Technically, this one is the prequel to the first three, but I’ve never been too concerned with things like “canon” or “timelines.”
Today’s the day Kat Darkstone has been waiting for!
Today’s the day Kat begins her Adventuring Licence test! In order to become a qualified adventurer, Kat has to overcome the infamous Valley of Appraisal, a relentless course designed to push the aspiring young adventurers of the city of Porthaven to their absolute limits. But Kat isn’t coming unprepared. Her entire family has been helping her train for her foray into the Valley of Appraisal. Best of all, Kat has the assistance of her magically-inclined friend Scarlet, an adventurer in her own right.
All in all, Kat has a good feeling about this.
As Kat and Scarlet brave the Valley of Appraisal, Kat’s sister Dunstana and best friend Amara have taken it upon themselves to prepare an unforgettable celebration of Kat’s triumph over the Valley. All in all, Dunstana and Amara have a good feeling about their plan. But will there even be anything to celebrate? Will Kat be able to conquer the Valley of Appraisal?
Will she be just another aspiring adventurer to have her career cut short before it can even begin? Read this all-new Realmgard adventure and find out!
Chapter 1
She can understand the point of the things like the physical wellness test, the memory test, the colour-blindness test, and the weapons handling certification, and even why she had to draw a diagram on where to stand to shoot an arrow at a dragon flying 100 feet above and 50 feet to the right.
She’s less clear on why she had to play checkers against a chicken, or why she had to supply four character references, or demonstrate her financial good standing with the Bank of Porthaven, or stack and unstack a bunch of circles on different sticks, or play checkers against a chicken again.
Chapter 2
Kat can’t help but smile at the fact that her mom arranged pieces to bacon to spell out Good luck, Kat!
Chapter 3
It’s the perfect adventuring belt for Kat.
“I like it,” Estelle declares.
“So do —” Dorian begins, his voice trailing off when he catches sight of the price tag. If they’re paying for quality, this must be the best belt in history.
“She’s lucky we love her,” he mumbles, reaching for his wallet, which is about to get a whole lot lighter.
Chapter 4
“The Guild Authority of Porthaven hereby advises Applicant
that in the event of Applicant knowingly providing
fraudulent information to the agents of the Guild Authority
of Porthaven, Applicant shall be prosecuted to the fullest
and most severe extent of the laws of Porthaven —
including, but not limited to, hard labour, keelhauling,
and catapult.”
Chapter 5
“Hey, Scarlet,” Kat asks. “Is it just me, or is the corn moving?”
Scarlet begins to scan the cornfield for any signs of anything out of the ordinary.
“And I think it just sneezed,” Kat notes, glancing towards where she thinks the faint, but unmistakable achoo! came from.
“No, it didn’t,” a voice from the corn insists feebly. “It was your imagination.”
Chapter 6
Obviously, there’s some trick waiting for her, she just isn’t sure what it is.
Chapter 7
Climbing a rope, of all things, is a chore at the best of time.
Chapter 8
“See that tower? There’s a bell at the top. Ring it, and your exam will be finished.”
Chapter 9
“Is it a carrot cake?” Kat asks cautiously.
Chapter 10
“Who the heck is Kade Dirkson?”
Epilogue
“Come back here, you!” Kat hears Dunstana yell. “That was my corn!”
Next, Kat hears a sound she did not expect to hear.
“Bawk!”
Her curiosity getting the best of her, wondering just why her sister is apparently fighting a chicken, Kat comes around the corner.
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