Tharion sat quietly, weaving a basket with steady hands.
Or at least… they appeared steady.
His thoughts were anything but.
The fibers slipped slightly between his fingers as his mind wandered, unease settling deep in his chest. He exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself.
Then—
A knock.
Tharion froze for a brief moment before rising to his feet.
His heart began to pound. His palms felt damp.
Step by step, he walked to the door and opened it.
The moment he saw the Snake Chief, a breath he didn't realize he was holding escaped him.
Relief washed over his face.
"Follow me," the Snake Chief said, his tone stern and unreadable.
But as he turned away, a faint smile curved on his lips—unseen by Tharion.
After all…
It wouldn't be so easy to stand beside Ardis.
Tharion followed in silence, his expression tightening again, tension returning to his shoulders.
Back in the hut, Ardis sat waiting.
At first, her hands had been clenched tightly in her lap, her heart racing with anticipation.
But as time stretched on, something unexpected happened.
Her nervousness began to fade.
It dulled into a strange calm, as if she had already crossed the hardest part.
Outside—
Tharion's steps came to a halt.
He wasn't allowed to go any further.
Standing before him were her fathers.
Sorin stepped forward first, clearing his throat lightly.
"You'll have to pass each of our tests before you can go any further," he said, his voice firm.
Sylas nodded in agreement, his gaze sharp but not unkind. "You've known Ardis before. You've said you like her." He paused briefly. "So this will be about our Ardis."
Behind them, the Snake Chief watched, a satisfied smile resting on his face.
Tradition was being honored.
Tharion straightened slightly and bowed his head respectfully.
"I understand."
This was expected.
In their customs, the family of the female tested the one who sought her hand.
And Tharion… had no intention of failing.
"Let me go first."
Sorin stepped forward, his expression gentle—almost too gentle.
Tharion barely had time to register it.
Without warning, Sorin's fist shot forward.
Fast.
Direct.
Tharion's instincts kicked in. He shifted his weight and dodged just in time, the punch cutting through the air where his face had been.
Silence followed for a brief second.
Then Sorin nodded in approval.
"Good," he said calmly. "Always stay on guard."
His test was done.
Sylas stepped forward next.
"Mine is simple," he said. "A question."
Tharion straightened slightly, listening carefully.
"What does Ardis like to do the most… and what does she like to eat?"
Tharion didn't hesitate.
"She likes to nap… and eat fruits."
A faint image crossed his mind—Ardis curled lazily in the sunlight in her snake form, completely at ease. And the way she would quietly pick fruits, eating them with small, content bites.
Sylas studied him for a moment.
Then nodded.
Varos stepped forward.
A grin tugged at his lips.
"Don't worry," he said. "Mine will be easier."
Looking at his broad, muscular frame, it was clear that "easy" meant something entirely different to him.
Tharion tensed.
And he was right.
Without warning, Varos moved.
Fast.
Tharion had been watching him closely, but that wasn't enough.
From the side, Vaeris suddenly rushed in, his movement sharp and unexpected.
A punch came straight toward Tharion.
Tharion reacted quickly, raising his arms to block.
The impact was heavy.
His body slid back slightly from the force.
Before he could regain full balance—
Varos struck.
A solid punch landed against his face.
Almost at the same time, Vaeris swept in and delivered a kick to his side.
A sharp pain spread through his body.
Still—
Tharion didn't retaliate.
He only defended.
Endured.
After a few more controlled strikes, Varos and Vaeris stepped back, watching him closely.
Tharion straightened slowly, steadying his breath, his posture firm despite the hits he had taken.
There was no anger in his eyes.
Only resolve.
"Now, my turn."
Ravik stepped forward, not giving Tharion even a moment to recover.
The pressure didn't ease.
It only grew.
Ravik stepped forward, holding a bundle in his hand.
"You know Ardis has been learning about herbs," he said calmly. "So tell me, what are the uses of these?"
He laid out ten herbs in front of Tharion.
The air grew still.
Tharion lowered his gaze, studying them carefully.
He recognized five immediately.
Two… he wasn't entirely sure about.
And the remaining three—
He had never seen them before.
For a brief moment, a thought crossed his mind.
It would've been easier if they just beat me again.
Still, he didn't hesitate.
He began answering, naming what he knew, the uses, the properties, the way they were prepared. When he reached the ones he didn't recognize, he paused.
"I don't know these," he admitted honestly.
Ravik watched him closely.
Then gave a small nod.
Borin stepped forward next, a light smile on his face.
"Don't worry," he said. "Mine is simple."
Tharion didn't relax.
"Can Ardis fish?" Borin asked. "And does she prefer fish or deer meat? Also… can she fight?"
The questions sounded casual.
But they weren't.
Each one tested something different.
Tharion thought briefly, then answered:
"She likes fish… but prefers deer meat."
A faint memory surfaced—Ardis talking with her brothers by the river, complaining about fish bones pricking her mouth, even though she enjoyed the taste.
"And she can fight," he added. "I've seen her train."
A pause.
Then—
Sylas stepped forward, his gaze sharpening.
"You've been spying on her?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
The others' expressions hardened, their presence pressing down on Tharion like a weight.
Tharion straightened, forcing himself to remain calm under their piercing stares.
"No, sir," he said firmly. "I heard her speaking by the river… and I've seen her training with the Chief and elders. Nothing more."
The silence stretched.
For a moment, it felt suffocating.
Then—
The tension eased slightly as they withdrew their killing intent.
The Snake Chief clicked his tongue, looking at Tharion's face.
"Look at him," he said, almost pitying. "His cheeks are already swollen."
He glanced at the others. "What if Ardis sees this?"
A pause.
Then he added, half-chuckling, "You should've hit him where it wouldn't be seen. When it was Averin's turn, we beat Maelor properly—and gave him fur to cover it."
For a brief second, amusement flickered in his eyes, as if recalling something.
Then he stopped himself.
Some memories were better left unsaid.
"Follow me. We're already late."
The Snake Chief didn't wait for a response as he turned and walked ahead.
The others stepped aside, finally allowing Tharion to pass.
Tharion bowed his head slightly before moving forward, his steps steady despite the lingering pain in his body.
Behind him, the fathers watched him go.
Borin scratched the back of his head. "Did we… hit him too hard?"
"Too hard?" Sorin snorted. "I was beaten black and blue during my turn."
Sylas folded his arms, expression firm. "If he grows resentful over something like this, then he lacks the mindset required. He wouldn't be worthy."
Varos laughed, clearly amused. "Still, he did well. Took every hit without complaint. That's something."
They all fell silent for a moment, watching Tharion's retreating figure.
It was fortunate for him…
That the most difficult ones weren't present.
Kaeris.
And Aeron.
Aeron, as her father, had responsibilities for the ritual preparations. Otherwise… things might have been much harsher.
Meanwhile, Tharion followed behind the Snake Chief as they made their way toward the center of the village.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Not because of the pain,
But because of what awaited him.
His heartbeat grew louder with every step.
At the center, Averin spotted them first.
A knowing smile spread across her face.
"Ardis," she called out, her voice light but clear. "Look who it is."
Ardis, who had only just managed to calm herself, froze.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Slowly… she turned.
And just like that,
All her nervousness came rushing back.