The courtyard had scarcely settled after Hawk's victory over Master Baelor when another figure wandered into the training circle.
Garret.
He walked with the same lazy gait he always wore, hands buried inside his pockets, shoulders slightly hunched as though the world bored him.
A yawn escaped him.
"So..." he muttered. "Guess it's my turn."
The atmosphere shifted.
Unlike the excitement that had greeted Baelor, an uneasy silence fell over the instructors.
Master Oren frowned.
Baelor rubbed his aching shoulder.
Even Principal Athenok narrowed his eyes.
Only the students seemed confused.
Thane scratched his head. "Why's everyone acting weird?"
Conor noticed it too. "...They're nervous."
Garret finally stopped several paces before Hawk.
He removed one hand from his pocket.
"Garret."
"Hawk."
Neither bowed immediately.
They simply stared.
For the first time since arriving at Blue Leaf Academy.
