"They pretty much have to overcome themselves to pass. A task that is only difficult to figure out on the first try," he said stopping at the window, "It seems Ricken is the closest to finishing the exam out of the three of them."

"Wow.  So even though Ricken might finish first, if all finish within the hour they all pass?" she asked.

"They all take the exam at the same time, but their scored serparetly. If Ricken finishes first withing the hour, and say, Clair doesn't, Ricken will pass but Clair will not. It would be great if they all pass, but It wont be surprising if one fails," he said, watching as the clock ticked down to the last ten minutes, "They'd best hurry if any of them are to pass."

"They all seem like fine enforcers." she stated.  'And I have a feeling they will all pass." she thought with a smile.

"I hope they all do. They were all three some of the best students we've ever had here. Not for their skill, but for their determination and dedication.  Let's see here, looks like they're all on the final strech of ground to cover," he said, clicking a stop watch as each one crossed the final checkpoint, "Alright, Ricken and Laria finished with two minutes to spare. Clari finished with less than a minute to spare. I probably don't have to ask this, but do you think they qualify for their badge of rank?"

"Of course." she said with a smile.  'Fine enforcers indeed.' she thought.  "I might have to try fighting my own clone here.  If I can anyways..." she said quickly.  If Shade was her past life, then they were somewhat the same.  If she could find out how to defeat herself, she might be able to defeat Shade.

"I'll see about setting up a session for you. For now, it's getting late, and those three need their badges," he said, handing Goldenscale three gemles necklaces," Why don't you do the honors? Ricken brought it to my attention that you might be interested in making them your enforcers."

At the far end of the rom, Clair was leaning against Ricken, catching her breath. Standing on the other side of Ricken, Larai was tending to the cuts he had acquired through the course. "So, what's the results," Larai asked when he saw Goldenscale, "Did we manage to make it?"

"Why would you want to hide that from her," Clair asked with a laugh, "It's not like it's forbiden to have a mate. Besides, she's congradulating us."

"Well, all we have left to do is meet with the instructor to recive our badges and recieve our crystal from you," Larai said, stepping forward twards Goldenscale, "That is, if you don't have anything left to tell us."

"Those are the badges. The crystal given to an enforcer by a council member is cut to fit withing the setting," Clair said, taking two and handing one to Ricken, "Once a crystal is put into the setting, it can never be removed without ruining the badge. To get a second badge, an enforcer has to endure training once more."

"If you still have the four remaining crystals you were given when you were inducted, we ;eave the academy as your enforcers without waiting," larai said, taking the last badgeAs for your absensence after the festival, we should be able to cover for you. You were assigned the jpb of listening to the public and acting on their problems. As for disappearing because of the forest, it is understood that you may be busy taking care of whatever you need to."

"if you have the crystals with you right now, we can be set as your enforcers now," Larai said," If we do it now, the other council members wont have a chance to claim our service."

""I've got my own reward you," Clair whispered into Ricken's ear.