Two months of calm did not change Clayton's habits.
He kept to the same schedule that he created for himself as soon as he finalized his goals since getting his Aspect and returning to earth.
All he did was ramp up the intensity and add a pinch of more consistency
He woke up before dawn, walked the walls of the Rootsite, and he listened to the roots. He trained till sweat darkened the bark along his ribs. He spoke with guards and growers and healers, then he stared at plans until the sun burned low.
The Third Trial was close. He could feel it in the pull of the Heartseed. It was a steady drum now, not a whisper.
After he defeated Korrath, he felt the resonant hum clearer than ever before. And he still remembered the requirements that he saw after entering the Nexus vault with his companions.
