The stress and exhaustion have finally set in on Solvi, her body heavy and starting to ache. She thought, ‘Leaving like this would be difficult, and it had to be done, but will it really work out in the end?’

Along the walls, water seeps through the stone and drips down the inside. A small plop of water into a puddle helps her to focus and calm her nerves after being chased by the spirit. She sits up straight to recollect her thoughts.

‘The spirits only come out at night, but they shouldn’t come near the torches with the Ancient Oak leaves in them. Maybe it’s because the leaves were dried and not fresh? That only partially makes sense. I suppose no one has ever tried and told anyone about it. But why would she give them to me for protection if they don't work? Ugh, I don't know anymore.’

She puts her hands on her face and falls back on to her pack again.

“Mom, why didn't you tell me more about the world out there?”

Without thinking about it, she reaches for the feather tucked away in her hair. The green feather is the most well-known symbol of her village, every arrow that's made there has vivid green feathers for the fletching. Sharp contrasts between the light wood and black arrowhead; a beautiful and deadly combination. But this feather is special to her, it’s the one she received when she first became a warrior and got her marks.

--

At the age of twenty-five, elves who want to join the warrior ranks have to go through trials to see if they are worthy of the title and protecting the village from danger. Solvi’s trials consisted of three battles with other warriors. If she can defeat them, or hold them off for five minutes, she joins the ranks.

Her first battle was with her best friend, Vamir, who’s lower in the ranks. They’ve known each other since they were young and they shared everything. He was like the older brother that she always wanted. As they grew up, she surpassed him in fighting skills, a little more each year. The battle was short lived, and Solvi defeated him with little effort.

The second battle was with the current second in command of the warriors, Sanev, and also her first love. Sanev was one of the strongest fighters she knew, aside from her mother. They were strong and powerful. The fight with them was harder than Solvi expected. She was knocked back several times but was able to hold her ground for the 5 minutes needed.

The last battle was with her mom, the commander of the warriors. Fighting against her was nothing new, but it felt different this time. One blow after another without pause was too much to handle, and Solvi fell backward on the ground. Struggling to stand, she saw the pride in her mom’s eyes, and a new wave of power washed over her. Back on her feet again, she launched forward, catching her off guard. Attacking and parrying, they continued the battle. At the five minute mark, one of the Elders stepped forward.

“Halt the fighting. Solvi has passed her trials and will now become one of the warriors of Alenhil.” His voice boomed across the field in which they stood.

“Solvi, please kneel. You will now receive your warrior’s marks.” Another one of the Elders came forward holding a bowl of red pigment.

“Will you always honor the life of your opponent?”

“I will.” The Elder painted four arrows on her head.

“Will you fight for your village, and protect it with all you have?”

“I will.” They run the brush across her nose in one large motion, and then a smaller one underneath it.

“Will you only use your skills for hunting or protection, never out of malice?”

“I will.” Six dots around each eye, growing in size as they went outward.

“Will you help those in need, even if you may not agree with them?”

“I will.” On each cheek, she gets two lines and two small dots.

“And will you always guide those who wish to follow the path of the warrior?”

“I will.” The last two marks are thin lines that go down her chin.

“Now rise, Solvi, and join your fellow warriors.”

“Thank you, it is an honor to be a warrior of Alenhil.” Solvi bowed to the Elders and then to the rest of the warriors.

“Welcome to the ranks, Sol. I knew you could do it, and I’m so proud of you.” Her mom wrapped her in a warm embrace. The soft fragrance of lilacs following behind, adding a bit more comfort into the hug. She squeezed her back, happy to have finally made it.

“Thank you for everything, Mom,” Solvi said, burying her head into her shoulder.

--

Thinking about getting her marks, Solvi struggles with what she’s planning. ‘I took an oath that I would never use my skills for malice, but fighting the Viking isn’t out of malice. I’m just fighting to get the Life Seed back. It’s not my own desire to fight him, it's my duty. Right? Yes, it has to be, otherwise, I'd be breaking my word. It’s okay to fight him, I have to fight him to get it back after all.’ She debates all night if it’s her own desire to fight him or her duty as a warrior. After hours of thinking about it, she falls asleep in the cave, waiting for morning to come.