It was amazing to see how much Korsova had changed. In an eyeblink - to Queen Ileosa! - it'd gone from a rough-hewn series of huts and fur-clad barbarians to a proper city...The air filled with falling confetti, the citizens thronging the streets as the royal sedan was born aloft. As the lovely monarch maintained her regal air, she deigned to wave to her adoring subjects, the cheers echoing in her ears!<br/><br/>There was a long, long way to go, for her nation - But she couldn't deny that they'd made incredible progress. And - as a matter of fact - it was certainly very, very aesthetic indeed! The banner of the Crowned Sun rose above the crowds, the lovely Queen's gaze drawn to the Elves who'd been drawn here...Caught up in the excitement of the day, or by simple curiosity. Something told her that the state religion was very, very appealing indeed to a certain subset of the population...<br/><br/><em>I'll win their hearts yet,</em>she thought, her lips curving in a smile. It seemed like the tournament had attracted contenders from all over the kingdom - Just as Queen Ileosa had hoped for. This would be a spectacle the likes of which Korsova had never seen.<br/><br/>The Queen would hold court, watching the trials as they unfolded. In her white silks and diadem, surrounded by gorgeous - and scantily-clad - handmaidens, she admired Rika's work...While she'd left the fine details to the Minister, she was<em>very</em>glad to see it play out before her. The competitions were many and varied - After the first few rounds of trials, there was a distinct shift to duels, gladiatorial combat, and other ways to whittle out those who fell short...<br/><br/>Each time, when Ileosa saw someone who offered sufficient promise, she'd gesture to a handmaiden - "Note this one," she said. "Win or lose...Offer them employment, when this is over. Korsova has need of such talents."<br/><br/>After all, this was an opportunity to recruit the finest of the kingdom...She wasn't about to let it slip away.<br/><br/>Of course, there could only be one Champion.<br/><br/>-------<br/><br/><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/0p35HsN.jpg)</div><br/><br/>A soft chuckle purred from Queen Ileosa's lips, as the lovely monarch turned to Morrigan - the Elves might be less-than-friendly towards her, but their fine trade goods and exquisite craftsmanship was definitely in high-demand. Orcs tended to be more...straightforward...in their craft.<br/><br/>"It's been a thoroughly impressive spectacle," she said, a husky lilt to her voice. "I didn't think there were<em>quite</em>that many heroes in all of the nation...Or that they'd show<em>this</em>much ability. The last trial promises to be simply<em>spectacular</em>..."<br/><br/>Her slim fingers brushed Morrigan's shoulder, as she leaned in - So close, her lips grazed her ear!<br/><br/>"Oh, I'm sure we'll<em>both</em>get to know our new Champion...In *every* sense of the word."<br/><br/>As she drew back, her smile lingered - One violet eye closing in a slow wink. "Now, if you'll excuse me...I have some would-be Champions to attend to."<br/><br/>-------<br/><br/>The sun shed golden rays across the arena, as Queen Ileosa emerged - Flanked by her handmaidens, silken streamers swirling around her like her own personal choir of angels. As the hours had passed, as the day had drawn on, she'd changed into increasingly more elaborate outfits...But here and now, before the finals of the tournament, she'd donned something simpler, but rather more eye-catching - the figure-hugging, revealing golden bodice, midnight hair done up in an elaborate coiff...Her feet arched high on heeled boots, the gems in her winged headdress catching the light!<br/><br/>After all, it was only fair for the Champions-to-be to get a<em>good</em>look at the royal body they would soon defend...<em>If</em>they won!<br/><br/>Her smoke-cloak swirled at her back, as magic made her voice carry across the arena without shouting - Amplified, as her gaze settled on the final ten.<br/><br/><em>"Heroes!"</em>Ileosa called - As if she was speaking to each and every one of them, personally!<em>"Korsova is honored by your presence. Your feats of strength and skill will go down in legend, to be the standard all others shall test themselves against. Know that your names - And the glories you have achieved this day - will be immortal!"</em><br/><br/>Once the first cheers had died away, she'd continue-<br/><br/><em>"Today, the final trial awaits - One of you will ascend to stand at My right hand, as Queen's Champion...And as the progenitor as a new line of heroes, so your legend will be preserved for all time. Know that all of the nation salutes you, and that the eyes of the Queen are upon you!"</em><br/><br/>The final event would be the culmination of all that had come before. The arena's stage took the form of a series of rising platforms, with increasingly effective weapons at each tier - A club of wood or bone would be easy to reach, but a weapon of steel could only be acquired at some risk to the user. It was a reflection of her nation's rapid ascent, a celebration of Korsova's rise from obscurity to glory...If all went when, the final duel would take place at the highest tier, beneath the eyes of the Queen herself!<br/><br/>Death was, of course, a possibility...But the Queen had her finest healers standing by. After all, she sought to draw the most talented under her banner, not wipe them out entirely.<br/><br/>Whoever won, it promised to be the greatest show the capital had ever seen...