Page 11 of Spirit Trials (The Spirit Kingdoms #1)

I swallow. “Got it. Don’t say anything about the evil tyrant.” Lox just shakes his head. “Back to my original question. Why do I have to compete when I’m obviously not from here?”

Lox runs his hand over the back of his head and looks at Rysden. “You're here now, Farrah,” Rysden says. “And to stay here, you’re going to have to compete in the spirit trials.”

“But I don’t want to stay here. Let me just go back home. Why do I have to compete? This isn’t my kingdom. I don’t have one of those spirit animals. I’m not—”

“The King knows you’re here now, and he has demanded you compete.” Rysden's words are like a blow to my chest.

Lox’s expression softens. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to do everything in our power to prepare you to survive.”

“Not survive,” Rysden says. “Win.” He meets my eyes. “If you win, it doesn’t matter whether or not you produce a spirit animal. You get to stay in the kingdom.”

I huff out a laugh. “Win? Yeah right.”

I see movement out of the corner of my eye and turn to see Hector and Jamik join us. Jamik leans against the wall casually. “Wanted to see what we were missing.”

“Oh, you’re not missing much. Just that if I don’t produce a spirit animal, I’m going to die. So yeah. Great conversation.” Jamik has the decency to grimace. “Exactly.” I cross my arms across my chest. “It’s been nice knowing you guys.”

“You don’t get killed if you don’t produce a spirit animal,” Rysden says in a low voice. “Besides, you’re going to win.”

I shake my head. This guy. “ It’s impossible without a spirit animal,” I protest. “Lox just showed me how much stronger you are with a spirit animal. I don’t have one.”

“Not impossible,” Rysden says without looking away from me. “It will be the most difficult thing you’ve ever done. But it is possible to win without a spirit wolf. “

“How do you know?” I cut off his tirade.

He doesn’t look away from me. “Because I did it.”

The room goes unnaturally still. “I’m confused. You don’t have a spirit wolf?”

“No.”

“You won the spirit trials without a spirit wolf? When?” I demand.

“Four years ago, and you will too.”

I scoff. “I don’t know if you know physics and all that, but I haven’t got any of all that going on that you have,” I say motioning up and down his body.

Lox belts out a laugh that I ignore. I put my hands on my hips.

“And just why would I do this? You took me away from my home, from my family. I have nothing. Why would I even bother to do this?”

Rysden steps close, and I fight the urge to back up. “The winner gets 500 velders.”

I freeze. “What?”

His dark gaze meets mine. “You heard me.”

“But that’s...that’s...”

“Enough to set your family up for life?”

I stare at him as I try to process what he’s saying. That much money would change everything for my family. I could actually buy medicine for my mom. We could move to a city where life is a little easier. I take a breath. “Okay. What do I do to win?”

Lox pulls a chair around and straddles it. “Every year, we host the Spirit Trials in our kingdom, since it’s the largest of the three kingdoms.”

Dread fills my stomach. “There’s more than just the Wolf Kingdom?” He nods. “I’m going to guess that those kingdoms are some kind of wild animal too, aren’t they?”

His nod confirms it. “The other two kingdoms are the Jaguar Kingdom and the Dragon Kingdom.” I swear I can feel the blood drain from my face at his words.

“All three kingdoms send their competitors to the Wolf Kingdom every year for the Spirit Trials. The Spirit Trials are a series of three trials designed to make a spirit animal come forth.”

“So, I’ll be competing against other nineteen-year-olds that can produce a spirit wolf, jaguar, or even a freaking dragon?” Lox nods and continues. “Yeah, but the dragons never make a showing.”

How is this my life? I take a steadying breath, trying to keep my cool. “Okay, so there’s three kingdoms.”

“You know enough for now,” Rysden says from behind me.

“It’s training time.” There’s a part of me that wants to defy him; the other part of me, the one that likes living, reminds me that I need all the help I can get if I’m going to survive these stupid trials.

The other guys disappear as we get to work.

I don’t say a word the entire time Rysden trains me, mostly because I can’t.

I’ve never been pushed like this before.

I’ve always been somewhat fit because of hunting and daily life in my village, but it’s nothing like the gamut Rysden runs me through from weapons training, to conditioning, to hand-to-hand combat.

..which I’m terrible at, by the way. The hours drag by.

When I can’t move another muscle, he finally dismisses me.

I drag my weary body over to the stairs.

“Farrah,” he calls out. I turn back. He’s not even sweating; I hate him.

“What?” I snap.

“I’m going to be gone for a few days again. The guys will take over your training. Learn from them and work hard. Train after breakfast and each night after dinner and then run in the afternoons. The guys will know the schedule; I'm just letting you know.”

I stare at him for a moment before turning and walking away without a word. All I know is that I want a hot bath and sleep. The next morning, it’s Lox that knocks on my door. “Let me guess,” I say upon opening my door. “You’re my torturer today.”

Lox grins. “Torturer? Nah. We’re going to have fun.”

About halfway through our training time, I turn to him. “I get now why you’re still single.”

“You do?” he asks with a smirk. “Enlighten me.”

“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.”

He levels his stare at me. “I can guarantee you will have a water challenge. The water will be just as cold.” I look down at the water again. “For the first time, you just have to stay in for sixty seconds.” His voice isn’t as intense this time.

I swallow my retort and walk down into the water, shivering as I do. “Are you counting?” I ask as my teeth chatter.

“You have to go all the way under before the time starts.”

I grit my teeth and take a breath before plunging into what feels like ice cold water. I emerge a second later and throw my hair back. “I hate you,” I mutter.

“So, you’ve said.”

“How long has it been?” I ask through chattering teeth.

He takes his precious time. “Twelve seconds.” I groan out loud. “Focus on moving, to keep yourself warm.”

“There's nothing I could do in here to keep myself warm, Rysden,” I say as I level a scowl at him. But seeing as I’m literally freezing, I try ducking under the water again.

I swear the breath freezes in my lungs; it’s so cold.

I let my anger at Rysden burn through me while I stay under water—anger at my circumstances, at the king, at this entire situation.

Finally, when my lungs can’t take it any longer, I burst through the water.

I refuse to ask Rysden how long it’s been.