[Fitness] You roll a 3 (required 10). Failure.

After leaving a fair tribute for the meal, Honourshine catches up with the rest of the group as you exit the inn. You feel well-rested and well-fed, and figure that now is as good a time as any to attempt the trials.

Following Tsu-Ko's directions, you lead your party to the opposite side of town until you reach a long serpentine path up into the mountains. You readily begin the ascent, and on the way, decide to ask how sprites came to count as warriors.

Tsu-Ko: "Simple: we sprites are immortal, we embody the forces of nature, and we are native to the arcane dimension. By merely existing, we already qualify."

Curious, you ask if it means that sprites are proficient at fighting.

Tsu-Ko: "That depends. If you call conjuring the elements fighting, then sure. We usually call it playing, though."

Short of a demonstration, the confidence in the small creature's words alone makes you glad that she is on your side; you can only assume that it is justified.

As you continue to climb the mountain up to the training hall, you notice the sky suddenly brightening. Then, in a wave of light, golden sunshine sweeps across the land and illuminates the night into day. A warm wind follows close behind, and far to the east, the morning sun now peeks out from behind the giant moon.

Moonflower: "Whoa, brighty!"

Honourshine: "These abrupt transitions will certainly take some getting used to."

Fortunately, the heat does not return as quickly. You manage to reach the top of the mountain some few minutes later, and enter what appears to be a walled-in training ground with a building just across, up a stone flight of stairs.

While you take a moment to warm up — just in case —, Tsu-Ko rings a nearby gong. A resonant echo signals your arrival, and shortly after, a pair emerges from the building: a battle-scarred Kirin stallion, and a young unicorn mare. The stallion approaches to greet you.

Kirin stallion: "Welcome. Do I sense a sprite hiding among you?"

Tsu-Ko: "Good morning, Master Steelwind."

Steelwind: "Ah, so I was right. Good; then we may speak freely. So, what brings you to my training hall?"

You greet Master Steelwind, and after introducing yourself, you tell him that you seek passage beyond the walls of the trigon. To that end, you have come to prove yourself as capable of venturing into the wilderness.

Steelwind: "I see. And you, can you vouch for this one's behaviour?"

Tsu-Ko: "All things considered, he has been obedient enough..."

Steelwind: "Hah hah hah! Well, so be it. If you wish to walk the path of the warrior, then you must prove that you have the body, the heart and the soul of a warrior. To that end, you must face three trials.

The first trial will challenge your physical strength. The second will test your mental inspiration. The third will evaluate your magical aptitude. If you fail any of the trials, you may choose to try again from the first. Will you face these trials now?"

You nod. Meanwhile, Tsu-Ko motions for Moonflower and Honourshine to follow her up the stairs where they can spectate.

Steelwind: "Very well. For the first trial, you will face my pupil Blade Dancer in mock combat. The rules of engagement are simple: you are only allowed to strike with your weapon, and you are not allowed to strike the head. To pass this trial, you must land two hits on your opponent before she can land two hits on you."

You glance over at your opponent-to-be, and though she offers a gentle smile back, you suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of fear gripping you from within. Even from afar, you can perceive a powerful aura burning fiercely around her.

Steelwind: "When you are ready, choose a weapon from the rack over there."

You tear your eyes away from the mare, and force yourself over to the weapon rack, one hoof in front of the other. Among the wooden training weapons, you find: a boomerang, a polearm, a staff, and a sword.