Page 17 of Alien Hunter's Prize

"Her senses guided us safely through disrupted territories," Iros pointed out evenly. "They perceive truths others cannot."

"Perhaps," Zaltana conceded reluctantly. "Or perhaps the mountain merely tolerated her passage, reserving judgment."

"The Echoing Caves are different. They are wounded ground, sensitive, reactive. An uncontrolled resonance, however well-intentioned, could provoke... unpredictable results."

He leaned forward, sweeping his gaze across the other elders before settling on Vairangi. "Before we entrust our crisis to outsiders—one unfamiliar with our deepest ways, the other marked by forces we don't comprehend—wisdom demands proof."

"Proof of respect. Proof of attunement. Proof of capability beyond mere survival."

Vairangi remained silent, considering his words. I felt the weight of Aerie tradition, the deep scars left by their ancestors' failures with resonance technology, their fear of repeating those mistakes.

"What proof do you propose, Zaltana?" Vairangi asked finally, her quiet voice carrying undeniable authority.

Grim satisfaction flickered in his eyes. "A trial," he declared. "A traditional Aerie Kin test of worthiness, of mountain sense. The Wind Shear Pass."

A collective breath whispered through the chamber. Even unfamiliar with the name, I sensed its significance from the sudden tension among the elders and Iros's alarm.

"The Pass tests more than strength or courage," Zaltana continued in a lecturing tone. "It tests attunement."

"Its currents are lethal, unpredictable to those who cannot read the mountain's breath, who cannot feel the subtle shifts in energy before the killing winds."

"Only true mountain sense, or perhaps," his gaze challenged me, "an extraordinary, controlled resonance, can navigate itsafely. Let them walk the Pass. Let them reach the Sunstone Marker on the far ridge."

"If they succeed, they prove they can withstand the mountain's power, that they respect its challenges enough not to blunder into disaster at the Caves."

"If they fail..." He left the consequence unspoken, but the implication hung heavy—failure meant death or proof of inadequacy.

My hands clenched at my sides. This felt like a setup, a test designed for failure, aimed at my "uncontrolled" markings.

Resentment fought with determination not to back down or give him the satisfaction of seeing me falter. Iros shifted subtly beside me.

Vairangi considered the proposal, her gaze moving between the skeptical elder, Iros, and me. I held my breath, waiting for her judgment. The silence stretched, filled only by the faint hum of crystals.

"The trial is severe," Vairangi stated finally. "The risk, significant."

She looked directly at Zaltana. "But your point holds weight. The community must have faith in those who undertake this burden. Caution is the Aerie way."

She turned to us. "Do you accept this trial? To prove your worthiness to face the Echoing Caves?"

I met her ancient eyes, seeing not malice but the weight of leadership, the need for unity in her isolated community.

"We accept," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

Iros inclined his head formally. "We accept the trial, Elder."

Vairangi nodded slowly. "So be it."

She turned to Nirako, the stern-faced hunter who had initially greeted us with suspicion but shown grudging respect after our journey from the Crystal Depths.

"Nirako, you know the Pass as well as any. You will accompany them. Observe. Offer no aid unless failure means certain death. Report truthfully what you witness."

Nirako met Vairangi's gaze, then looked at us, his expression unreadable. He gave a single, curt nod.

"As you command, Elder."

Zaltana leaned back, satisfied. He had his trial. Now, we just had to survive it.

Vairangi rose, ending the audience. "Prepare yourselves. You depart at first light. May the mountain spirits watch over you."

---