The Hooded

Bad News

Shadow was awake and was training at 7:30 in the morning. He finished a light breakfast, grabbed his sword and sheath from upon the wall, and started for training. Garret and Dreth were taking a seat at the benches with their breakfast to watch him and Ariad, who were two of three on the training grounds. They were doing everything in the same order, as they happen to do everyday. First, track with knives. Shadow got a head start, and since they had dummies for just that, it was a bit harder. Suddenly, Ariad came sprinting from behind and pushed him aside as she said "Move outa' the way, snail!" and continued to lap him. Second, there was tree jumping. They both jumped in the tree-like poles with branches and one was, again, faster than he other. As Ariad came closer to Shadow, she swung on one branch which sent her flying into Shadow. She kicked him right in the center of the back. "What's wrong, not as strong as an ape?" she said as she looked down at him. Shadow sat up and started to get mad. Third, there was king of the hill. Garret and Dreth decided to play as well, so all four of them grabbed the wooden katannas and their wooden helmets. Dreth said "Three, two, one, GO!" and they all started for the top. All sorts of platforms started to move back and forth, in and out. They climbed up each moving platform and Shadow wanted to beat Ariad. She was just below Shadow now, so he took out his wooden kattana and swiped at her with it. He immediately started to climb again, his platform was about to close in. He got a grasp on a platform above him, and then Ariad grabbed his foot and yanked it down as she said "What, not enough stamina? Geez, you're like a mouse." She then climbed at lightning speed to the top as Shadow fell to the ground. He started to get really mad at her. "And what's up with her animal analogies?!" He said, thinking aloud.

The next day, even earlier, Shadow got up and got his sword and went out to the training grounds. In the cold morning he sprinted and stabbed and leapt and climbed. he did every course over and over again, faster, stronger, and more agile. Eventually Dreth came out with Garret and Ariad and walked over to him. "Shadow, how long have you been up?" He asked. "Since six in the morning." He said. Dreth tried to reason with him, but Shadow kept jumping and hitting. This also happened the next day, and the day after, Aaron came in the morning instead of Dreth. "Hey, Shadow, I see you're training more. I hate to interrupt but come into my office." he said. Shadow followed him into the office and sat down. "Shadow, Gavin's team came back from the mission today." said Aaron. Shadow made a slight smile, but faded quickly. Aaron continued, "He wasn't seen with them, and his team told me that he was captured by the great kingdom of Kainess."