We all were required to meet in the centermost crossroads of the gods ruling territories. Since the school was stationed there and all supported it all had access as well. It was a well known fact that a blood oath between all the ruling gods and goddesses would not allow violence or anything else to occur within the school grounds.
However until one arrived you took your chances as gods children were a rare treasure and could be held hostage for other gods to gain alliances and concessions. Our large party scared away any would be bandits and our route was erratic so it would be hard to catch us unaware.
So even through we were just going to the school to test we had a full regiment of armed guards as well as hired ones to protect the gods children and keep them safe. Once the testing was finished if accepted we would stay there, those who failed would return back home. Along with all four of us were three servants, they would attend to the needs of us cooking cleaning and any other needs that would arise if we passed.
Our god Geb assumed we would reside in the same shared house as normal but citizens would be treated very differently. Our trip was long, dusty and only simi interesting we were not accosted and our lands mostly were green and futile with various mine visible. Only the last day did we see more barren land with no trees, fields and broken, dry barren grasslands to be observed it made me feel sad. My fingers itched to cast nature spells to help it grow.
We arrived late at night and were taken into a large hall and given a simple meal, the gods children were taken to a separate area while I was given a small itchy blanket and told to sleep with the servants by the far side of the hall. My friends didn't seem to notice that I was stopped because I always followed last but being tired I took the blanket and slept next to the cook she was a friend of my mother and had promised to look out for me.
The next day I was rudely awakened with a kick from the same guard that had stopped me the night before, then he started to shout at all the rest of us to get up and make breakfast. I asked him why he kicked me and he said "nobodies should know their place." You can be sure that I remembered his face and stature so I could avoid him in the future, when I passed I was sure his attitude would change.
After eatting the 300 plus testing students lined up outside, the gods children would be tested first so the citizens were asked to go help clean the hall and rooms with the servants so they would be ready for testing. There was less then 50 of us but we had to help clean and prep over 300 private rooms.
It was close to dinner time when we got thorough and finally allowed to eat and rest. Even with my physical training I was close to exhaustion, Isis showed up and told me about her day were she partied with all the gods children and played games. They all went on a tour of the school and met all the teachers lastly they had got to hear a speech given by the god of knowledge, Thoth.
I asked her how the testing would go and she was shocked that I had not listened and that's when I told her about my day. Isis wanted to go complain but I quickly talked her out of it. After calming her down I was told how the test would be held. The first part was three day where the students had to stay in private rooms answering questions on all the subjects learned.
The second part would be a dimenstration of combat and magic skills first to see our capabilities. Then if we passed we would be evaluated once again to be placed into the appropriate classes. All together the testing would last about a week long and consist of extremes of testing the mind and body.
Isis then said it wouldn't be all bad because the shared house was very comfortable with a swimming pool and spa to help with fatigue when all was said and done. She asked me if I liked my room and why I left so early for breakfast. That's when I had to tell her about sleeping in the hall, she exploded and soon her siblings heard and went to protest. I feared this would not end well.
When they came back Osrisis was being accompanied by a guard, a guard with a familiar shape. Sigh this would not end well. The guard said he was sorry if there had been a mistake made and told me their house had no extra rooms so he would make sure to fine me a place to stay. His eyes burned with hate as he looked at me, dam I was doomed he was the head of the guards here.
After dinner the gods children were sent to their group homes and pools with a dessert table handy in their rooms. Then the servants were allowed to accompany their masters. Finally there was only fifty two citizens left behind that had came for testing. The head guard made us sit at his feet on the ground to hear a speech.
His guards surrounded us and I could feel the change in their demenor. and we shuttered in fear. The captain gave us a very fast overview of the testing process and then his eyes drifted to me. Citizens are below gods and of coarse could receive the same treatment but one of us was demanding equal treatment a private room. To not be treated as a servant but equal to their better so he would offer all the same options.
They could sleep here and do what was asked of them or get the same treatment as this upstart who thought she was better then them. Then he asked them to follow him outside to a large livestock area to a series of pig birthing stations. He throw me inside a used one its large mother squalled at me and put her body between me and her babies. Her large teeth and fangs showing hostility towards me a outsider.
Well anyone else want a room, no one said a word or even looked my way as they went back inside. I backed away as far as I could and sat agains the wall ready to jump up into the roof tresses if I had to.I sent a calming spell to the pig and she slowly quieted. Finally she let me pet her and allowed me to no longer be a threat. Making sweet grasses annd mushrooms grow around her made both babies and mother happy.
Soon they were all sleeping in their corner and so was I, it was cold but I was tired and passed out. When I awoke I was warm and the smell of sweet grasses and hay reminded me of home. I found the mother had moved her babies and herself next to my body providing warmth and a safe place to stay.
I produced more goodies for the family and went to their water stone and washed myself the best I could. I had a much better sleep out here on the softness of the earth than inside on that cold stone floor. In fact since I made sweet smelling herbs and grasses to sleep on I actually smelt better to. I wondered were my extra clothing had gone and headed to the hall to see if I could get something to eat.