Caledar's anxiety came back when it was finally her turn to enter. The guard mentioned her name and the steward seemed to look straight through her. It also didn't help that a moment later he cut his own guard who was now bleeding on the floor. She began to panic not knowing what to do. She quickly moved over to the man and started looking at the wound as if she had never seen one before. She took a deep breath and thought about what her mother told her when she was being trained.

"You must hesitate nor be frightened when your a healer. If you do then people will die." she had said.

A moment later Cal reached into the bag she had been carrying with her. It was full of medical supplies that thankfully she was glad she had brought. She looked at the man and quietly said, "its going to be ok." Then she began to work on his arm. The steward had cut a vital artiery. What was he thinking; what would he do if she couldn't have fixed this? Let the man die? Luckily she knew how to deal with this since she had dealt with someone from a bakery who did sort of the same thing. It took her a few minutes but she was able to reconnect the artiery and close up the wound and wrap it with bandages. "Its ok, you'll be fine. All you have to do is take it easy with that arm and let it heal. If you don't then the artiery will reopen itself." She was surprised at how easily she talked to the guard about it. Usually she was really shy with new people.

Putting away her things Cal stood up firmly as if to yell at the Steward but stopped as she looked at the man. A bit of fear took control of her and she couldn't tell the man off. Instead she just stood there akwardly and waited.

Barahir watched Cal carefully while she fixed the man. He took careful note of her words that were attempting to calm him down, which gave her bonus points. When she finished, her eyes held the fire- he saw it in Vladrieth before she yelled at her soldiers for doing something stupid. But she held her tongue, and that impressed him. Smiling, Barahir went to his desk and pulled out another blank sheet of parchment and began writing on it. While writing he spoke, "You did a very impressive job, Caledar." He folded up the parchment and gave it to one of the guards at his side. "I just want to take this moment to assure you that had you not been able to heal the guard, he would have been immediately attended to. Many of the people who have come to my office for tryouts have been but children hoping for adventure. I want to eliminate as many of those children from my time as possible. This is a serious mission, and the King does not need to be insulted by citizens who think his order is a game, you understand." It was not a question, but an explanation with a demand that she understood his method.
"That being said, we will contact you within the week about your tryout. You are dismissed." He waved a hand, and smiled at her. He hoped Eldarion picked her.

The report had just been delivered. Eldarion bowed respectfully while he took the papers from his loyal soldier and read them. The results were truly staggering, and he felt a small amount of hopelessness sink in his bones for his friends. There were only two. Vladrieth made three, though she had been appalled at his proposal. His proposal, after these numbers, just became an order.

King Eldarion made his way up to his throne and called a guard to summon his Master Archer. The guard bowed deeply, and exited the throne room.

--

Vladrieth had just saddled her white horse to travel and was mounting. Grimgaw waited wordlessly for her. They had finished posting up the ads around Minas Tirith and were now on their way to the three-hour ride to Anfalas. They packed only a little water and salted meats, since the two had consumed only a light breakfast that morning before traveling.

Just as the archer was comfortable on the saddle, she saw a guard waving an arm at her. Vladrieth grabbed the reigns of her horse and waited. Finally, the man caught up to her and spoke so quickly she hardly caught what he was saying. Frowning, Vladrith flipped her hair out of her face and turned to face the frantic guard. "What?"

"King Eldarion needs to see you. I think it's about the..." The guard looked around, seeing common citizens caring for other horses, he leaned in closer to whisper, "the quest."

She stared at him without expression, "Did you give him Barahir's report?"

"Yes, right before he sent me to find you, actually."

Vladrieth sighed and turned to Grimgaw, "Wait here, please. I will be back." She grumpily slid off her horse and handed him the reigns. Hastily, she headed back to the castle.

---

While Vladrieth was on her way, Eldarion sent more guards out to find the other two who passed Barahir's inspection. If his calculations were right, they'd all arrive here just in time. What was the most baffling thing to him: All of the adventurers were women. He considered sending Barahir, but then he figured with the health of the man's father, it would be wise to leave him here in case his skills were needed.

Aedrie had come to where she was told to report and ignored the odd looks. She sighed, just because she was small, she was helpless, so the world thought. She saw the horses and sighed, she was not going to ride with someone else like a child. She usually didn't even bother with ponies, not that she had any dislove for them, they were just a lot to take care of, and it was easier to be on her own. Her wild, red hair was braided neatly and she was ready for travel. She leaned against the wall and observed the others.