***
The Gauntlet of Axes took place in the grass behind the tavern. The Nine Axes were present, along with all the Knights from the tavern. It seemed Faindan had already earned a bit of respect just for agreeing to the test, as the onlookers cheered for him. He sensed they didn't envy him, however, as they seemed to know something he didn't.
Valedos stood off to one side, in full armor, and the remaining eight members of the Nine Axes gathered in two rows--four on each side and spaced unevenly across from each other. They raised their battle axes, which were bathed in a fiery glow from the late afternoon sun that made them look bloody. Their bearded faces were grim, showing no hint of mercy.
"You're lucky," Valedos said to Faindan. "There used to be Ten Axes, with five on each side of the gauntlet. You only have to endure eight."
"How do I begin?" asked Faindan, gazing at the menacing battle axes and wondering what the Dwarves planned to do with them. Surely they weren't going to swing at him--but when it came to Olrogs one never knew.
"As with all gauntlets," said Valedos, "the goal is to pass through it. Make it through and you win. Fall down and give up--you lose. And don't worry, you will not be cut. This is a trial of endurance only."
Faindan took position at one end of the gauntlet. The crowd went silent, their faces tense as they watched.
The battle axes burned with yellow fire.
Shoring up his will, Faindan started forward. The first Dark Knight he encountered brought the burning axe close to him, and the pain that exploded within Faindan was something he could not have prepared for it. It hurt so bad he screamed and dropped to his knees. It felt like his flesh was boiling.
Was this the end of the trial? Was he so weak he couldn't even get past the first axe? He asked himself these questions, and the answer was that he somehow had to get up and keep going. The memory of severing his own hand flooded him with anger and determination and drove him to rise again.
Faindan stumbled forward, and all he knew was a haze of pain, as axe after axe came down to touch him with yellow flames. He wasn't even sure he was still walking or if he was dead and his soul was simply floating along. All he knew was he had to make it through the gauntlet or he could never find peace.
At last he simply gave out. There was nothing left, and his mind went dark. He didn't know if he had succeeded or failed, but he had given everything he had and was proud of himself regardless.
Faindan became aware that someone was slapping his face just hard enough to wake him. He looked up to find Valedos standing over him. The leader of the Nine Axes gazed down on Faindan with awe in his grey eyes, as the crowd cheered.
"You did it!" Valedos said. "You made it through!"
"I made it?" Faindan mumbled. "How?"
Valedos seemed to contemplate that for a moment. Then he replied, "I have no idea. I never expected you to succeed."
Then Faindan passed out again.
Knights: Defenders of Ollanhar Page 51
