The Queen's Guard

Chapter 3

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the castle grounds, filled with candidates, Maya among them. That morning, she had tightly bound her chest, pinned her hair back, and even sooted her face, just in case she was asked to remove the armor. She was determined not to be revealed by her feminine features and big blue eyes. Anticipating the challenges that lay ahead, she took a moment to prepare herself.

The candidates gathered below the towering walls of the castle, uncertainty etched on their faces hidden in helmets, as a queen's guard, standing on a platform, instead of wishing them welcome, announced the first trial at once. "To qualify for the next trial, each of you must scale this wall," the proclamation echoed through the courtyard.

Maya eyed the imposing structure, a ten-foot high wall that seemed insurmountable, especially in armor. Without hesitation, she attempted to scale it, but the smooth surface offered no footholds, and her efforts proved futile. The courtyard echoed with a mixture of grunts, frustration, and the sound of armors hitting the ground.

Amidst the struggle, Maya spotted a man nearby, determined but slipping with each attempt.

"Need a hand?" she offered.

The man nodded gratefully, and with a boost from Maya and another man she recruited, he managed to grab the top of the wall. Maya then used both men to climb to the top, pulling the other candidate over the edge before starting to plan how they should get the third man up. However, instead of complying with Maya's plan, he started walking away.

"I'm not risking my chance," he said, already far away.

Maya looked for someone else, but eventually decided to jump back down again.

"Stand on my shoulders, jump, and grab the edge. I'll climb over you then pull you up," she instructed. With a little hesitation, he did as he was told, though some were still stuck on the ground, they were among the last ones up. The courtyard fell silent as a horn sounded.

Breathing heavily, Maya looked around; they were soon separated into two groups. Disappointment hit her when she saw some of the first ones to reach the top in the other group being led away.

The last group, including Maya, walked with heavy hearts, convinced that they had failed the trials. Little did they know, they were the ones who had proven their mettle. They were led down a pathway behind the castle, and the atmosphere grew tense as they entered a dark hallway. Only about a third of the initial candidates remained, uncertainty shrouding their fate.

As they walked further, the door suddenly closed behind them. Torches lined dark hallways in all directions, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. Their eyes struggled to adjust to the contrast between light and shadow, and whispers of concern gave way to a thick, oppressive silence.

A commanding voice reverberated, announcing the commencement of the second trial. "Find your way" was the only words spoken before the group realized they were on to the second trial. Desperation spread in the group, running to grab a torch, Maya was knocked down and left in the dark as the complex hallways of the labyrinth separated them.

The sound of footsteps echoing eventually disappeared. Maya took a step forward, her hands grazing the cool surface of the walls as she guided herself through the corridors.

What they didn't know was that the labyrinth, designed to capture intruders, had hidden mirrors strategically placed along the maze walls creating optical illusions in the distance, misleading those with torches to believe they were making progress, thinking they are following light, when in reality it's just the far reflection of their own light, sending them in endless circles.

Maya, now using her other heightened senses, eventually understood how she would get out. If she paid close attention to the feeling of the ground, the stones of the floor would be loose in the directions she should not take. Guided by this, Maya turned the other direction whenever she felt it. Running as fast as she could, she eventually saw a flicker of light. Breathless and gasping for air, she emerged into the open, confused as she realized she was the only one there, except for a few guards stationed at the exit.