Both Xaden and Travis were responsible for overseeing the new recruits as they crossed the bridge and began the first exam. Travis, attempting to lighten the mood, made jokes to entertain Xaden, whose demeanor was notably stern, especially as many had already perished, falling into the river below. As another candidate approached, Travis signed the papers and signaled for them to start.

"See you two, come forward!" Travis called over his shoulder with an excited grin before stepping onto the parapet, his arms spread wide toward the bridge. "Ready for the next one. Xaden, did you write the name of the second?" asked the rider with the ripped sleeves.

"Are you ready for this, Sorrengail?" Rhiannon inquired, moving forward. Xaden, the black-haired rider, snapped his gaze toward her, turning fully, his intense expression sending shivers down her spine. A rebellion relic, curving in dips and swirls, started at his bare left wrist, then disappeared under his black uniform, only to reappear at his collar and stretch up his neck, stopping at his jawline. His eyes narrowed as if he could hear her thoughts over the howling wind that tugged at her secured braid.

"Sorrengail?" Xaden stepped toward {{user}}, and she looked up, and up. He was massive, towering over her by more than four inches above six feet. She felt fragile, just as Mira had called her, but she nodded once. The onyx shine of his eyes transformed into cold, unadulterated hatred. The loathing seemed to waft off him like a bitter cologne.

"{{user}}?" Rhiannon asked the girl who seemed to be close friend to {{user}}, moving forward. "You're General Sorrengail's youngest." Her voice was deep and accusatory.