Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Feast of Kings Challenge, Part 1

It took three days for the final competitor to return. Rath and his mother gave his father's ashes to the sea on a cold, snowy day that seemed far too bleak and depressing for a last farewell, even to a man he'd never liked. Then he'd attended the victory ceremonies for the other competitors, got to cheer and scream as Warf was engaged to the second-eldest son of the Earl of Bellowen, and Kelni was engaged to the youngest daughter of the Baron of Diara.

Now, only his portion of the tournament loomed, driving him mad with anxiety as he sat at a table in the room Quinton had insisted he keep until the tournament was over. He turned his tournament ring over and over in his hands, occasionally pausing to run his thumb over his name inscribed inside.