The bath was long and very hot, just what Laylari needed after her ride on the 'bruiser' as he was called. She hobbled back to her chambers, too tired to even attempt dinner in the mess hall. She lay down on the bed, grimaced at the uncomfortable softness, and threw her pillows and blankets to the floor. It wasn't long into her musings about her very confusing life that she heard a knock on the door.

Tossing aside the covers she walked over and opened the door quickly almost earning a rap from Joesh, who had been knocking. In one hand he carried a covered tray. He smiled at her and she invited him in.

"I didn't see you at dinner and I figured you'd be starving" he said. "I know this training can be tough and it's all at once but…"

"You were right, I am starving," Laylari replied grabbing the tray and wolfing down a roll to fill the awkward silence now pervading the room.

The rest of the meal passed with the same hush. Finally Laylari put her goblet of juice aside and directed a question at Joesh, "What's wrong? You've been quiet all night and I know you're the silent brooding type but this is too much, even for you."

The young man smiled at her, "You know me too well already. It's this whole situation I'm worried about. No trainee fights the council members—it's just not done. I don't understand what's going on with the council and why they won't formally accept you into training. You're good enough that you would be initiated in just a few short months, weeks maybe." He sighed, "I just don't like surprises." He stood up slowly, "You must be exhausted, I'll let you rest" he quietly left the room leaving Laylari alone with her thoughts.

The Next Day

Another meeting was in progress when Laylari arrived in the meeting room a little later than she had planned the next morning. Taking her seat beside Joesh and the Wildcat she asked, "What have I missed?" "Nothing much, just some trivial announcements" replied the wildcat shifting in her seat, "But it looks like something bigger is coming" she said, eyeing the council members warily.

The Unicorn stood up and said that the council had an urgent matter to discuss and that they must convene in a separate room. "We will return shortly" she said warningly, "do not stray."

Laylari was now very uncomfortable; everyone seemed to be watching her. She counted the lines in the wood-grain on the floor to keep from meeting their eyes in what seemed like the longest wait of her life. She knew she had been kept waiting longer but this seemed somehow important.

Finally the Council re-entered. They walked to the table at the front of the room and the Phoenix and the Griffin took their seats. Kylaia remained standing and made the announcement:

"As you know only a few days ago a newcomer came into our midst hoping to learn the ways of our training. We do not accept those past the age of 4, this has been our law for as long as the Shangs have existed, but laws can be changed. We have requested the presence of a Doi tribeswoman to confirm the Councils opinion." The door to the Unicorn's left opened and an elderly, fragile woman doddered out. All eyes followed her as she walked to the middle of the room and sat cross-legged upon the floor. From her pocket she pulled a cloth bag. She began to chant and Laylari felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand straight up. Pressure was building in the room as the woman's chanting grew louder and louder. As her voice reached its peak a blast of white light enveloped as her she spilled the small bones she had been carrying in her bag. When the light finally subsided Laylari looked around. This time it was not her imagination, everyone was staring at her. Looking down again to avoid their eyes she discovered the reason. The old woman's bones had fallen to the floor, forming a perfect circle around Laylari.

Kylaia's voice rose above the increasing whispers throughout the room, "You have been chosen Laylari. You will attempt the ordeal of the Dragon. If you survive you will be the first recorded female Dragon in Shang history."

Sorry about the abysmal wait guys. Senior stuff like college got to be too much. Hope this sorta makes up for it.