Silence reached over and took one of my hands, squeezing it. “I think you did an amazing job,” he said reassuringly.
I smiled at him too, but couldn’t stop the shaking or the tears.
I missed Blackclaw and Silence’s test as I slowly recovered from the anxiety of my own. The three of us were the last to be tested since those who’d Bonded first were tested first.
Then… we were all called down to the yard. This was it, the moment the Nobles would pick their new House members. And again, it would go in order, so I would be close to last. I was so nervous I could barely stand; shaking and weak. Blackclaw supported me.
Cedar — now called Swan — was chosen for the Royal House. I was certain if we met again, I’d never hear the end of that. Oak — now Badger — was chosen for House Pterolycus. I hoped I wouldn’t be anywhere near him. Creek — now Cougar — was selected by Panther House.
There were a few, perhaps five, who were not chosen. The silence after their name was called, deafening. And so… it came to me.
“Legs and Auwei, spider avatar!” the herald called out. The Heads of the Noble Houses, now all standing, were silent. No one rushed forward to claim me. I even saw Skyfire shake her head slowly. Lady Tanuki shuddered. Time stretched as the herald counted in his head the thirty seconds the Nobles would have to step forward and say… anything really.
“And—” the herald began. My heart constricted in that split second before… a voice cut him off.
“I’ll take her!”
I looked to see Maverick had stepped forward, that strapping body of his was apparently quick as well as strong. He grinned down at me. “The others may not want a spider in their House, but I think you’ve got potential.”
Potential? I’d take that.
I had to reply and say whether or not I accepted his offer, but my heart was thundering and I couldn’t speak. A part of me hoped that now that he’d stepped forward, others would as well… but that didn’t happen.
“Say yes!” Blackclaw hissed at me.
“Yes!” I blurted.
And that was that. I’d committed now. I would be a Noble of the outcast and misfit House… Maverick.
Great.
Better than nothing,Auwei said, with the equivalent of a mental shrug.
And she was right, it was.
Maverick nodded and stepped back in line with a smile. I’d been his first pick of the day. I could practically hear Swan’s derisive laughter.
I was so lost in my own world I didn’t hear who chose Blackclaw, only that she said “Yes,” and seemed excited. I blinked, turning to her.
“Who?” I asked.
“She’s a bear,” Silence said. “So, who do you think? Grizzly of course.”
“Ah.”
Then Silence himself was called. Again, there was a long pause before… Maverick stepped forward. “Come to my House, little mouse. We’ve a place for you!”
Silence blinked in surprise, then looked at me with a wide grin. “We’d be…”
“In the same House, yes,” I said, excited. “Say yes.”
“Yes!”
Maverick stepped back.
That was it, the end of the Noble Tests… and all three of us had been chosen; Silence and I were even in the same House!
We three looked at each other and suddenly were whooping and hollering — among some others who were doing the same — hugging and jumping and celebrating.
