The Beginning.

'Hey, what the hell do you think you are doing now.'

'None of your beeswax B.'

'I will give you beeswax son!'

'Oh yeah, come on then.'

'Oi, didn't I tell you two that was not the way to do that sort of thing' said the teacher.

'Yes Sir' they both said in unison.

'Good, then we shall continue. Where was I, oh yes, and when in front of any kings avert your eyes unless told otherwise or it will no doubt intail loss of said eyes. And some kings are stupid enough to go up against a some of the best knights of the land, even the best, is that not so M'

'Yes Sir'

'That is nice to know, so now you can put that away now can't you. Good, now go and think on this lesson. We will next meet here at this spot at dusk and bring your practice gear.'

As they met back up later a feeling of apprehension ran through them, the teacher had never before asked to see them at this time with their practice gear on, he must be serious about pushing them at their training.

'Good evening boys, we are here to see if you can really protect yourselves in the dark, but seeing as we have at least an hours light still left, you may do as you will. But I will advise you the sensible will practice. I will return in an hour from now, good evening Gentlemen.'

Now they were all seriously worried, he never ended with gentlemen unless something tragic or dangerous was going to happen. The last time they heard that they lost W.

They soon got down to practice and pretty soon the teacher came back.

'Well I am glad to see you took my advice and practised, but please carry on it still not time yet.'

They carried on for a time and then the teacher shouted up

'Stop! Right then you will all sit and be calm and I will come and fetch you one at a time and lead you to different areas, if you see anyone you will not speak to them. You will stay there until you hear a horn blast, that will be me, then I want you to travel in anyway which direction you wish to travel. I want you all or at least some of you to make it back to camp before morning, those that do not will not be considered worthy enough to continue. You will all come across different obstacles, you will have to navigate them or solve them, to gain extra merits, if you see another you may not speak to them, but you may go in the same direction and help each other. Now please, sit.'

He took them one at a time until eventually C was the only one left.

'Stand!' came the teacher's voice.

He stood up and turned round.

'What is this test all about?'

'I thought I told you not to speak to anyone'

'Yes, but you are not just anyone.'

Suddenly the teacher came to full stop and C collided into the back of him.

He stood for a while and then said

'Yes, I can see you are one who will succeed. This test is all about whether you can cope, and if you can find your way around the forest at night.'

'Well that should be easy, I have lived round here all my life, so has most of the others.'

'That may be so, but what about at night without no light?'

'I can always light a fire and torch.'

'Yes, you can can't you.' He said half to himself.

They walked on for a while till they came to a stop.

'This is where I leave you, I hope that you make it, you would do well as in any army of any lord, good luck.'

'Sir, one last question?'

'Go on.'

'Which way is back to camp?'

The teacher stood looking at him for a while.

'You know there have been only four who have asked me that. You know who they are, your friends. M, B and A. I think that you four will make it.'

'Thank you sir. Well which way is it?'

'Yes, well you see this tree, feel about 5 foot up most of the trees and you will find a special mark, I taught you all about them, but not a lot.'

'Yes I remember all of that, and I think I remember all the marks that were taught.'

'Well follow them and you will find out where all the traps are and how to get back, good luck. Not that you will need it.'

He laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, and then turned and walked till he was so far away that C could not even hear his footfalls.

Then all of a sudden a shrill blast cut through the night.

'That must be the horn, now to make my way back camp.' Thought C.

He felt the first tree he came across, and noted that he had to carry on ten or so paces and try the next tree. The next one he came to he felt that, and turned right and walked ten paces. He did that for what seemed hours until he felt that someone was near to him, he turned and out of the corner of his eyes he saw someone feeling the tree near to him.

He wandered up to them and then they turned round and saw him, it was M, then they both pointed in the same direction, soon they met B and A.

They all walked in the same direction, then all of sudden they came out to a clearing that they recognised as the camp, there was no-one there apart from the teacher who was cooking what smelt like fresh bread and a stew.