MINISTORY: The Royal Trials

Chapter 7

The Trials lasted most of the day. Each brother faced five challenges to test strength, battle strategy, restraint and mercy, fighting skills, and wolf combat skills. Although no winners or losers were announced, the outcomes were clear to everyone watching. Where strength and combat skills were concerned, Malcolm was the obvious winner, but in terms of strategy and restraint, Caspian was beyond reproach.

They could both fight, there was no doubt about it, they would both be able to defend not only their realm, but their mates and future families, but being a good king was so much more than that.

Their sixth and final test was against each other. The brothers faced off as they had done a hundred times before and fought. No rules. Wolf form or human form, it didn’t matter. In the end, Malcolm pinned down Caspian’s wolf, Jess.

Bloody and bruised, the brothers offered each other a handshake before limping back to the center of the arena. Everyone cheered loudly and enthusiastically for them before Queen Lydia stood, silencing the crowd.

“Thank you for a clean and well executed Trials. Both of you have represented yourselves and the crown beautifully. The judges will take to their chamber to dilborate.” Queen Lydia said, motioning for the judges to stand and leave the balcony.

Malcolm and Caspian were ushered into separate bathrooms to clean up and receive medical attention, to which they both refused. Thirty minutes later, they returned to the arena to find the judges back in their seats. Kassidy Hayes stood, nodding once at her fellow judges before stepping up to the white railing.

“There were two distinct personalities today, two clear winners in their own respective ways. Prince Malcolm, you demonstrated irreproachable bravery, strength, and combat skills. You have the heart of a warrior and a king, you are a born defender of the realm,” She began and Malcolm grinned proudly,

“Prince Caspian, you are the opposite in every way. You showed restraint, compassion, and mercy. You demonstrated unprecedented skills in battle strategy and strategic thinking. You have the heart of a man who loves his people and I have faith that you would serve your people in whatever form you were called to do so.”

Caspian felt his heart begin to race and a lump forming in his throat. He was prepared for her next words. Prince Malcolm would be the next king. Who wants a man who is compassionate and a people person as the king? No. The realm wants a leader, a warrior, someone who can protect them. Malcolm was the obvious choice, the clear winner, of course he was. Caspian never doubted it, not for a second.

“Prince Malcolm, we believe that becoming the next king is all that you have worked towards your entire life. We believe that this is your birthright,” Kassidy Hayes went on to say,

“However, today, as the judges of the Trials and members of the Legacy families, we have chosen Caspian as the next King of the Werewolf Realm.”

And that’s when it all went to hell.