For reasons Verona couldn't quite name, something between nerves and the odd pressure of being watched, the morning felt heavier than it should have. The training grounds were almost empty now. Only five people stood within the vast open field, including herself.
Elric stood a few paces away, arms loosely crossed, posture deceptively relaxed. Brielle waited beside him, practically bouncing with a kind of sisterly excitement. Zachren… well, Zachren looked like someone had dragged him out of bed, but he was present anyway. And Ardine completed the semicircle around her.
And then there was Verona herself.
Small, palms slightly sweating, heart doing an odd little thump-thump like a rabbit trying to hop its way out of her ribs.
She swallowed. Then immediately wished she hadn't because even the swallowing sounded loud.
"So…" Ardine drawled, the mage tapping her forefinger against her own arm, "whenever you're ready. No pressure."
