>>5709919Anemone made a good point. It was likely that Maeve possessed crucial information that could be useful in dealing with Shambhala going forward. You figure it worth a try to approach Leif and ask him if he’d hand over the disgraced oracle to you. You make your way to the Sreng stands, only to find that they’ve grown even more restless and agitated. A sea of raiders has descended upon Maeve, taking her prisoner as she futilely attempts to struggle back. You call out to Leif, hoping to grab his attention so that you can make your case. However, the prince is too engrossed in riling up the crowd to notice you. Your words fail to reach him over the chaos, and the next thing you know, Maeve is pulled to the center of the arena by a pair of large men and forced to her knees.
“Damn you to hell, Witch!” Maeve cries. Tears stream down her face like rivers. “Enjoy your victory while you can, you still can’t stop what’s coming!”
What’s coming? You’re never able to ask Maeve what she means by that, as Cormac steps into the ring. The First Blade stares down at the woman and places a single hand on his blade. In a quick flash, he draws Mercurius and decapitates Maeve, sending her head rolling across the floor. The raiders watching erupt into a loud cheer. Enemy or not, something about the scene nauseates you. If Leif was hoping to civilize these savages, he certainly still had his work cut out for him.
“So much for that…” Corrine mutters, taking a place next to you. “What do you think she meant?”
Who knows? Picking through Agarthan minds eluded you. What was important now was that Leif upheld his end of the bargain. You’d won the trials, and you were now entitled to your rewards. That included not just being left alone by the raiders, but also the supplies and bounty that he’d promised you. The prince approaches you with wide-open arms, as if the two of you were great friends that had been reunited.
“Blair!” He exclaims. “That was an excellent showing! I knew you were strong the first time I saw you, but I had no idea the men under your command were that good! Consider me impressed.” He clears his throat, and then addresses the Sreng crowd loudly in their language. He goes on for a few seconds more before they all turn their attention towards you. Unlike every other time this has happened though, they now shower you with applause.
“Prince Leif has declared you the winner of the Cúig Triail.” Ronan pipes up, having suddenly appeared next to you. “He’s saying that the people of Sreng are to treat the Blackwings with both respect and honor.”
“The boy speaks the truth.” Leif says, patting his squire on the back. “And as is customary after every Cúig Triail, we’ll be feasting tonight. With you as the guest of honor, of course. It’s the Sreng way of showing that despite the bloodshed, there are no hard feelings left between both parties. At least, I hope there aren’t?”
