The ordeal had left her exhausted, with a headache that would not go away. But her hands still did not shake, and she felt…lightheaded. Surreal. As if this were a dream, perhaps. For so long she had been certain that she would die during the Testing.And, yet, here she was. What would become of her now?She left her room and went to the grounds within the inner Ring. Marvane and a deputation of black-armored Swords waited for her, along with Thalia and Magister Nazim. “Well,” said Marvane, a faint smile on the old soldier’s face. “Guess you didn’t run after all.” “I suppose not,” said Rachaelis. “Good morning,” said Thalia, a smile on her face. “How are you feeling?” “Like I spent all night hitting my head against the wall,” said Rachaelis.Thalia laughed. “It could be worse. I couldn’t walk for two days after my Testing.”Rachaelis shook her head. “I don’t understand how you can be so cheerful. I almost died, several times. I assume the same thing happened during your Testing.” “We all almost died during the Testing,”
