Behind her, High Lady Erna sat up straighter on her gilded throne, eager to see the demonstration of the Mother of Trees' power. If Ashlynn could do as she'd claimed, the value of maintaining an alliance with the Vale of Mists would become even more obvious to the ministers who constantly pressured her to either bring her teacher to the High Fen or limit the protections she extended to the few merchants who reached the High Fen from the Vale of Mists each year.
"People of the High Fen," Ashlynn said, her voice rippling with the power of the wind to carry it to every corner of the arena as she spoke. "Honored guests," she added. "Tonight, my child Heila, the Willow Witch, will take to the sands for a final time. To honor the Blood Princess of the Arena, she has fought for nine days and defeated ninety men. Tonight, she will face her greatest challenge!"
