Dain watched from afar, glaring at the two girls. He was distracted from his training and his frustration was evident.
His mind still mulled with the thought. ’How in Alda’s na did they survive? Were the ropes not tight enough?’
He turned back to the person he spared with and got in position. It was one way or the other, she had to greet Daudi, or else it’d be an embarrassnt for him.
"How would you like to have so fun?" he asked a fellow warrior nad Lior.
"Fun?" His eyes lit up at the idea. "But no fun until we finish the challenge."
"I know that... I’m saying sothing to keep the boost coming," Dain replied, nudging his eyes toward the two girls.
"The mannfae and the mute?" Lior asked. "Why?"
"What do you think? They are both strays and could be spies."
"They passed the Eating Woods, no one hunted them, it ans they’re clean."
Dain’s teeth clenched.
"And besides, the mannfae is growing on ."
"What do you an?" Dain asked sternly.
"I an she’s a cheater but..." His eyes traveled back to them, especially on Isadora. "Amazingly, she survived, I thought she’d be dead right at the first challenge."
"Idiot!" Dain growled, dropping his sword. "A cheater is always a cheater, one success doesn’t amount to recognition!" He stord away.
Dain beca more frustrated. His previous team at the Eating Woods didn’t feel like it anymore because they survived.
It’s no history that those who survived were clean but what bothered him was the change of heart toward the mannfae.
It wasn’t just Lior, everyone was talking about her. It was sickening, she was nothing but a pest who thought Lord Raven was unworthy to be her master.
He had chased that position for winters, to be Lord Raven’s disciple but only one person was blessed with the role.
A mysterious warrior under the direct wing of the Raven Lord. The faceless, Ekko.
When Dain felt the aura that clung to that mannfae it got people thinking she’s his disciple. Everyone fought and envied for that position, even Nyssa the commandress, had chased that position for winters.
It was a great honor to learn under him.
And yet that mannfae. He glared hard at her, his fist clenching tight. He would make sure she gets it.
"Rember when you told how light you felt when you crossed the whirling planks?" Vanya signed and Isadora gave a stiff nod.
"It’s no different from this."
"You an my aura must have been lighter that ti?"
"Yes. This technique is unknown to many because of how difficult it is to achieve, it’s considered discarded."
Isadora gulped. ’And yet she’s going out of her way to teach ,’ she thought as a smile found her lips. The only appreciation she could give was to make sure she learned it right.
"So free my thoughts?"
"Not completely, just picture it as holding a palm to your aura, you’re a weaver, it shouldn’t be hard to do. Weavers have more control over their auras than non-weavers, it flows through us easily."
Isadora took a deep breath and nodded.
Vanya smirked, raising her fists and Isadora followed.
Vanya lunged at Isadora in the blink of an eye. Her movent was too fast to track, and Isadora didn’t realize she was behind her until she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Isadora gasped, turning to her with wide eyes.
"When you master this technique not only will your body be light, but your steps, breathing, and your mind will be silent. It is a great thing for a Fae to have."
"But can I achieve it? I’m a mannfae and I can’t—"
Vanya shook her head to stop her. "You’re a mannfae, but that doesn’t an you can’t achieve the impossible, I’ve seen it with my eyes!"
Isadora smiled warmly at Vanya’s words and got in position.
"I’ve one week," she said.
"Let’s see how creative you’re then."
Isadora took a deep breath.
"Focus, let your aura guide you."
She nodded, raising her fist, and closed her eyes. She had always felt her aura easily, and Vanya was right, it was easier for a weaver.
ntally she felt two hands compress her heart, not her heart, but a red spark of fla burning with intensity. It was loud and fierce, but when the hand got closer, it reduced to the side of an ant.
Isadora opened her eyes slowly, her heart beating slow and steady. Vanya’s punch ca, but this ti, to her eyes, it was slower and more predictable.
With a smooth shift, she dodged the hit, her boots skimming the ground as she circled Vanya and positioned herself behind her.
Vanya froze the mont it happened. ’She was faster,’ she thought and turned to Isadora, a smile on her lips.
’Maybe I am overthinking it but for a minute it felt like a snake was coiling around ...’ she thought confused, chill shooting up her spine.
"Did I get it right?"
Vanya scoffed and flashed an okay sign with her hand.
"Isa!"
Isadora turned instantly at the voice, her eyes veering to the top of the tower where Cai waved.
It’s been so long since anyone had called her that and it brought back so painful mories. But on the surface, Isadora just forced a smile.
Cai quickly rolled the wheels of his chair to the makeshift lift and pulled the lever to propel him down. In a hurry, he rushed to Isadora.
"Cai." she paused when he wrapped his arms around her waist catching her off guard.
Isadora turned to Vanya who just shrugged.
Cai pulled away. "Logi told you were dead!"
’Of course, he did.’
Cai sighed in relief holding his chest. "I’m glad you’re alive." He grinned showing his missing teeth.
Isadora blushed not knowing what to say, the only person who had shown her such a gesture for being alive was Rav, from anyone else it was... awkward.
"Here this is for you!" He handed her a package—one that looked like it was wrapped in a hurry.
"What is it?"
"Open it!"
She unwrapped the paper and gasped when she saw a makeshift wooden doll of her—the details amazing.
"Wow! You did this?"
"Of course! I have the best teacher after all"
’Logi,’ Isadora thought without hesitation as a frown found her face, but she quickly shoved it off and leaned to the boy.
"Thank you, Cai." She kissed his forehead.
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