“Do you know what you're supposed to do today?" Gregory asked him.

“Sure I do."

“Then don't worry about it. They're just wasting energy, and they're sure as hell going to need it."

Nullik looked back across the pit to where The Berserkers were sparring. They looked pretty damn energetic to him, but his alpha's confidence was at least somewhat reassuring.

The Berserkers stopped their vicious dance when Ulag appeared in his viewing box, and the entire proving grounds seemed to go silent when

Grolfir appeared beside him. At this point, Algra stood up before the warchief could take his seat. The huge orc clearly had not expected this, and he barely concealed a frown before walking to the edge of the viewing box and placing his hand on the guard rail to look down at his niece.

"Do you wish to speak, Algra Strongblood?" he asked.

In response, Algra bowed with an uncharacteristic degree of respect and deference that relaxed Grolfir's features. He wouldn't have put it past her to challenge him right there and then, and she was one of the few warriors who would actually trouble him in a fight. So her subdued attitude was appreciated.

“Warchief," she began slowly, “It is my wish today that if the pack known as The Runts stands in victory, that I should rejoin the people.

I have given myself to Gregory Hopkins, and I long to fight beside him in battle."

That sent quite a few murmurs through the assembled masses.

"You cannot fight in a proving!" Rolk bellowed.

The outburst brought a fresh silence over the pit, as Algra turned her head slowly toward the enraged pup and narrowed her eyes at him in a stare Lined with cold fire.

"I do not wish to fight today, Little one. I am already proven, am I not? I ask only my uncle and my war chief's permission to join my mate's pack when he stands victorious here today."

That brought a few Laughs from the crowd, especially at Algra's use of the term "little one" for the unproven orc standing before her. Rolk very nearly lost himself to his fury in that moment, but turned to face

Gregory at the Last moment with bloody murder set in his gaze.

Grolfir didn't quite blame Rolk for thinking that Algra was asking to join Gregory in the provings. He might have even entertained the idea if she was intent on joining The Runts, as there was certainly precedent for it. As someone who had abandoned the people, it wasn't even set in stone that she was proven anymore. Not to mention that just seeing the mere difference in muscle mass between the two packs in the pits made it seem Like The Runts would need all the help they could get soon enough.

“Algra Strongblood," he finally addressed her directly.

“If your chosen mate should win today, you shall have your wish. Would any here challenge it?" The crowd was once again utterly silent. "Good then. Let us begin, proving master?"

With that, Grolfir took his seat beside Ulag's as the older orc stood up and raised his arms to begin the fight.