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;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Praxton]]
*[[Elorin]]
*[[Dirin]]
*[[Reendel]]
*[[Aarik]] (mentioned only)
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Kenton awakesis woken by Mastrell Traibon, who he initially mistakes for [[Aarik]], and discovers it is the next day. toKenton also learnlearns that the sixth sphere was not part of the test--ittest—it must have been left over from a previous test run. In fact, few sand masters are even able to obtain all five spheres, with Traiben only finding three of the five. HeUndermastrell hasElorin alsoinforms Kenton that he is considered to have ruined the test by killing the deep sandling which iswas always made to guard the final sphere.
On his way to the ceremonies where the Lord Mastrell will present new ranks and sashes before the entire Diem, Kenton hears rumors from Acolent Dirin that Mastrell Drile and a group of his followers have hired themselves out as mercenaries. Praxton expresses his disapproval to Drile. The ceremonies begin as Elorin passes the cermonial bowl to Lord Mastrell Praxton, from which all of the sand masters share a drink of water, though Drile refuses to partake.
On his way to the ceremonies where the Lord Mastrell willPraxton present new ranks and sashes beforeopens the entireceremony Diem,by Kenton hears rumors from Acolent Dirin that Mastrell Drile, and a group of followers, have hired themselves out as mercenaries. Praxton expresses his disapproval to Drile. The ceremonies begin as all ofoffering the sand masters share a drinkrank of water from a common bowl, though Drile refusesLestrell to partake[[Reendel]]. After most of new ranks and sashes have been bestowed, Drile is called before the Lord Mastrell Praxton and, demotedfor tothe afirst relativelytime lowin rankDiem history, demoted to [[Diemfen]], which he angrily accepts. Kenton is then presented with an [[Underfen]] sash, the lowest rank, because he disobeyed his father's orders by taking the test. Kenton refuses the sash. His father then indicates Drile's former Mastrell's sash on the ground and advances Kenton to Mastrell, but remarks that the others will always hate him for apparent nepotism and will never believe that he deserves itthe rank.
The Lord Mastrell is suddenly struck with an arrow, and a battle ensues. [[Kerzta|Kerztian]] warriors attack by surprise in great numbers and the sand masters are unprepared. Kenton notices the warriors bear the 'X' of the warrior [[DaiKeen]], but as a scar instead of the traditional tattoo. Kenton also notices that the sand masters seem to be [[overmastery|overmastering]] and dehydrating remarkably fast. Kenton tries to rally the sand masters and help the wounded, but they are unable to stop the hordes of warriors who have come against them. The Lord Mastrell screams loudly and begins glowing with power. As his final act, Praxton releases[[Sand_mastery#Overburn|Overburns]] by releasing a tremendous barrage of power that leaves himself dead to numerous arrows while Kenton isand most of the remaining Kerztian warriors are buried beneath a huge wave of sand.
{{anchor|Chapter 3}}
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