𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒

𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐚

The following two weeks, nobody mentioned that night and instead focused on the preparations for Presentation. The day that they were going to race up the gauntlet in order to determine which order the squads would walk in had finally arrived.

Isolde woke up feeling slightly nauseous, over the past couple of weeks her form had gradually become sloppy and her timings on the Gauntlet left her in the last spot of her group. Her one hope for the day, was that one of the gods was watching over her and finally helped her out of the odd mood she had been in.

Applying a thick layer of salve over her entire body and allowing it to dry, she opted for tighter and revealing clothes, specifically on her upper half. If there was one day where she actually needed to focus, this was it, and she wasn't going to let her body be the reason that her squad lost a good spot for Presentation.

***

"I believe in us. We're strong and a hell of a lot quicker than some of the other groups. You've all been practicing like crazy, and it has paid off." Cassandra confidently spoke to the squad in front of her. Mumbles of agreement sounded out in response, the squad not feeling as confident as their leader was.

"Is it too late to transfer another quadrant?" Trina piped up. A laugh fell over the group. "You could always die?" Corey helpfully suggested earning a glare from Trina.

"Nobody's dying or transferring, you're going to pull yourselves together, be the quickest you've been on that course and go to Presentation." Cassandra confirmed. "You're all worrying about nothing. This is child's play in comparison to Threshing, if you can't deal with this then you don't deserve to call yourself a Rider." The groaning in the group simmered down.

"Fourth wing Flame section Second squad, report to the starting line." Isolde clenched her jaw. Just don't fall. Her mantra repeated itself once more in her head, giving her the final boost she needed. "You've got this." Xaden whispered into her ear as he strolled past her.

Oddly enough, having him so close hadn't repulsed her at all. When others would get too close or talk lowly to her a disgusting sensation filled her body from head to toe but when he did, a luscious burning feeling flooded through her, making her want to curl up in a ball next to him or just rip off her clothes and let him have her. Shaking her head free from the indecent thoughts, she straightened her shoulders and prepared to take on the course that had been haunting her dreams.

Isolde, with a new energy flowing through her, practically flew over the course essentially smashing through the time that she had earned the first time she had attempted the course. The rage and exhaustion she had felt the previous weeks had fuelled her rapid ascent as she refused to ruin this opportunity for her squad.

Heaving out a breath as she threw herself onto the grassy cliffside, she let out a small cheer for herself at the fact that she hadn't died or let anybody down. More and more of her squad joined her as they completed the course and she felt the presence of her friends sitting around her as they muttered a prayer to Zihnal.