If Stratagor Ziras doesn't kill me, my training program will!
Every day I wake up and go through the motions, but they've figured out that I'm not a Knight. I can't ride, I can't fight, I can't do magic, and worst of all, I can't see whatever it is...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I don't stand because I'm gripping the arms of my chair so tightly my knuckles ache.
"I..." This is as far as I've gotten, so I haven't thought of any more words. Unfortunately, it's my turn and they're not interrupting this time. Beads of sweat pour down the sides of my face, tickling my ears. I don't dare wipe it away because I don't want the Queen and Kolomi to know how intimidated I am.
"Um," I finally manage, and I'm proud of myself for getting something out.
I take a deep, unsteady breath to calm my nerves and get my brain functioning. I wish they would stop staring at me.
"Um," I say, again.
I grip the chair tighter to stop my body from shaking. Words flash through my mind and I'm so relieved I smile like an idiot in front of these important people.
"Well, um...thank you for agreeing to meet with me. And thank you for the lovely accommodations I have received," I say with a nod toward the Queen. I surprise her with my opening and that gives me some courage.
"Um...well...first off—I apologize for any part I played in the events yesterday. I did not mean to wander off. I was lost."
"Why wasn't a guard with her?" Lauis asks.
"She's not a prisoner!" Kyrbast snaps.
"She almost was," Ohad says.
"I appreciate the freedoms you allow me," I say to stop the prisoner talk; I don't want the Queen getting ideas. "I would not like a guard following me everywhere. Now that I better understand the danger, I will be more careful in the future. I am to start my physical training today, so I'm sure I will improve soon."
I'm lying. I think the physical training is going to be a disaster. I am not an athlete and I'm certainly not a Knight. At least not the kind of Knight they're looking for.
My sweat has run its course down my neck and is joining the river running down my back. What am I going to do if they kick me out? Go back to Auntie? Would she take me? Not without the Orb.
Thoughts of the Orb remind me of Jonah's words. All I need to do is read the Orb. A relaxing breath is able to reach my lungs. My grip loosens on the chair until I remember that I can't do that either.
"Well," the Queens says with a deep exhale. "I guess that's all the explanation we're going to get. I have much to do and this has already wasted too much time. I move we adjourn—"
"—I apologize, Your Highness, but I have some requests." I can't believe I had the guts to interrupt her. I don't know why I did that. From the look on her face she can't believe I did it either. Maybe I can make one demand. If I can remember what they were...
She scowls and grunts her acceptance. I need to make this quick. Maybe I should let everything be. I'm not on good terms here and I may lose my home or at least my comfy accommodations.
