Standing on the stage, awaiting the arrival of another group of wounded paladins to augment the remainder of the first cohort, my thoughts were consumed by the abundant evidence of Flora’s deteriorating condition. It was far graver than I had feared. During the first half of the second trial, I had watched, horrified, as she coughed up blood with each spell she cast. She masked her suffering well; only someone observing as closely as I had been would have noticed the toll her magic took on her.
I had to find a way to get Flora off this stage before her zeal led to her demise. Yet how could I intervene when she was so eager to dismiss every word I could possibly have to say?
No, no, I need to concentrate. The second trial was moments away, and here I was, distracted by Flora’s plight rather than the impending challenge. I tried to refocus on the trial before me, but every time my concentration lapsed, a little bit of Flora drifted in.
With a furrowed brow and a heavy heart, I watched as the final wounded paladin stepped into position. “Ladies and gentleman, thank you for your patience. The second half of the second trial is now set to begin,” the host announced. “Candidates, you have thirty minutes. And...begin!”
Just like that, the trial had started, as if the proceedings themselves displayed a cruel indifference to my inner turmoil. At once, the candidates dashed out towards their chosen paladins and began healing. Most went for white and blue bracelets, but here in the second half there were some, evidently inspired by Flora’s rousing performance, who seemed to be challenging reds as well.
There it was again, echoing in my head: Flora’s name. The trial had started; I needed to focus on the task at hand. Lingering on the sidelines fretting would do nothing to aid Flora, and failing would render the many sacrifices of my friends meaningless. Is this the girl I am? The sort of person who would let Ed, Teodore, and Prince Gilbert down?
That thought seemed to do the trick—the uncertainty in my heart quieted. With a couple of brisk claps to my cheeks, I shook off my hesitation and finally moved from my starting position. To compensate for my initial delay, I approached a trio of paladins with red bracelets—a man with a bandaged eye and two others nursing broken arms.
Impatient to alleviate their suffering, I clasped my hands in prayer and called out to them. “Over here, please, I’ll heal you all.” As they approached, I winced—their injuries appeared even more severe up close. Steeling myself, I took a deep breath and imbued my next words with my wish to see them healthy and well. “O heavenly guardian, I beseech thee—spare these men from the suffering they have endured in Your name!”
The familiar, radiant glow descended from the heavens, enveloping the paladins in a warm, comforting light. As the luminance gently faded, it revealed three men visibly bewildered by their transformation.
The man with the bandaged eye was the first to respond. He cautiously unwrapped the dressing from around his face and slowly blinked open his previously damaged eye. His gaze shifted from left to right, disbelief flickering across his features. After a few more blinks, he cried out, “I... I can see! I can see out of the eye I was told would never work again!”
The other two quickly followed suit, tearing off their casts and flexing their previously immobile arms. “The bone was shattered...completely shattered. I don’t believe it! I had given up on ever holding a sword again!” one exclaimed in disbelief.
“I’m able to serve our Lord once more. Praise be!” the other added.
This disjointed cacophony of celebrations was hardly a coherent conversation, but their sheer joy was unmistakable and infectious. Once the initial excitement had subsided and their calm returned, they expressed their gratitude and handed me their red bracelets, which I accepted gracefully. Although this was a good start, it wasn’t a guarantee of victory quite just yet. Determined, I resolved then and there to heal each and every paladin who sported a red bracelet (time permitting, of course). Those with bracelets of other colors stood a chance of recovery even without my immediate intervention, but those marked with red bracelets had been forsaken by even the church’s own healers. The men might never act in service of their beloved Lord ever again. That was a cruelty they did not deserve.
This is why I was granted such power—to aid those most in need!
With renewed purpose, I approached the next group of paladins. My Divinity felt limitless, and I wielded it boldly, bestowing rest and reprieve upon these valiant holy warriors. In twenty minutes, the number of red-braceleted paladins onstage had halved. As proof of my efforts, my arms jangled with an absurd collection of bracelets. They slid up and down my wrists, clinking with chaotic rhythm, and each time I reached to adjust one, another would invariably tumble against it.
Noticing my peculiar but gratifying predicament, a group of paladins I had already healed approached me.
“P-Princess Carolina,” one stuttered. “Please. Allow me to carry your trophies!”
“Allow me as well!” a second added.
“We’ll protect them with our lives,” a third chimed in, to which a fourth quickly added, “Lives that you have returned to us!”
There I was, suddenly surrounded by several large, burly paladins offering (or perhaps insisting?) to help me carry my spoils. Their fervor was palpable, but truthfully, it left me feeling uncertain. I pondered whether I should be thanked so effusively for merely participating in a competition, or whether it was fitting for me to allow them to carry my belongings.
“Thank you, brave paladins,” I said, striving to maintain a neutral tone. “I appreciate the thought very much, but aren’t you all still convalescing?” My statement tapered slightly into a question; I was unsure what it felt like to be healed by Divinity, after all. “I wouldn’t dream of asking you to exert yourselves in such a state.”
“We’re right as rain, Your Highness, all thanks to you!” the first paladin replied eagerly. “Please, it would be our honor!”
Their enthusiasm made it hard to refuse them. But then I remembered, The high pontiff is here! Perhaps he could subtly restrain his followers. Quickly, I shot a look to where he sat in state. His Holiness caught my gaze instantly, then responded with a reassuring smile. “Participant paladins may carry a Saintly candidate’s bracelets, as long as they are the ones who offered,” he called out to me warmly.
That was the exact opposite of what I hoped you’d do! I didn’t dislike the idea of off-loading the cumbersome bracelets, but having paladins perform such menial tasks seemed beneath their dignity, didn’t it?
Despite my reservations, the high pontiff’s endorsement left me with little room to maneuver. With a reluctant nod, I conceded, “Very well then, please, and thank you. But you are not to unduly exert yourselves. Inform me immediately should you feel even the slightest bit unwell.”
Their faces lit up with joy and they fervently nodded their agreement. They’re like eager young puppies... I thought wryly. Yet their intentions seemed genuine, and with the bracelets now in their capable hands, I could redirect my focus entirely to healing.
After handing off my bracelets to the paladins, I proceeded to seek out my next patient. As I walked, the paladins trailed behind me, forming a line reminiscent of ducklings following a mother duck. It was curious, as well as slightly ridiculous, yet it neither distracted me nor obstructed my path. Assuming they would tire of the novelty, I decided to let them have their moment.
However, it turned out that I had gravely underestimated their dedication. The line of followers didn’t dwindle; instead, it grew as each newly healed paladin joined the procession. The little parade at least remained very orderly, so it did not disrupt the other participants at all.
The church bells tolled just as I completed healing the last paladin with a red bracelet. “Cease your spellcasting, candidates. That is time!” the host announced. “The second trial is now concluded. Please hand off your bracelets and return to your positions.” The last paladin handed me his bracelet, and then, in a final act, my entourage of bracelet carriers heaped all the collected bracelets back into my arms. With that, the group dispersed, dipping their heads in profuse thanks as they departed.
As the nun came around to relieve me of my bracelets, I let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, I had managed to fulfill my goal of healing all of the paladins with red bracelets, but I still wasn’t sure if I had deserved that almost bombastic display of gratitude. On the other hand, it didn’t diminish the satisfaction of having made a tangible difference.
The tiniest smile tugging at my lips, I returned to my starting position. As I did, the host then announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we shall now enter a brief interlude to tally up the totals. All candidates, please return to the stage.”
As the other candidates strode back onto the stage to join us, Flora returned with them, her smile fixed and vacant across her pale features. To see the effort she poured into upholding her image even now—it stirred a tumult of feelings inside me. Though she appeared somewhat rejuvenated after the brief respite, I couldn’t help but question the possible impact of a mere thirty minutes. She needed to withdraw now, to rest and recuperate.
This was the last chance I would have to talk to her, to make my concern for her known. If I hesitated now, the third trial would commence, and should she exert herself magically in her current frail state, I feared disaster was inevitable. Despite everything, I could not allow her to risk her life!