This process repeated itself multiple times, some were argued against and some were simply accepted. Though there were some children that would not be touched, like my older sister.
Very talented in the manipulation of Vice, she was expected to rise quite high in the kingdom. Maybe even become a bridge to raise our ranking higher thus in turn also securing the next line of head for the family with us.
She was basically the backup incase our eldest was killed, the second son was expected more to attain glory and honor for us. Raised practically for the battlefield and he was sent there once they could send him.
I am the fourth child to the family, the third son and a stain upon our name. Nonetheless however, I was of direct lineage and so was left for last.
" Is there anyone else who would like to voice their concerns on the candidates. " The 'head' said aloud, a very targeted silence soon enveloped the hall as I felt it all upon myself.
' Just do it and be done already ' I said to myself inwardly, I expected it and so was ready just in case anything happened.
" I would personally like to challenge my brothers place within this group " My older sister said suddenly, bringing about murmurs and whispers through the crowd.
I myself didn't expect it, I expected maybe a closer family member like my cousin to challenge my place...not a direct blood relative.
" He is a disgrace upon our family, both in name and in talent. Barely above the lesser members of our family in his ability to manipulate Vice. " She begin, a loatheful voice pointed at me.
" He does not even bother to correct this mistake, instead choosing to focus on sword training. He barely even uses Vice!!" She continued, this particular revelation brought about a roar of anger from those who knew nothing of it.
" Do you have any defense against this?" The 'head' asked me.
" None " I replied briefly.
" I would also like to challenge his place in the family as heir to the head " She revealed, now this was news.
Even my Eldest brother seemed horrified at that as he stared at her stupidity, he could understand her anger but challenging someone of direct lineage no less than her direct blood brother was no small thing.
" Watch what you say girl, your challenge would mean more than you think. Withdraw it" He said to her, you could feel the tension in the hall as many began subconsciously leaking energy in response to his increasing presence.
" I will not, I will not stand and watch as that thing becomes a permanent stain in our records. Even his younger sibling can best him in combat, he holds no value even as a knight to our household. " She continued, now she began leaking out vice as well.
Her eyes screamed hate and righteous fury at me, I could feel my skin shivering separately from my bones. She wanted me dead and she wanted to do it herself.
" Even if you wanted to, you could not. You hold no real value and you're in the direct line of our family. You cannot threaten his position " The eldest said, holding down his original stance.
" Oh I know, that's why our dearest cousin would like to challenge him " she said with a smart ass smile plastered on her face.
" What? " The eldest said stupified at the sudden words that escaped her lips.
As if on que, the only child, son of my 2nd uncle who was also kneeling down with us suddenly raised his head and acknowledged it.
" I Mathraw the second, first son to lord Mathraw the first hereby officially challenge Luthren for his place in the lineage of our great family - House Marner. "
"....very well " The eldest said, resigning himself to simply watch at the events now unfolded. His little stupid sister will have her way today but consequences will come for this.
" I accept the challenge " I said to him.
" Bring them their weapons of choice. " The eldest said, prompting a servants to quickly get close and ask us what weapons we would be choosing.
" A sword and a shield " I said, this response only further worsened my reputation as many saw this as an insult.
He on the other hand chose nothing, this simply confirmed my suspicions. My damned sister had been preparing for this. There are 4 types of Vice users in the world, 5 if you count the forbidden ones but no one does.
There was fire, water, nature and the body. My sister was the fourth one, a body Vicer. They mainly use Vice to strengthen their body and while this is great, they also use weapons.
Afterall, a sword will still cut you up no matter how strong you are. Yet he chose no weapons which just showed his goals. Humiliation.
" Begin!" The eldest said.
Quickly, I took a stance entering a guard position. Now I was beginning to regret what I was wearing, furthermore I expected the duel to be set another time...not here and now.
" If you won't come coward then I will " He said, I could sense the movement of Vice in his body. Then he leaped forward and it was a damn big leap.
Within a second he reached my position, hurling his hands to my face. I raised my shield up to block it and then still felt the damn impact.
I swung my sword at him causing him to back away briefly, I had to keep him at arms reach. I swung again, aiming for his neck.
He simply moved back a bit, allowing the sword to miss him by mere moments. Those movements were not something someone like him should be able to do yet.
I glanced at him, at his muscles. His face and veins, he was pushing himself. Focusing too much Vice in his body, more than enough to cause permanent damage in his body.
He could beat me at normal strength but seems stupid enough to want to go an extra mile, not that I complained.
He charged again, throwing another punch which I blocked but soon found his feet connecting to my sides. I could feel my ribs breaking at that, the sudden kick weakened my position as he sent more punches my way.
The first I blocked weakly while trying to back away, the second saw me stagger on my feet. The third pushed me back and the fourth caused me to trip.
Next his feet came straight for my head, I hadn't even finished with my fall. A crack here and there as blood oozed from my broken nose.
The kick had sent me flying a bit, not too far that I would have a disfigured face or anything. Still, I quickly got to my feet just in time to feel a second punch to my gut.
I curled in pain but he did not let up, reaching for my arm. He twisted it and then broke it causing me to scream in pain and let go of the shield.
He smiled but soon recieved the blunt end of my sword to his face. He head reeled backwards but his foot never moved. I could guess it didn't do much but it was enough.
I raised the sword and thrusted it into his foot, this earned me the sweet cries of agony from him. Just as he reached for the sword, I let go of it and retrieved my dagger which I kept on me at all times.
I trusted it into his hips and then bit down on his arm, making sure to take a good bit of meat with me. I fought dirty because it was the only option I had.
Once more, a varying level of screams of pains was soon let out from his mouth just as I took out my sword and prepared to take his arm.
When suddenly, I felt the most painful feeling I had ever experienced on my body. It was but a blink but I soon found myself on the floor and in shock.
Red liquid leaked from my mouth as I laid down barely able to speak or mutter a sound, found it hard to breathe too.
" Pearl !! " The voice of the eldest boomed in anger.
" He fought dirty, I simply moved to punish him for it" She quickly defended herself.
" The next time you interrupt, I'll make sure you wish you were never born. " The eldest threatened, now it really did look like he was losing it.
" Apologies " she said with her head bowed slightly but the damage was done.
" Get up and fight for your blood right or die the Vermin you are". The eldest said towards me, a tinge bit of disdain could be heard from him.
For some odd reason, I wasn't screaming in pain from the punch. I knew something was wrong with me but just couldn't quite catch it.
" Come and fight me bastards " I said fuming with anger.