Pheonix, Pheonix

Katerina cleared her mind and waited. Please, she thought, let the Flaming One appear today.  She recleared her mind as the first rays of dawn reached slowly from the East, the firey tendrils of light beating back the purple clouds of eve, allowing life to once again be brought to the Earth. An aching kroon rang out, the Phoenix blazing it way across the sky. Katerina’s heart filled with joy. It was a sign! It was an omen. The Avatar of Fire must intend for her to suceed this day. A Pheonix was only seen if there was a Elite being released to the world. She turned briskly and marched to the door. The frame around her ignited in cool blue fire, signifying she had passed the Ordeal of the Heart. The flame gathered and converged into a small blue gem. It floated into the pendant she wore, a flying phoenix enshrouded in flame. A green gem already sat to the right of it, with two more spaces to fill. The Ordeal of the Mind was the exam she had taken and passed yesterday. Now,with only three hours of intense meditation to support her, she faced the Ordeal of the Body…

–

A flaming dagger arched its way across the area, leaving a trail of flame behind it. Katerina whipped up her sword in to the Alt Ferro Defense and the dagger was knocked, smoldering, into the sand. She pressed her attack. A thrown blade can’t hit you when there’s know room for it to be thrown. The apparition she was fighting switched from an apparent unending supply of throwing knives to twin long knives, blades stretching past its elbows. He ducked forward, swiping with his hands in what would be a decapitating motion. Except she wasn’t there. The apparition turned as Katerina extended to the Basic Jab, one of the first fighting moves she had learned. The Appiration’s heart beat once, a strong vibration shivering through the sword which impaled it. The the apparition  vanished in a cloud of sparks. Three rounds down. Two more to go.

–

Katerina stood before the Council. She had passed the trial of the body. A brown gem sat next to the previous two.  The discussed among themselves, deciding her fate.

–

Palouruus, Head of the Council, cleared his throat. “Your first assignment is to investigate a disturbance at the Imperial garrison they call Fort Granite, near the Serugarthian border. You will there meet Centurion Var Thamir. He will instruct you as to why you were called. Have you a horse? Good. A squire as well? No? Well then, you leave next Phoenix Rising. Having a squire by then will ease your journey in several ways. Try to find someone who will complete your weakness. Ah, I see by your face you do not perceive your weakness. Fear not, few are they that perceive their weaknesses. Attempt to find someone with a less critical concern for morals. Trust me in this, my girl.  May the Light aid you and the Flame guide you home in honor. Fair ye well, Katerina.”

–

Katerina went out into the village. Her elevation was not yet known. That was how you knew who was a good worker. Those who worked when no one watched. Her first stop was the stable. She wanted o check on the mount she had received upon entering training. She could do anything in that saddle, from sleeping and eating to composing complex music in perfect script, if she wished. His name, was Firestar, an honorary and noble name. A name worthy of legend. She glanced round for a stable-hand. She did not know the protocol for finding a squire. Stable-hands knew all the gossip at the academy. There were strangely none about. No, she thought, there is one. There, with the old stallion.Katerina watched as the mean spirited horse tried in vain to kick him as he cared for the stallion’s feet. When done, the boy brushed his hands and gave the horse a light slap. Then he noticed her. He seemed a bit startled and threw his hands behind his back. He stammered a bit as he cast tried to place her rank. “Ah ah. um Your a L-Ladyship?” She smiled at her. “It’s okay, I won’t bite. Where are all the other stable hands?” He grimaced. “Their’ll tryin’ to be picked up as a squire. Ranald, he went down to wait by the tavern. Jon’ten, he’s a half-elf from out East, he be tryin’ at the docks. Each of the others have their spot. Huh. And leave all the work for me.” He noticed her about to say something. He nodded, “Why do I get all the work? Well, fortunately for them, I have this tattooed on my palm.” He held out his right hand. The Justicar’s Cloud, a complex, curving orb that snaked it’s way around his palm. The Cloud. The mark of a Criminal of Air, one well versed in thievery and other forms of sneaky crime. He turned to go back to his work when she laid her hand on his shoulder. “A squire should never turn his back to his mistress when she’s speaking to him.” He turned, as if to tell her that he was no squire, but, mid-turn, his brain assimilated her statement and he dropped into a bow.

–

They left at dawn the next day.

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