Rick sat next to her and noticed that the water in the fountain was warm even though the air was cold. "Why are you showing the garden to me?"
"Because this is where the Trial of Mind starts. You and I will sit in this garden and talk tomorrow morning and for the next seven days."
"Just talk. No fighting, no tests of strength. I'll ask you questions, and you'll tell the truth when you answer them."
"And in return, I'll be just as honest when I answer your questions." Sylvia looked him in the eye. "This trial isn't meant to see how smart or knowledgeable you are. It's about knowing who you really are deep down."
Rick's stomach hurt. He could deal with physical pain. He had demonstrated resilience in dealing with physical pain, but being open about his feelings and thoughts was a different challenge altogether. That was scary in a whole new way.
"What will happen if I fail?" he asked.
