On the third of Haernos, an unusual silence fell over Sapience. As the
clarion call of a lone trumpet resounded through the night sky, all
those who had climbed the tower Ulafum knew that it was time. The
tournaments began, and voices of determination and anticipation
shattered the silence of the starless night over Mostyn as Lord Arion
descended towards His temple, calling for those who had enlisted at
Orkar. Not long thereafter the first round began: fifty valiant
combatants would go head to head in a game of capture-the-flag. One team
defended its flag within the depth of the Ithmian forests, while the
other team stood on the fringes of the Liruma scrubland. As the signal
was given, the rush of battle came over the teams, and their tactics
unfolded. While a group from the Liruma team approached the Ithmian base
and made an incursion to try and take the flag, Arch Duke Xon took it
upon himself to try and steal the flag of the Liruma team. As he carried
the flag back to the Ithmia, it looked as if he was going to make it
back to his base, while a quartet of monks vehemently defended the
Ithmian base against their team's opponents. Suddenly, the Liruma team
became aware that Xon was carrying their flag and ceased their attack,
seeking to oppose him. Avialle managed to summon Xon, and by the
combined strength of the opposition, Xon fell and the flag with him.
While this happened, the Cabalist Knick Cardinalis walked into the
Ithmian base alone. The defenders looked somewhat surprised at his
entrance, and before they knew what happened, the pit of Golgotha had
opened up and many fell through. Knick snatched the flag and, with the
support of his team, made it back to the Liruma Scrublands, bringing
victory to his squad.

It was the third of Variach, and the twenty-two remaining competitors
waited for the trumpet's call eagerly and not in vain. The second round
would be a cross-country run around almost the entirety of the
continent. Many had trained well and wore lithe clothes. Only ten would
pass on to round three. As the race started, Alsai quickly took lead
over the pack, followed closely by Avialle and Ansury. Avialle, who was
proclaimed a favourite for victory in this round, needed quite some time
to catch up to Alsai who was off to a speedy start. It was only in
Saluria, the fifth of the ten checkpoints, that she managed to overtake
Alsai's lead. As many of the competitors got lost in the Scidve valley,
Avialle pressed on to ensure victory. Only shortly thereafter, Alsai was
the second to finish. Ansury came in third, followed closely by Lessik
and Sarvek. Five places were still open for the final, yet the time had
run out for the other competitors. As Lord Arion called the race to an
end, He proclaimed that the latter five positions would be filled
according to the amount of checkpoints the competitors had passed. Thus
He granted places to Ravek, Xon and Lamaril. An extra run between three
remaining competitors decided that the last two positions would be
filled by Tahlnaith and Ethau. The tension grew amongst the ten, and all
knew they were close to making the final round.

On the twenty-fifth day of Variach, the tournament would be decided, as
Lord Arion called the competitors to Him for a quiz. The tension was
unbearable as four people seemed to distance themselves from the others
during the first part of the quiz. Avialle, Xon, Lessik and Ansury
seemed to be doing battle for the two places that would gain them
entrance to the final. It was the last two questions that would prove
decisive: as Avialle and Xon lapsed, Lessik and Ansury secured
themselves their places in the final, which would take place mere
moments later.

In the Practice ring of Lord Arion's temple, many had gathered to
witness the final of this great tournament, as the Infernal knight
Ansury Tercetto, the Blade of Lord Arion would do battle with the priest
Lessik Anyar. The tension grew as Yilien explained the rules of the
final combat, and all held their breath when the two men engaged. The
fight was long and valiant, worthy of a final, yet in the end Lessik
Anyar's angel absolved the body of Ansury and he stood victorious. And
so in the year 119 of the Midnight Age, Lessik Anyar became the first to
win the reinstated Arionic tournaments. Many worthy winners have gone
before him, and many a worthy winner will follow in his footsteps.

Penned by my hand on the 3rd of Niuran, in the year 137 MA.