Terror POV

After Khione went into hibernation I followed her recruits into training as I had grown quite fond of the four handed Great sword. Although I was still missing my upper left arm it did not interfere with my ability to wield the weapon as I am much much stronger than the average frost troll. Rhazin even had the blacksmith and weaver produce an extra set of armor just for me (custom fit for his size) with a matching Blade of mithril to go with it (not used in training) I picked up the way of the sword fairly quickly and was soon besting my first teacher with ease.

However Rhazin also decided that if he was going to go all out for me I would do the same for him and because of my size if added half again as much training onto my schedule and expected me to still finish before the others. It was hard brutal work and for the first time I could remember I actually felt the need to rest and collapsed into my bunk when ever I got the chance, which was still about the same as the others since I didn't need to eat like the others. I didn't bother Rhazin with this fact....

The training was difficult but worth it I didn't make any friends among the trainees as most didn't like that I was doing everything I could to advance my skills regardless of their safety despite my attitude I did not injure many of them to often and in the beginning it was mainly me that was being dominated. When I did start to pull it together and start winning my matches I was elated and pushed even more to be the best. Rhazin was the only person that I actually spoke with during my training except when completely necessary. Even then it was usually him telling me to practice my forms or run another twenty laps around the keeps outer walls.

Then we had our “graduation” which was an elaborate banquet arranged by Khione the very hour after she came out of her lab. She even invited the Troll King, however I knew Khione was up to something I even saw her talking in whispers to the cooks of and waitresses of the banquet. ( families of the trainees) then a few hours before the king arrived she ordered the Graduates into battle armor with their new weapons and armor. When the kings army arrived I realized that Khione was showing off. Literally she had us polished and lined up on both sides of the walk into the keep. The kings trolls wore pathetic leather straps and had crude iron blades where we stood tall with our mithril weapons and armor. The sun light reflecting around us making it seem as if we were angels descended into the realm of mortals.

The Graduates gazes were fixed on the kings men and the thoughts that ran through their minds were those of mixed feelings feeling both disgust at what their goals had been and what they had so easily accepted as the best of an great empires soldiers. Now as they gazed at them they felt renewed strength and a rising pride in themselves for surviving the harsh training to reach this point. (not that they had a choice after signing their lives over to Khione)

After the kings men where seated I joined Khione and my father (???) on the dais upon which Khione started the feast. It was amazing mainly the fact that she could have had something this elaborate planed and set up in less than a few hours.

After we had eaten and were relaxing slightly the king placed a parchment in front of me with a list of five things

One- leave all possessions and survive in the tundra for four months.

Two- beat contending Nobles

Three- Gain support of three of five shaman

Four- obtain a marriage from a border tribe

Five- Defeat Current King in a death match.

After reading through it a couple of times I handed it to Khione who took a half second look at the page.

“to long”

“I have counter proposal for you”

“I take his place and we skip down to number five”

The king stood so that he towered over her, However she just calmly sat in her chair and didn't even bother to look at him. Roaring with rage the king slammed his upper right hand into the table.

“what is the meaning of this you agreed to my trials so I that I could approve of his worth to lead (points at me) not have you an outsider of a completely different race take my throne”

replying with an even voice Khione responded by saying

“ I actually agreed to nothing if you would remember that I said nothing after you mad your demands also to address me being an outsider my ancestors built this city and I own every bit of it.”

Rising to her feet she looked down at him or at least it seemed like it even though he stood at least three feet higher than her.

“ We will settle this now I listened to your proposition out of curiosity and have found that I like none of them except the last”

So saying she turned to the room and raised her hands towards the ceiling. The Ice crystals in the room turned a brilliant blood red and its light turned the mithril clad troops into things from ones nightmares. The kings trolls just grazed in drunken awe at the lights glaring down on them. Then the slaughter began. Even though the kings troops out numbered Khione's almost three to one hers had only been drinking water and not an highly intoxicating brew. Making it seem as if the kings men where trying to fight in slow motion allowing them to easily be cut down bodies toppled to the floor and heads rolled about with blood tainting everything that it touched everything was drenched in it in mere moments.

The king recovered quickly and drew his weapon however it was a pointless gesture as Khione just raised her right and and made a gripping and trowing motion which tossed the king off the dais like a rag doll. The blood flowing across the floor froze around him as he landed clutching him in an unrelenting death grip. Stepping down from her high position she raised a hand out over the blood and some of it flowed up to her hand forming into a razor sharp single edged blade with a hilt formed perfectly for Khione's hands turning to the king she spun the blade into a under handed grip and using both hand thrust it into his heart. After a few second I could see his blood freezing in his veins. He had died in less than a thirty seconds without a chance to even defend himself. Standing over him victorious

Khione smiled as her new troops finished off the last of those loyal to the departed king.