dirt beneath their feet, so you don’t want them as your enemy. If you want to get through training, it’s best if you try not to draw their attention.”
She almost stopped in her tracks but forced herself to keep walking.
“I didn’t exactly pick a fight with Lianne during history class.”
Henrick smiled dryly. “You might as well have. After you humiliated her, everyone could see she was upset. Nobles like her don’t let insults slide.”
Britea couldn’t help but laugh. “But I didn’t insult her.”
“It wasn’t just your words but your tone. You weren’t afraid of her.”
Now Henrick was upsetting her. She stopped walking, and moments later, so did he.
“And why should I be afraid of her? Because she was born rich and I wasn’t, or because she’s descended from royalty and I ain’t ? Just because our stations are different, doesn’t give her the right to look down on us and treat us terribly.”
Henrick stared at her. “Remember, it’s people like her that make the rules in Malaquey. Her family can have you blacklisted before you even graduate.” Henrick lowered his voice once more, then looked around again to ensure they were alone. “We shouldn’t really be discussing this, Britea. It can get us into trouble.”
She stared at him in shock. Not sure how to respond, part of her wanted to yell or punch something, but instead, she closed her eyes briefly.
“You know what? Let’s get to class.”
The two novices walked in uncomfortable silence.
#
Britea’s spirits brightened when her small group of students neared the outdoor combat and defense class. On the way to class, a few other students from the higher classes had joined Henrick and Britea. She had searched for Danai, but her roommate had been nowhere to be seen.
However, once they entered the training sector, she saw Danai and Navos already there with a few other students.
“New recruits, form up in the right corner of the field!” Weapons Master Caren’s voice boomed as Britea and Henrick hurried into position with the other recruits. Britea found it interesting that the new recruits appeared no older than her or Henrick.
“Everyone else, report to Instructor Talios for sparring assignments.” Whoops of joy filled the air at this announcement. Britea gazed enviously at her older colleagues. They all appeared so strong and confident.
“Face front!” yelled a female instructor dressed head to toe in walnut-brown close-fitting leathers with earth-brown slashes on the tunic. Weapons Master Caren waited until they were in position before addressing the new students.
“Yesterday, you had the privilege of observing. From today, you train. Instructor Lexar will guide you.”
The female instructor stepped forward. “The change rooms are at the rear of the field. You have two minutes to grab your gear and return to this spot. The last five students back will do thirty push-ups as punishment.” Before she had even finished speaking, there was a mad dash for the change rooms.
Britea just barely avoided being one of the last five as she raced back to Instructor Lexar. The five unfortunate students began their push-ups as the female instructor addressed the novices once more.
“Today, we run. Seven laps around the field.”
Wait, what? thought Britea as she and the rest of the new students stared at their torturer.
The smile left the instructor’s face. “What are you waiting for!?”
That yell had them running.
#
“Two more laps to go!”
Britea glanced down at her forearms as they pumped up and down with each stride. Her ebony skin glistened with sweat, and she was hot and exhausted. She was grateful for the full, billowing pants. At first, she’d thought they would be a hindrance, but the design kept her legs cool and made the experience a bit more bearable.
“Start slowing down in the last lap, people!” yelled Instructor Lexar.
Britea gradually began to reduce her speed. By the time she came to a complete stop, she wanted to lie down on the floor and never get up. Some of the students had given in and collapsed on the ground, but somehow, the rest remained sitting or standing.
And she was one of them. She walked slowly towards the table upon which glass jars of water had been placed. She prayed to the Maker that the liquid was cool. Eventually, those who had been prostate on the floor stood up and made their way over to the table.
Britea forced herself to drink the water slowly. The last thing she wanted to do was vomit in front of her colleagues.
A slow clap had most of them turning to face Instructor Lexar. “Well, that wasn’t a bad start, though my baby brother would have left you all eating his dust.”
Many of the students were upset at her words.
The female instructor raised an eyebrow. “I see questions on some of your faces. Let’s hear them.”
Britea blinked and looked at the other novices. They looked stupefied by the instructor’s approach.
A student tentatively raised his hand. “Instructor Lexar, when do we get to spar like the others?”
She smiled dryly. “When I’m satisfied with your running.”
Someone in the group protested, and she shot a dark look at that corner of the crowd, silencing the disgruntled novice. “So, you wish to spar? Have any of you wielded while blocking blows from your assailant?”
No one answered.
“Have any of you wielded when exhausted and found it so hard to even move a muscle, let alone run or walk?” She paused and waited for an answer. The group remained silent.
“None of you have been in this situation? That is why you need to run and exercise. Racing round the track doesn’t only exercise your pitiful muscles, it also helps you develop mental discipline. Only when that is attained will you be allowed to try physical sparring and wielding at the same time. Any objections to that?”
No one said a word.
“Mark my words, some of you may not be able to tolerate this class. There is no shame in dropping out. Just do it fast so you don’t waste my time.” She smiled coldly at them. “Now, grab your lunch before the next round of exercises.”
As Britea walked away with her classmates, she began to realize what she had undertaken. Strangely though, she didn’t regret her decision.
“You all right?” She turned to see a tired Henrick had fallen into step beside her.
“Yes, just exhausted and hungry.”
“Same.” Both novices joined the buffet queue. Britea had just collected her meal when she heard someone complaining loudly to the other recruits.
“I don’t agree with her! I came here to learn how to wield, not to run in circles!”
She looked at the speaker, a lanky, brown-haired male, as he continued.
“We all know the real work starts once we graduate and do our Year of Discovery. That’s when the rewards come in. I even heard that in some places, you get paid a lot. I joined combat and defense because the navy recruits directly from this class, and they pay the most. Running around and doing a bunch of weird exercises isn’t going to teach me to wield better, so I’m wondering if this class isn’t a total waste of my time!”
Britea stared at him. Not even two weeks ago, she, Kahl, and the crew of the Windrider had barely escaped being captured by the Namiran raiders. They had only