That first day that she had arrived in Fang, Whisper found herself thinking that she had just made the best decision of her life.  With that violet scarf tied around her arm, people were so friendly to her!  Just while walking down the street, she'd have people come up to her, talk with her, express admiration, give her gifts, buy her drinks...  Those three boys who had paid for a room at the hotel for her that first night had been more than friendly in their own ways, as well.  The second and third days were just as wonderful, and on that second night, she found herself being entertained by three more boys, this trio being a little more sweet and innocent than the last three.<br/><br/>The bed she was shown to that third night was wonderfully decadent, but unfortunately she didn't have anyone to enjoy it with.  It had something to do with some tradition, some old story about how she was supposed to spend the final night before the challenge alone in silent contemplation.  She'd been wanting to spend the last night before her possible gruesome death with more of Fang's young men, but left to her own devices, she soon found herself caught up in silent contemplation after all.  And then came that bizarre dream, flaming pits and giant spiders, blacker than the blackest night...<br/><br/>After that, she was more than happy to wake up the next morning, and her ten minutes of readying time were spent getting a quick bath and checking over her equipment.  Simple black clothing, designed more for freedom of movement than to look good, some sturdy boots, a trusty sword and a few provisions.  All a girl could ever want or need, as far as she was concerned.  Then again, she always had been something of a tomboy.  The little man who had led her to the entrance to The Walk had been quick, but she was even quicker, her body honed by years of causing trouble in various places.  Soon enough, she found herself standing before the crowd, sizing up her opponents while the Baron made a little speech.<br/><br/>And thus did Whisper reach the end of her little recap.<br/><br/>Standing there, she looked over the competition.  Bare-chested barbarians, strong and well-muscled in their fur outfits.  Mmmm...  And another elven woman, golden-haired and with green eyes, as opposed to her own black hair and dark brown ones.  She had quite the nice body, even if she carried quite a few daggers on her person.  Much more shapely than Whisper's own lithe form.  The final two contenders were more mysterious, one wearing a full suit of armor and the other dressed in the garb of what she suspected was an assassin, both their faces obscured.  Dark and unknown, she couldn't help but wonder just why they felt the need to hide their identities.<br/><br/>Before long, a series of bamboo sticks were held forward.  Reaching out when they were presented to her, the elf found that she had picked one labeled 'fifth', and wasn't surprised to find that it was the order she would be entering the Trial in.  The Knight, the Elf, one of the two Barbarians and the Assassin...  They all entered before her, and then it was her turn.  Untying the violet scarf from around her arm, she waved to the crowd for a few moments before entering the cave.<br/><br/>Crystals, beetles, spiders...  Interesting lighting, but the current company reminded her of that creepy dream.  Walking along, she busied herself with fastening the scarf back onto herself in a more stylish fashion, and she had just finished doing so, tying it neatly around her neck, when she saw a table with six boxes, one of which had her name on it.  Stopping, she inspected the table carefully.<br/><br/>Stone, and only one of the boxes was marked for her...  Was it safe to open?  She knew that people died in this challenge every year, that no one had yet succeeded, that Chiang Mai thus languished under the despicable Baron's rule... but would things be trapped so early in?  And why was only one box marked for her?  Clearly, the other boxes were meant for the other participants, but why were they here...?<br/><br/>Well, she decided after a few moments, it probably wasn't a trap.  There'd be no need to leave out a box for everyone if it was.  You could only catch a single person in a trap like this, after all.  There'd still be a body left to warn anyone else passing by.  And so, picking up the box labeled 'Whisper', she carefully pried it open.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Whisper<br/><br/>Skill: 12<br/>Stamina: 23<br/>Luck: 12<br/><br/>Inventory:<br/>Sword<br/>10 Provisions<br/>Potion of Stamina