The Sahnju Dojo was framed by scenic, snow-topped mountains and bamboo forests. Compared to the crowded, bustling city that was Endyre, Sahnju was like an oasis. A small farming village operated outside of the dojo, supplying the dojo with a steady stream of food, homespun fabrics, and basic services. Curt preferred the unpretentious, dirty streets of Endyre's Low Town. This place was too pretty for a Duster like him.

Xujen, on the other hand, seemed to be looking forward to attending the dojo. "Even a village as small and remote as mine has heard tales of this dojo," he said. "Heroes and legends have been born here. I'm sure this will be worth the trip. It is a shame we cannot stay for long."

"I'm hoping we can get this done quickly," Bauph said. "Most of what I've heard about this place is how strict and hellish it can be."

The trio climbed the last step to the dojo, and passed under a golden arch that marked the dojo's entrance. A pair of carved, golden dragons spiraled along the arch where they met at the middle, facing each other with fangs bared. Green jewels were set for their eyes, and their claws and fangs seemed to be studded with sapphires.

"Place seems rich," Curt remarked. "I thought attendance was free? Where'd they get that money?"

"Anyone can become a trainee at the dojo, that is true," Xujen said. "However, most do not make it past one week. The training here is difficult to bear for most. But I believe the three of us will flourish here."

"Generous 'donations'," Bauph answered for Curt. "New attendees start at the bottom and have to go through basic training. That's what weeds out most people. If a guy wants bragging rights as a direct disciple of a famous master, bribery is the easiest and quickest path."

Xujen glared at Bauph, his hand settling near the hilt of his sword. "Do not insult such a sacred training ground with those unfounded lies. The dojo is an honored place."

Bauph just shrugged. "It's what I've heard from the confessionals many times. Besides, even the Holy Order isn't exempt from low dealings like that." Bauph's expression darkened as he spoke the last sentence, but his expression changed again before Curt could really be sure it was there.

"Are you three here to become trainees as well?"

They turned to see one of the dojo's monks walk up to them. He was bald, with only a white headband wrapped around his forehead, and wore tan robes. His feet were bare, and as far as Curt could tell, he was unarmed. He didn't look all that strong — the monk was nearly as scrawny as Curt was.

"We are," Xujen quickly replied, taking an eager step forward.

"Then follow me," the monk said simply, and began walking toward one of the five buildings that encircled the dojo's large courtyard.

As they passed by, Curt saw what looked like many other trainees, dressed in white robes, practicing combat moves in the clearing. They were all lined up, heads shaved, and going through the same motions at the same time. It looked incredibly dull to Curt, and he sure as hell wasn't going to shave his head.

The monk led them inside another room, where they could see already numerous other potential trainees changing out of their old clothes and into trainee white robes. The monk tossed the them a robe each as well.

"Change into those, and leave all your belongings and weapons here. Another will come to stow them away," he said.

"What if I don't want to leave my guns here?" Curt challenged. He hated the feeling of not being armed. Even Xujen appeared reluctant to hand away his sword.

"Then you can show yourself out," the monk replied simply, and he turned away and left the room.

Bauph had already surrendered his giant cross and was changing into one of the robes when Curt looked back. Curt sighed, they didn't really have a choice in the matter. And Curt himself had some things he wanted to learn from the dojo. But he was definitely calling it quits if they tried to cut his hair.

---

"Sure are a lot of people here," Curt said as he was crammed into a foyer with the throng of new trainees.

"I'm guessing with the Grand Guild Tournament on the horizon, a lot of guilds are sending their fighters to train here first," Bauph said.

A monk stood before the group, wearing much nicer golden colored robes that looked like they were made of silk compared to the scratchy material the white trainee robes were made out of. Curt figured this meant he was probably a big shot around here. Maybe even one the dojo masters?

"Welcome to Sahnju Dojo," the man said. "My name is Jinpuhn, and I am but one of the dojo's masters. I will be your instructor in the coming days, and I hope you are all prepared for what is to come, for if you preserve through the trials I may offer you direct tutelage."

He narrowed his eyes as he scanned the many heads of hopefuls before him.

"There are a great deal more of you than usual," he continued, stroking his chin, "I'm afraid we are limited on the beds we have, and many trainees had arrived in the past few days as well." He closed his eyes in thought, and Curt watched as many of the other new trainees squirmed nervously.

"This is a special case," he finally said, opening his eyes. "But there will be an entrance test. Those of you who pass, can stay. Those of you that fail, do not despair, and I encourage you to come again when we have more vacancies."

Jinpuhn led the group back outside into the clearing where he had all the trainees line up.

"The test is simple," Jinpuhn said. "I will give you one strike against me. Put your all into it, and do not hold back — I was not made dojo master for nothing. Of course, introduce yourself to me first. Even if we are not formally sparring, manners are not exempt."

The first of the trainees stepped forward. "I am Gideon from the guild Last Legion," he declared as he readied his stance.

"Last Legion, huh," Bauph muttered.

"They famous?" Curt asked.

Bauph nodded. "An A-rank guild, and one of the strongest. They have a lot of members. Some people say they're also the wealthiest guild, even counting S-ranks."

The man who called himself Gideon launched himself at Jinpuhn, who stood with his arms still by his sides. Jinpuhn didn't even react as Gideon feinted a punch before sidestepping and attempting a fan kick from behind. Before Curt knew it, Gideon had his back on the ground and Jinpuhn had only his right hand raised.

"You pass," Jinpuhn said. "You may go straight to the boarding hall to get a room assignment."

Gideon got up, dusted himself off a bit, and thanked the dojo master before strutting toward one of the larger buildings.

Xujen smiled. "If that's all it takes to pass, then our spots are as good as guaranteed."

The next trainee stepped up, announcing himself as Richter from Token Finders. Unlike Gideon, he took his time circling around Jinpuhn, who still didn't bother to move. After the second round of circling, Richter lashed out while behind Jinpuhn. Just as easily as Gideon, Richter found himself staring up at the sky in no time. Jinpuhn's back was still turned to him.

"You fail," Jinpuhn said. "Go back to the changing rooms to collect your belongings."

Richter didn't bother to hold back his tears as he hurried away.

"These dojo masters sure are something," Xujen remarked as the next trainee took the test. "To be able to determine their opponent's ability in a single blow must take years of fighting experience. I consider myself as being good at evaluating a person's strength, but I could barely tell the difference between those two."

"Well you weren't on the receiving end," Curt said. "Maybe Richter hits like a wet rag. They were both quick, sure, but that's not everything."

The line went by quickly, and they were already at the front. So far, only three passes were issued; and of the three, only one trainee was able to avoid getting tripped after the first blow. The lithe, dark-skinned young woman instead landed lightly on her feet. Jinpuhn actually almost looked impressed instead of the stoic expression he had on for all the other trainees.

"My turn," Xujen said as he went forward, facing the dojo master. "My name is Xujen, and I am from a guild called Point Blank."

The moment he finished his introduction, Xujen flung himself forward. Jinpuhn deflected Xujen's attack with ease with a flick of his wrist, but Xujen sprung back up, launching a second attack. Jinpuhn finally used his left arm to block Xujen's attack, but before Xujen could go for a third strike, Jinpuhn said, "You pass. It is good to have tenacity, but I did say only one strike."

Xujen seemed unsure if he should apologize or thank the dojo master, but Jinpuhn waved his words away as he called the next trainee forward.

It was Bauph's turn next. As with most people, Bauph dwarfed the dojo master with his sheer size and bulk. It was like watching a great oak tree pick a fight with a stalk of bamboo. "I'm Bauph, and like Xujen, I'm also from Point Blank." Without further ado, Bauph simply swung his fist straight at Jinpuhn.

Unlike with the other attacks, Jinpuhn chose to sidestep the attack. "You pass," the dojo master said.

"Huh," Bauph said with a note of surprise. He glanced back at Curt and shrugged, as if to say he didn't expect to pass. Curt wouldn't be surprised if Bauph meant for his attack to actually fail so he wouldn't have to deal with the mission. Bauph left after Xujen, so it was now Curt's turn.

"Name's Curt, and I'm the last one here from Point Blank," he said. Now that he was up, he became acutely aware of the tingling sensation in his stomach and the sweat coating his palms. He tried telling himself mentally that if Xujen and Bauph had passed so easily, surely he could as well.

Hand-to-hand combat wasn't exactly Curt's specialty, but he considered himself fairly decent at it. You had to be to fight in narrow alleyways or cramped taverns. It was odd not to have a pair of pistols in his palms, but Curt's style relied more on using his legs to push back his opponents than brutishly pistol whipping people.

Curt backed up a bit before running and sliding himself forward, noting the slight look of surprise on Jinpuhn's face as he did so. Probably never saw a Duster fight, Curt thought before reaching Jinpuhn. Rolling on his torso, Curt's long legs kicked out in wide, circular arcs that Jinpuhn stepped back to avoid. Spinning back to standing position, Curt followed up with a high kick aimed at the dojo master's head. Jinpuhn caught Curt's leg before it could hit, and the moment the man's fingers closed on his ankle, Curt felt a jolt go through his body. Stunned, Curt couldn't react as Jinpuhn threw him onto the ground.

Jinpuhn was staring down at Curt, eyebrows knitted together and frowning. After a moment, Jinpuhn passed his verdict, "You fail."