The wooden benches groaned under the shifting weight of mortal spectators finding their seats. A certain pair of orphans had settled into a good spot among them with clear views of two adjacent dueling grounds. The morning sun made them squint when looking toward the easternmost circle, but with the covers overhead that would ease up in an hour or so.
Officials in white suits made a final pass of inspections before the three judges per field took their positions. Each wore their insignias and pins denoting representation from different major Guilds from their regions. They would referee their own first and then a representative would be picked when the multi-regional finals started.
