That night Konrad's dreams where plagued by images of a man standing in a field of bodies as a stench of death carried by the wind assaulted his nose. Suddenly the figure turned toward Konrad with a piercing stare as if he is looking into his very soul.

Konrad wakes up drenched in a cold sweat,shivering as he remembers that cold stare. Now wide awake he shocks out of his stupor as he looks out the window,seeing that the day already started he got up and started to get dressed for the day 'I wonder whats going to happen at the testing' he thought.

As he leaves his room his mother regards him for a second "Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes but you might want to fix your shirts its inside out" she said. Realizing that his mother is right he quickly goes back in to his room to fix his shirt he goes back out.

Seeing his father and sister already sitting at the table he decides to join them "Morning" he says "morning" they reply in unison as his mother starts bringing over the plates for a hearty breakfast of beans on toast with some eggs and sausages.

"Now I want you to remember to always be respectful while in front of the Envoy its never smart to annoy the empire" his father says in a serious tone. "Yes father ill be respectful" Konrad responds "Are you sure I have to go can't we just work in the forge it's not like there is a chance ill even have magic" he pleads to his father, "This order is by imperial decree unless you want to bring shame on our family you will go" Bjorn says in a no nonsense tone.

'Huh I didn't think it was that serious' he thinks as he finishes his food. "Well im going to go hang out with Olie while I wait for the Envoy" Konrad says as he gets up to leave. "The testing starts at noon you better not be late" his mother says right as he leaves the door.

While walking to Olies house he looks around the small village he calls home,small because it only houses 17 families so its barely considered a village. Most of the houses are built of wood and thatch but some buildings like his home are made of stone to protect from fires. "Morning Mr Lee" he greets the town leatherworker as he pases by "Morning Konrad" he responds before continuing to tan some hides.

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After walking for another 15 minutes he finally reaches Olies house his father is the town fletcher so the workshop infront is full of wood and feathers, moving past he nocks on the door 3 times as he waits for a response after a while of waiting the door finally opens and his friends Olie standing there with his usual goofy smile plastered on his face.

Oliver is older than Konrad by 2 years so he is 15 standing at 5ft8 with broad shoulders and his olive skin marking him as descendant of the Dwellers of the cursed dessert his cherry blonde hair flowing with the breeze and his green eyes hold a glint of mischief.

"Whatever you have planned im not going to be apart of it" Konrad says before his friend even has a chance to speak "Come on don't be like that you don't even know what I want to do so hear me out before you decide anything" Olie says.

"I know you well enough to see when your up to trouble and I want no part of it especially when there is an Imperial Envoy in town" Konrad says in a stern voice. "Come on you're no fun" he relented realizing his friend wont budge.

"Well whatever lets go to the creek while we wait for the testing" Olie says seemingly having moved on from his previous mischief "Sure" Konrad replies while squinting his eyes at his friend not completely believing him to have moved on from his earlier plans of trouble.

So the friends start making their way to the creek near tge southern edge of the forrest, having grown up playing in the forrest they have no trouble navigating their way.

After half an hour of walkimg they finally arive at their destination and sit down underneath the shade of an ancient oak tree next to the river. "Do you think we have the talent?" Olie asks. "What talent?" Konrad says with confusion evident on his face."magic of course don't you ever think about what our lives would be like if we were part of the gifted all the things we could do all the places we could see" Olie states with reverence in his voice.

"I never really thought about it like that but it doesn't matter either way there is no chance were gifted." Konrad says in an asured manner "magic is for tue nobles and heroes of legends not commeners from a small village its best not to delude yourself with dreams of grandure" Konrad says convineced of his beliefs.

"One can only dream." Olie sighs. As the friends continue to chat noon starts to approach sp they start heading back to the village. As they finally arrive at the town sqaure they already see a crowd start to gather.

'Well here it is its finally about to start' he thinks right as they make their way to the front.