Chapter twelve #2
“If we’re doing this, I could do without your sarcastic tone. I’m aware I have a lot of work to do, but a little faith in me would go a long way.” I had been with him for only a matter of minutes and Darce had me burning with so many emotions.
“Alora, if we do this, you are going to end up hating me. I will work you hard, and break that body of yours. It’s the only way to make a warrior out of you.”
“You think too much of yourself, Darce. I understand the need to break me, but it should be obvious that I already hate you. This is all a matter of convenience. I need a warrior that is willing to train me. You’re a condescending prick, but I can look past that.
” Giving him a teasing smirk, I threw the large branch at his feet.
“That mouth of yours isn’t as pure as before. Have I rubbed off on you?” I couldn’t mistake the hint of sexual reference as he spoke.
“You disgusting pig! There will be no rubbing of any sort!” Keeping him away with insults was the best plan of action. Whatever I was starting to feel for him obviously wasn’t reciprocated.
“That is fine by me,” he snorted, running his hand through his hair. It was slightly longer than before. The ringlets on the ends were more visible.
Looking towards the third pup that was still playing with Loki and Enyo, I grinned. “You kept her, then? Have you given her a name?”
“Boulder.” I gave him a confused expression.
“She is always in the fucking way!” Laughing out loud for the first time in.
..centuries, I held my stomach, trying to control myself.
That was the funniest name I had ever heard, yet perfect for her.
“But you were right. She’s grown on me. How are you finding your pups? Are they allowed in the palace?”
“Yes, as long as they keep out of sight. They are hardly any trouble. My friends love them, and help me look after them.”
“That’s good, at least. They will protect you well.
” Darce’s eyes lingered on my face for a few short moments before speaking.
“I can spare one day a month to train you. You’ll have a lot of ground work to do while we’re apart.
If I don’t see improvements, our sessions will end. You have to want it, Alora.”
“I’m allowing a Noxlin to teach me! That should prove to you how much I want this!”
“I’ll want a bag of gold each month.” That was easily done. “Do you have any demands?”
Now was the best time to bring up Uri and his seer abilities. “I have one issue that I’m hoping you can help with.”
“This sounds ominous.” Darce crossed his arms, giving me an expectant expression. The way his muscles strained in that position made my mouth go a little dry. What was happening to me? Why did these feelings only happen around him?
“I have a seer friend that sensed darkness when you were around me. Obviously, I didn’t tell anyone about you, but he suspected something because of the shadows.”
“You kept me a secret?”
“Spending three weeks with a Noxlin isn’t something to brag about in Dallethas. I didn’t want to be removed from my position at the palace.”
“Ouch! You wound me! I was hoping to be the hero in the story of your journey to the sacred mountain.” Darce put his hand over his heart. “I defeated the mighty noc beast, after all.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’ll never be the hero in any of my stories,” I tittered, playing with some strands of my hair. As I twisted them around my finger, Darce appeared momentarily mesmerised by my actions.
Rebuking himself, he quickly spoke. “The Shielding Valley should protect us, but I can have a shield put around my powers to be sure. Your seer won’t sense anything next time we meet.”
“How strong are your powers? Are you immortal?” The words fell out without even thinking.
“Don’t overstep the line, Alora. Our races are enemies.
My loyalty is to my kind. This is merely a transaction for gold.
It may take centuries to train you, but you will learn nothing about Eallarim or Noxlin’s from my lips.
Just because I’ve agreed to do this, it doesn’t mean that I trust you.
I will give you the same respect by not asking about your kind or Dallethas.
But I can assure you one thing.” Titling my head, I waited for him to continue.
“With my training, you’ll be the deadliest warrior your race has ever known.
” For the first time ever, I felt my destiny calling.
“Are you ready to break? There will be no going back from this.”
“Yes,” I breathed, feeling a little unsteady.
“Four laps around this lake.” My eyes widened.
The lake was immense. Was he being serious?
“Alora, you’re still standing there. We need to improve your fitness before we can even begin to work on your core.
Move!” I took off running at his slightly raised voice.
As I ran, I put my hair up with a hair clip.
Loki and Enyo moved swiftly to my side, keeping me company as I set a brisk pace around the water.
By the second lap, my legs were burning from the exertion. I had removed my tunic due to the heat. Darce was seated, leaning against the old oak tree near the cave entrance, watching me. Boulder was resting beside him.
“One more lap, Alora!” he called, stretching to put his hands behind his head.
“I’ll let you off the other lap for today.
You’re more unfit than I thought.” My body was on fire with pain and frustration.
“I need to see that you want this. There is hardly anything to you. You’re practically skin and bones, so it’s not like you have to carry much weight.
Keep. Moving!” Glaring at him as sweat trickled down my face, I ran past him again. The unbearable prick!
Somehow, I managed to push out one more lap. As I approached Darce, I noticed a bowl of water was waiting for me. I picked it up and drank it quickly as I tried to catch my breath. The suns started to peak in the sky, giving me the extra energy I needed.
“I want you running that amount every day until our next meeting. When we meet next month, I want four laps and less panting when you’ve finished.
Do you understand?” All I could do was nod.
“If you have any issues from your seer friend about today’s meeting, tell them a figure was intrigued by the dryad pups.
As I have already stated, I will rectify the problem before our next session.
” With one last look at me, he began to collect his things.
“Thanks for the gold. I will meet you here at the same time next month.” I was still too out of breath to reply.
“Cool off in the lake. It will help with your breathing,” he muttered, picking up his sword and bag.
He didn’t even look back in my direction.
“Goodbye, Alora!” he called over his shoulder.
With that, he disappeared into the cave with Boulder.
Taking his advice, I took a dip in the lake.
My body was exhausted and I still had a few hours walk back to Dallethas.
It was going to take a while to complete this first stage of training, and I braced myself for the pain.
Darce wanted to break me, and I understood why.
Once broken, I would come back even stronger.