 - Warden

"Now our candidates from the Western Kingdom." Aisling announced as they stepped on.

Ariana went first, rolling up her sleeve and pulling up her hair. She tucked her shirt into her pants and flipped backwards.

She continued, guards coming at her. She fended all of them off without breaking a sweat. Warden watched in awe as murmurs and nods or approval as well as some claps and cheers came from the crowd.

"Sadie Panu, Luke Payl and Henry Mirack."

Sadie, Luke and Henry took their places. They broke into fight, flinging themselves off and on the others. Weapons were dropped from the sky and the trio picked them up, still battling each other. Finally, Henry disarmed both Luke and Sadie.

Applause comes from the crowd. Then it's Warden's turn.

"Warden Lang." Aisling announces. Warden stepped forward. He had prepared something special, which he hoped was enough.

The workers rolled out the props and a guard, who was the acting villain, took his place. So did the background people.

Warden and the guard faced each other off, before running off behind and slipping on disguises. While Warden couldn't see anything going on, the crowd could see everything.

He took to the crowd, weaving in and out of the crowd. He snatched a few apples without anyone noticing. The crowed awed and booed.

Nervous, Warden made his way to the fake palace banquet room setting.

He turned his head away for a split second, gurgling down the antidote.

A server arrived with a glass of wine, which Warden accepted and took a long sip from. The crowd gasped, startled and scared. Warden looked to the crowd, grinning as he held up the antidote bottle.

They gave audible gasps and cheers. Warden grinned even harder.

He took his place next to the other representatives of the Western Kingdom.

"Madame Ariana Summers. You have demonstrated your extreme ability to fend off possible danger. You demonstrated your acrobatic ability. Those are fine qualities for an Empress in danger. Thank you."

Ariana and Aisling bow to each other. Ariana looks regal. Aisling moves on to Warden.

"Mr. Warden Lang. You showed us that you have the ability to avoid assassinations. An incredibly important and vital skill for an Emperor during these uncertain times. We were very pleased with your performance. Thank you."

Warden and Aisling bowed to each other, Warden fumbling a bit and Aisling doing it with ease and effortless precision.

Aisling moved on. "And to you, Miss Sadie Panu. You demonstrated your incredible capability with a sword. Thank you." They bowed.

"Sir Luke Payl. You also demonstrated your ability with a sword as well as your extreme physical strength. Thank you." They bowed.

"And Sir Henry Mirack. You showed us all your capability to win in an actual duel. Thank you."
Aisling and Henry bowed to each other respectfully.

Aisling stepped to the front of the stage.

"And our eliminations from the Western Kingdom are..."

The crowd waiting with baited breath. "Sadie Panu and Luke Payl."

The paint buckets were pulled and the paint, released. Luke shrieked and Sadie screamed.

"We will have the next kingdom." Aisling called over Sadie's mad shrieking.