Moments later,

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By dawn the next day, the invitations had already arrived.

Three of the most powerful Northern lords - Kaelen of the Iron Clans, Voran of the Frost Coast, and Elric of the Stone Peaks - had sent word that they wished to present the new Queen with "the traditional welcoming trials of the North."

"Trials," Aria said, setting the sealed letter on the table in the solar. "And what do these usually involve?"

Malphas sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Originally? Tests of strength, wisdom, and endurance. A way to prove you belong in the North. But in the last century… they have become little more than...