Now limping he took a few steps back. Rella had in on the defensive but she was afraid he may drop off the branch and she would have to fly after him. In the air she would be easily taken over. He didn’t drop though and when she jumped on him he was only barely able to struggle out of her grasp. In the mean time she had bitten down on his back, ripping out fur and making him bleed. Her claws sunk into his shoulders and hind legs and she clawed at him until he screamed for mercy. “
Enough.” A sharp growl came from the back of the crowd. Instantly Rella pushed off of the male and they both sat there waiting for the speaker to approach. She shot a side glance and saw that the male was bleeding pretty badly, but she could see the healer making her way through the crowd in order to help him. “
Pastel,” They both said, bowing their head in respect. “
You’ve proven that you can protect yourself should the time come.” The woman started, not wasting any time. “
Poor bumble here will be bearing your scars forever it seems.” She said the smallest hint of praise in her voice. “
I watched your ability to evade your enemy and strategize your next move based on the resources you have around you, you were also able to protect yourself when you became cornered.” She continued, her eyes passed over bumble who was starting to look better now that the healer was working on him. “
Bumble proved to be a worthy opponent, knowing your weaknesses and forcing you to improvise. If you wish, I would have you become a guard, or you may pursue another profession if you like.” Rella’s eyes shined and pride swelled inside her. She had been training for so long it was a great release to know that it was finally over. She had gone into training hoping to be a guard too; she would not pass up this offer. “
I would love to work with you and the other members of the guard.” She replied, Pastel gave her a small nod before turning and disappearing back into the crowd. Rella was exhausted and wondered if others had such a tiring final exam. She knew they did, she had seen a few first hand and they usually came back bloody and broken. Faintly she wondered if any had come back and fought like she had. Before she headed off she turned to bumble. “
Sorry for…” she trailed off looking at his wounds. “
Don’t worry about it,” he said softly. “
You're good at fighting, its only right that you would show it off.” He added with a smile. The healer had left and most of his minor wounds had disappeared, his paw was still bound and his back had bandages on it. “
Go rest and I’ll see you in a few days on guard duty.” He said shooing her away. Rella drug herself back to her den and slumped down in her nest. She only barely noticed the fruit in the corner before she dozed off. Her stomach was growling but she was too tired to care about eating just yet.
* * *