The envelopes lay on the table with their unmarked backs facing the finalists.
Max waited while the last competitors took their seats. Several had fresh dressings. Dain held his repaired shield loosely, testing his arm without making a show of it. Evan had chosen a chair where he could stretch his leg. Tessa carried a notebook thick with work diagrams and blank pages.
Anna stood beside the display showing the treasury's outer walls. Quin had the full rules, including the clarifications produced during testing and the medal hunt. The officials who would make rulings sat at a separate desk. Max wanted everyone to know which people could answer questions once the event began.
"Congratulations on reaching the final." He said. "You have three days to steal an assigned treasure and deliver it to the buyer at the Lantern House. The first valid delivery wins. Other completed deliveries earn placement rewards."
