Closed Tests and Trials

[Catastrophe]

4th of Summer, 514 AV

Faint dripping sounds descended throughout the very caves of Zinrah. Stalactites tempted their gravity defying powers by stretching towards the ground and stalagmites taunted those that could not stand upright like they could. Slithering sounds reverberated off the walls and fled throughout the very tunnels of the Dhani. Several guards littered the vast expanse of rocky cavern, pacing the very existence of what they protected.

One guard of ranking higher than the others was particular bored. He paced down one narrow corridor before disappearing down the next and all the while he continued to think to himself. What was it he was doing again? Why couldn’t there be any more action in these halls or rock? Why couldn’t he prove his worth when it came to defending the very beings he ever desired to? What would happen if there was a disturbance and his assistance was required? Was this really what he wished to do for the rest of his life?

After scanning the walls for the thousandth time, he dropped his eyes downwards so that they were level with the crevice that marred the rocky architect. He could vaguely see a figure in the midst of the moist air. He couldn’t tell whether it was female or male or even if it was in fact a Dhani.

Finally, he thought to himself as he took several large steps forward. Some action for the day.

“Halt,” he boomed as the figure continued to creep closer. “Who’s there?”

[Norahsshaagwen]

Gwen had awoke with purpose. Thoughts had gone round her head after the disappearances at the end of last season. Passa and her mother had continued their hints and threats at what would happen if she did not find something to do outside her cave. Her idle nature would not go unnoticed for long, she had been lax in her hunting as of the late. Useless Dhani did not last long in Zinrah. So that morning she had woke, the idea falling into her lap.

Within moments she had unwrapped herself, her sleep shedding off her like dead skin. In full snake form she got nowhere quickly. For though she had woke with purpose, with want there was a pressure that stemmed from everywhere. It weighed down until it slowed her slithers to no more than idle wriggles. Still searching for a guard but with dwindling vigor. But, this was not unusual for Gwen, such was her nature and she ignored it for the most part.

Strangely though guards could cover the city, there was not a one to be found. At least not one focused enough to be of use. Some slept, some took more chimes to answer than Gwen had to form the question. Frowns marred faces when Gwen had mocked their poor drinking habits, assuming a hangover was to blame. She'd moved on. But not for long. While Zinrah was built for them, her form was too large for the narrower tunnels, they were not impossible to get through but they would scrap along her scales, flipping them up or tucking them in where they didn't belong. Her Dhani form was smaller and the most logical choice for her.

But today was as if she were a snakeling again, struggling to understand where the extra limbs would come and grow from. The actual shift still took a sparse thirty ticks but the thought required left her not realizing she had accomplished her shift until after. It also told her she had not done the shift had not been as she predicted. It was her human form, not her Dhani that she adorned. Lucky for her the narrow tunnel she stopped in was largely without angles and left gaps for delicate feet to cross between stalagmites.

Gwen had barely ducked around a low hanging stalactite when a shout caught her attention. Her eyes narrowed, partly due to lighting but primarily for the tone. Her pause lasted long enough for her to continue forward. She had found what she was looking for.

"No." She said. Gwen had not stopped, the earlier pressure of sleep had faded just enough for her to tense in the anticipation of a fight. "Earn name, male. Not give." Her voice was chopped, stilted by the lack of ability to form hissing required for snake-tongue Gwen spoke in broken Common. "Make guard."

She emphasized her point by gesturing to herself. Now close enough to see him Gwen was not impressed. But it took a lot to get that reaction out of Gwen on a good day. Rather she snorted and stepped into his space, a clear challenge on her face. "Make." She demanded of him again.

[Catastrophe]

4th of Summer, 514 AV

It was strange that such an individual would bark out a command like that. She was adamant about watching to me ‘made a guard’.

At first the current guard was bewildered, but soon that bewilderment turned into suspicion before it manifested into something curious and confusing. If she so desperately wished to be a guard, then he would make her into a guard, but not without a little fun beforehand.

Prior to his decision, he had conjured up a relatively easy way to dismiss of the Dhani. He would have waved his hand at her and turned his back before walking in the opposite direction.

However, there was something different about this particular woman. She had a spark of something hidden away inside. She was determined and in a way that seemed almost dominant; as if asking for something with a glare in her eye could get her almost anywhere.

Was it intimidation? Was it superiority? This wasn’t Taloba where the Myrians roamed. Woman weren’t with higher respect than man, yet there was still something oddly surreal about her lack of hesitation.

She wanted to become guard, so let that happen.

“A guard you ask?” came the other voice, booming through the rocky terrain. “What a silly request, nonetheless a decent choice. Come, follow me.”

He turned on his heel and bounded through the tunnels, expecting his newfound pupil to follow his footfalls. When she heard her behind him, he smiled.

“There are certain things someone must do before becoming a guard,” he announced. “Have you what it takes to become one?”

Suddenly another fellow guard appeared out of nowhere. He was strutting tall with a broad frame and a straight face.

He had a sinister appeal to him, one that would deter any facing opponent. However, he was only a novice when it came to unarmed combat and that was something that wasn’t easily portrayed.

He would be the perfect opponent for the woman. He was strong, and just as determined as she, but he didn’t have much wit when it came to tactical situations.

“His name is Svelsicarssenes, but that isn't important,” he said. “You will prove your worth in the unarmed by showing me a match.”

He waited with minor hesitation as Svel dropped his weapon and planted both of his feet solidly into the ground. The woman readied herself as well.

Satisfied and brimming with content, the superior guard, who went by Sesil, took several steps back before clearing his throat.

“Begin.”

oocThis will be your first test and because I noticed Gwen has a competent level in wrestling there is no doubt in my mind she will succeed. Have fun!