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

Chapter Thirty-One

There were a couple of things I quickly learned during this training exercise in the forest. The first was that my casual bike riding was not enough to build the stamina I needed to survive these trials.

The second? Luke was a punitive sadist, and Ciaran was a gleeful sadist. I'd dubbed them the Brothers de Sade.

We had set up a small camp in the forest, far from the temple and prying eyes. The trees closed in around us, a canopy of green casting dappled light over the clearing. It was peaceful here, a quiet far from Valenia's oppressive judgment.

Luke had me pulling back the string of a ten-pound bow—one of the easier ones he'd selected for me—but even with that, my arm felt like it was going to fall off. My shoulder screamed in protest as he forced my elbow out. When I forgot to do it on my own, I earned nice welts on my arm for my trouble. I'd hit the target a couple of times—not in the center, but at least I wasn't missing entirely. Luke, for all his grimness, seemed somewhat pleased.

But in truth, I doubted I could do this in a real-life situation. Throwing a soda or a ball with distance and accuracy was nothing like archery.

"Okay, stop for now," Luke finally said, pride gleaming in his eyes like I'd conquered a mountain. "We'll do this every day, no matter where we go."

The idea of training on the road made me want to lie down in the dirt and quit right there, but I nodded, willing my legs to stay steady. My shoulders ached, and all I wanted was for Dominic to wrap his arm around me again, like he had at the party.

Speaking of Dominic, a grunt from behind me made me turn. Ciaran had smacked him across the back with his wooden sword, sending him sprawling forward. Dominic's mystical sword had disappeared before he could impale himself on it.

"You lack stamina, my friend!" Ciaran crowed, circling Dom like a predator.

Dom struggled to his feet, his auburn hair plastered to his skull, his tunic drenched in sweat. The shield sputtered into existence on his arm, but Ciaran was relentless. He swung at Dom's stomach, and the shield vanished as soon as it had appeared.

"You cannot keep your guard or weapon," Ciaran scolded, smacking Dom's shoulders and back. "If you think you'll protect your lady," Smack! "and have her back in these trials," Swing! Smack! "you are wrong. Trial One will be the easiest, and it will break you if you do not get tougher."

I dropped my bow, starting toward them with anger swelling in my chest. Ciaran had no right to treat Dom like that, even if he was trying to push him to improve. But Luke grabbed my arm, whispering, "Stop. You'll destroy Dominic's dignity if you interfere."

I clenched my fists, but I listened. Dom was gulping air like it was the first time he'd breathed all day. He glanced at me, seeing Luke holding me back, and nodded.

"Okay," Dom gritted out, standing straighter.

Ciaran gave a sharp nod. "Good. En garde!"

I winced as Ciaran swung again, but Dom raised his sword just in time to parry. He was tired, and it showed, but his determination was enough to keep him upright.

I turned away, hating how helpless I felt, and caught sight of Adrian and Erick working together at the foot of a mountain near the edge of the clearing. Adrian was suspended by a cord, swinging from hold to hold and stabbing or throwing knives at  makeshift targets as he passed them. Sweat glistened on his brown skin as his muscles tensed with each leap.

Luis, meanwhile, was off on his own, lifting heavy stones and practicing katas. He'd proven himself proficient in climbing, vaulting, and swordplay, so he was left to his own devices. Not that he seemed to want company, anyway.