The clearing was full of dark elves now. They stood in a wide circle around the Proving Ground, their faces a mix of anger and confusion. Jor was on his feet, holding his ribs and glaring at Nox with pure hate.
"What is the Elder doing?" one of them muttered. "Why is she giving this human the honor of a proving?"
"Honor?" another one scoffed. "She's going to kill him. This is an execution."
Mela stood with Serian at the edge of the clearing. Liesa was beside her, her face pale, but her eyes were fixed on Nox with a strange, intense look.
"Your human is a complete fool," Liesa said, her voice quiet.
Serian didn't answer. She just watched Nox, her hands clenched so tight her knuckles were white.
[Hades, God of the Underworld] So it begins. The mortal's tantrum will be his end. I have a spot picked out for him already.
