to Gavin, thanking him for his consideration. She spoke of co-founding the Viragon Sisterhood with Aminda Battlehard and serving as second-in-command for twelve years, of developing the training program, sash hierarchy, and the trials to determine promotion readiness. “In my capacity as captain, I was personally responsible for training most of your guards as well as your champion. Anyone can see they’re impressively strong, skilled battlers.” She hesitated as if she were about to say something else and then sat down.
Finally, Gavin lifted his chin at Tennara. He liked the calmness he saw in her haze, admired her strength and maturity, and appreciated her skill as a fighter on the mornings he watched from a window while his battlers exercised and practiced in the courtyard. “Go ahead, Tennara.”
The elder battler stood. Like Lilalian, she bowed to the king, and then also nodded at Daia and Edan. “I have a great deal of respect for both Jophet and Lila for their accomplishments. As for myself, I have no experience leading groups of battlers, nor training them in swordplay. I was the first woman ever to serve as a warrant knight in Thendylath, and I did so for eleven years. When I heard about the formation of a guild of women battlers in Sohan, I relinquished my warrant and joined the Viragon Sisterhood. I was the third battler to join the guild, and I was witness to many of the problems Aminda faced. I became her confidant and sounding board, though in an unofficial capacity, and helped to make most of the policies and choose some of the officers.”
“That’s a lie!” Lilalian blurted.
All eyes turned to Lilalian. The hush of shock settled over the room. Even Edan’s quill stilled for a moment before it took up its scritch-scritch across the paper once again.
“May I continue?” Tennara asked calmly.
“Go on,” Gavin said. “Try to control yourself, Lila.” He meant it as a jest, but no one even smiled.
“Though I don’t have the experience of group leadership in an official capacity, I believe I have the qualities you’re looking for: perseverance, integrity, and the understanding of what it takes to be an exceptional battler.” With that, Tennara looked directly at Daia and gave a slight nod. “I’ve identified such individuals whom others wanted to dismiss, and advocated for the dismissal of women our trainer promoted — women who, when faced with difficult circumstances, embarrassed the Sisterhood with their cowardice or lack of expertise.” She sat back down, and all eyes turned to Gavin.
“That’s unfair,” Lilalian said, standing. “Biela was accepted into the Sisterhood on a trial basis, and paid for her training with no guarantee that she’d ever be accepted. She was on her first mission — with two other, more experienced battlers — when that incident happened. She ran off, ending her provisional membership.”
“Lila, the details don’t matter right now,” Gavin said.
“She just attacked my credibility and suitability for this position. The other woman—”
“Sit down.”
Lilalian took her seat but shot Tennara a glare first. “I beg your pardon for my outburst, Your Majesty. I stand behind my decisions as captain.”
“Including the decision that led to Aminda’s death?” Tennara asked. “You’ve never had to account for your actions that day.”
Gavin looked at Daia. “Is that true? Have you ever heard the story o’how the guild leader died?”
“No,” she said. “Cirang named me a murderer, and the Sisterhood was hunting me, remember? By the time you released Lila from Ravenkind’s influence, I’d already left the Sisterhood and pledged fealty to you.”
“Shall we get back to the matter at hand?” Edan asked. “If King Gavin sees the need for a hearing, we should schedule it for another day.”
“Yeh, you’re right,” Gavin said. “This is going to be a tough decision. I have three excellent candidates here. Is anyone present willing to speak on their behalf?”
Daia stood. “I am. I have personal experience with all three. Jophet served the Lordover Tern with honor and dignity for many years. In the last three weeks, he’s been invaluable in coordinating assignments for the battlers who’ve come to join the king’s service, providing structure to a somewhat chaotic environment.
“Lilalian served as captain at the Sisterhood during the eight years I was a member. She has provided exceptional training, discipline and guidance to me and dozens of battlers and prospective battlers.
“Tennara is an excellent battler, and she stood up for me when other officers in the guild were inclined to dismiss me solely on the basis of my family name. She’s