Page 89 of Daughter of the Serpent

With a raised hand, he silenced the crowd, his voice resonating across the square.

"Brothers and sisters," his words boomed, enveloping the gathered throng. "The hour has arrived."

He cast his gaze across the assembly, his eyes alight with purpose. "The gods have spoken, and the trials are set to commence with the next full moon."

Whispers erupted, each of the candidates shifting in anticipation and excitement. This was what they all had been working towards their whole lives.

Sylvie looked to Godvik, and he squeezed her hand in acknowledgement - all suspicions were now confirmed, and Sylvie was soon to be out of time.

"In the coming days, clans from across the land will come to vie for honor and glory, and to feast in celebration together." Rederickdeclared, his voice ringing with conviction, “The bravest among you, will then venture forth to the island of the gods, where the trials await."

With a sweeping gesture, Rederick indicated the mountainous peaks that loomed on the horizon across the sea, their presence a foregleam into what awaited.

"Warriors, you should prepare yourselves," he said, "For the trials will test your strength, your cunning, and your resilience. But fear not, for those who do triumph will succeed in taking their sacred place as one of the Drengr and hold the blessing of the gods themselves.”

Cheers erupted from the assembly, the young and old raising their arms and voices in elation.

"But before that, let us celebrate.” His eyes gleamed. “Tonight we will host the feast of rekindling in our delegates' honor. All warriors of the light will be reunited with their families and loved ones for their blessings and good will before they set sail.”

The people’s excitement spilled over like a cup overflowing. For all the delegates, this was the time they had all been waiting for - to finally prove their worth and valor to the gods.

Despite the excitement, Sylvie’s heart sank.

Would she be chosen?

Would she survive and become one of the Drengr?

She felt the subtle brush of someone's shoulder against hers, the warmth of breath tickling the side of her cheek. Raising her gaze, she met Haldor's eyes. Unlike his usual smirk, his lips were drawn into a tight line, and the mischievous gleam in his gaze had been replaced by a seriousness that mirrored the tension she felt.

Haldor’s voice dropped, barely more than a breath. “How do you feel?”

“I don’t know,” Sylvie admitted, her voice fragile, uncertainty rippling beneath. “I used to dream about a moment like this, but it was just that - a dream. Something meant for others, not for me. Now that it’s real... everything’s changed.”

Haldor’s expression tightened, his gaze searching hers. “To be honest, I’m afraid.”

Her brow furrowed, concern etching her features. “Afraid? You’re one of the bravest warriors I know, Haldor. What could you possibly fear?”

His jaw clenched, muscles twitching beneath his skin as he looked away, an invisible weight pressing down on his shoulders. “It’s not for me that I fear.” he admitted, his hands tensing until his knuckles whitened.

The realization struck Sylvie like a blow. “Haldor...” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Around them, the crowd began to disperse, their cheers ringing out as they clapped each other on the back, their excitement swelling in waves. Even Godvick looked bright, his eyes crinkling at the corners as his smile widened as he approached the other elders in conversation. But Sylvie's world had shrunk to the space between her and Haldor - charged, brittle, on the edge of shattering.

“You’re not ready, Sylvie,” he cut in, his voice suddenly rough. “This could be your death. And for what? You need torun.”

A voice deep inside rose at his words. The voice that plagued her, that told her daily how she was never enough. That she couldn’t do this.

But something was different this time.

Axel’s words flashed through her mind.

She had to choose. Not what everyone else around her wanted for her, for her life - but for herself.

She clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing as the determination set in.

“I’m not the little girl you once knew, Haldor. I don’t need your protection, and if you can’t see that - if you think so little of me - then maybe it’s best we take this time apart.” Her voice sharpened, like a blade slicing through the air between them. “I don’t need your doubt right now. I need your belief. I need your support. If you can’t give me that, then stay out of my way.”

Haldor’s eyes widened with surprise, his shock at her words instantly cutting through his composure.