3 2 THE LONG TRIP

"I'm sorry that I did not pass all four test Master Wizard, I tried my best. Salla told the wizard Alcaz while they walked down the road to the training center."

"No need to apologize little one,you did better than I did when I took mine at the same age. I only completed two of the four tests while you completed three and barely failed the final test." Alcaz says laughingly.

"So you,re not disappointed in me for not passing all four tests?"

"No Salla, I am not. I was hoping you would so we did not have to make an eleven day trip to the training center and no I can not just transport us because the trip by foot is part of the training, at least what obstacles you pass with out any help from anybody else is part of the training. You just get to take it before any other first time trainees that are going. It is not the same way for the other first time trainees, because you have your three letters."

"What do you mean 'not the same way'?"

"Well, if you had just one letter, like most, you would be going a more direct route. This would only take four days walk from where you live, but all three letter students get transported back to their home for a visit before they end up going back to the center on a route that takes eleven days to get back with detours included."

"So if you already live that far then what happens?"

"Then you get transported to a point that will accommodate the time for the detours. The eleven days is the shortest time allowed, if you take longer on the detours then allotted, then you get points subtracted from your 'T' test score and if you take shorter than the time allotted, then you get points added to your 'T' test score."

"Well I should do better this time around, since I took it already."

"Not necessarily, each test is changed somewhat every time you take it, so that everyone has the same chance."

"So if I had passed the test, I would NOT have had these extra points, that don't seem fair!"

"If we are going to do all this talking, let us sit under that tree over there and have a little rest with something to eat."

Salla looks at the Master Wizard and shakes her head berating herself for forgetting who she is REALLY traveling with, not just the Royal Wizard, but an older man who must be at least sixty cycles old or older. "I'm so sorry Master Wizard, you must be exhausted with the many cycles under sash."

"Yes, with the walking and talking these one hundred and thirty cycles bones of mine are very tired."

"One hundred and ---Wow! By all means,let's sit down. I'm surprised you didn't want to sit down sooner, here it is midday and we have been walking since the suns were up."

"Do not let it get around just yet. I have something planned in a few cycles I do not want stopped because of my age. Now while we sit, I want to show you a trick that may come in handy on your trials, you will be going through; but it is not what you will think it is at first."

suddenly five fires burst into existence, starting with one that is small as the palm of a full-grown person's hand, to a fire that a full large animal could be roasted on. Salla starred at the five awed yet frightened.

"Master Wizard, I can't do that. What if the fires get out of control."

"Do not worry Salla, remember I said it is not what you think it is at first. You will be putting the fires OUT with magic not creating them, AT LEAST NOT YET! You will be learning THAT in your courses when you your cords. It is the only way to make sure there is no out of control fire."

"Makes sense, Master Wizard, how do I put them out?"

"First, try calling me Master Alcaz, where your going there are many masters and if you call them all 'Master Wizard' it will get confusing."

"But Master Alcaz if I call you that all the time, won't other people know who you are even though you don't were your robes and cords."

"Good point! See, you're learning already." Master Alcaz grins saying " call me Master Caz, a nickname I had in my youth."

"Alright Master Caz, HOW do we begin?"

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* 4 test for gifted induction ' G, I,F, T ' pins given to persons who pass each test in order until after 2 months where they may take in any order until they require the last 3 pins to advance to stage 2. After 1 cycle if you don't have 3 pins total, they must work for the right to retest for a cycle as a servant to all testyies. After 2 cycles (servant time not included), if you don't have at least 2 pins, you have to leave & never test again.

* Grand father clause, if you leave testing with at least 3 pins, all offspring are aloud to test without a sponsor.