Simus
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"The winner is...Ser Titus of Redcliff!"
The entire Proving was silent. No one could believe what had just happened and had no idea how to respond. A Chantry Templar, a surfacer, had just defeated Harald Dace, arguably the greatest of the Warrior Caste in a duel to the death. Lord Dace was speechless. Humiliated, heartbroken, enraged all at the same time. He had brought his only son before the trial of the Ancestors and lost.
No. It simply couldn't be. That meant the human Chantry and their "Exalted March" would take over all of Orzimmar. They may kill some Darkspawn, they may even take back some of the old Taigs but at what cost? Orzimmar would be overrun by surfacers, forever changed and most certainly for the worse. The culture of the Aeducans and the dwarves would be destroyed. He had to stop this now.
"This is an outrage!" He bellowed from the stands, getting up from his fine cushioned seat and pointing at the bloody but victorious Templar. "He...He cheated! He used magic to fight unfairly! How can our brave sons and daughters fight with honor when these Chantry surfacers use their sorcery! We can't, that's how!"
"I'm insulted by these accusations Lord Dace!" The Grand Cleric yelled back, the elderly woman from Denerim getting up from her seat besides King Harrowmont. "Magic was never declared banned during this Proving or any before. Your Shaperate has declared it legal in light of dwarven resistance to magic! The Warden used magic to win the Proving for then then-Lord Harrowmont! You cannot ban it now just because you lost!"
"Please, everyone, calm down!" King Harrowmont shouted, standing up beside the Grand Cleric and putting a hand on her shoulder. His lowered his voice to a speaking level as the arena fell silent for its king. "Her Eminence is correct Lord Dace. Magic has never been forbidden in a Proving and it will not be forbidden now. The Ancestors made no such distinction when the chose the Warden for greatness. Questioning their will would dishonor them. Besides, the Chantry's Templars destroy those who wield magic, not wield it themselves."
"But your highness! This Exalted March will bring ruin to Orzimmar! Our culture will...!"
"Endure as it always has." Harrowmont said softly. "I regret the loss of your son Lord Dace. He was a good man and he represented your house and his caste well but the Ancestors have spoken. Ser Titus, step forward."
Ser Titus, who had remained silent the entire time, had watched the argument with some concern but was relieved that the king had calmed everyone down. He didn't blame Lord Dace for how he felt. The same sort of thing happened whenever there was a duel in the Landsmeet, but everyone involved knew what they were getting into. Demanding that the results of fair and honorable combat be undone because you don't like them was weak and honourless. He kneeled before King Harrowmont, who had walked down into the arena to greet the Templar.
"Ser Titus. You have entered this Proving, conducted yourself honorably and emerged victorious. You are the second surfacer to do so and that is no small honor. The Ancestors have chosen you this day and on behalf of all present I congratulate you. As per our agreement prior to this Proving the Chantry has earned the right to enter Orzimmar and begin its Exalted March into the Deep Roads. As King of Orzimmar I bid you, Her Eminence Grand Cleric Grantham and the entire Chantry a warm welcome. You and all surfacers who follow you into this great crusade have our full support, and the support of our warriors. May the Stone be with you."
The Proving erupted in cheers. Brother Burkul and several of the Maker's faithful ran out into the arena towards Ser Titus. The pious dwarf was crying tears of joy. The Maker had answered his prayers. His light would finally illuminate the Stone. Even though most of the dwarves there worshiped the Stone and the Ancestors they were overjoyed at this change. The surface world they had never been to was coming to them. Already hundreds of surfacers were here, some in this very Proving. Their ideas, their wares, their goods and services, their stories. It was all new and exciting. And they were all here to help Orzimmar. To fight the darkspawn and to repay the debt they owed the dwarves thanks to the Blight two years ago in a way they could have never thought possible. It was a time of change in Orzimmar. Many felt it would be for the better but some, like Lord Dace, stayed silent. Change always brought trouble. The darkspawn would be defeated but at what cost?
The entire Proving was silent. No one could believe what had just happened and had no idea how to respond. A Chantry Templar, a surfacer, had just defeated Harald Dace, arguably the greatest of the Warrior Caste in a duel to the death. Lord Dace was speechless. Humiliated, heartbroken, enraged all at the same time. He had brought his only son before the trial of the Ancestors and lost.
No. It simply couldn't be. That meant the human Chantry and their "Exalted March" would take over all of Orzimmar. They may kill some Darkspawn, they may even take back some of the old Taigs but at what cost? Orzimmar would be overrun by surfacers, forever changed and most certainly for the worse. The culture of the Aeducans and the dwarves would be destroyed. He had to stop this now.
"This is an outrage!" He bellowed from the stands, getting up from his fine cushioned seat and pointing at the bloody but victorious Templar. "He...He cheated! He used magic to fight unfairly! How can our brave sons and daughters fight with honor when these Chantry surfacers use their sorcery! We can't, that's how!"
"I'm insulted by these accusations Lord Dace!" The Grand Cleric yelled back, the elderly woman from Denerim getting up from her seat besides King Harrowmont. "Magic was never declared banned during this Proving or any before. Your Shaperate has declared it legal in light of dwarven resistance to magic! The Warden used magic to win the Proving for then then-Lord Harrowmont! You cannot ban it now just because you lost!"
"Please, everyone, calm down!" King Harrowmont shouted, standing up beside the Grand Cleric and putting a hand on her shoulder. His lowered his voice to a speaking level as the arena fell silent for its king. "Her Eminence is correct Lord Dace. Magic has never been forbidden in a Proving and it will not be forbidden now. The Ancestors made no such distinction when the chose the Warden for greatness. Questioning their will would dishonor them. Besides, the Chantry's Templars destroy those who wield magic, not wield it themselves."
"But your highness! This Exalted March will bring ruin to Orzimmar! Our culture will...!"
"Endure as it always has." Harrowmont said softly. "I regret the loss of your son Lord Dace. He was a good man and he represented your house and his caste well but the Ancestors have spoken. Ser Titus, step forward."
Ser Titus, who had remained silent the entire time, had watched the argument with some concern but was relieved that the king had calmed everyone down. He didn't blame Lord Dace for how he felt. The same sort of thing happened whenever there was a duel in the Landsmeet, but everyone involved knew what they were getting into. Demanding that the results of fair and honorable combat be undone because you don't like them was weak and honourless. He kneeled before King Harrowmont, who had walked down into the arena to greet the Templar.
"Ser Titus. You have entered this Proving, conducted yourself honorably and emerged victorious. You are the second surfacer to do so and that is no small honor. The Ancestors have chosen you this day and on behalf of all present I congratulate you. As per our agreement prior to this Proving the Chantry has earned the right to enter Orzimmar and begin its Exalted March into the Deep Roads. As King of Orzimmar I bid you, Her Eminence Grand Cleric Grantham and the entire Chantry a warm welcome. You and all surfacers who follow you into this great crusade have our full support, and the support of our warriors. May the Stone be with you."
The Proving erupted in cheers. Brother Burkul and several of the Maker's faithful ran out into the arena towards Ser Titus. The pious dwarf was crying tears of joy. The Maker had answered his prayers. His light would finally illuminate the Stone. Even though most of the dwarves there worshiped the Stone and the Ancestors they were overjoyed at this change. The surface world they had never been to was coming to them. Already hundreds of surfacers were here, some in this very Proving. Their ideas, their wares, their goods and services, their stories. It was all new and exciting. And they were all here to help Orzimmar. To fight the darkspawn and to repay the debt they owed the dwarves thanks to the Blight two years ago in a way they could have never thought possible. It was a time of change in Orzimmar. Many felt it would be for the better but some, like Lord Dace, stayed silent. Change always brought trouble. The darkspawn would be defeated but at what cost?