Why do you want to be here? the knight demanded, after what had to be more than an hour. Why dont you just get up and go back?

Erin shook her head and stayed there. Overhead, the sun wore on in its progress, the day sliding closer to evening. The knight stood there too, staying at his post.

Why are you here? he repeated.

You want to know why Im here? Erin snapped, her temper finally giving way. Im here because all my life, all Ive ever wanted to do was fight. I was playing with swords while my sisters were playing with dolls. And all of that counts for nothing, because my parents want to give me away in marriage! She stood and moved to the knight. You can get out of my way, or Ill get you out of my way. Ive already killed people once today.

Infuriatingly, he didnt step back; didnt even draw his blade. And what did that feel like?

Erin wanted to tell him that it had been fine; that it had been easy.

Awful, she admitted.

And?

Exciting. That was the part she knew she should have been ashamed of, even afraid of. I told myself that it needed doing, and it did, but it was more than that. I went there because I wanted to prove myself, and because I was angry with my parents. Im here for the same reasons, and because… well, I like to fight.

To her surprise, the knight stepped to one side.

Finally, he said. We have some truth from you. Not all of it, but enough. Pass in peace.

Erin stood, and her legs hurt now, so that even the path across the bridge became a test. Every step she took required effort, and she leaned on her staff-spear like a beggar in a market. She walked until she reached the fortress gates, which stood invitingly open, the space beyond empty.

Instantly, Erin found herself suspicious. She paused at the edge of the gate, looked up, and saw the openings there. She looked down, and saw the faint glimmer of wires on the floor. Stepping back, she picked up a rock and threw it in amongst the wires.

Darts fell down from the openings, razor sharp and heavy. If they hit her, they would kill her; Erin had no doubt about it. It was another test. That made Erin angry, and strangely, it wasnt the thought of being killed that made her angry; it was the thought that they were trying to trick her, to test her, that they couldnt see that she should be one of them. Shed thought that she was through the tests.