Candidate's Rest stood amid a vast reed plain, its enormous trial grounds packed with candidates waiting for their trials.
Katrana grumbled the entire way, deeply displeased with these arrogant little blue people. Ever since that giant had attacked Rowan, resentment had been simmering inside her.
"What have these people got to be so smug about?" Katrana plucked several Darkling Lilies from a roadside flower bed and hurled them to the ground.
Sylvanas looked regretfully at the flowers crushed against the paving stones. "What did those flowers ever do to you?"
"I don't like them! What's it to you?" Katrana snorted.
Sylvanas rolled her eyes and moved to the front.
Having overheard their exchange, Rowan picked a few Darkling Lilies from the roadside grass and hurried over.
"Don't let your emotions get the better of you. A little impatience can ruin the whole plan. Here." Rowan handed Katrana the lilies.
Katrana grumbled, "They bully you, and you still speak up for them. Unbelievable."
Despite her complaints, her actions betrayed her. Katrana accepted the lilies and held them beneath her nose, inhaling gently.
"They smell lovely." The corners of Katrana's mouth rose slightly, though she forced herself to hide most of her delight.
"As long as they don't cross the line, it doesn't matter much. Don't forget, we're here on a mission," Rowan said.
Holding the flowers, Katrana shrugged and nodded. "All right, I know."
Seeing no sign that Katrana intended to cause trouble, Rowan hurried to catch up with the others.
Earlier, he had gone to relieve himself in an open space outside the trial grounds and spotted several enormous ether wyrms. The fright had nearly stopped him midstream.
I'm still too much of a coward. Damn it, I need to find some way to get stronger...
"Those roadside lilies smell