The Story of the Trees - Sword, Ring, and Crown Book One

Chapter Thirty

Space. That's what Valenia had promised us.

Did we get it?

Not even close.

"We're not putting up with this," I said, glaring across the training grounds.

The grounds themselves were impressive: vast with marble bleachers soaring high around us. It was clear the place wasn't just for training but also for festivals and other grand events. But right now, the entire field was occupied by Marisol and Regina's camps. They had spread their troops across most of the grounds, leaving my group with nothing but a sliver of space.

It wasn't just the space, either. They had dozens of warriors—fully armored and armed to the teeth. Their banmuinen were in helmets shaped like jaguars and dragons, chain mail glinting in the sun, spears gripped tight in their hands. The clash of steel echoed as they practiced like an army preparing for war.

Meanwhile, our tiny group was crammed into a corner with barely enough room to breathe.

"What are we supposed to do with this?" Dom muttered, eyeing our meager space.

I glanced at Luke, who stood grim-faced, his gaze sweeping over the unfair division of the field. "Luke, why do we keep looking like schmucks compared to these chicks?"

He shrugged. "The High Priestess decides who gets what. It's clear she has her favorites."

"That's an understatement," Elsie muttered, folding her arms as she watched the precision of the other teams—how they moved in synchronization, like a well-oiled machine. It was intimidating, no doubt about it.

"Well, screw this," I said, tossing my helmet back onto the ground. "We're not training here."

Everyone turned to me in confusion.

"Where, then?" Dom asked.

I gestured to the door. "We'll train outside. We'll go to that forest I saw outside the gates. I'm sure we can find a clearing, and no one's going to crowd us."

"That's not allowed," Luke said, and I remembered again that he told me to follow the rules. Still, he looked like he was considering the alternative at the moment. 

"Since when do we follow their rules?" I replied, puffing my chest up in defiance, trying to will him into joining me. "Besides, if Valenia Stickbutt doesn't want us to practice in her precious temple, we'll go where we're not an eyesore."

Ciaran chuckled and threw his arm around me. "I love your mind, Princess." Then he smirked, his gaze sweeping down my form, "And other things about you... but mostly your mind."

I elbowed him for his sleaziness, and he chuckled again before releasing me. 

It was great to see my team fall in step behind me. Their expressions ranged from amusement to approval, and a few of them—like Luis—seemed downright eager to defy Valenia.

"Where are you going?" Valenia demanded, glaring at us as we opened the door.

I turned to face her, refusing to back down. "We're going somewhere we actually have room to train."

"You've been given a space," she said coldly, gesturing to the cramped corner we were supposed to use. "If you choose not to use it, that's your decision, but you will not leave the temple grounds. All training must be done here under supervision."

Dom stepped forward, crossing his arms. "This isn't a space—it's a joke."

Valenia's eyes flashed with annoyance that I thought was both directed at me deciding to leave, and Dom for daring to address her so brazenly, but she didn't move from her spot. "You will stay here or not train at all."