Cool, refreshing, resplendent liquid cascaded down his throat sending shivers up the blonde’s spine. How could he have been so foolish as to go that long without water, father would be angry to learn of it. Best if he never do so, not that the evergreen eyes teen would do so. Setting the wooden ladle down next to the bucket he turned his gaze back over the crowd ponderously. 

This many people had made it past the first phase of eliminations… not hat it was a difficult one in the least, but it still showed a facet of how many people were attempting to join in on the expedition. The next phase would be more difficult, of that he held little doubt. The ‘show your ability with your Sigil’ or ‘Sigil Control’. It would be simple enough for him, but there were those much less so trained in the use, and those who were just too weak in their ability to channel in the first place. 

“Ohh, and here I thought you would have already been through here Brother,” came a female voice from nearby. The blonde forced his face to stay relaxed and unbothered by his adopted sisters light taunt.

[url=http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=gDO9mIel7tlV1M&tbnid=-IQTr_VHlvWJmM:&ved=0CAIQjBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwallpaperswa.com%2Fdownload%2Fview%3Fresolution%3D1280x960%26file%3DMTkyMHgxMDgwLzIwMTIwNzI4L2Jsb25kZXMgYXV0dW1uIGZsb3dlcnMgZmFsbGluZyBkb3duIHdlYXBvbnMgZmVtYWxlIHdhcnJpb3JzIHNvZnQgc2hhZGluZyBhbmltZSBnaXJscyB0YWN0aWNzIG9ncmUgX3dhbGxwYXBlcnN3YS5jb21fNzMuanBn%26name%3DYmxvbmRlc19hdXR1bW5fZmxvd2Vyc19mYWxsaW5nX2Rvd25fd2VhcG9uc19mZW1hbGVfd2FycmlvcnNfc29mdF9zaGFkaW5nX2FuaW1lX2dpcmxzX3RhY3RpY3Nfb2dyZQ%3D%3D&ei=CKNxU_LKKaXb8gHI_4HoAw&bvm=bv.66330100,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNEqZCMh2xkWbQo9Wz7bQRId2e13Pg&ust=1400042573569268]”Phaira,[/url] I had expected you to already be on your way as well. Perhaps you are taking your time thinking that there is no real competition.”

“Hmmph, these peasants will never find Rin, they lack drive and conviction. Most of those who entered when I did couldn’t even pass the second trial.” The twenty year old sneered down her nose at the rest of the lard courtyards inhabitants. 

“I expect that a great many will no doubt at least join in one of the larger groups that are set to depart sometime this month.”

“Below standard members will only drag the group down, no matter the size. Quality over quantity brother, Father taught us that much, surely you have not forgotten as of yet?” The blonde girl stated while turning her Steely grey eyes back to him in disdain.

“He also taught us the uses of a good pawn, and the weak are much easier to control than the strong. The masses can force their will, no matter how much weaker they are given sufficient quantity.” Rashim replied.

His sister merely smirked back at him. “Try not to die while out adventuring brother, I do so enjoy our little quarrels. If you will excuse me, I have a few A-listers that I saw in the trials to enthrall.” 

The boy watched her go and shook his head, he would never understand women. His sister was the most prominent one he knew, and he could never fathom a thing she did. Father had stated that women were easy enough to control; of course, he’d told sister the same of men. One merely had to let them think that you had JUST what they needed, what they WANTED, and they would follow you around like a puppy… doing whatever it was you commanded. Sister had grown very good at that as she aged.