what a warrior would do | a Mulan au

11 | a wedge between sisters

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◾~Nya's POV~◾

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I had decided to accept the fact that me and Skylor would be unable to avoid Jay efficiently. I no longer cared if he found out the truth about us. I'm sure he would never tell on us and even if I did get the slightest indication that he was cracking up, I would see to him personally. Me and Skylor were only risking ourselves to uphold the honor of our family. We had no other intention. Nothing else should be our focus.

With all these thoughts tacked up in my mind, I boldly stood next to Skylor and waited for the captain's instructions. I made sure to elude eye contact with Jay even if it seemed a little rude. He wasn't supposed to know me and I wasn't supposed to know him.

Captain Lloyd pulled out bundles of wooden rods and sticks and tossed them at us. Considering how badly everyone did with the medals, I figured that competition would be less severe. I was proved wrong when the others caught the sticks and I let mine smack me right in the face. Rubbing my violated nose, I looked at Skylor to see how she fared.

I found her empty-handed, scowling at Cole. He was holding two of the sticks which gave me the feeling he had caught Skylor's as well. She demanded it back but Cole didn't comply. Instead, he slid the stick under her feet, making her fall. He then dropped the stick in her lap and whistled unknowingly.

I didn't dare to try and pull Skylor up. The captain had restricted us from helping each other, saying that one should be able to help themselves before benefiting others. So, I stood there quietly as Skylor got to her feet, muttering various things under her breath.

Captain Lloyd planted himself at the head of the group, facing us. He held his rod in front of him with both hands, waiting for everyone to get ready. The way he gazed at us betrayed the faith I had instilled in myself. I tried looking through his eyes and found only disappointment. He was not hopeful that we'd make it.

"Before I let you handle weapons, you must learn using mere pieces of wood," Lloyd stated assertively once the lesson began. "Not only will it prepare you to face the challenges of blades but it will also provide you with a general and balanced form of hand-to-hand combat."

I tried hard to make mental notes of every single word that fell from the captain's lips. I was desperate to learn the right way. Silently watching my brother train with my father for so many years was not enough exposure.

Lloyd availed the ends of his stick to send two clay pots flying on either side of him. We all observed in awe as he immediately jabbed his temporary weapon left and right to break the pots before they both hit the ground. Stance still maintained, he pointed the stick at us, permitting us to follow after him.

"Hai!" cried the crowd, an exclamation used by trainees to indicate their approval to oblige. My voice came out meek and timid, making me sound like a mouse amidst roaring lions. Even Skylor showed that she had power in her lungs to yell. Trying not to get overwhelmed, I clutched my stick tighter.

Suddenly, I felt movement behind me. Before I could register what was happening, something prickly crawled down my back. I could tell at once that it was an insect. And a big one at that. To me, insects are equal to calamity so I panicked. I screamed and in the heat, I forgot to make it sound deeper. I kept twisting around, scratching at my back to get it out.

I jumped, shook and clawed at my uniform, swinging around my stick absentmindedly. Some men laughed and others gawked at me. Skylor tried to get closer to me, but my frantic stick assaults were keeping her at bay. Those who weren't so lucky got struck. Including Jay, I think. Angry shouts and curse words were thrown at me by the group but I was too busy overreacting.