[color=f49ac2][b]Mary T’ashar[/b][/color] 

[color=f49ac2]“First!”[/color] A strangled whisper escaped Mary’s lips. 

There wasn’t time for anything else, before Mary could force her brain back into motion to ask further questions, Lady Gwynn was called forward to begin her trial and Mary left reaching her hand out, silently pleading for the young woman not to leave. But of course, Lady Gwynn never did let fear (or sometimes common sense) get to her, and the young woman rather impressivley strode with her jaw set to her trial. The Guards and Priests then worked like frenzied ants under the glowering gaze of their queen, Mother Dula, pushing Mary to either side of the atrium with other participants and furniture alike.

Even from the sidelines watching Lady Gwynns trail was…an experience; the air between Mother Dula, high upon her stage, and Lady Gwynn, examining the items on her trial table, damn near rippled with the contempt the pair had for each other. The cryptic test did nothing to calm Mary’s worries or the questions spinning in her skull. She focused her gaze upon Lady Gwynn, watching the young woman intently with several silent prayers to the Moon and Sun she would succeed. Mary didn’t even notice the Monk stalking Lady Gwynn until the young woman had struck the Monk hard in the chest and Mary’s heart suddenly leapt into her throat with a little yelp. But it seemed however that Lady Qwynn had passed her test and Mary let herself breathe again.

Mary meanwhile found the ordeal had illustrated to her the nature of this place, and the hidden dangers that could be hiding around every corner, and she looked over her shoulder at the brick walls behind her. 

[color=f49ac2][i]Now I’m just being paranoid.[/i][/color] She chastised herself. [color=f49ac2][i]Jumping at shadows and imagined dangers when I should instead focus on the real ones, right beside me![/i][/color]

Her gaze slid away from Lady Gwynn approaching an Egg, Mary surprised herself with a small pang of jealousy, and to the Dwarf beside her. He wasn’t much taller than her but the gold eyes she could just make out from his dazzling red hair and beard did lend themselves to his overall imposing figure. Interestingly, he wore gems of a similar red inlaid into his clothing, suggesting to Mary he was someone of wealth or at least fairly high standing. Could he be friend or foe? There was only one way to know.

[color=f49ac2]“So, what do you make of this all then?”[/color] She asked the dwarf quietly. Her mouth was uncomfortably dry, and her voice shook under the effort trying to sound calm, as if she didn’t see someone try to stab another person right in front of her. [color=f49ac2]“Any thoughts on what your trial could be? My only hope is it doesn’t include a murderous monk.”[/color] She forced out a quiet laugh that was as convincing as she was tall.