The Sun Blade

Tried and Tested

"Militova."

Cresana stepped forward from the ranks of her classmates. She clasped her hands behind her back, awaiting further instruction.

"Choose your steel."

All her life, Cresana had known what weaponry she would select for the trial and for her life as a Blade. It was the same weaponry her ancestors had chosen – all sixteen generations – and there was no doubt in her mind.

"Scythe Swords."

Cresana watched as the new equerry – Jenivan, she thought his name was – scrambled to find the two long, curved blades she requested. As he handed them to her, she felt the familiar weight of the blades and the hand-worn grooves of the leather bound hilt settle into her hands.

Many of her classmates, Evrity included, had opted for two different weapons to gain maximum benefit from different forms of combat. In Blade wisdom, two different weapons were better than two of the same, but Cresana felt an instinctual connection to the Scythe Swords. They were versatile: light enough to travel and ride with, sturdy enough to stand up to Great Swords and Maces (chosen weapons of the Fjerdans) in hand to hand combat, slender enough to be easily disguised beneath robes, and short enough to be thrown like a knife in a real pinch. She had no use for tricksy weaponry, like whips or throwing stars, nor did she have great love for cumbersome swords or heavy maces. No, the Scythe Swords suited her just fine.

Cresana let the swords rest easily in her palms, mentally reminding herself to relax her shoulders and her grip so as not to belie the alarmingly fast racing of her heart. The Evaluators stood before her, all of them in ceremonial robes, which were almost indistinguishable from their usual garments save for the intricate filigreed stitching up their sleeves depicting their weapons of choice. Cresana found herself surprised to see Scythe Swords stitched on Termedy's sleeves. Aside from the Militova bloodline, Cresana wasn't aware of many other Blades who opted for the two curved swords in battle.

"Cresana Militova has selected Scythe Swords," read out Dreigo's voice. "She will now be given the opportunity for Trial. Militova, what is your choice?"

'Here goes nothing,' she thought to herself. She wondered how many of her classmates had opted out of the Trial. Although it was a deep disgrace within The Blade community to refuse the final Trial, there were many criminal groups, noblemen, and pirating crews who would pay handsomely for the talents of a Blade, even if they hadn't officially passed the Trial. Cresana couldn't afford to let these thoughts distract her, so she shook the small temptation of gold aside.

"Trial," she replied. She thought she detected a slight smile play across The Evaluators' faces when they heard this. 'Why wouldn't they be proud?' she thought to herself. 'I'm generation seventeen of one of the oldest Blade bloodlines.'

"Trial," Driego confirmed. "Step forward."

Cresana approached the dark double doors in front of her. The Evaluators stood on either side of the door, flanking it, and despite their usually imposing presence they were completely dwarfed by it. Cresana had never been to the Little Palace before, but that was the site of her Trial. She had never seen a door so large before. It stretched all the way to the top of the ceremonial chamber they had convened in for her weapon selection. The Evaluators had, of course, instructed the pupils on what to expect at their Trials.

"When you are commanded to, you will step through the doors and begin your Trial. The Trial is complete when you are either dead or victorious over all foes." Evaluator Termedy's words rang in Cresana's ears like a gong. "Dead or victorious".

Cresana regarded the doors warily. She had no idea what awaited her on the other side, although she suspected the door led outside based on the faintest breeze she felt against her shins which, she assumed, snuck under the doors. Blades were strictly verboten from discussing the Trial so as to ensure all pupils were unable to prepare beyond their training at The Institute. And although it seemed incredible to think, for over 400 years absolutely no information about the Trial had ever been disclosed. Cresana knew that, especially early in The Blades' existence, some Blades had been tortured for information on the Trial in an attempt to undermine the process. Even they had held fast. The Trial's secrecy was among the most serious of The Blades' traditions.