♔ THE TASK
Ladies and Gentlemen, we've been kind to you. But this is where the mood of the Tournament starts to change. So far, we've tested your reflexes, your strength, your wit, and your trust. Now it's time to test something a little less solid.
Your loyalty.
You will begin this task in the lowest dungeons of the castle. There will be no sunlight, no sound, only the damp air and the scent of molding hay to keep you occupied. Unfortunately, you will not have the option to explore these dungeons and see prisoners so vile that even the King himself would not pardon them. When you wake to find yourself in the dungeon, you will find yourself tied up and completely immobile aside from your head. A dark, shadowed figure will loom above you and you will be helpless in its hands.
Have no fear, knights. This isn't the Traitor who threatens the peace of our country. But that doesn't mean you are safe in these hands.
In this task, you will be tortured. Physically, psychologically, emotionally, we will push you to the brink of your sanity until you beg for mercy. The torturer will ask you questions only. He will interrogate you about the Royal Family, about where they sleep and what they do, when they're alone and what their weaknesses are. The only way to get the torture to stop is to tell him what he wants to know.
But doing that would make you a traitor now wouldn't it?
THINGS YOU CANNOT DO IN THIS TASK
♔ Escape. It's necessary that you stay in the dungeon for the allotted time. Afterwards, any injuries will be tended to and you will be offered a strong glass of liquor.
♔ Physically attack/kill your torturer. Seriously, you don't want to do this. If you insist, you can. But you'll regret it later.
♔ WORD COUNT
For this task, we will give you a limit of 3,000 words. Do we expect that you will use all of it? No, but we want to give you as much freedom to write as we can.
♔ BALLOTS
Again, two ballots will be given for this task.
♔ DEADLINE
The deadline will be March 18th, at 8:00 PM U.S Central Time. This will give you (roughly) six days to complete your entry.
♔ SPONSORSHIP
"Fennett, my dear, there is nothing I can give you that will prepare you for this Trial. I only offer words of advice. Stay strong and be bold. I have every faith in you." –King Artheur
"Cynseige, it will be so nice to see your pretty face when defeat claims it. For you, I offer an extended word count of 3,500." -Queen Melinda
"Ren, a true Knight must always know when to stand firm. For you, my friend, I suspend the ballot challenges." -Sir Adeline
"Eleos, Keiko, I'm sorry for this. I've never liked this task, and it pains me to see you go through it. So I offer you not a gift, but an incentive. If you pass this challenge, I can promise you that your reward in the next will be great." –Sir Thomas
"Mavary, I give you an extra 500 words to work with. This gives you 750 extra words. Do not disappoint me." -Roland
♔ THE TRAITOR'S CHALLENGES
Aloïsa Beaumarchais- It's not the Traitor that hunts you, my dear, but the Spy. Even if you tell your torturer what they want to know, they will not believe you. You cannot stop your torturer with anything you say.
Renauda Lancaster- The Traitor wants to see you bleed. In this task, you will receive an injury that will bleed until the point of unconsciousness.
Mavary Valls- You've slipped by unseen so far, but now the Traitor will make sure nobody mistakes you again. You will receive a wound that will be carried on in the next tasks.
Fennett Abernathy- Even the highest need to be brought low. It's time you see your honor ruined. The Traitor demands that you lose this challenge, by revealing the information you know.
♔ BALLOT CHALLENGES
1-2
You will have the option of taking a potion some time during the task. You will be taking it under the belief that it has been sent to relieve the pain, however it is the exact opposite. You will become hyper-sensitive in all your senses, making everything excruciating.
3-4
At some point, you will be force-fed hallucinogens. They will cause feelings of severe paranoia and guilt, along with visual and audible delusions. These can be about anything and can last for as short or as long as you like.
5-6
They have brought a loved on into the cell opposite you and you must endure hearing them tortured while you are. The torturer will offer you the chance to save them if you betray the royal family as well. (Don't worry, nobody is actually being harmed, but you do not know that.)
UNLISTED
Your word count is UNLIMITED. Use it wisely.
♔ NAME THE TRAITOR
You will not have the option to name the Traitor in this task. However, the next round will be you second chance to stop her. So, you will receive a hint.
Look in the rankings
That's where you'll find
The Traitor is someone
Who is slipping behind.
YOU ARE READING
Author Games: A Knight's Valor
De TodoHis Royal Majesty King Artheur of Lemaria has announced, with great pleasure, the beginning of the annual Trials of Valor. However, in a surprising turn of events, he has decided to extend the invitation across the beautiful country of Elusia. Two k...