Dawn in the Red Canyon was cold, which kinda felt like false advertising.
Aegis stood on the lowest terrace with her breath fogging, wearing a borrowed Canyon training wrap that covered her chest, her hips, and very little in between.
[I mean, if they wanted a better loo, they could have just asked.]
Around her, the city was waking up. Lamps went out one level at a time, and people were already gathering along the balconies above like this was a holiday.
"The Trial of Standing," Matriarch Oshi explained, walking the line of competitors with her cup of morning tea. "Three legs. First, you run the canyon floor to the red flag and back. Then you climb the east face to the third terrace, no ropes. Then you swim the great cistern, end to end. First one to touch the far wall stands. Everyone else kneels."
Aegis blinked.
[Wait. That's it?]
