15 A Little Splash

"I am Umbriel, and I'll be initiating your tests", the young priest aid. From the tower, a pair of scholars in white robes and blue celtic rope belts came out and went up the floor podium. Both of them carry a basket of eggs that they immediately distributed - one egg to every participant.

"This is the first of the five tests of this season's admissions for new protectors of the kingdom", Umbriel said as he watched the participants receive their egg. "Each of you will be given an egg. Change the form of the egg using your energy, without breaking its shell", he explained. Exactly forty eggs were quickly distributed one at a time. Now, the men waited for the signal for the test to officially begin.

"Wait", the thin-haired Lord, with two different eye colors, wearing a white houppelande with silver linings raised his hand. "Change the egg's form, in only thirty counts", Lord Callaghan stroked his thin moustache down to his long grey beard as he challenged the shocked participants. "What? We don't have the entire day for just five tests", he said with a half smile.

At the mezzanine, Alesso couldn't hide his high hopes on his bet. He would never wanted to be at the service of the two other Paladins.

"Egg?", Vesta furrowed her brows in wonder.

"This test will reveal which of them have powers. At the same time, it tests their core energy. How well can they control it by not breaking the egg's delicate shell", Stellan cleared to the curious blonde Paladin.

"Alright. You heard Lord Callaghan", the scholar shouted. "Thirty counts start now!", he commenced.

Haelan, who totally have no idea what to do, held the egg on her palm and watched what other men do. She looked at her sides to see how they struggle. Some broke their shells, while some seemed nothing is happening.

Most men made the egg hard like stone, while some emptied the egg's content, no more sac and yolk. Some burned the egg in an instant, and dissolved them like a simple compound. The ones who broke their eggs were immediately escorted out.

Ottis and Jac made the egg hard-boiled after fifteen counts. They even gave each other a high five before they moved to the side. "Come on, squirrel. Afraid of an egg?", Otis baffled, as he pass by Haelan. As they clear their spot, Haelan can now be easily seen by the Lords upfront, and even the Paladins from high up.

"Your tiny man looks like he's going to fail", Stellan told Alesso as he move his head to the side.

"Patience is a virtue my friend", Alesso replied who's still rooting for the young fellow. He watched Haelan staring at the egg who he thought might have finally figured out what to do.

"Mine already passed, my bet is still on", Vesta said with one clap.

Ten counts remaining, Haelan stood there still thinking until she grasped the egg gently. Then, she lifted it up and opened her palm as the egg crack right in the middle. She scowled at her failed attempt to pass the first test.

"You lose, Alesso", Stellan said as he bump his friend.

"How decisive, Stellan", Alesso said, staring blankly up ahead. "Look", he snaked his arm around Stellan's broad shoulder. Stellan watched closely in disbelief.

Time was running with five seconds remaining. And then the egg slowly hatched until a humming bird went flying. "Does that count?", Haelan was unsure if she passed.

"Fascinating", Lord Harlan who's eyes seems like closed all the time sparked interest on the small participant. He waved to the squire to give Haelan a passing remark.

"Looks like it did, Congratulations", Umbriel said as Haelan heave a relieved sigh. With stirring gladness, Haelan joined Jac and Ottis with face of incredulity who obviously had less expectations of her.

The time is up, and not much passed. The remaining participants had proven they hold no power, as they were immediately sent out.

Umbriel set forth with yet another scroll. "Congratulations! Now on to the next course. Prepare yourselves as we head on to Achelous", he said casually as he guide the participants. With twenty men remaining, they all followed the path to the new destination.

"Achelous?", one man in mauve vest asked.

"The guarded rivers", another man with silky long hair replied.

Haelan noticed how more excited but nervous the men became. As they leave the quadrangle, she nodded at the Lords who were giving her a stare. They kept standing there making her feel more conscious of herself. Then she shifted her eyes up to the Paladins who were already walking away. 'Don't get caught, Helena', she repeated in her head.

Following the trail, they all reached Achelous, Brandenburg's largest river that's as big as half a mile across the other side. Surrounded by boulders of different sizes, the river's shallow stream flow calmly under the beautiful sunny skies. All men gathered around nearby the riverbed, as Umbriel start to commence the next assessment.

"This is your second test. You will be divided into two teams. All you need to do is cross the river. ", Umbriel said as he introduce the agility and strenght test.

"Why does it have to be on teams?", Ottis asked as he was not good on working with some company.

"Not so stoic, are we?", Umbriel said. "The first team to reach the other side, with a complete number of divided participants will pass the test.", the squire replied. "Choose your teams and we'll start ahead", he said.

The men divided into two groups, carefully picking out the strong-looking ones to be sure. While Haelan stood unselected, Jac suddenly handpicked her to be part of their team. Ottis thought a weakness such as Haelan shouldn't be welcomed.

"Make sure we win this, squirrel", he told Haelan as if it was a threat. Haelan gulped a lump in her throat as she look straight ahead the flowing river, thinking what could be hard crossing the waters."It can't be that easy", Haelan uttered softly as she stare at the half mile shallow river.

"No test is that easy in Brandenburg, squirrel.", Ottis replied with his squinted eyes. On the other side where the misty forest of century old trees reside, they saw the Lords, warriors and Paladins were already standing by. Lord Callaghan produced a light, a signal that the men should now start the second admission test.

"How in the world did they get there swiftly?", Jac said with knitted brows.

As soon as the two groups were settled, Umbriel encouraged the teams to start crossing. "Very well, may the best team wins", he said.

The two teams started to run through the river separately. One group in the upper part of the river, and one at the lower. At first it was just a bit of splashes and light stumbles on the slippery mossy riverbed. Each participant hurriedly sprinted out with their best foot forward.

Haelan is the last from her team to run across the river, breathing hard and moving fast in the knee-deep water. Some men crossed ahead like it's a piece of cake, marching on water with no huffs and breaks.

"This test is terribly worthless. Why don't we warm up the river so it would be more refreshing?", Vesta asked as she find the test unchallenging.

"How about a little splash then?", Lord Callaghan said as he flick his hand and blew his breath. The air grew icy cold and the river became a little freezy. "Let's call in the spirits", he added.

As the teams reach the middle of the river, there come upon the large cascading water savagely gushing to them. The men's eyes widened in fear as they huff and puff at the sight of the river's blazing keeper. "What's that?", Haelan gasped as she look closely. The splurging waters seemed like angry horses galloping.

"Spirit horses! Run!!", one member of the other team shouted. From knee level up to the chest, the water started to rise as part of the test. Then the current became stronger at the sight and rush of the angry spirit horses.

As the rageful water spirits rush near the participants, portions of the river start to meander. Waters swirling violently flooding the river intensely, the two groups of men had to think smart and swiftly before the river horse spirits wash them away in one wave. Haelan's group held down to face the rapids, forcing them to anchor on to the nearest boulders. The other group ranaway and even swam like fishes, in an attempt to reach the riverbed in a bit.