Marinah's mood seems to be remarkably improved as we head on to the fifth and final test of the day.
We are corralled back outside to the place we completed the obstacle course.
Only one person got disqualified from the last test and our group is twenty strong now.
The instructor looked over as he began speaking.
"Good.. this will be easy since there are an even number. Everyone, make four groups of five. You're fellow examines will determine if you fail or not, so choose wisely."
I am instantly bombared with feverish glances and for a moment my mind slips back to the arena.
My fans wants blood and I will give it them. I am Kelric Bladebane, Champ-
My thoughts are interrupted when Elias puts a hand on my shoulder. I reach out to break it.
I stop myself halfway as my mind clears.
It has been a week since I last killed a man. All of the days activity has stoked my wicked desire for blood. I hate myself for it.
"Hey friend.. you alright there..?"
Elias looks concerned and I have to shake my head forcefully to clear it.
"Yeah.."
I look around and notice that no one had formed up yet, they know I'm the best and want to be on my team.
Then, I turn to Elias and tell him to get three others for our group.
His mouth drops open in shock. Then he starts to laugh.
"Oh wow… hahaha.. phew. I don't believe anyone has ever ordered me around besides my father before. Gods Kelric, you're funny and interesting."
I wonder what his families rank is as he turns and does my bidding. Then I realize I just ordered a noble around.
'Idiot! You're not the top of the food chain here.'
Soon Elias brings Marinah and the guy who had the death affinity. I've forgotten his name. The other two he chose look to be twins and they are tall and strong.
They introduce themselves as Dean and Jean. Very creative parents had sired these brothers.
The skinny weird death affinity guy introduced himself as well, but he's very unremarkable and I forget his name instantly.
'Bobin… no that's stupid. Hobin? Fobin?'
Everyone is soon in their teams of five and the instructor begins speaking again.
There is a wicked smile on his face as he does so.
"Now that everyone has grouped up, please select a leader. This is very important, so make sure you choose wisely."
I'm instantly looked at and crowned the leader. The instructor wants the names of us chosen before he starts the next portion of this test's explanation.
The instructor was holding back a laugh now.
"Pfft.. Okay, now that the leaders are chosen, they cannot be changed. The rules of this next test is simple. The leader will be given a flag to be tied around his shoulders.
This will be a test to measure your teamwork with strangers… well except Dean and Jean."
There's a few laughs of agreement.
"There can be a maximum of two winning groups in this test. Your objective: keep your leader safe and try to steal another teams flag.
You can use hand to hand combat to disable your opponents, just don't go overboard.
The leader is not allowed to move from the spot he chooses and cannot defend himself against other teams from taking his flag. The test will be exactly an hour long, so don't give up hope if your flag is taken early."
The other teams who had originally despaired at the idea of facing Kelric, now wore confident smiles.
I see a couple of ways for my flag not to be stolen easily and ask a question.
"Is there any rules on where we have to stay, or can I choose wherever I wish."
His eyes briefly go wide and I think he's surprised I found the little loophole that gives a leader a way to defend his flag.
"You may choose whatever spot you wish, just know that you and your team will be disqualified if you move."
I nod my head in understanding and he directs us into the tree line.
Each team is separated and taken into the woods in three minute intervals.
The man guiding us is using a pulse stone to know when it's time to let us get in position.
I see the dark orange rock tremble and he gives us a nod.
"You have 1 minute till the hour timer starts, if your leader moves after the test starts, I will have to disqualify you."
I stayed to listen and immediately started to move after he was finished speaking.
I had thought about climbing a tree and staying out of sight, but I doubted I was the only one who could climb.
Instead, my fingers plunged into the dirt as I dug between two trees. I had just managed to get into position when the man watching us yelled, "Begin!"
Elias and Marinah walked up to either side of me and each had an eyebrow raised.
I think Elias understands as his mouth drops open.
Marinah just looked confused.
"Umm.. Kelric. What are you doing?"
Her tone doesn't have any mockery in it, but her voice sounds like a mother who can't understand why her child has done something dumb.
Elias responds for me and nods to my hands grasping the treeroots.
"Marinah, you see how the top of his back is dipped into the hole he made."
Marinah nods but is still confused until recognition comes over her. She clapped her hands together.
"Ohhh I see. Wow.. I don't think I ever would've thought of something like that."
Dean and Jean plod over then. Followed by… Mobin?
The death affinity guy doesn't understand at all and asks for an explanation. Elias gives it to him.
"You see how the flag is wrapped around his shoulders? It'll be very hard to take it from him like that, plus my friend Kelric here is insanely strong. You'd need at least a couple people trying to get the flag from him at the same time while he has it pinned."
It felt very uncomfortable with so many people crowding above me.
"Could you all go or something… we're not going to win if you keep standing around."
They asked me if someone should stand back to guard me, I told them no and had them find another group to rush all at once.
I wasn't too put off by the fact I wasn't able to move, I've been watching Elias and while he's certainly weaker than me, he's leagues above the rest of the others here.
Ten minutes go by as I wait and two people from another group stumble upon me. Literally. I thighten my abdominal muscles as a lanky knee falls on me.
They panickingly jump away and scan the area around us. Then I see the two faces start wearing grins I've seen many times before.
This was the look a lot of dead men had given me before my name was respected in Kalabar.
These two think they've won this test almost instantly.
They're no words spoken as they nod at each other and bend down to try and peel the flag out from under my body.
They can't.
The one who had fell on me soon voiced his frustration.
"What's wrong with this guy, how can he be so strong!?"
His companion just shook his head and looked down at me.
"Say Kelric.. why don't we make this easier on the both of us. Relax a little and let us take the flag or things are going to get unpleasant.."
I feel my face turn into an excitedly ferocious snarl at his threat.
"Let's see what you two little idiots can do."