Somewhere during all of that training, Ruena had managed to send the application to Farfalle’s capital. Storm did not just drill the combatants. He pushed every member on their assigned role. Every member but himself, Howler, and Jazz. Storm and Jazz had grown oddly close after the rescue mission, but Soral took comfort that he was still Jazz’s favorite.

The main point Storm had stressed was that their success without sacrifice at the slave trade had been mostly due to luck. Any self respecting mercenary test would never pass a mercenary license to a bunch of lucky fools. They needed to be able to succeed without luck. It would be even better if they could train to succeed without magic, weapons, or tools. His logic was what made them each go along with the relentless trainings.

That was why they left for their journey to Farfalle and their week-long mercenary test feeling more like they were taking a vacation. Even the inspection they had to pass through in Rotelle, a city just outside the capital, wasn’t too unpleasant. The inspectors were very efficient, so the long line of travelers moved through the gates at a steady pace.

Seeing all of the inns and houses full, Soral could only hope the test had some kind of accommodations arranged for its participants. Once they passed through the gates of Rotelle, Soral noticed the flags marking the entrance to the main road. The larger flag was a golden bow with no ribbons that gave Soral an odd feeling when he looked at it. The second, smaller flag portrayed a tight golden spiral.

Inside the city, everything seemed normal enough. Soral didn’t have much experience with big cities but the main difference always seemed to be lots more people and lots more buildings. He kept having to remind himself that Orzo, their destination, was much larger than this. Soral almost wished Storm had joined them for this journey. He always seemed relaxed regardless of the situation.

“We need to check in today,” Ruena reminded, “It’ll take too long to do it before the test tomorrow.”

“When does it start?” Janon checked. He had been left out of the majority of the planning.

“That’s the thing. It doesn’t say exactly when. That is why I intend to check in today and ask about it.”

“It says ‘first thing’,” Soral reminded, “Wouldn’t that mean at sunrise?” That was the first sign of morning.

“It is a possibility, but I would like to be sure,” Ruena told him, “If they won’t tell me, that will be our backup.”

Soral sighed. “They probably won’t say anything,” he muttered. Storm had told all of them that everything about the mercenary test was a test, even the timing of the test itself. They had discussed this a lot on their journey. Soral was certain the time was a secret, but Ruena was convinced that the test was that they had to ask.

“I am prepared for that,” Ruena assured him, “I just want to cover all my bases. After how far we have come, I don’t want to be disqualified before we can even start.”

“Let’s get going, then,” Rosalie prompted, “If we don’t hurry, every inn in Farfalle will be full.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Once they crossed through Rotelle, they could already see Orzo on the horizon across many fields of grain. Since it was within sight, Soral decided to ask if he could speed things up a bit.

“I could probably make a portal further down the road,” he offered.

“No. We can’t risk showing our cards this close,” Ruena told him, “Especially things that aren’t technically legal.”

Mercenaries weren’t bound by laws quite as heavily as knights were, but their existence was allowed by the knights and rulers of various nations. That meant that their licensing as mercenaries could be revoked.They already ran the risk of being banned from getting a mercenary license in the first place if Soral’s past actions were discovered.

“Fine,” Soral relented. He had to remember to be careful. He couldn’t allow some momentary temptation on his part to ruin Ruena’s dream.

Even at a normal walking pace, they were able to arrive at the gates of Orzo before they closed. There was another brief and halfhearted inspection before they were let through. Once they entered, Rosalie immediately took most of the others to find an inn for the night. Soral had decided to stay with Ruena, just in case. He was far stronger than the last time they had visited a capital together.

The location of the mercenary test was a large training ground at the edge of the city, set up against the walls. It was hard to tell if it was because they were late or early, but no one else was there. Jazz shifted his weight on Soral’s shoulder, watching the entrance intently. Now that he had grown to be a full sized cat he barely fit, and Soral had to support him with magic.

Ruena walked right into the building with the noble confidence she had been saving for this day. “I am here to check in,” she announced.

The duo at the reception desk glanced at her, then at Soral and Jazz. He could feel the judgment in their gazes. A couple of kids and their cat had come to take a test to become mercenaries.

“Name of the Commander and mercenary group?” the woman asked. She was at least trying to do her job.

“Ruena Alodan, and The Alodan Warriors.”

“Proof of sponsor?”

Ruena pulled out the paperwork that showed her stake in the sales of her inventions and Soral’s funding from his shops.

“A runaway, then? No funding from the family,” the man muttered. Even though he had spoken quietly, all of them could hear the scorn in his tone.

Ruena pretended to have heard nothing, and pressed forward with her plan. “I would like an exact update on the time and place of the test tomorrow,” she told them woman.

The woman handed back the proof papers and gave her an envelope as well. “I should warn you, if you want to play hero you are better joining established mercenaries. This test is not for the faint of heart. We only guarantee your life and limbs while inside.”

In other words, injuries were expected and they would do nothing to prevent clashing of words. Soral glanced at the man who had shown contempt. They might have to face that the whole time. Ruena was able to ignore it somehow, but it had already begun to grate on Soral’s nerves.

After checking the contents of the envelope, Ruena marched out of the building, continuing to ignore him. Soral quickly fell into step behind her.

“It’s just for a week,” she reminded him in a soft voice, “We can bear this much.”

Soral was certain that she could, but he wasn’t sure about the others. “We may be split up during the test. What are we going to do if only some of us pass?”

“After everything Storm put us through, we won’t need to worry about that,” Ruena replied, “We can always try again next year.”

“Right,” Soral said, “So when is the test?”

Ruena smiled. “I was right. We could have come at dawn and wasted valuable time and sleep, but the test takes place at the first morning bell.”

The first bell in the morning was first thing. That made sense. It still made him a bit nervous to sleep past dawn, but he also didn’t want to waste the advantage Ruena had gotten them. Instead and reached out to Rosalie with his mind to find out where they were. Luckily they had found an inn. A few of them would have to share rooms, but they would each have a bed.

Ruena told them what she had found out when they arrived and gave them a warning. “We may face scorn and discrimination, but we will take this opportunity to prove them wrong. The Alodan Warriors will return to its former glory unhindered by their useless ideals.”

Ember smiled. “That is what I signed up for,” she assured.

“We can’t let Soral down,” Liza said, slapping her brother’s shoulder, “I know we are much stronger now.”

Everyone looked confident and prepared, setting Soral[‘s own worries to rest. That was right. They would not fail, and even if they did they would get another chance. All that mattered now was that his own criminal history was not revealed.