Alayne walks towards the long hut, anxious beads of sweat making their way down her face. Upon entering her home for the first time in a week, a single arrowhawk is all that remains in the war room. It flies to her shoulder, dropping a small letter into the palm or her hand. The letter simply states. In crude handwriting.

'Training grounds'

"Alright, I guess"

Alayne gives the Arrowhawk a head scratch and continues to the other end of the hut, exiting out to the side into the training grounds. There, she can spot Titan, Baldwin Craig, his son, Ferg, and a number of tribe officials, she had expected to spar someone today, but not Baldwin himself. Why wouldn't she just be able to fight Ferg?

"We all know what you're thinking, Miss Alayne. How fair would it be for you to fight someone your own age as the only candidate for leader of the tribe? My son is here only to decide if you are worthy of being his wife." Baldwin smiles, patting Ferg on the shoulder, who has just been sitting on a drum, staring intently at Alayne. 

"I thank you for the opportunity for a challenge, Baldwin, to be able to spar with one of the only people on par with my father in strength is an honor, I wouldn't dream to complain." Alayne bows respectfully, in perfect form as she always has.

At the end of the day it didn't matter who she had to fight. She was getting her freedom and the right to lead the tribe today, no matter what.

Baldwin moves into the center of the training circle, Alayne does the same. Alayne has watched hundreds of spars in this same circle, it is only used for warriors who wish to prove their strength to the tribesguard to join their ranks.

The battle begins without warning, as Baldwin rushes Alayne, arms turning crimson and horns sprouting from his head. His horns are not the most impressive in size but his strength was enough to get him to where he is now. 

Alayne matches him, running forward quickly and locking hands with Baldwin, each trying to overpower the other in strength. Except, Alayne has yet to use any power from the heat. Her arms retain their caramel complexion as she actually begins to push Baldwin back, more and more people are noticing the battle and a crowd is forming.

Alayne continues pushing Baldwin back. With more and more force, her physical strength was always considered her only talent, with her training hard every single day to appease her strict father. 

Baldwin's arms glow more as scales begin to appear, his fingertips growing into bloody claws as he attempts to force her back. His nails try to dig into her skin, razor sharp and capable of cutting into steel, they find no purchase on Alayne's honed body. Baldwin struggles and struggles, but ultimately he is pushed to the outer edge of the circle. This marks the end of the physical strength test.

Baldwin spits, and kicks up some of the dirt around him. 

"The next testl will not be so easy, Alayne."

Baldwin reaches outward, a long sword forming within his palm. He takes hold of the hilt, swinging it around a few times with ease.

"Now is the time for real combat, girl."