“Now go kick some ass." She stepped back and gave him a firm pat on the behind.

“Yes ma'am." He nodded with a Little salute.

“And thanks, Jan."

With that, he turned and jogged off to the entrance of the provings with a final wave back to her before disappearing beneath the black arch.

“He is ready."

Janette turned around when the familiar voice sounded off behind her, and she saw Algra striding up to her side. The orc had evidently been following throughout their walk.

“I thought you were sleeping in this morning?" Janette smiled, knowing full well that Algra wasn't about to spend the morning in bed when Gregory was in the provings.

Algra glanced to her out of the corner of her eye and the corners of her lips turned upward. She didn't offer any explanation of the matter. The two women had grown close enough in their time together that speaking of such things was no longer necessary.

“You should have come with us," Janette added after a moment.

“He needs all our support."

“He has our support. He knows this. Now, in hours before battle starts, he steels his mind to the fear. Fear is normal in war; but it takes hold of many all the same. A warrior must spend the hours before a fight holding off that fear. For this, he needed you.”

“Yeah? Because I'm such a freakin' inspirational bastion of badassery?" Janette rolled her eyes.

“No, because best way to hold off fear in battle is to think of what is being fought for. He fights for his home, and you are the closest thing he has to that. You are also good in talking. Me?" She gave one of her characteristic dismissive grunts as if to highlight the point that she probably wasn't suited to be giving pep talks.

“Huh, well thanks, I guess. Let's go find some seats then." She stepped up beside Algra and smoothly linked arms with her, which the orc allowed without question. "I'LL buy the popcorn."

“What is-" “Never mind."

“Hey guys," Gregory greeted his pack, who had already arrived at the proving grounds with one exception. "Where's Nullik?"

"I'm here! I'm here!" Nullik hopped into the training area whilst still evidently putting on the basic armour that the pups wore.

"Where have you been?" Ulf asked him.

“I may have gotten access to Ulag's private ale stores last night. I could have overindulged a little. It's possible that I woke up in a drinking trough this morning and spent the better part of two hours looking for someone to sell me a decent hangover cure. Where the hell was your White Woman, Greg? I had to go to the medicine huts and pay through the fucking nose."

“It's her day off." Greg tried to sound as passive as possible before turning to ULf. "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner, Alpha.”

“You've earned some respect, Gregory Hopkins. Nullik struggles with that concept." ULf grunted before shaking his head when Nullik offered a rude gesture in reply

“What's this!?" Ulag's voice boomed out signalling his approach to where The Runts were waiting.

“Where in all the dark realms have you idiots been? And why, by the First, is this thing still with you?" He pointed angrily at Gregory.

ULf stood up with a respectful salute to the proving master, and the rest of the pack immediately fell in line and did the same. Gregory felt a tinge of anger rising in his chest whilst he offered his salute, but subdued it to focus on the pack instead.

“Master, we have taken leave whilst one of our pack recovered from injury. Since we could not field a full pack, we have not reported to the provings for any challenges. We have continued our training under a proven warrior, and she may vouch for our ability to fight this day. ALL of us." ULf stressed those Last three words whilst his eyes shifted to meet those of the Larger and older orc.