The gray, barren stretch of water in front of her was identical on every side, in every direction. The thick, tall forest was believed to be even more ancient than the shallow waters it surrounded. The salty lake was enchanted to support believers enough so they could walk on the surface. Her feet sank into the ice-cold water anyway, submersing everything from her ankles down.
She looked down at her silvery reflection with grim determination. It flickered and twisted when the wind blew hard enough. This was not just a test; it was a fight to survive. The Shyra would not hesitate to kill her if she was not strong enough; it was their duty to purify the Tan U Tae. The only way to prove her worth was to do battle. She frowned. Silu didn�t like the idea of battling with the only family she had ever known. But she was set in her decision to become one of the Tan U Tae. She would follow in her mother�s footsteps no matter what the obstacles.
In her twelve years of training, Sianosilu had never heard even a whisper about this test. Only just this morning when she had been woken by the nine Bala-Shyra had she been made aware that there was a test that must be passed to become one with the Tan u Tae. But even now that was all she knew.
She took a deep breath and clutched the only worldly object she had been allowed to bring with both hands in attempt to quiet her nerves. Her silver-gray eyes closed tightly for a moment and she concentrated on the warm smooth feel of the leather grip and the way the blade caught in the biting wind when she turned her arm outward.
The first time she had seen the sword, which just so happened to be that morning as well, she had thought it was left-handed and had passed it by. The cavern it was housed in was thousands of years old. The nine Bala-Shyra had told her when they had led her there that it was believed to be older than the first nine Shyra. It was stocked with every blade, rod, bow, and lance she had ever studied and many she had not. They were fashioned from every material known to man and kept in fine condition. She had identified the styles she had been taught to use but could not recognize most.
Three times she passed the golden blade and each time she had felt strong curiosity about it. She would have tested it; touched it to make sure it was left-handed but the Bala-Shyra had told her that she had to choose before she touched. The first weapon she laid hand on would be considered her choice. She only had one chance and she knew it would be the weapon she would defend herself with later on.
She had been surprised when she found the gold colored steel weapon had been, in fact, right-handed, and a little relieved as well. (She could fight with her left hand but not as well as her right.) But what had surprised her even more was the involuntary step back a few of the Bala-Shyra had taken when they saw her choice. None of them spoke, though; it was part of the ritual that they not reveal themselves until the end. This included speaking.
Silu flexed the muscles in her right arm, flicked the sword�s slanted point across the water and wondered just when the �end� would finally come.
As if on cue the wind picked up almost violently. She turned her face and closed her eyes, letting her cropped dark brown hair fall over her face. When she did open her eyes just a little she noticed a flicker of light at the edge of the water. She had to squint to see that it was a torch, burning bright green.
A quick glance around the shore told her there were nine altogether. To the Green�s left a brilliant yellow flame was bobbing its way towards her. To the right a steady blue, violet, brown and an odd gray glowing torch. The spectrum continued around the circle: yellow, orange, red then a flesh colored flame. The circular lake�s shore evenly distributed the nine flames accept for a large gap directly in front of her. It seemed to her that two more torchbearers could have fit where the gap was between the brown and red flames.
She turned so that her back faced the gap. She needed to keep all the Shyra in her line of sight. A foreboding feeling crept over her as the lights slowly grew larger. Her naked body tensed, a deep primal excitement filled her. She had always enjoyed battle as much as she despised the results.
Silu wasn�t sure how they had gotten there so quickly, but within less than a second from her last glance of them they had covered the distance between themselves and her. Now they were standing in a perfect circle around her. The gap was gone. She fleetingly wondered if she had blinked.
�Sianosilu.� A deep, hoarse voice ground out her name. Silu turned and looked at the cloaked figure holding the blue torch.
She felt she should answer so she did. �Yes?� Her voice shook with fear and excitement.
�You wish to be tested?� The woman holding the yellow torch�s voice was much softer.
�Yes.� She repeated more confidently this time.
�You understand our laws, our rituals and your duty to the Tan U Tae if you pass the challenge?� Green�s tone was skeptical. It made Silu wonder how often they did this.
Her curiosity got the better of her and she knew she would regret asking the question even before she asked it. But as with most people her mind was faster than her tongue. �Why do I have to be naked?�
The Orange torch bearer chuckled. �What are you young one? Your clothes? Your possessions?� She paused but Silu knew that she didn�t want a response. �No. You are spirit and body and heart.� She added the last element with a tender tone. �You do not need those earthly things now. The power of the lake,� She spread her hand out in front of her indicating the cold silver water. � does not see these things when it judges you. They will only hinder your fight.�
The other�s took this as some sort of signal and took a step forward.
Brown continued, �You must face your challenge with only yourself.�
�But my sword��
�Silence.� Red spat.
Silu could have bit her tongue off with embarrassment. This was her test of courage and strength and what did she do? Whine like a child.
But Orange laid a hand on Red�s shoulder. �Don�t you remember your trial?� That seemed to be enough because Red visibly relaxed.
�Your sword is no ordinary weapon. Our ancestors created it for your use only. Each weapon in the cave took at least a century to forge and mold. Your weapon took an exceptionally long time to make.� There was tension in Brown�s voice, speaking about the sword had put it in her. Silu could feel it. �The sword you hold is yours forever. It will become part of you before morning. Be warned this test not only binds you to the Tan U Tae, it binds you to your weapon. When you use it, you will use it like it is a part of your body. You will be able to feel it like you felt it in the cave when it drew you to it.� Silu didn�t really understand, but from the way Brown�s voice softened then saddened she could tell that this was no light commitment.
