"The Candidate"

Miko glanced toward the door leading to the Hall of Elders and shivered as he paced nervously back and forth in the marble floored antechamber. He was the last of the candidate selects for the Honor of being a member of the King’s Elite Guard. He reflected over the past three months of strenuous testing, both physical and mental, to reach this point. The only thing remaining was the final test by the Master of the Kings Guard and his council of Knights. He had passed all previous tests with excellent scores and performed far above and beyond most of the other candidates.

The door slowly opened and he was ushered into the main chamber. He swallowed, took a deep breath, walked confidently into the room.

The Chamber was immense, there was a table with five elderly Knights seated evenly on the far side with only a single chair facing them. The Master of the Kings guard, in the center chair, motioned him to sit.

Miko sat in the chair and waited. A servant stepped from the shadows with a platter. Very carefully he laid a feather, a rock and a sea shell on the table before Miko.

The Master smiled. “Your final test. If you are to join us Miko. Tell me.” He motioned to the objects on the table “Which of these are you?”

Miko’s Brow furrowed in thought, which of these represents me? What is the trick to this test?

Then He smiled. “Master, I am all three. The Rock is the symbol of my loyalty and commitment to the throne, the feather shows my worthiness to ascend to this honored post, the shell shows my strength and honor to defend the throne.”

Miko saw the beginning of a smile on the Masters face.

“Well spoken Miko.”

CC 1333
WC 300