Geneve’s own Trial was a thing she grew to fear. The years marched on, relentless, and still the Storm evaded her. On her fourteenth birthday, it was announced her Trial would be next year.
Kytto said it was ‘bullshit.’ No one forced a Novice to Trial, but he wanted to help her pass. The Smith never held the Storm, but he eyed her form, and swore it was the best he’d seen from any Novice. Perfection even Chevaliers couldn’t manage.
Israel and Vertiline sparred with her. Blades of wood, not glass or steel, but even with a stick Israel could conjure the Storm.
Clerics were brought to assess. Lucent Eleni feared illness, and wise heads nodded in agreement. It was a sickness, but one of the mind. She need only remember what happened before her fifth birthday.
Seal the rift in her memory, and the Three would give her the Storm. They needed Knights who were whole, not broken, crumpled toys.
Eleni worked with her daily, then weekly, but then the sessions dropped to monthly, then almost never.
On the last one, the Lucent sat Geneve down on the padded bed in her clinic. “I can’t help you.”
“I’m trying,” Geneve insisted. “I can’t remember.”
“Oh, child.” Eleni touched her cheek. “I didn’t say it was your fault.”
“It’s my mind. Israel says it’s the strongest part of a Knight, but mine’s missing a piece.” Geneve gritted her teeth. “I don’t know what I did wrong.”
“It doesn’t have to be you that did something wrong.” Eleni gusted a sigh, then sat beside her. “Give it time. Your memories will come back. They always do.”
“You’ve seen this before?”
“Many times.” Eleni shrugged. “Knights lead a hard life. You keep putting your heads in harm’s way! It leads to a lot of forgetfulness.”
“How long?” Geneve meant, how long until I don’t fear the Trial.
“I don’t know,” Eleni admitted, meaning, too long.
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