The cool pre-dawn air chilled Leon's bones as he stood in the courtyard, his eyelids still heavy with sleep. Beside him, his half-brother Simon stifled a yawn, his posture mirroring Leon's. Ser Merrick, their master-at-arms, paced before them, his gaze sharp and assessing. The boys, clad in light armor and burdened with satchels and weapons – a longsword and a small axe each – shifted uneasily under his scrutiny.

"Do you know why I've called for the two of you so early in the morning?" Merrick said, his rough voice cutting through the quiet morning stillness

Simon, succumbing to another yawn, mumbled, "Training for the Selection Exam, Ser Merrick."

"Indeed," Merrick confirmed, his lips twitching into a wry smile as Leon, too, succumbed to a weary yawn. With a flick of his wrist, Merrick conjured a blinding flash of light, accompanied by a sharp crack that echoed through the courtyard. Both boys jolted, their drowsiness banished in an instant.

"Now I have your attention," Merrick stated dryly.

Leon and Simon both stood up straight, their eyes wide and alert. They knew better than to incur the wrath of Ser Merrick, a veteran Warden who had served alongside Lord Steven during the Great Incursion. His reputation as a formidable warrior and a stern disciplinarian preceded him.

"You have one month until the Selection Exam," Merrick declared, as he paced in front of them, his voice taking on a graver tone. "Time is short. If you wish to succeed, you will undergo a rigorous training regime."

Simon gulped audibly, while Leon felt a knot of apprehension and anciety tighten in his stomach. Merrick's reputation as a trainer was legendary. If he deemed this training "rigorous," they could only imagine the trials that awaited them.

Merrick gestured towards the back gate of the castle, beyond which lay the vast and shadowy expanse of the Emberwood. "For the next two weeks," he announced, a sly grin spreading across his face, "you will survive out there. Alone."

Leon's jaw dropped. Simon sputtered in protest. "Survive? But Ser Merrick, the Emberwood is... it's uncharted! It’s not fully explored! Who knows what could be out there?"

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"Oh, my mistake, I thought you aspired to be Wardens," Merrick retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm. Then, his expression hardened. "If you cannot survive two weeks in the Emberwood, you have no business wasting your time with the Selection Exam."

A shiver ran down Leon's spine. He had always known Merrick to be a hard taskmaster, but he had never seen this grim determination in his eyes before.

"Two weeks in the forest," Merrick reiterated. "Then, two weeks to recuperate before the Selection."

Leon tried to rally his spirits. Two weeks, he told himself. It couldn't be that bad. He had never ventured deep into the Emberwood, but surely he could manage. And the promise of two weeks of rest afterward was a tempting incentive.

Simon, however, remained unconvinced. "But... what about..." he stammered, his cheeks reddening.

"If you cannot bear the thought of two weeks without lusting after your sister's handmaidens," Merrick interrupted, his voice dripping with mockery, "you are welcome to withdraw now."

Simon's face flushed crimson. "I'll go!" he blurted out, his voice thick with indignation and defiance. Leon couldn't help but chuckle, earning him a glare from his brother.

"Good," Merrick said, clapping his hands together. "You are equipped with all you need. Now, off with you!"

He ushered them towards the back gate, where they stepped out of the familiar confines of the castle and into the shadowy depths of the Emberwood. The trees at the edge were relatively small, but further in, the forest grew denser. The trees were taller and more imposing, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that blocked out the morning light.

Leon hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Before he could turn back to Merrick for guidance, the old Warden unleashed a powerful gust of wind with a sweeping gesture. The boys were lifted off their feet, propelled into the air with alarming force.

"Whoa!" Leon cried out, his stomach lurching as he soared above the trees, separated from Simon, who was hurtling towards a different part of the forest. The wind spell dissipated, and Leon braced himself for a rough landing. He crashed through the branches, his descent slowed by the thick foliage, before tumbling onto the forest floor with a thud.

Groaning, he picked himself up, dusting off his armor and cloak. "That old man!" he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "He could have at least given us a warning! Once we get back, I’ll fight him for that!" After a moment he cooled off and shook his head. He knew that he was no match for Merrick in a fight.

He found a fallen log and sat down, his mind racing. Survive for two weeks, Merrick had said. But what exactly did that entail? Was there more to this trial than just staying alive? Leon shuddered, imagining the challenges that Merrick might have devised for them.

He rose to his feet, a newfound determination hardening his resolve. He had to find Simon. Together, they stood a better chance of overcoming whatever trials awaited. He drew his axe and started hacking his way through the undergrowth, following the direction in which he had seen Simon disappear…