Page 15 of Spirit Trials

“This is your idea of fun.”

He throws back his head and laughs. “Aw, come on. Don’t you think this is even the least bit fun?”

I don’t crack a smile. “No, I don’t.” That makes him laugh more. I endure that training session and then another one from Hector that night and of course the running in the afternoon. Jamik is up for training duty first thing the next morning, and they repeat the process for the next few days.

In between sessions, I stay in my room. I don’t talk to the guys during my workouts, and I certainly don’t hang out with them in between. I’m angry and homesick. If I thought I could make it back home, I would sneak out. But I’m not stupid enough to think I could ever find my way back home on my own. And now that they’ve waved the carrot of 500 velders in front of me, I want to win. That much money? I can’t even imagine how much it could help my family.

I’ve just gotten back to my room after my workout with Lox when somebody knocks on my door. I open the door, surprised to see Rysden. I turn, giving him my back. I’m irritated that he hasn’t been around. I don’t really know why, and that irritates me even more. “If you’re looking for a welcome back, you’re not going to get it from me.”

“Good thing I wasn’t. Let's go.”

“Where?” I question. He starts walking away. “I just finished with Lox.”

“And now, you’ll train with me.”

I bite back my groan and follow him down to the training area. He puts me through the paces. We spend the first hour on weapons and transition into physical training. I run until I throw up. After a grueling session, I’m ready to head to my room; but Rysden stops me. “Where are you going?”

“To my room,” I tell him without looking back. I can barely keep one foot moving in front of the other.

“You need to eat first. The guys said you’re not eating enough.”

“If I eat, I’ll throw up. Again.”

“And?”

I glare at the back of his head as I follow him to the gathering area, knowing I’m not going to win. Lox and Hector are already seated at the long table. They both stop eating and watch as Rysden and I enter the large room. Lox smiles. “You’re finally going to eat with us?”

I scowl at him. “It’s not like I haven’t eaten.”

“A few pieces of fruit a day doesn’t count,” Lox says after going back to eating.

I want to argue with him but can’t find the energy. Instead, I grab a plate and walk over to the counter that’s laden with food. I take a few pieces of fruit and a piece of bread and small chunk of cheese. I turn to walk back to the table, but Rysden steps in front of me, blocking me. He takes a thick slab of meat off his plate and puts it on mine. “You need protein.”

I walk away from him without a word and sit at the table, a few seats down from Hector. Jamik joins us, and soon the four of them are talking. I tune them out as I eat. I have to force myself to eat, but I know Rysden’s right.

At dinner time, Rysden knocks on my door once again. “Time to eat.”

I scowl at him. “I don’t need you to get me every time it’s time to eat.”

“Don’t you?” he asks.

I bite my tongue and follow him. After eating, we head outside. “What are we doing out here?” I ask.

“You’ll see,” Rysden says super helpfully. I stop when he brings us to a big pool of water. “You ever swim before?”

“Yes.”

“Are you good at it?” he asks, looking over at me.

“I can keep from drowning.”

He nods. “Hop in.”

“Right now?” It’s cold out; I’m already shivering. Rysden just watches me. I look down at my clothes, still Jamik’s. They’re going to weigh me down, but I don’t say anything. I wade into the water before squealing and jumping right back out. “It’s freezing.”

“Get in.”

“It’s freezing. I’ll get sick.”