Tyrant in the Shadows

Part 22 (Trying this again)

Miriam wasn't sure how she was supposed to help the Elementals. She was powerful, sure, but power didn't always equal good teacher. The other elementals were powerful and Miriam doubted they could teach a three year old their ABCs. 

"You're stressing again," Rhodes smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Miriam only glared up at her soon-to-be partner from her position on the sparring room floor and pushed away the hand that was offered to help her up, "Well, why don't you start working with them, see how long it takes to get you stressed."

"Oh, I'm sure. I didn't say you didn't have a reason to be stressed, I just said you're stressed and it's affecting your sparring abilities."

"Right."

"What if I did accompany you to a couple of your training sessions? Maybe a friendly face would help them be more comfortable."

"Are you saying my face isn't friendly?"

"That," Rhodes laughed again, "Is exactly what I'm saying."

>.<.>.<.>.<.>.<.>.<.>.<.>.<.>.<

As it turned out, the Elementals were happy to have someone other than Miriam there with them. Miriam was harsh and hard on the Elementals and their partners. She didn't push them too hard but she didn't give them any room for error. Ivan and Delaney came along for the first session with Rhodes. It was important, the senior officers insisted, that they monitor any changes made to their training. Rhodes tempered Miriam's harshness. 

Moore tripped on a small shelf of raised earth Lupa had created when his partner knocked him to the ground in their spar. The water Elemental hit the ground three inches from Calla's feet and the healer, in an attempt to avoid stepping on the boy, fell into Aya. Aya also hit the ground with a thud and yelped. Miriam groaned, covering her face with both her hands.

"You still burn people when you get mad," Rhodes said quietly, then moved to assess the group and said more loudly, "Wow. You sure are an accident prone lot." 

Aya was rubbing her weak leg, grimacing, "Sorry."

Calla rested her hand on the sore area until her partner's face relaxed then moved to the gash on the back of Moore's head. The six were once again on their feet by the time Rhode's walked back to Miriam. 

"Alright. Let's go again. Try not to fail so badly. Aya, Calla, come here. I have some questions."

"Be nice-"

"I'm going to be nice to them," Miriam hissed back to Rhodes.

"Um?" Calla started, "You're not allowed to get us in trouble, are you?"

"No. Well, maybe. But that's not why I want to talk to you," Miriam looked to Aya, "What's with your leg? I think it's holding you back."

"Oh. I don't know."

"It's an injury that was not allowed to heal properly," Calla piped in, "To fix it would be really hard on both the healer and Aya. The most I can do is soothe it."

"So since we have about fifty healers here would we be able to fix it?"

"Aya would be in pain," Calla fidgeted, "But if she didn't mind I don't see why not. It would probably make the whole training process easier."

"Right. Aya? What do you think?"

The taller girl looked uncomfortable to be so close to Miriam's glare but she met her eyes and agreed, "I suppose. I mean, I don't know. But if it would make things easier... It's probably selfish to want to make things easier for me but if I made things easier for me then it would be easier for everyone, right?"

Miriam shrugged, "Maybe," but Rhodes was nodding in agreement.

"You're not going to ask your senior officers?" Ivan interrupted, "We are the bosses around here."

"Well, do you have anything against it?"

"No. Just have to keep you on your toes."

"Hmm. Yeah, okay Ivan. Thanks, Aya, you can go back to training and I'll arrange something for tomorrow."

"No," Delaney challenged, "We'll arrange something soon. Miriam isn't the boss."

Aya nodded and smiled nervously, "Yeah. You're going to have trouble telling her that. Thank you, though."

AN: This is unedited. Sorry. I just need to get something published.