Many years ago it was, when, as a warrior for my people, I first began training. Young, I was. Much to learn, I still had. I knew, despite my inexperience, excel at it, I would.
Ahead of my peers, I had been since birth. Immodest, I have been accused of being, but honest, I simply view myself as. Twelve years old, I was when I began training.
With all who had lived through twelve years, to train as either druid or warrior, the felite did assign. Assignment as a warrior, stripes meant. As a druid, spots indicated.
Started out a bit unusual, my training did of course. Caused a bit of confusion as to my path, my pure white fur did at birth. Display an extreme aptitude towards the physical arts, I did.
As a warrior, this did, set me upon my path. Remember that first day, I clearly do. Looked me over, the elders did. Of where I belonged, unsure they were.
Asked me, she did “Abilities you have displayed, are there any?”
Replied, I did “Climbing trees, I am good at. Coordination, I have developed impressive amounts of.”
“Test this, we shall,” the elder responded.
Pointed me to stand with the stripped children, she did. There I waited, while the elder placed the rest of the new recruits. Mildly excited, I was. Though honestly, preferred to be napping, I would have.
Recall how much time passed, I do not. Addressed us as a group, eventually another elder did. A male felite, this one was. Loud and irritating, his voice was.
Said he, “Obstacle course, you must first pass. To test your speed, agility, coordination, and balance, it was designed. In ten minutes, you must complete the course. If longer you take, a warrior you will not be. Me, follow now.”
How many others there were, I did not count. Estimate about two dozen, if I were to guess I would. Walked for a good kilometer we did. Recognize the obstacle course, I did not.
About my pure white fur, I heard others whispering. Doubt my ability to succeed, they did. Angry, I was. Determined to beat them all, I became.
Walk before us, the elder did. Again, he spoke.
“Complete in ten minutes or less, you must. Seven minutes, the best time currently is. No other tests will you take for entry, if you beat this.”
In less than seven minutes, I knew I would complete the course…
To be continued…
