The settlement's main square had transformed into a staging ground. Three hundred warriors, armed and armored, stood in organized groups—each one assigned to a different arena based on the information they'd gathered.
Some of the adventurers went out to scout and came back with news.
Five arenas. Five separate battlefields where Jeren's tournament would unfold simultaneously.
Akhil stood at the center of the square, the Blood Fang resting against his shoulder, surveying the groups. This was the hardest part—dividing their forces, trusting others to lead when he couldn't be everywhere at once.
"We need someone strong and reliable leading each group," he'd said during the planning. "Not just for strength, but for accountability. People who can make decisions, who others will listen to."
The divisions had taken careful consideration.
