"Shit, is this going to wind up with me getting another set of fractured ribs?"

“Only if you're very lucky," Nullik said, shortly before bursting out

Laughing.

Ulla and Frelki's giggles raised into two peals of genuine laughter to join him. He turned quickly to see that Algra too was grinning whilst quite a few of the others were tactfully attempting to stifle their own laughs.

“What!? What is it? Guys, come on!"

The test of the alpha turned out to be something important enough to begin almost immediately; and yet something so obviously embarrassing or terrifying that no one would talk to him about it. He tried to get more information out of Algra, but she just smiled and told him that he was more than a match for such a test. That was at least a little reassuring, especially given Algra's general criticism of his capabilities in combat. Although he didn't really Like the way she kept smiling at him Like she might try to eat him at any minute. Usually he was quite fond of that look, since it often meant that they'd be naked and sweaty in short order, but right then in the face of the unknown it was downright alarming.

The fight between The Runts and The Berserkers had been the last match of the provings. The test of the alpha was therefore to begin immediately between all the pack alphas who had been marked to be proven orcs after the grand proving was over. Normally he wouldn't have been quite so worried about a test, but in the past tests had usually involved sitting at a desk and trying to remember algebra equations or what Shakespeare was trying to say. In his current circumstances, there was a very real chance that it could involve a fight to the death instead.

He was feeling pretty damn tense when one of the orc shamans showed up and he was Led out of the proving pits and through the camp alongside five other victorious orc alphas. Three were males, and two were female. All five were orcs he knew from the training glade, and all were exceptionally dangerous on the proving grounds. They walked alongside him with serious expressions for the test that was to come.

Their packs followed behind, and Gregory glanced back to see the somewhat reassuring sight of all the orcs speaking with each other in hushed tones. He didn't think his friends would be quite so relaxed with them if one of their alphas was about to try and put a knife through his throat. Although with orcs, you never could be sure what their reaction to gratuitous violence would be.

Throughout what seemed Like a very long walk, he occasionally reassured himself with the knowledge that he now owned all of Rolk's stuff.

Although he'd probably give most of it back to the orcs the big shithead had stolen it from, it was a nice thought to counterbalance his worries.

“Stand in line here with those who would speak for you." The shaman instructed them as they emerged before a line of sizable tents that were uncharacteristically nondescript.

Most of the tents in the camp usually carried the colours of their orc owners, as well as the markings that came with being lived in. The tents before them were canvas white. There were five of them, and at the sight of the dwellings a couple of his fellow alphas took steadying breaths and one began to hop on the spot as if prepping for a high degree of physical exertion.

Oh shit.

He was quick to do as he was told and stand in line, realising quite suddenly that no one had given him his weapons back. His shield would have been thoroughly welcomed right about then, but it seemed that whatever the task was that they needed to take it on bare handed.

What's more, there had been a mention of others speaking for him. What the hell was that all about? Did he have to select people? Algra helpfully answered this question by stepping up behind him and offering him a little wink before nodding in an indication that he should keep his eyes forward.

In front of them, the shaman stepped before the Line and assessed each alpha one by one. She was female, and somewhere in her early to mid thirties. A large wolf hide cloak settled about her shoulders, with the upper head of the animal resting atop her head like a crown with its ears poking upward. Its eyes had been removed and replaced with some sort of shining black pearl that made it look quite intimidating.

At least she wasn't Wren.

Though the shaman's attire was also distracting in other ways. Rather than anything that could be called genuine clothing, she simply seemed to have tied a series of leather straps about her breasts and her hips.

The straps were thick enough to keep her decent; but quite a bit of her body was on display, showing off the magical markings and patterns that the shamans etched upon their skin.