The morning dawn broke over the horizon; the city was already loud and spirited. But today, news has spread about the upcoming clash, the clash that will decide the future of these people. The city has grown quiet, perhaps in a dangerous way, as everyone was waiting. The away team of the Hor’Cha was making their way towards the arena. Baro, walking beside Vor’aq, spoke to him, “Krellek’s camp is rather restless.” Baro looked around curiously at the people who stopped their activity and followed their path.

Vor’aq didn’t get distracted by the stares; instead, he kept himself standing tall and his armor in check. He worked the previous evening on his armor, making sure it was worthy of an honorable battle. He took a deep breath as his eyes locked on the arena in front of him. “We are not here just to win the ring; we are here to win these people,” he stated their house objective once more as he walked up the stairs to the ring.

The judge with his wooden staff stands there, Orun Tai looking at them with a neutral expression on his face. Taking a deep breath and finally looking around, he said, “Today we start our composite trial,” and he tapped his staff on the ground. “Three disciplines, one judgement.”

The away team stopped in front of the ring barrier as W’ekras grabbed her squeeze pouch and let a single drop of blood-wine hit the deck: “For our discipline, our victory ”

Trial of Kareth

Lursaen was chanting in the crowd to ensure Camp Toral gained enough support. “A female to do the endurance is an insult; see here as Qabhi shall fall and Toral shall rise!” Lursaen chants louder, trying to see if it had any effect on the W’ekras, but none was given.

Focusing on her trial, W’ekras breathes in and out, seeing the weight stones before her. Waiting on Judge Tai to make the start, she didn’t even notice the other people standing there as well. The first spark was given; everyone stands ready. The second spark is unleashed as everyone grabs their weight stone and, with a growl, raises them to chest level.

Pushing forward, walking carefully over their designated chalk path, and stopping at breath stations, the next and final part was the crossing of the narrow beams. The judges would pay attention to dropped stones, off-line steps, or breaking their stance at the breathing stations. W’ekras felt the sweat dropping from her face and the blazing hot sun on her skin as she walked onto the beam, carefully crossing it.

Crossing the finish line, W’ekras holds her stone until Judge Tai gives her a nod as others finish as well. “Flawless discipline, the sun goes to House Qabhi.” The crowd applauds the show of strength and speed, silencing the Toral camp.

Trial of Varrin

This time, House Qabhi’s old political officer steps into the ring. J’esord cracks his neck as he gets to his designated spot to begin his competition. Taking a deep breath, he tried to focus as a warrior from Krellek stood at the other side of his place.

“You might have taken the first, but mark my words, I shall take the second.” The warrior spoke in a growl.

A smile appears on J’esord’s face. “Your pride is too loud, boy; strategy is to be quiet.” A first spark was given; the warriors stood ready as the platforms began to move and the bridges shifted. Yet J’esord fiercely locked eyes with his enemy. This trial was focused on holding a marker, forcing someone to yield and be restricted in their technique, and no illegal pushes or escalations.

The second spark was given, and the Krellek warrior tries to get towards J’esord’s position as he stands there. But the platforms and bridges change, making it difficult to cross the area. Yet the warrior finally reached his platform, breathing heavily, “Now you go down, old man.”

Raising his hands, “We shall see, little targ,” J’esord taunts the warrior, and it worked; the man sprinted at him to try any technique to get the upper hand. “Having difficulty? It seems this old man is holding up his stand. Come on, do your best.” He smiled, holding the warrior away and avoiding lethal holds that could end this trial instantly.

The taunts were a slow poison slipping into the warrior’s mind as he became overcome with rage and charged at J’esord, pushing him backwards, but little resistance came from the old warrior. A whistle was heard as the warrior let go, looking at Judge Tai with his staff up.

“Illegal push, disqualified. House Qabhi takes the sun.”

“Like I said, strategy is quiet, little targ”  J’esord smiled, leaving the ring and getting a tap of acknowledgement from Vor’aq.

Trial of Molkar

Taking a deep breath, the young Klingon kneeled on one knee, looking at the platform. This trial focused on inspecting weapons and gear, conducting safe-weapon checks, correctly binding peace bonds, and demonstrating proper maintenance. Omik was skilled, but he was unsure about this trial if he was the right person for it until he felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Vor’aq.

“You shall do fine; you are known for your skills. We trust your skills, as they carry honor and discipline.” Vor’aq gives him a stern, motivating smile: “Go, make our house proud.” With that, he lets go of his shoulder and gives him space to enter.

Getting up, Omik walks to his spot with the other warriors as he looks at his gear, previously checked by the judges. He sees the damage and knows what to do. The first spark was given; everyone stood ready as the second sparked them into action. Omik focuses first on the gear and fixes what needs fixing quickly and with quality.

The quartermaster of House Krellek starts to work on his gear as well and fixes what needs to be fixed. But he noticed that Omik was getting ahead of him and decided to quickly fix a damaged plate with a cheat to pass it off as less damaged, gaining ground on the young Klingon.

In the corner of his eye, Omik sees what the quartermaster is doing and raises his hand. “Trial breach!” It is a risky move to call someone out on cheating; it could easily backfire.

Orun slams his staff on the ground, making everyone stop. He eyes Omik for a brief moment as he walks to the quartermaster, looking at the armor. “Care to explain this fix?” Orun’s staff points at the plate that was quickly brushed.

“This is no battle damage. It is a trick!” The quartermaster defended himself.

Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the Klingon. “Law sees all; law cuts all down that breaches it.” He raised his staff. “House Krellek is disqualified for cheating; the accord has spoken,” and Orun walks back to his spot. The quartermaster was removed through light violence, as Omik won the trial in the end, being the quickest to complete his task.

The Accord Square

The judges stand at the balcony, raising their staff: “The trials are over, the accord is shaped, the sun has risen at the peak of our mountains. House Qabhi has won.”

The crowd cheers for the trials that were finished, but some couldn’t accept it. “Coward Judges”  and “Stolen Victory” were chanted, fuel provided by Lursaen that tried to ignite the crowd in favor of House Krellek. The warriors from House Krellek were definitely getting ignited by these chants and raised their fists, stepping outside their sanctioned slots.

“These warriors have less than sand itself left of their honor.” Vor’aq shrugs, staying calm and not meeting these chants with more chaos. Staying in his lane was the best choice. He looked at the balcony, seeing Warlord Varrek standing there.

The bells go off, and the guards get in place as Varrek looks at the Krellek forces being surrounded. “I advise you to hold your tongue. If you step outside the terms, you shall be expelled from this festival without any mercy.” Outnumbered, the Krellek warriors obey against their will.

Pelis Vor brings two scrolls towards Warlord Varek. Taking a deep breath, Varrek grabs the red wax and raises it. “Sovereignty.” He grabs the iron-grey wax and raises it, “Strength bound by law,” sealing the scro in public with the Warrior-Exchange Compact that was offered by House Qabhi. Looking at the guest warriors, “House Qabhi respected our Accord, while House Krellek tried to bend it. Conflict is holy because it is bound to what we stand for.” He waves his hand as aides walk to Vor’aq, presenting them with an oath token, a scroll with a future invitation, and a scroll of exchange rights.

A smile appears on Vor’aq’s face as he looks at Varrek. “We shall stand at your side, not above you. We look forward to strengthening our bonds.”

Qahbi Quarters

“House Krellek has left the system already, angry with their humiliation,” Baro confirms, leaning against the table as her arms are crossed over each other.

Vor’aq looked at them all; his away team set out for a hunt that held its fruits in the end. “We shall leave this system with the legitimacy of honor and bravery, a strong alliance in the making, and a new path for the system. We shall return home as victors of this battle with no injuries or deaths. But our war is only starting; House Qabhi shall rise again.” Everyone cheers to that.