Keepers of Ice

Chapter 10 - Kissed

Stacey could not help staring at Cody during breakfast when he was not looking. And from the way his eyes quickly darted away whenever she looked up, she knew that he was checking her out as well. That was when Stone and her brother suddenly entered the huge dining tent.

"You're awake," she stated as she raised an eyebrow at her brother.

David looked at her and then at Cody. "Uh, thanks for noticing. How long have I been asleep?"

"Since yesterday and you woke up just in time too. Stone and Dianne are going to train us today."

"Train us to do what?"

Stacey rolled her eyes. "Train us to fight, stupid. They are Keepers of Ice too, so it turns out that we're not the only ones." She had been shocked and a little disappointed to find out that there were more Keepers of Ice in Polarfrost. Guess I'm not so special after all.

David's eyes lit up instantly. "So, they're going to train us to fight eh? When do we get started?" He looked up expectantly at Stone.

"Didn't you just smash your head into a tree not long ago?" Cody asked.

"Don't worry, I'll show David how to smash into a tree properly today," Stone chuckled, which earned a facepalm from Stacey.

❄ ❄ ❄

"How many Keepers of Ice are there?" Stacey asked curiously. She was walking alongside Cody and her trainer, Dianne. Her trainer had a slender body figure and long dark hair that covered part of one eye. She looked younger than forty years of age but her serious dark blue eyes made her look experienced in the field of combat. Her lips were a mysterious cross between dark blue and purple, which Stacey guessed was the result of lipstick.

"There used to be many, hundreds even. It was Order who wiped most of us out. I believe there are only about a dozen of us left, including you and your brother." Dianne replied. There was a hint of anger and determination in her tone. "Stone and I are the best fighters in our campsite, and we hope to teach you all we know. And maybe, just maybe, we'll retake this world from Order and make them pay for their crimes."

Stacey shuddered at the thought of Dianne slaughtering many of her foes without mercy. "So, where are we going? And will I be training with my brother?"

"There are two things a Keeper of Ice must learn if they are to reach their full potential. The first is physical training and combat and the second is learning to master your ice abilities, but the training depends on the type of keeper you are."

"There is more than one type of keeper?" Cody asked.

Dianne paused, and Stacey could sense the gears in her head turning. "Yes, there are two known types of keepers, which are determined by their powers. Glacial and blizzard keepers." Dianne's gaze landed on Stacey. "Your brother's type is glacial like Stone's so traditionally, he'll learn to use either a sword or an axe with a shield. On the other hand, you are a blizzard type like myself. That means I'll teach you how to use either a spear or a bow."

Stacey recalled the memory of her terrible archery skills back at camp. "I think I'd prefer learning how to use a spear. I'm not so good with the bow."

Dianne smiled mischievously. "Then it's settled. The bow will be your weapon of choice."

Choice? Yeah right. "But—"

"No buts! Now follow me to the archery range. If you pick up archery quickly, I'll let you practice shooting apples off of Cody's head," Dianne cut off with a dark joke, much to Cody's horror.