[color=a36209]"And I thought my handling of people was harsh."[/color] Inaris teased once the first trial was over. Beside him Ser'deni made a face of disapproval, even if she had never seen the expression for herself and the man standing next to her hadn't either. Inaris was the best of using mental magic and he was quite proud that he was able to master one of the most difficult types of magic, and the only known "Seer of Truths" in Danycia. He was well known for a streak of cruelty and he had a nasty habit of burning through slaves like wildfire.

[color=a187be]"I am not like you, Inaris. I find no pleasure in this."[/color] Ser'deni only did as she was told like a good little girl. She did not enjoy tormenting others and she certainly did not enjoy the reputation that came with it. 

Inaris grunted before turning his attention to the Prince. Since Inaris lacked the ability of sight, he often used his magic to supplement his missing sense. Most of the mages used their magic to fill the voids left by their disabilities. For Ser'deni it was having some sort of creature feed information to her about the environment. 

[color=a36209]"The little Prince is afraid~"[/color] Inaris cooed softly. Triver did his best to ignore the male behind him, Inaris had always teased him in their younger years and even as adults that would never change. The prince fixed his gaze to the remaining eight; it had been painful to watch the others fall under the mages magic. As a prince, Triver was immune to the mages and their magic. He was one that they could not touch (as he was the only surviving heir to the throne it was forbidden that the mages used their magic on him.) The rustling of the heavy cloaks caught his ears and a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder. 

[color=a187be]"Do not listen to Inaris."[/color] Ser'deni whispered. The King ignored the words shared between the mages and his son. He had always allowed Triver to interact with the mages since one day 
(in the very distant future) the boy would become king and follow in the footsteps of his father. [color=a187be]"We are only doing our job. Please allow us to continue, the candidates must be able to endure pain and suffering to be deemed worthy."[/color] Her words made a bubble of nervousness rise in Triver's throat. They were doing this for his safety? He didn't want to be protected by them or the knights; he didn't want to be protected by anyone! Ser'deni returned to her previous location, allowing Inaris to return to his place. 

The King scanned the small group of candidates before silently betting with himself which would crack first. His money was on the lone woman. The King had little respect for women and even his wife wasn't immune to his treatment. She might have been his wife but the King held little respect for anyone who wasn't capable of holding political power. The female mages behind him, as few as they were, were only valued for their magic. He stood up and finally addressed the crowd. The King was tall, like his son with similar features although the boy had his mother's gold spun hair. The King's hair was a dark and earthy brown that he wore short to hide the many silver hairs that streaked through it. 

[color=92278f]"The time has come for the second trial!"[/color] He barked out and the knight in charge of announcing the events quickly parroted his words. Some might say the King was mad and there probably wasn't a soul in the room that wouldn't agree. He sat back down heavily in his gold colored mini-throne, as Triver had called it. It was simply a smaller version of the Danycian throne that had been a symbol of power for hundreds of years. 

Just as soon as the King had settled into his seat, it began to rain.