Cullen Rutherford's hands were sweaty and shaking, and he had a sense of impending doom in his gut. He was overlooking his first Harrowing...and by "overlooking", he meant he'd be the executioner if the apprentice failed. It didn't help that said apprentice was one he admired from afar, Carand Surana. He'd often catch himself staring at the elf, but he quickly put that out of his mind and reminded himself that if Carand failed, he's have to kill him to keep the demon from escaping.
He wondered how First Enchanter Irving and Knight Commander Greagoir would be able to tell if Carand succeeded. His hands were now shaking more. His sword felt heavy and awkward in his grip, even still sheathed. He didn't want to have to put down a mage, but he reminded himself that he would do it to protect the greater good.
He snapped to attention when Irving walked in with Carand. Carand still wore his apprentice robes, and didn't wear the silly hat that some mages did. Good. Carand's hair was probably too long to even fit under it.
"Are you ready, Carand?" Irving asked, even though there was no going back now. But Carand nodded quickly.
"Been ready." Cullen believed it.
"Then step to the lyrium and begin," Irving commanded. Carand did so, then collapsed. Cullen tensed up, at ready to draw his sword at any moment. After a long and grueling time, Irving nodded.
"He's passed. The demon is gone."
Everyone seemed to relax at this, so Cullen did too. But one hand stayed on his sword's hilt until Carand was carried out of the room.
"...You did a good job," Greagoir stated to him. "Even if it was not needed this time, it's good to see someone willing to step in and slay whatever demon may appear."
Oh how little he knew.