“This is the applicant obstacle course. You will train to progress through this as quickly and efficiently as possible. Speed, economy of motion, and spatial awareness are all traits that must be built up and carefully cultivated if you are to survive in your profession.”

“In the past not all assassins or technicians were expected to be physically fit. This was found to lead to high attrition rates. They lacked reaction time and the ability to relocate in the face of danger. Better to have a fewer more competent assassins than a bunch of weaklings and idiots. Since you are all competing with each other, I like to pick creatures in order of points earned and then my personal evaluation. If you are picked last and score last, then you need to do better. The fastest time on their first run will earn a point. Mittens step forward.” I quickly stepped forward.

“You will complete one lap clockwise around the course. You will be timed. Stay within the course limits and follow the visual signs if you are confused about an obstacle next to each one.” I had noticed those, but everything I had seen was self-explanatory. The problem with going first, was that I would not have an advantage of watching other creatures.

I got into position and Paladin Bloodclaw pulled out a stopwatch. “Go!” I immediately took off. The first obstacle was a ladder climb and drop down about three times my height. I easily pulled myself up the ladder and dropped down on the other side on my hind paws. My Movement and Balance skill were helping me tremendously at the moment.

The second obstacle was two beams. A large sign on the side showed a creature, a mouse of course, and a dotted line going over the beams. I easily leapt over them. My instincts as a cat were quite good. The third obstacle was ropes strung across the course, I had to go over and not trip.

I slowed down slightly, since my paws were not small compared to the gaps. The next one was a long pit of sand with wire over the top. This was the hardest one I had seen beforehand. I dived under the wires and pulled myself forward as fast as I could.

It was hard since my sensitive ears and tail kept hitting the wires. I finally cleared the obstacle. The fifth obstacle were large metal polls sticking out of a sand pit. I easily raced over them. Then more walls, a balance beam, and ramp.

After that came beams across the track. I had to look at the sign for a second longer since I had to go over the tall beams and under the short beams. Once I understood it was easy to do. After that came leaping up to a platform and then back down. With my height it was incredibly easy.

The next one I almost panicked but just went for it. There was a concrete wall and tiny hole through it. I dived for the hole, my front arms outstretched. I managed to get most of the way through. I then had to use my hands to pull me out and wiggle the rest of the way.

That was clearly an obstacle meant for smaller creatures. After that I leapt from beam to beam. Another forty-five-degree ramp and then a wall I had to go over. Next up was a pit I had to leap into and then climb back out of. Another ladder climb and drop like the first obstacle and then a wall again.

A zig-zag balance beam followed by a set of railings where I had to turn around and race back the way I came before going forwards again. Three short successive walls I had to leap over and then the finish. I was panting very hard when I finished. The earlier endurance test had tired me out. Being first was not simple.

“Two minutes and twenty-two seconds,” Paladin Bloodclaw said. I had no idea how he was not roasting in his armor with the warm air and sun. “You may stretch and cool down. Next, Blackfur Shattertooth. Step up to the line.”

I quickly moved off the track and took a spot a short distance away from the Paladin and the group of applicants and began to stretch. Grateful for the stretching my father had put me through. I watched carefully as the stoat Blackfur raced through the obstacle course. He struggled on the walls. He crossed the finish line gasping for air.

“Two minutes and thirty-three seconds. You may stretch and cool down. Next, Sharpfang.” The rat managed to get two minutes and twenty-seven seconds.” Mary the mouse and Shiversnout the shrew both struggled but came in around three minutes.

The last up was the fox, Kanves Swiftpaws. I was curious if he would live up to his name. He raced through the course. Easily clearing all the obstacles. He was able to jump incredibly high despite his small size or because of it, I wasn’t sure. This in turn allowed him to clear the crawling section and the hole section with much more ease than me.

“Two minutes and twelve seconds,” Paladin Bloodclaw said after the fox crossed the finish line. “Well done. But in the future when you are assigned a task you will complete it to the best of your ability. If you slack off again in an endurance test, you will be removed. Do you understand?”

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“Yes Paladin Bloodclaw.”

“Cool down. You earned your bonus point.” At least it wasn’t me getting dirty looks this time. Paladin Bloodclaw waited a few minutes before speaking up again.

“On your feet, line up.” Everyone quickly formed a line in front of him. “You will now be taken to your dorm. You will keep it clean. You will clean up after yourself. You will not ask another creature to clean up for you. You will prepare your own food. You will not ask another creature to prepare your food. The pantry is stocked regularly. Do not waste food.”

“You will be ready at eight in the morning every day and lined up at the track. No excuses for being late will be tolerated unless you are dead. We will train for a minimum of eight hours. Outside of that your time is your own. I will show you the weight room you can use on your own time. In addition, the indoor track and the outdoor obstacle course are yours to practice on. There is also a swimming pool. We will be training there as well, and you can practice in your free hours.”

“I have my office, which includes my bedroom. If there is an emergency, you will report there immediately. If there is no emergency, do not disturb me. If you see staff cleaning or maintaining this compound, do not talk to or bother them in any way. Do not leave the designated areas for any reason.”

“There are forms you can fill out in the communal dining area and leave in a box there if you require any items for your personal grooming. They will be provided to you within a day. If you are injured seriously, report to me. Otherwise, there are basic medical supplies in the communal area. There is a washer and dryer. You will maintain and keep your own clothes clean.”

“You may speak to each other. But any sabotage or infighting will be harshly punished. If there is a disagreement, you will get the chance to settle those later. I would also add that the best course of action is to focus on self-improvement.”

“Any questions?” Paladin Bloodclaw asked, and everyone was silent. I considered what I wanted to know. I stepped forward. He gave me a nod indicating I should speak.

“Paladin Bloodclaw, is there any specialized training besides swimming we should prepare for?” I asked with all the confidence I could muster. Any clue about the future would be useful.

“No. As applicants, the sole focus is to bring up your physical abilities. Focus solely on that. The minimum goal should be to reach 300 pebbles, clear the obstacle course in under two minutes, swim for five minutes and complete 10 lengths of the pool, and hold your breath for one minute.”

“If you can reach these minimums, then your attempt to rise to a Neophyte will be much smoother. For those lacking in physical ability. It is possible to pass the final tests. But you must apply yourself. Every single creature can pass this stage and become a Neophyte if they put their minds and bodies to the task.” Paladin Bloodclaw looked at me and I quickly took a step back into the line.

“Any other questions?” he asked.

The rat Sharpfang stepped forward. “Paladin Bloodclaw, what other ways are there to earn points or take them from other applicants?”

“At this time no. But opportunities will come up. Don’t worry about that. In the end they only add to your base score. One applicant managed to get ten bonus points. An impressive amount. But their final score was mediocre.” The Paladin shook his head.

“They are a bonus to reward effort and triumphing over others in your cohort. But in the end, it is your final scores that matter the most. First the physical as applicants. Then the mental as Neophytes or Trainees. Being a Journeymouse will test both of these things in combination and your ability in the field. Once all those things come together, then you earn the title of Assassin of the Covenant Church.” Sharpfang nodded and stepped back into line.

“Any other questions?” Paladin Bloodclaw asked.

“I have one, Paladin Bloodclaw,” the fox Knaves Swiftpaws said and stepped forward. “Why are you here instead of an assassin?” Everyone froze at the question. Paladin Bloodclaw’s eyes narrowed.

“I am here to monitor you new recruits and am mostly retired. Who do you think you all serve? ANSWER!” The badger roared and I felt like I was going to die, my danger sense screaming at me as I clamped down hard on it.

“The…the Covenant Church,” Knaves hastily said.

“Yes. The Covenant Church. Do you know why you are not asked to pray and recite prayers constantly?”

“No Paladin Bloodclaw,” Knaves choked out.

“Do you know why this program accepts all creatures. Even those at odds with the Covenant Church? Including creatures aligned to evil and villainy like foxes?”

“No Paladin Bloodclaw,” Knaves choked out a second time.

“I am the Covenant Church’s representative. I report on the progress of each and every one of you. The older assassins like to joke about the leash around their necks. That is true. If you ever betray the order, I will hunt you down and kill you myself. That was the oath I swore when I took this position from my predecessor. And what my successor will swear after me.”

“There have only been three betrayals in the history of this organization. Two due to poorly thought-out interpersonal relationships and only a single true betrayal to the enemies of the Covenant Church. The Paladin responsible took his own life in shame after killing the creature in question for allowing such a betrayal to be missed. I would rather kill you than allow a disgrace to the Covenant Church enter this organization and tarnish the Covenant Church in any way.”

“We do not heed hasty or careless creatures within the order of Covenant Assassins. Each of you are your own creatures and the creativity you need on jobs needs to be cultivated. But there are limits. Obedience and discipline are the cornerstones. If you wish to ever rise to the rank of Journeymouse, my approval is required.”

“That is why I am here Knaves Swiftpaws and not another assassin. Step back and control your insolence fox.” Knaves quickly stepped back into line. First rule of assassin training don’t piss off or annoy Paladin Bloodclaw.

“That is enough questions for today. Follow me and I will show you all where everything is located.”