Rider one. He saw that my horse was injured and chose not to take advantage. That is more than speed. That is honor. Great bear nodded slowly, an expression of approval crossing his face.

The first trial is complete. Rest. Tomorrow at dawn, the second trial, find the ghost, dear. That night, while Ryder prepared to sleep under the stars, Starry Sky silently approached his camp. She carried a woven blanket over her shoulders and a steaming bowl in her hands.

I brought you food, she said in broken English. You must be strong for tomorrow. Ryder accepted the bowl with gratitude. It was a stew of dried meat and desert herbs. Simple but nutritious.

Thank you. Your English is good. Stormspirit taught me, she replied with a small smile. He learned from the missionaries and then taught me. He said that knowing the language of others makes us stronger.

She sat at a respectful distance looking at the stars. Why do you do this? You could just leave. No one would stop you now. Because the right thing is not always the easy thing, Ryder replied.

And because two people who love each other should not be separated by tradition. Starry Skye's eyes shone with suppressed tears. Storm Spirit has told you. He told me, and I can see in your eyes that it is true. My father is a good man, she said softly.

But sometimes honor blinds him. He believes he is doing the right thing, paying a sacred debt. He does not see the pain it causes. He will see, Ryder promised. I just need to pass these trials, and I will have the right to propose my own solution.

And what is that solution? Ryder smiled. You'll see. Dawn painted the desert gold and purple. The second trial was perhaps the most difficult. finding the legendary ghost deer.

According to Storm Spirit, who had again given him information during the night, the deer was an almost mythical animal that appeared and disappeared in the valley like the wind. Many hunters had spent weeks looking for it without success. The key is not to chase it, the warrior had said. It is to understand it. The deer is not your enemy.

It is a spirit that tests your patience and your respect for the land. Ryder set out alone, carrying only a canteen and a red handkerchief that he had to tie to the deer's antler as proof of the encounter. The rule was clear. He could not harm the animal in any way. Hours passed.

Ryder explored the valley looking for signs, tracks, grazing marks, droppings. He found clues, but they all seemed to lead to dead ends. The sun rose, turning the valley into an oven. Then he remembered something his grandfather used to say. Wild animals have routines.

Water at dawn, shade at noon, grazing at dusk. It was noon. The deer would be looking for shade. Ryder changed his strategy. Instead of actively tracking, he looked for the best shade in the valley.

A small canyon with high walls and a thin stream. He hid among the rocks and waited. Patience was rewarded. Two hours later, the deer appeared as silent as a whisper. It was magnificent, coat white as snow with gray spots, antlers shining in the sun like polished bone.

Its eyes were intelligent, alert. Ryder remained completely motionless. The deer approached the stream, drank, then lifted its head, sniffing the air. It knew someone was nearby. Instead of approaching aggressively, Ryder began to speak in a low voice, a constant murmur of meaningless words.

Only the tone mattered, calm, peaceful, non-threatening. Slowly, very slowly, he took out the red handkerchief. The deer watched him, undecided between flight and curious oddity. Ryder extended the handkerchief, letting it float in the breeze. The bright red color caught the animals attention.

Step by step, Ryder approached, keeping his voice low and constant, his movements fluid and predictable. When he was close enough, he extended the handkerchief toward the deer. The animal sniffed the fabric. Then, surprisingly, it lowered its head with hands trembling from contained emotion. Ryder tied the handkerchief around the deer's left antler.

The animal tolerated it for a moment. Then, with a sudden movement, it jumped back and disappeared among the rocks as if it had never been there. Ryder exhaled deeply. He had done it. When he returned to camp that afternoon, the elders looked at him with skepticism until several scouts confirmed, having seen the deer with the red handkerchief.

The news spread quickly. Some said it was magic, others that the spirits favored Ryder. Two trials completed, great bear declared that night. Tomorrow the last one. Combat of endurance with storm spirit.

The final day dawned with palpable tension. The entire camp formed a large circle in the sand. The rules of the endurance combat were simple but brutal. The two men would fight without weapons until one could not continue or surrendered. Striking was not forbidden, but the main objective was to demonstrate strength, endurance, and technique.

Ryder and Storm Spirit faced each other in the center of the circle. Both had removed their shirts, exposing torsos marked by scars from hard lives. "Don't hold back," Storm Spirit murmured. "If this is going to work, it has to look real." "It will be," Ryder replied with a half smile.

Great bear gave the signal. Storm Spirit attacked first, moving with the grace of a predator. Ryder blocked, counterattacked, received a blow to the ribs that stole his breath. They locked in a struggle of pure strength, muscles tense, feet seeking advantage in the sand. The fight continued under the burning sun.

Minutes turned into an hour. Both men sweated profusely, breathed heavily, their bodies screaming for rest, but neither surrendered. The crowd watched in silence, amazed. Rarely did an endurance trial last long. These two men were evenly matched in strength and determination.

Finally, after almost 2 hours, both fell to their knees simultaneously, completely exhausted. Storm Spirit extended his hand. Ryder took it. They helped each other stand up. Ty, great bear declared, and for the first time in days, he smiled broadly.

You have proven your worth beyond any doubt, Ryder Montgomery. Now you have the right to propose your solution to the debt of honor. Ryder, still breathing heavily, turned to the chief. My proposal is this. I do not want wives.

I want something more valuable. I want to build a trading post here next to the spring. A place where your people can exchange crafts, furs, and knowledge with traders that I will bring. A place of peace and prosperity.