Chapter 44
The first day was chaos.
The competition was divided into three days so that the king and his counselors could assess a variety of skills. On the first day, every warrior competed in ground-fighting. In the beginning men choked the field, shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh. Those who could afford it wore armor, complete with helmets that covered all or part of their faces. Others wore simple tunics. Bradamante wore what Jara had made her: a long-sleeved ivory shirt, a dark blue tunic, leggings, and the leather hood. She also wore a leather chest piece and boots: gifts the cobbler in Ramath had given her after the temple burned.
A warrior could use his own shield if he had one, but no man was permitted to use his own sharp weapon. King Carleman provided dull swords to every
