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Rose, and the Second Test

After everyone had gotten over whatever they felt was an appropriate moment of... reverence?, they straightened. The Council Members before Rose seemed to remember that they task she had come here for was not done, and one by one, the Council sat before her again. Waiting and judging.

When everyone was back to normal, Rose simply looked at them, watching to see what was next.

"Your Royal Highness." said Philli finally, "As per Your request, we will continue with the Testing. We need to asses Your Fitness to Rule."

Rose nodded. She was waiting for more of a description. One... didn't seem to be offered. Instead, a second later, they started.

"Who was the first Kitsune King?" asked Hirow.

"King Kiidyan." Rose answered. She got a nod. Then-

"Do fifty pushups." Demanded Ariel.

Rose did, then stood, and got another nod in return.

"Create three different colored flames." This request from Newon.

Rose did- a blue, a teal, and a red. Newon nodded.

"Why is this Palace named the Golden Tree Palace?" asked Philli.

"When the kitsunes first came together against the demons, a large den lived in a large golden tree that was located right here, where this room stands. This den took on the demons, and was able to push them back, with the rest of the newly combined dens of kitsunes, all the way to Northern Gaia. But in the battle, the tree was injured beyond repair. It fell before the kitsune warriors returned. But their remaining familied worked to make it into a monument to kitsune unity. The Palace has grown since then, literally, but it still retains its name." A reluctant nod followed this lengthy answer to a complicated question.

"In battle, if your opponent flees to higher ground, should you attack? If so, how?" asked Sillis.

"You do attack, or else you concede- which is not an option for winning. You split off a third of your soldiers to circle and flank the enemy, while leaving most of your army visible and offensive, so that the enemy does not suspect." Rose answered. Another nod.

"How do you feel right now, exactly?" asked Fresin.

"Excited, nervous, and yet calm." Rose replied. It seemed an odd question, but Sahm had stressed this; answer anything they ask short of killing yourself, and be truthful. That last had been something to worry about. Even in the case of a question of her heritage? Still, Sahm and also Trella had insisted; tell the truth. So, she did. But she was worried they might ask that specific question. Her nod from Fresin, showing her answer was acceptable, broke her thoughts.

"If two kitsune Generals tend to fight with one another, how do you manage your army?" asked Triis.

"You demote them. Promote a lesser commander, until they work together to prove him inadequate." Rose answered. Triis looked surprised, and then nodded.

"If a male wants to marry a female, what should he do?" asked Hirow.

"He must make her a laurel, and hang it on her door. When it is taken inside, it means there is an understanding that an offer will be made, and the parents of the female, or, if she has none, guardian, God parent or an older friend will hang a be-ribboned armband on the same door. The male must then take it and wear it until the guardian seeks him out to speak of the proposition, and make arrangements." Rose said, and had paused, but added, "The guardian will hang nothing on the door the day after removing the laurel if the female intended disapproves." Hirow nodded.

"Stand with your eyes closed, on your tip-toes with your knees bent, and your arms straight out for half an hour." Demanded Newon.

Rose did, and was told when it was time. She got a nod.

"Whose life is more precious, a child's, a mother's, or a shaman's?" asked Philli.

The questions continued on for hours and hours. After each answer or request, she complied, and got a nod.

Rose realized later that it was a kitchen sink test. They threw everything in that they felt might possibly be related to being a ruler. In retrospect, she noticed that everything fit into a few categories; kitsune history, mental wellness, kitsune culture, magical ability, physical fitness, intelligence, moral capacity, and war strategy.