Bab 58: Chapter 58

The third test was a test of endurance, and Penli had a sinking feeling he was going to lose it. He was good at many things, but his skills had been carved with snow and ice and towering mountains. Extreme heat was his nemesis.

Tishasanti, on the other hand, was looking relaxed—even comfortable, as he stood at the starting line.

Their respective, parallel trails through the desert to the finish line were clearly marked, an exhausting stretch of dips, rises, twists, and turns, where they were expected to grab flags at various points to prove they'd overcome each obstacle.

Though Penli made it to the finish line, that was about all he could say for his performance. Out of the twelve flags he'd been expected to grab, he managed nine.

Tishasanti, of course, had all twelve.

When Tishasanti was announced the winner, Penli bowed in acknowledgement, thanked Their Majesties for providing the challenge, and waved off Shanna when she started forward to comfort him.