She was facing her third trial, her knees threatening her with bending at any moment and her nerves were shaking. The swordplay trial had been very easy due the special training her brother gave in the past and the trial in which she had to be fast and to avoid capture had been a very good impression for her behalf.
Now she had to face the swimming trial.
She made the task more difficult to hide her secret. She walked to the shore of the lake, and watched her competitors. Their clothes were carefully placed at their sides and were only waiting for her.
Larthis took of her hat and cloak and placed them aside, then she took her back sword and carefully put it on top of the cloack. She walked to the shore and took her place.
Many whispers sounded. A musketeer got near her.
- You must take off your clothing to perform this trial.-
Larthis took a letter from her shirt and gave it to him. The musketeer read it quickly and returned back.
Another musketeer read the letter aloud.
" By means of this letter, I authorize the novice Larthis to perform this trial with his sword and clothing. The reasons given by him were convincing. He will face the trial like facing real battle.
Treville."
After reading the message, the musketeers gave the beginning signal.
Since the first moment, Larthis sank, exiting to the surface only to breathe. The other aspirants, free from the extra weight of clothes and steel, advanced quickly.
Amazingly, in a short time, Larthis headed the trial, and was the first one to reach the finish line, drawing her sword and placing it's tip on the ground.
The musketeers cheered loudly the victory and went to the tired young one.
- Larthis, that was a magnificent task you performed.- She looked the musketeer that spoke. He outstanded with other two from the rest of the guards, and was the one who made more efforts to learn the hand language she used to talk.
Unable to smile because of the exhaustion, she only answered the compliment.
" Thank you Athos"
She walked to the opposite shore to gather her things. She waved goodbye and mounted her horse to leave. Once she lost the sight of the place she closed her eyes and let her horse guide her. Only one trial left.
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This might be the hardest trial of all. She had to show her horseback riding abilities.
It would be a difficult test, not for her, but for her horse.
- You must run the best race of your life.- she told it while putting the saddle.- There are many obstacles and is a long way.- She finished saddling it and patted its snout.- Could you do it?.-
The horse nodded several times. Larthis, encouraged by this reaction, put on her hat and mounted.
When arriving to the trial field, she saw that there were many aspirants that hadn't arrived yet.
- Ready for the last trial?.-
She turned around slowly after recognizing the voice. She nodded calmly.
- Many still have to arrive. Would you come with us for a while?.-
Larthis thought deeply her answer, shouldn't arrive late to the trial. The musketeer calmed her.
- Athos and Porthos are right there. We won't retire from the field. Alright Larthis?.-
She finally agreed. She started walking while she thought about her friendship with those musketeers. A short while after beginning her training, she established a close friendship with them, and found later that no one could have done it before. She returned to reality, they arrived. Athos smiled friendly and Porthos crossed his arms with an attitude that revealed that he had been joking.
- Diplomacy failed, Aramis?.-
He smiled and nodded slightly. Larthis turned to see her horse impatiently. The musketeers noticed that and began talking.
- Easy lad. We never met an aspirant like you before.- Larthis felt nervous and tense with those words... Certainly, they never saw a female aspirant. Athos continued speaking without noticing her reaction.- Three trials accomplished with the best results... You will have to fight again if you finish the last place today.- Porthos began laughing when seeing the furious glance of Larthis. Aramis, noticing Athos mistake, tried to mend the situation.
- That is impossible, many never finish this trial.-
Everyone's glance turned too serious.
"What happens?"
Porthos answered in a very low voice.
- There are always troubles in this trials... riders are thrown off their horses, some take out their swords from the beginning... and two years ago, the leading aspirant was shot... from the back.-
Aramis lowered his sight and Athos put his hand on her shoulder.
- This is the first time we aprecciate an aspirant, Larthis...- he kept silence for a moment. It seemed that it was difficult to say what followed.- so we have decided to protect you during this trial.-
Aramis looked up again and finished.
- But you will have to do your best effort and win. We won't help you if you don't.-
Larthis smiled confidently.
" Don't worry. I will win."
She turned back to her horse. The three friends watched her leave.
- How many joined Athos?.-
He saw his companions briefly and spoke in a very low voice.
- All...-
They kept silence... Any comentary was out of place at that moment... no one had ever trusted an aspirant in such a way... he could not fail to them.
The rest of the aspirants arrived. All the musketeers dispersed and hide along the racing road.
Only this trail was left.