Difference between revisions of "Summary:White Sand"

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Kenton, a weak but skilled [[sand mastery|sand master]], is determined to run the Mastrell's Path in order to prove that he deserves the highest rank among the sand masters. His father, [[Taishin#The Lord Mastrell|Lord Mastrell]] [[Praxton]], objects strongly due to Kenton's lack of strength, and the two argue bitterly. Kenton has stubbornly refused advancement in the past, not wanting to settle for a lower rank that will prevent him from inciting change in the Diem. [[Undermastrell]] [[Elorin]] warns Kenton of the danger but permits him to test himself against the Path. Elorin explains how the challenge works: Kenton must make his way across the [[Kerla]] in a limited time and collect five red spheres along the way. He may bring only one [[qido]] of water with him. Praxton complains that Kenton should not be allowed to bring a sword, but Elorin allows it as it is not explicitly forbidden by the rules.

 

When he approaches the fifth and final sphere he discovers that it is guarded by a [[terken]] [[Marken]] which emerges from the [[deep sand]]. Kenton realizes that the final sphere was a test of preparation and endurance. Kenton was supposed to ration his qido so he would have water to drive off the creature, whose shell normally could only be damaged by water. While dodging the creature's attacks, Kenton notices a sixth sphere and is determined to collect it. He is ultimately able to cut into the sandling's carapace with his sword and uses his sand mastery to attack it from the inside and kill the massive beast. Kenton collects the sixth sphere and passes out from near dehydration.

 

:''Day 43''

Duchess Khrissalla and company have learned they were overcharged for their guide, as the only word Daazk knows of Dynastic is "ahoy." She tries asking him how to find water for their dwindelling supplies, but panics when he tries to dump a canteen of water into the sand. They approach a village on the outskirts of [[Esh'Ker'Losh]] but do not stop to ask questions or find supplies because of the aggressive stares and brandished weapons ([[zinkall]]in) they see. While Baon and the professors debate the type of weapons they are and their level of technology, Flennid admonishes Torth to stay alert to the hostile nature of the locals and keeps his hand on his hidden pistol as they pass.

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Kenton is woken by Mastrell Traiben, who he initially mistakes for [[Aarik]], and discovers it is the next day. Kenton also learns that the sixth sphere was not part of the test—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. Undermastrell Elorin informs Kenton that he is considered to have ruined the test by killing the deep sandling which was always made to guard the final sphere.