9 Sarah (1/2)

I walked through the hall, constantly shaken by the sudden idea of what I would have had to expect, while Mitsuko was still persistently holding my hand. How much of a coward were I in this very instant? The thought of her reading every concern of mine, which was going through my mind, made me feel beyond vulnerable.

As we suddenly stopped near an enormous gate, where four dragon heads were attached to it, I could see their eyes as they followed my every move.

”Here we are, girls. Robert Ukreni and Nathan Zirken are already inside,” Ms Frehall said.

All I could think of other than this absurd Syrda's test was her pointy ears and mystical grey eyes.

”I am an elf if this is what you are wondering about.”

”What? I mean no. I wasn't thinking you were, an elf?” I asked.

”Yes, I am a light elf, pointy ears, grey eyes, immortals. Aren't these signs ringing any bells to you?”

”If I might add, you're quite stunning too,” Mitsuko said.

”Of course, how didn't I think about it before,” I replied.

”You grew up in a nyrae society, we don't fraternize with them, so you've never seen one of us before, but for future reference don't stare at our ears. It's considered rude,” Ms Frehall said.

”Sure, I might have missed it in my etiquette class on don't stare at pointy ears, I'll make sure to remember it.”

”Ms Aleinher will explain everything once you're both inside.”

As she went away, I could see dirty gazes coming from Mitsuko.

”What did I do wrong now?” I asked.

”Elves don't understand sarcasm,” she said.

”I wasn't being sarcastic. I didn't know there was an elf code such as don't look at my ears.”

”And it's not the only one.”

”What is the other one? Don't stare at them in the eyes or they might slay you?”

”Yeah, something like what you said. Are you ready?”

Was I? I already completed one test, it was appalling the experience I had to go through and now I was going to do another one, which might have been quite similar.