After Folke settled down he got up and began to pace the room, “I’m sorry Leif.”

“For what,” Asked Leif.

“The trials,” Folke said with sadness, “No one should have to go through something like this. It is nothing but death and sorrow for everyone.”

Leif's eyes widened as his body broke into a cold sweat. His heart pounded heavily against his chest as he started slowly backing up to the door of his house. He felt like running like he needed to get away as far as he could from this place.

Before he could run out of the door Folke said, “Wait, you need to calm down, there is much I need to tell you.”

Leif looked at the door and then back at Folke. This was his uncle, the man who practically raised him for the last couple of years. If he couldn't trust him enough to listen to what he had to say then who could he trust? He took some deep breaths to calm himself and then headed over to one of the seats in front of the hearth, Folke did the same.

They sat there in quiet for a while before Folke started, “The elders, not just our elders but all the elders of the four tribes, have come to a decision that the time for the trial is approaching. When it will be is not exactly known, but they are certain it will be within the next month or two. Since it is approaching they let all the families know it is time to share what we can with those participating in the trials. Keep in mind I can not share everything, but what I can share will be important.”

At those words, Leif lowered his head, “I’m not ready for this.”

Folke put a hand on Leif's shoulder, “I know, I think it is impossible to be ready for something like this, but we do not have a choice. How about I make some of that crimson pearl tea you like so much before I continue.”

Crimson pearls weren't actually pearls, they were small perfectly round crimson berries that grew high in the mountains. They were bland tasting if eaten normally, but if you took the time to dry them and crush them into a fine powder the taste became very enriching with a slight sweetness to it when brewed in hot water.

“I would like that,” Leif said with a smile before remembering what he had in his bag, “Oh I have some sugar berry juice, add some to it once it has sat for a little bit, it will add more sweetness.”

“You are just like your father when it comes to sweets,” sighed Folke before laughing, “Maybe that is why he married my sister.”

Leif rolled his eyes before realizing, “This is why everyone was giving us free stuff today.”

“Yes,” Folke said, “The knowledge that the trials are coming makes everyone feel like they need to do something for those that are going to participate in it.”

Folke finished up the tea and brought a cup over to Leif. They sipped at the tea, Leif delighting in the sweetness while Folke cringed at it.

Folke put his cup down, “I'm not sure where to begin.”

Leif took one more sip before putting his cup down as well, “How about the basics if there is any?”

“There is and it’s as good as any place to start I guess,” Folke let out a long sigh, “As you know every three years people that are between the ages of fifteen and eighteen are sent away to face a trial, and those that live comeback a year later.”

“I do,” replied Leif.

Folke nodded at this, “Well what you don’t know is that the trial lasts for a year long and they aren't just simply sent away they are gathered and taken to secret locations because regardless of where they are the Tide Walkers send them to where the trial is and no I can’t tell you how they do that.”

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Leif bit back the question he was about to ask.

Folke continued, “The elders started taking people to these secret locations because long ago it would happen out of homes and it would freak others out.”

“That makes sense I guess,” responded Leif, “Where are people getting sent to, and why is the trial a year long?”

Folke hesitated at first but decided Leif needed to know, “To the mainland and the trial is a year-long because you have to survive there for that long.”

Leif sat in silence not sure what to say. He had expected a lot of things from the trial but not that.

In a whisper, he asked, “Why would they do that to us?”

“I don’t know,” answered Folke, “Some believe it is simply the price to pay for our safety while others believe it is a right of passage to become a true tribe member. In the end, the Tide Walkers have their reasons and they do not share it.”

Leif started getting the feeling to run again but he forced it down, he needed to hear this there was no changing his fate.

A thought crossed Leif’s mind, “How am I going to survive for a year? I don’t know how to use any weapons nor do I know how to use magic.”

“Those are kind of the same question, at least for our tribe,” seeing the confusion on Leif's face Folke continued, “All the tribes receive magic in different ways. I will go over the other tribes on another day because I have more than just their magic to go over. For our tribe though our weapons and magic are tied to each other. They’re called soul weapons and they are bound to us, that's why you will never see one for trade or in another's hands.”

Leif's eyes widened, “How do we get these soul weapons, and what kind of magic does each weapon offer?”

“You are not permitted to get one yet, but soon will be able to, when that time comes we will travel into the mountains where one of the soul forges is located. Once there you will have to forge the weapon yourself out of a piece of your soul, the name makes sense now huh,” Folke laughed to himself about the name, “As for the magic it can be anything. It is also determined by the piece of your soul used to forge the weapon and you will have to discover it and how to use it on your own.”

“Why do we have to learn how to use the magic on our own? Doesn't it make more sense to guide new users,” Leif said in frustration.

Folke shook his head, “No, you would think it would be easier, but since it is a part of your soul only you can truly guide yourself on how to use it. Anyone else could guide you down the wrong path in their ignorance,”

Sensing Folke would not talk about this anymore he moved on, “I always thought they were simple weapons that magic was channeled through.”

“Everyone thinks that before learning about soul weapons,” Folke said with a chuckle

Leif realized something, “Why have I never seen your weapon before?”

Folke looked a little sheepish at that question, “Well you see my weapon grants me the use of a self-enhancing magic that boosts my strength. I don’t like using it because I don’t want to accidentally hurt Denali, yes I’m aware of how irrational that is. As for my weapon…”

Folke reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of simple-looking metal gloves and held them for Leif to look at.

“That's it,” said Leif a little disappointed.

“Well that's just hurtful, not all weapons are showy,” said a defensive-looking Folke before changing the subject, “One more thing about soul weapons that is important is that when the wielder dies they also die.”

Leif had a shocked look on his face, “That makes them sound like they are alive.”

Folke looked serious when he said, “They are.”

Seeing Leif at a loss for words Folke continued, “That is enough for tonight, you should get some rest. In a couple of days, we will need to travel to one of the larger villages.”

“Why do we need to travel to another village,” asked Leif.

“There are some elders who can give us an idea of what type of weapon your soul piece will forge into,” Folke said with a yawn, “Keep in mind it is not very accurate so we will probably get three or more possibilities. We will need to start training you with those weapons so when you do get your soul weapon you will have some experience with it. The more prepared you are the better odds you have of surviving.”

After that, Folke said goodnight and headed to his room. Leif sat in front of the hearth for another hour, lost in his thoughts. He thought about going to his room to try to sleep, but he did not think he would have a peaceful night. He just had too much going through his head.

Finally not wanting to be left with his thoughts anymore he got up and walked out of the door.