Here is the next part. I probably won't be writing any chapters for this week as I have exams. Anyway, hope you enjoy this bit.
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Chapter 4: Luck of the Draw
The announcer was almost ready to speak. He grabbed the microphone and cleared his throat. "Alright everybody, welcome to the 50th annual testing circuit! Many thanks to our sponsors and all of the Sligs who applied to join. It wasn't possible for every single applicant to be chosen for the main stage, those Sligs will perform their own tests outside of the public view. For those of you who DO get a chance at fame and fortune, the winner will get a prestige medal and two weeks worth of moolah". The crowd cheered, there were a lot of Sligs from all the dominions. The current leaders were sat on thrones in the center of the stands. The announcer continued, "Onto business, I will call out the names of the Sligs chosen to compete. Please make your way to the entrance of the arena to begin registration... The chosen Sligs are; Park and Rao of Prida, Une and Tury of Fortuna, Nara and Mern of Honora and finally, Maru and Kardo of Brava".
Park was looking at Warro. Warro's face fell as he realised he hadn't been picked this year. Tury put his hand on Warro's shoulder, "It's alright, there's always..."
Suddenly the announcer turned the microphone back on, "Hold on folks, one of our warriors is unfit to compete in tonight's games... Maru of Brava will not be able to take part in the trails tonight. He regrets not being able to make it and wishes everyone a good time". Warro looked up towards the announcer box, the announcer continued. "Well, it seems we'll have to pick another", after a few minutes of discussion, the announcer spoke again, "It's been decided that Warro Brava will take the place of Maru. Congratulations Warro, get up here!". Warro smiled and jumped for joy. Tury and Park smiled. Nara pointed towards the stage, "Come on, let us go to the arena". The four Sligs walked towards the entrance to the arena.
One of the outsider Sligs approached a stadium guard. "Excuse me, can you tell me... are the Brava competitors related?". The guard chuckled, "Ha ha, that's an outsider's mistake. Sorry, each of the dominions has it's own name. Each new graduate is assigned a surname based on the dominion they serve. Oh wait, the Honora dominion also supply a middle name to the highest ranking members". The outsider smiled, "Thank you very much officer!".
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