ZEN - Part One [COMPLETED] [#WATTYS2017]

Training, the Kileahan Way

 Chapter 35 - Training, the Kileahan Way

"Slow."

"Sweetie. Five days ago they were slaves."

"Slow."

"They've barely got any of their strength back. Take it easy."

"SLOW!" Zen steps away from her lover to jump up onto a fallen pine tree, and plants her hands onto her hips as the newest volun-tolds trudge past their position in the forest. "I swear I've never met a bunch of slower Sisters! A pudgy Raccoon-kin could beat you all! And LOOK! All your elder Sisters are wearing those Gods-awful leathers, and they're LAPPING YOU, AGAIN!!"

Joanne lets out a long breath as she shuffles over to the winding course that Mish and Jess had created in the morning, then leans against a massive stump before folding her arms in front of her chest. Poor sweeties all looked like they were going to pass out... and it'd only been two hours. "C'mon, girls! You can do it! Think about what you want to eat! What you want to wear! Get determined!"

"Rhea is skinnier than anyone else! And she's in the lead! COME ON! Pull those knees higher! WEI! COME ON! You're losing to emaciated slaves!!"

The red-headed healer tightly purses her lips as the young appraiser drags her feet on the way past. Unlike the other girls who didn't much have a choice, Wei had demanded to be included in the training. She might not want to dive into a Dungeon, but she was sure eager to learn how to protect herself from scary Adventurers. "Y-you're doing great, Wei!"

The short Cat-woman shakes her head towards the laggard. "Didn't the Merchant Guild's employees have more PRIDE?! COME ON, DAMNIT! Get angry! You're never going to SUCCEED at THAT PACE!!"

After stepping out onto the neatly-levelled path through the forest, Joanne then watches the teens jogging for a time before offering a little shrug. Guess all that yelling and screaming had an effect. They certainly picked their speed up a bit. "Last lap, right?"

"Yeah. They'll be by again in about ten minutes. If at all."

"Alright. I'll finish the last of the lunches and get ready to heal a bunch of sore spots."

"Pamperer."

"Says the woman who had me soothe her carpet-burned knees this morning."

"That's your fault, and you know it." Zen neatly hops down from her fallen tree and paces along at her lover's side. "They're doin' better than the very first group of girls, though. Kinda strange."

"This group was forced to walk for three days straight when they were brought over from Kidneypond. Their wagon lost a wheel, or some such."

"See? I told you that sort of thing happens to other people."

"Stop driving recklessly."

"Hmph. What's it matter? Clara could carry that damned wagon." The small Scout seats herself on a sliced section of tree, then reaches over to pilfer a hand-sized loaf of bread from a large pile. "Anyways... I think instead of punishing them some more, we'll start practicing throwing-stars. Should provide a good source of entertainment."