The entire arena fell as silent as a graveyard at midnight, everyone watched anxiously for the result of Elias' assault.
Witnessing the magnitude of Elias' attack, Lord Varric's jaw dropped, and it was not because of the power behind the attack, rather he feared for his daughter's life.
Snapping out of his daze, he jerked up to his feet, "How dare you lie to me!" He roared, as he lifted up Lady Selene from her seat by her collar.
Lady Selene's expression remained unfazed, "I didn't lie to you," she calmly spoke
Lord Varric's gaze hardened, and his grip on her tightened, "Then how do you explain that?!" He said, pointing to the arena below with one hand
"Look closely," Lady Selene advised
"She's not dead," Lady Isolde piped in, "I can see her chest rise and fall," she added
Lord Varric let go of Lady Selene and focused on the arena below. There he saw Elias standing over Sarah's prone body, his sword was drawn, but not aimed at her.
Instead, the sword rested on the ground beside her, the weapon's tip lay next to a massive indentation in the earth, a gorge spanning at least twelve feet long and two feet wide.
"In the end, she passed out before my attack hit," Elias sighed, "Well, it was fun I must admit. Ironblade swordsmanship, interesting."
"Next!" He called out for the next challenger
Seeing as his daughter was still alive, Lord Varric leaped from the special canopy provided for the family heads and the king.
Boom!
He landed beside Elias, raising dust and debris with his arrival.
Elias coughed and protected his face from the flying debris, "What the hell?" He asked
Lord Varric hunched over his daughter's body, "Sarah..." he muttered, then in one swift motion, he lifted her onto his shoulder.
"Elias Ashdown," he began as he stood before Elias like a mountain before a hill
"Lord Varric Ironwood" Elias replied
Lord Varric scoffed and his expression softened lightly, "You are quite the warrior, I commend you. I also thank you for saving my daughter's life, I am in your debt"
Elias nonchalantly shrugged, "I didn't save her, I just won the fight, that's all," He said
Lord Varric suppressed his anger, "What a man you are indeed Elias Ashdown," Lord Varric said before finally leaving
The crowd remained silent, murmurings spread around like the buzzing of bees, they were unsure how to react. After all, Elias had just made a family head beg him in front of a multitude of people
"Elias Ashdown, the chosen child of light, has emerged victorious once more!" Alan announced
As if on cue, the crowd broke their silence and began chanting Elias' name, soon Elias' name was on the lips of every spectator in the arena.
"The next fighter has been tested, and is ready to fight! Let the next round begin!" Alan declared
Standing before Elias once again was an opponent, this time the opponent was a mysterious figure draped in a black cloak. He gave off an imposing chilling aura, reminiscent of danger.
"Is that Terius?" Lord Thane asked
"In the flesh," Lady Isolde replied with a confident smile
"Terius is very ruthless in battle, won't he damage the boy too much even if he wins?" Lord Thane asked
"I have given him strict instructions concerning that. Victory is mine, the boy will be mine" she answered
Lady Selene turned to Lord Thane and Lady Selene, "I beg to differ," she said
"Huh? What do you mean?" Lady Isolde demanded
"Yes, what do you mean? The last time we spoke concerning the boy, you seemed to be on the same page with us.
Now come the day of reckoning and suddenly all your faith is in him. Is there something we should know that you aren't telling us, Selene?" Lord Thane asked
Ladu Selene remained quiet and shifted her gaze back to the arena, "Not at all," She said calmly
The cloaked figure pointed a finger at Elias, "Heed my warning Elias Ashdown, I am Terius Black, an expert-level mage. I was chosen by my lady to acquire you for the Ravencrest house, I have never known failure and I don't plan to start now.
I will win this fight for my Lady Isolde, for your own sake, I suggest you surren—"
"Stop stop stop, you're cringing me out. Aren't you hot under all that black you're wearing? I mean, the sun is quite generous with its heat today," Elias interrupted
"Elias Ashdo—,"
"Just shut up and fight, I don't have all day" Elias deadpanned