There was silence in the chamber. The three Elders whispered to one another in their respective tongues—dwarvish, elvish, and beastkin speech. After a few moments, Syldora rose.
Syldora:
"Jon, son of two worlds. Your strength is undeniable. But so is the danger of your existence. We've seen how humans treat our kind. We cannot blindly trust the child of a race that has hunted us for generations."
Jon:
"I don't ask for trust. Only for a chance."
Dominic (scratching his beard):
"Chance, eh? Sounds like a man with no other cards to play."
Ursula (thoughtfully):
"…But he didn't have to bring her. Didn't have to fight without killing. That matters."
Syldora (firmly):
"Then we shall place judgment in balance."
The elf elder raised his hand, and Jon's shackles loosened, falling to the floor.
Syldora:
"For one moon's cycle, you shall remain here under supervision. You will aid our people, learn our customs, and prove your intent. If, at the end of this trial, you are found worthy—"
Ursula:
"—then you may stay. And Asha may remain with you, if she so chooses."
Jon gave a slow nod.
Jon:
"I accept."
Asha smiled with quiet relief, and for a moment, even Dominic's usual scowl softened.
As they led him to his new quarters under watch, Jon looked back at the Elders—and silently promised himself:
One day, I'll earn your trust. And I'll protect this place… like it's my own.