The arena fell silent.
I stood over my fallen opponent, chest heaving with exertion, blood dripping from multiple wounds. "Do you yield?" I asked, my voice carrying in the stillness.
Gristholm's eyes burned with hatred. "Never," he spat.
The ritual master approached, examining Gristholm's condition. "The challenger has achieved incapacitation. By ancient law, the challenge is decided." He raised his staff. "Redmon of the Sylvan Tribe is victorious and claims the right of protection over Selene of the Western Terramares."
The crowd erupted in cheers, and in protests. I barely heard them. My gaze sought Kalyndi, finding her already rushing toward the arena, her sister close behind.
Magnus Terra officials intercepted her at the edge of the circle. "This is highly irregular," one insisted. "The matching protocols… "
"The Ancient Accords supersede your protocols," I interrupted, my voice carrying despite my exhaustion. "As the ritual master has confirmed. Selene is now under my protection as a ward of my household."
"You can't simply… "
"I can and I have." I drew myself up to full height, ignoring the pain of my wounds. "Unless Magnus Terra wishes to formally reject the Ancient Accords that form the foundation of our peace?"
The official blanched. Rejecting the Accords would have far-reaching consequences that no mid-level bureaucrat would dare trigger.
"This will be reported to the highest levels," he threatened weakly.
"I'm counting on it." I stepped past him, approaching Kalyndi and her sister.
Selene, younger than Kalyndi but with the same determined set to her jaw, regarded me with cautious hope. "Is it true? I don't have to go with him?"
"You're under my protection now," I confirmed. "No one will force you into a matching against your will."
The tribal elders converged as soon as the Magnus Terra officials retreated. Elder Sarrok's expression was thunderous.
"You've overstepped, War Chief," he hissed. "The council will not approve of this interference in established protocols."
"The council approved the Ancient Accords centuries ago," I replied. "I've simply invoked what has always been our right."
Another elder, Thorne's ally Karsa, stepped forward. "Your loyalty is to your tribe, not to humans. This display raises serious questions about your fitness to lead."
I met his gaze steadily. "My loyalty is to justice. To choice. If that conflicts with forcing unwilling humans into matchings, perhaps it's the policy that needs examination, not my loyalty."
Murmurs spread through the gathered elders. Some nodded thoughtfully, while others glared with open hostility.
"This discussion isn't over," Sarrok warned. "The full council will convene to address your actions."
"I look forward to it," I replied, though in truth, I dreaded the political battle to come. My position as war chief hung by a thread, and I'd just taken a blade to it.
As the elders dispersed, Kalyndi approached, her medical bag already open. "You're bleeding badly," she said, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "We need to treat these wounds immediately."
I allowed her to lead me from the arena, Selene following close behind. The younger woman kept glancing back at the still-immobilized Gristholm, as if afraid he might suddenly recover and pursue her.
"He won't be able to move for hours," I assured her. "And when he does, he'll have no claim on you."
"Why did you do this?" Selene asked bluntly. "You don't know me. You risked your life, your position..."
I had no simple answer. Looking at Kalyndi as she prepared bandages, I found myself equally confused by my motivations. Had I done this to win her approval? To prove I wasn't the monster she initially believed me to be? Or was there something more fundamental at work, some shift in my understanding of right and wrong?
"Your sister asked for my help," I said finally. "The rest I'm still figuring out."
The journey back to our dwelling passed in a blur of pain and exhaustion. Upon arrival, someone hastily bandagedmy wounds, but I needed more extensive treatment. Kalyndi directed me to lie on the bed while she gathered her supplies.
Selene hovered uncertainly in the doorway. "What happens to me now?"
