The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 10

The next day, rigorous training began. The soldiers were forced to run miles without rest. Most of them ran to the point of fainting. Courses were made for each soldier to go through, making them go through impossible obstacles that led to harsh punishments for anyone who gave up. In the evenings the sparring began. Men and women would fight each other with sharpened wooden swords that only did slightly less damage than one of iron. No amor was provided. Day in and day out the soldiers followed the same routine until they all were unrecognisable. If not physically, mentally. Even the upperclass had been hardened. There had been a few soldiers that had been injured to the point that they were required to be sent home, all because of the training. This went on for over a month; the only time that they weren't training was either when they were eating or sleeping, and there was scarce time for both.

It was clear that the generals who guided the soldiers didn't care what it cost to make these people into warriors. Whether it cost their spirit or their wellbeing, it didn't matter to them. As long as they had the strongest of warriors, it didn't matter what they lost at all. And warriors is exactly what they received. Each and Every individual looked as if they had enough muscle to take down a bear with no weapons. The hardened look on their faces aged them all ten years, and Adelaide was positive that if a child saw any one of them that they would run away out of fear. Or sit down and ask the soldiers to tell them stories of their battles.

The training hadn't taken away any of Adelaides spirit. After the first few days, it was a breeze for her. Years of living out on their own and being active all day had made her strong in the first place. And her reaction time and awareness was already ten times better than half of the men and women. She had guessed they never had to keep eyes on the backs of their heads for wild animals that might attack when they lived in the city.

If anything, the training strengthened Adelaides spirit, and her hatred for the kingdom as well. Every word that came out of their generals mouth furthermore proved how power hungry they were, and just how little they cared about their soldiers lives. It was as if they were trained by the king himself.

Mira and Andrew never lost themselves, either. In fact, Mira had been thriving through the weeks. She loved pushing herself and letting the training better her. Her determination was higher than ever and she would do whatever it took to make her kingdom proud. She really had been born to be a fighter.

Andrew hadn't thrived in the same department. Early on into the training, he went to their superiors to inform them of his blacksmith background, and they immediately put him to work in the armoury. He had loved the job, and even considered continuing it after the war was over. He was indeed talented as well. The armour he produced was thicker and smoother than any of the other blacksmiths amour. He put his heart and soul into every piece, hoping his effort would protect anyone who wore the amour.

On a particularly dreary dreary day, Adelaide found herself wandering about camp. Training had eased off the past couple of days due to the mass amounts of injuries. The generals had majorly underestimated how weak the kingdoms people were. Snowflakes dotted Adelaides cheeks as she roamed the land. It was late November and the cool breeze of the fall that welcomed her to the base had long since passed.

The warm glow of lanterns hung from posts glistened on the thick layer of snow coating the earth. It was frigid out, but the soldiers were only supplied with one wool jacket each. Adelaide tightly wrapped the jacket around her torso and wrapped her arms around her body, trying to conceal the little warmth her flesh provided.

Adelaide decided to take the few minutes of solitude to think. She thought about her family for the most part. Oh, how she missed each and every one of them. She missed the warm glow that the sun cast on their meadow each evening, unveiling a rainbow of wildflowers that any king would use to decorate their halls. She missed the moist soil that she would run on that never once grew thorns. She missed her dear mothers welcoming smile that told Adelaide just how much she loved her. She missed her father's huge hugs he would give her every time she accomplished something. Most of all, she missed her best friend. She missed Henrys hefty laugh, reassuring glances and loving advice. She even missed their bickering.