“You didn*t tell us that one of you had learned to fly.”

Laughter erupted through the training glade, tearing the tense silence to pieces. Although the tension soon rallied as Nullik ceased Laughing and looked over Gregory's shoulder as if he'd seen a ghost. They all turned to see ULf and Ulla approaching them, the former having somehow developed a noticeable Limp. In his right hand, Ulf carried a sword. It wasn't the kind of sword made for practice, either. Instead, it was forged of black orc metal with the usual orcish shape: The blade rising into a weighted tip with a prominent spike curving out forward designed to tear open even the thickest armours Like a hellish can-opener.

Gregory was suddenly very aware that he wasn't wearing armour of any kind; not even the basic stuff they used to practice with at the proving grounds. He felt immediately reassured when the rest of The Runts stepped up beside him to face the approaching pair of rogues together.

“Gregory Hopkins.” ULf called out his name like the thunder of an oncoming storm.

“ULf Bloodwrath." Gregory returned the gesture, sounding a good deal less sure of himself.

“I have come here to make amends, my friend." Ulf and Ulla stopped a few feet away from the rest of them.

“Er... ok then. Making amends wouldn't involve trying to chop me into tiny little bits with that thing, would it?" Gregory looked down at the sword in UUf's hands.

“Huh?" ULf also glanced down at the sword as if remembering it was there. "Oh! No, no nothing Like that at all. I am sorry if I alarmed you. This is for something else."

Gregory's shoulders visibly relaxed and he allowed himself to recall what breathing felt Like.

“Alright then. What can I do for you, Ulf?" Although the threat of immediate violence had passed, there was still considerable tension between them.

“As I said, I wish to make amends to you all. Yesterday was my fault and mine alone, and you all fought bravely under my foolish leadership." ULf kept his tone oddly formal.

“Uh-huh. Now tell us something we don't know." Nullik narrowed his eyes.

If those words angered him, ULf didn't show it. Instead he released a deep breath and Lifted the sword to hold it across both of his hands.

“I have made a mistake that I will make up to you all. You have my promise of this on my honour. Until I can make this right," Ulf stepped toward Gregory and fell down to one knee before him. Then he raised the sword up to offer it.

“I can no longer be the alpha of this pack. Gregory, you have remade us and we are stronger for it. I ask that you take up my duties as alpha until I can—"

“Whoa there, hold on now," Gregory lifted his hands in protest, not even caring if anyone saw it as a challenge.

“What!? You didn't get hit in the head so hard today that you forgot I was human, right?"

A small smile lifted the corners of ULf's mouth. "I didn't overlook that, no."

“I mean, is it even allowed?" Gregory looked to the others, most of whom were now wearing smiles of their own.

“The war packs choose their own alphas," Wrut informed him. "We could pick a chicken to lead us if we wanted to.”

“Some of us might have considered that an improvement until a moment ago," Nullik said, his eyes focused on ULf. Though now the playful mischief had returned to them.

ULf grunted out a laugh.

“I might've been one of them. Forgive me, brother?"

“Ugh, if I must." Nullik rolled his eyes as if him forgiving ULf was a regular occurrence and it wasn't usually the opposite way around.

“Oh, come on guys!" Gregory seemed to be the only one not pleased by ULf's offer. "I might not even be here for that long. Once we pass the provings, if we pass the provings, then my first priority is going to be to get the hell out of here. I mean I'm awfully grateful to you Lot for letting me join up, but I don't want to lead you and then leave you ten minutes Later."