Page 79 of Terragnata and the Heir of the Earth

I only wondered if he could forgive himself.

After sparring with Fayzien,I transitioned to studying. Cas and other experts taught me about the history of Viribrum, evolving political alliances, and the events of the Skøl. I pressed Cas on the happenings in the kingdom, who the men with swirling tattoos and shaved heads were. He always hesitated in answering, saying he wanted to keep me away from it all. But sometimes, the instructors would acquiesce and make an admission before Cas could say otherwise. My ‘abductors’ were presumed Drakkarian Witches. Ironically, the tensions between Drakkar and Viribrum had grown regardless of my return to the kingdom.

Darlan’s words itched at the back of my mind.

Witch and Fae are not meant to coexist.

If it’s a war she wants, it’s a war she’ll get.

I hardly had time to unpack the implications of my learnings, for after history, I endured lessons of the court. The Five High Fae Houses of Viribrum could trace their existence back multiple millennia. Saxoni, Brisk, Daini, Nepos, and Odacer—each distinguished by its own specialty. According to Cas, the blood of all houses had been mixed through the royal line over generations. Cas’s mother had not been of High Fae blood, and Darlan was part Brisk and part Odacer.

I would face one female of each house. I asked Cas which I should fear the most, and he shook his head. “Terra, you should fear them all. They will kill for a chance to wear your crown. Remember that.”

There would be three events of the Skøl. The details of each event were unknown to all, save for the competition maester. However, each had a theme or a goal, Cas said. Those neverchanged. The first was a test of Beauty. The second a test of Strength. The final a test of Honor. And without being told, I knew the interpretations of those concepts would be vast.

“Tell me about the previous events,” I said to Cas one morning at breakfast. “Tell me about your mother’s Skøl.”

He looked at his plate. “Hers was much more gruesome than yours will be. An open Skøl is like… trapping a hundred wolves with a single fawn. The events are also more lurid, for the competition maester has more to eliminate. I’m not sure you want to hear about her Skøl.”

“Even if mine will be different, I want to know.”

“Agustina trained in combat. Unusual for Fae females, unless they’re from the House of Daini, or they’re identified young for the Skøl. Her family dwelled in a southern town, near the border with Drakkar, where raids were not uncommon. So, she begged the soldiers in town to teach her the ways of the sword. Most shunned her, but one of them was sweet on her younger sister and acquiesced. And she improved.

“Her reputation grew, for she would fight anyone in the street for a penny or a chance at approval. But the soldiers would not welcome her in. Then, the King of Viribrum died suddenly and mysteriously. And Darlan was crowned. Darlan’s father had not yet hosted a Skøl for his son, so no favorite had been chosen. Thus, the Skøl was open to all Viri females who wished to compete. Agustina traveled to the capital alone, facing thieves and bandits, and gods know what else along the way. By the time she reached Valfalla, she was one of a hundred that planned to compete.”

Something warm tightened in my chest at the pride in his voice. “She sounds fierce.”

Cas lifted his chin. “You have no idea. The first event, the test of Beauty, eliminated two-thirds of the competitors. A hundred human men were deposited in the arena. The competitors hadto convince as many of the men as they could to… erm, castrate themselves, using their beauty and tools of persuasion. And, of course, competitors may eliminate their competition at any time. Agustina supposedly killed fifteen competitors on her own during that first event, whilst winning nine castrations. For the event of Strength?—”

“Stop,” I breathed, nausea swirling in my belly. “Cas, I willnotharm innocent, helpless humans. You have to know that.”

He looked at my pleading face. “It won’t be like that, Terra. There are only six of you—and none of them innocent humans. There will be less collateral damagebecauseyou are competing. And if worse comes to worst, just focus on staying alive. Even if you can’t eliminate anyone, you can secure victory through winning individual events. But prepare yourself—most do not leave the Skøl without at least killing in self-defense.”

I swallowed, thinking about the faceless competitors that could lose their lives at my hand. Even if they weren’t human, they were still daughters, sisters, and loved ones.I couldn’t even kill Fayzien—how am I supposed to kill strangers?

“Don’t forget,” Cas continued. “If there are two of you left standing at the end of the third round, whoever has won more events will win.”

“What if there are two, or even three remaining contestants, but each won a single event? How does the Skølmaester account for the tie?”

“Fae detest ties,” Cas muttered. “They are viewed as a cursed thing, producing two inauspicious losers of a draw rather than a pair of winners. But they have happened. There’s a legend that goes back thousands of years, to the 14th and 26th Skøls. After both, the future king was forced to visit the temple of Abnithe far north, near Panderen, to consult the gods, leaving the result to stand before their judgement.”

I examined my fingers, the wheels turning in my head.

“Don’t you dare let there be a tie,mi karus; I havenodesire to visit that ghastly place.” Cas’s mouth twisted into a wry smirk. “And even if the gods chose you, a tie would cast a dark shadow on our union.”

I leveled my gaze. “What would happen, Cas, if I lost?”

He met my eyes. “Besides the fact that I will be heartbroken?” He shook his head. “I fear if you don’t win, I won’t be the only one to suffer. You are the key to unite Fae and Witch, Terra. Tensions are brewing, and many call for an invasion of Drakkar, namely the House of Conquering, Odacer. You’re not Drakkarian blood, of course, but you are their kind. Witch kind. Our union could one day bring all kingdoms under one banner, one ruler, peacefully, without bloodshed. Think of it—Viribrum, Drakkar, and Nebbiolo united in one strong kingdom.”

I considered him, wondering if his father was right when he said Cas was more dreamer than ruler. His idyllic fantasy seemed impossible.

“I fear we are on the brink of something—an invasion, or worse,” he continued. “My father does not trust the Drakkarians. The borders are becoming dangerous. A war between our peoples could prevent an alliance for many generations. Memories of Fae and Witch are not short.”

“But does Darlan want that? A union between Witch and Fae through our marriage? Does he actually want to keep the peace?” I asked, my voice low.

“Yes, of course. Our match was your father’s idea, but Darlan has always supported it.”

I nodded, wishing I could say more. “And you would give up marrying for love? For the heart?”

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