I awoke and food and a white robe were waiting for me. I ate the food first then washed with cold water and then put on the robe and walked out of my room.
The hallway was so dark I could not even see my hand in front of me, this darkness made me so scared I screamed for Comforter.
Comforter appeared in a translucent robe. Her presence allowed me to feel warm in the presence of the cold darkness that hit my soul a tidal wave of pain.
A table was in front of me. It was very long and made of Evaline Wood. There were two people sitting in front of me. There was someone dressed in very fine silks and someone who was dressed in rags. There was a stack of five hundred Shields at the centre of the table.
"You must decide on who gets all of the Shields." Comforter said, looking deeply into my eyes.
"They can only respond to the questions that you ask. They will answer truthfully." Comforter said, holding my hand tightly.
I asked Comforter for a chair. Comforter brought over a cushioned chair and I sat down.
"Which one of you is really poor?" I asked, looking at both of the men. The one in rags stepped forward.
"Do either of you serve Sloth?" I asked, looking at both of them. The one in silk stepped forward.
"I used to but I too went to the Cliff of Tears." I pulled at arm and saw the stain of the Tree just like on my arm. It was fresh. When the arm is fully healed only The Nim can see it.
"What demon do you serve?" I asked the one in rags? He stepped forward.
"I serve deception." The one in silk, said glaring at me.
I looked at Comforter, " Give the Shields to the one in silks. This is my final degree. Throw the one who serves Deception into the Lake of Fire for causing others to serve Darkness." I said with a boldness I had never had before.
The Realm arrested him right there, and I heard his screams so violently, I then quickly said, "Put him on the Ship of Redemption in solitude until he decides to climb Cliff of Tears."
The merciful are precious in the sight of the Author of Life. I recalled the voice of the shepherds of old. The guards of The Realm nodded and he got on knees renouncing his allegiance to Darkness.
I sighed this first test did not seem so difficult and I had this tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders that I had passed. I clung to Comforter and Comforter ushered me to sleep.
For each trial finished I was awarded two day breaks in the Lake of Refreshing. I took my first day in humbled gratitude. I rested and drank several goblets of joy that were given to me by Comforter.
It was the night before my next trial and once again I awoke to the robes and delicious food. Before I left the room for the next trial I summoned Comforter to leave the room with me.