Talen's feet played a sombre melody as he walked through the stone halls of the Citidal. The tune was one played by hundreds of warriors before him, all matching towards death and re-birth within these stone walls. The youth, a child born onto the streets, was there like so many others. He was there to test himself. This time was a little different though, because he was going to test someone else as well.
Sara Sixblades...
The name sang with sweet assonance. It belonged to the first person that had volunteered to join Talen's team in the Ixian Knights. It was this elf that Talen wanted to test and the youth was a firm believer that in battle one's true self emerged. Rather than meeting her at the castle he had sent her a message to come to the Citadel. Talen stopped abruptly in front of a large wooden door. The number engraved, 241, signified that this was the room that he had been given. The youth pushed opened the door and stepped through.
Soft rain danced across the green grass of the clearing while a gentle warming hand of the sun found its way through the clouds. The grass was ringed with trees and Talen moved with an easy stride to the edge of the clearing. As he walked he pulled back his cloak and let it slide down his arms. His attire was simple, a black vest, pants and shoes. The boy dropped his cloak at the base of a tree and swivelled to lean against the trunk. His face was easy as he let the odd rain drop fall through the leaves of the tree above and splash against his pale skin. The boy loved the rain, he had asked for it especially.