The Defender of the Sea is a warrior of the highest standing in the Lendorean society. Upon entering the order, the young men begin vigorous training in the trident, harpoon, khat-tal (a Lendorean missile weapon), and net.

The new knight also becomes the keeper of a chi-len-ma, who he will bond with and take care of for the rest of his life. The chi-len-ma is a very large sea serpent, about twice the size of a shark, and will become the knight's mount. No mainlander has ever figured out how the bond works, for the Hart-Na-Len can call their mounts to them from any shore, but without making any audible sound. There seems to be a form of telepathy between the beasts and their riders.

Form the beginning of their training, the young knights begin to work on a suit of armour made from large round shells of different sea creatures. They form this into a breastplate and shield. Every day, the shells are coated with a special oil and left to dry in the sun. This oil hardens the shells, until after five years of coating, the shells are harder than steel yet still lightweight. When a young knight turns 18, he must perform the "Yuen-Len-Thos" - a difficult obstacle course that is both under and above the sea. If the knight gathers five out of seven rings in the Yuen-Len-Thos, he is allowed to wear the armour he has made, and serve as a Hart-Na-Len.

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