CHAPTER FORTY-TWO.

(MELIORA'S POV)


I packed my bag with supplies; a water bottle, a cloak to spread, some buns, and a pen with a diary. I quietly slipped out the back of the cabin and headed into the forest surrounding the village.

The fresh morning air smelled wonderful as I walked between the tall trees. Sunlight filtered through the leaves in a peaceful, calming way. I finally felt safe knowing the prince could not reach me out here.

After walking for a while, I found a small, hidden clearing that seemed perfect to camp out for the day. I set down my bag and spread my cloak, taking a deep breath of the piney scents. Kaira preened at the sense of comfort.

This would be my sanctuary for the day - a place to rest, write, and avoid any last conflicts with the arrogant prince or his possessive bride-to-be. I took out my pen and new book that I intend to make into a diary and began writing.


I leaned back against a moss-covered log, feeling remarkably at peace for the first time in ages.


It had been ages since I'd last committed my innermost thoughts and experiences to writing, but the familiar act of seeing the ink flow across the parchment had always provided me with an odd sense of solace and release.

I brought out my pain to chronicle my tumultuous journey - from the devastating loss of my father, to the equally gut-wrenching betrayal that drove me from my former home, and finally my arrival at this new, unfamiliar pack.

The words spilled forth in an unchecked torrent, but it helped unburden another weight from my shoulders as I purged the pent-up emotions tied to every wrenching memory.

I wrote of the newfound companionship with the girls who had quickly become akin to sisters to me, and of the faint stirrings of purpose that had begun to rekindle my spirit.

So engrossed did I become in my reflective task that I scarcely noticed the passage of time.

It wasn't until a vague weariness began tugging at the edges of my consciousness that I finally glanced up, blinking with surprise at how the day had dwindled without my notice.

"I suppose that's story telling for one day," I murmured aloud, carefully capping the inkwell before closing the book with a sense of relief and satisfaction.

Setting it aside, I leaned back fully against the rough bark and allowed my eyelids to drift shut, the muted forest sounds enveloping me in their soothing cadence.

Some indeterminable time later, an unexpected tickling sensation against my exposed cheek caused me to jolt awake with a startled gasp. My hands flew to my face, frantically swatting at whatever creature had disturbed my impromptu nap.

A tiny spider went tumbling through the air before landing in the damp loam at my feet. I froze, chest heaving as I took in its minuscule form, before expelling the breath I'd been holding in a wheezy chuckle of relief.

"Well, you certainly gave me a terrible start there, little friend," I addressed the arachnid conversationally, watching as it scurried off into a knot of gnarled roots.

Chuckling again, I rearranged myself in a more comfortable lounging position against the tree's solid mass. Retrieving the bundle of cloth I'd packed earlier, I began systematically extracting the few provisions I'd been able to gather.

As I started slowly working my way through the meager selection of bread and fruit, I found my thoughts turning to the matter currently unfolding back in the village.

"The ceremonies must have started by now," I mused in a low murmur, suddenly quite glad I'd chosen this secluded forest haven over being caught up in the inevitable drama.

After eating the last of my bun, I rose and began performing a series of languid stretches. My body felt pleasantly loose and relaxed by the time I'd completed the routine.

Casting about, my gaze landed on a towering mango tree swaying gently just a short distance away. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I moved towards its thick, gnarled trunk.

One by one, I plucked the plump yellow fruits from their mossy perches, devouring several right there on the spot while carefully bundling the rest into my now-emptied sack for later.

My belly pleasantly full and sweet juices still lingering on my tongue, I simply lounged in the dappled sunlight for a spell, savoring the tranquil interlude before the day's imminent demands.

For while I might not know the precise location of the training field where Burke expected me to report for drills, I knew it lay somewhere deeper in these sheltering woods in a secluded opening.

I didn't want to risk arriving late so I dug out my battered pocket watch and squinted at its cracked face, gauging the time to be around mid-afternoon.

That should provide ample opportunity to locate the proper place, I decided before packing up my few belongings and shouldering my bag once more.

Setting off at an unhurried pace, I followed the barely perceptible trail of crushed foliage and snapped twigs that seemed to lead deeper into the verdant heart of the ancient forest.


Eventually, the distant clang of metal against wood reached my ears, filtering through the dappled shadows in a rhythmic cadence that grew louder with each passing minute. I grinned, picking up my pace in anticipation.

"Who's there?" A voice abruptly rang out, sharp with suspicion.

I came to an immediate halt, searching the shadowy undergrowth until a young man's frame emerged into view a dozen yards ahead.

"It's me," I called back evenly, ensuring he had a clear view. "I'm Liora, the new trainee."

The youth relaxed marginally, beckoning me forward with a wave as a few other curious faces began materializing behind him.

"Watch where you step," he warned as I drew near. "There are traps here, set by us."

Nodding, I took care to precisely place each footfall in his tracks as we continued towards what I could now perceive was a moderately-sized clearing riddled with fresh gouges and displaced earth.

"We arrive here every day before our leader," a young woman explained as I glanced around at the half-dozen or so other adolescents loitering about, wooden practice swords in hand.

"We start training before he comes."

I blinked, mildly surprised by their dedication despite Burke's absence. Clearly, these youths weren't content to merely sit idly waiting for their instruction to commence.

"Come join us," a stocky boy offered, causing me to turn towards his eager grin. "I'm Edwin."

He stepped forward, extending one of the carved blades of wood hilt-first. Slinging my pack to the ground, I accepted the proffered weapon.

"Okay, I'll be glad to. Nice to meet you," I replied with a faint smile, giving the unfamiliar length an experimental swing.

Almost immediately, Edwin began critiquing my form - circling to correct my posture and grip with gentle tugs and nudges until he seemed satisfied.

"There, just like that," he said with an approving nod. "Now let's see what you've got!"

And with that, he raised his own makeshift blade and launched himself at me without preamble...

And with that he directed me and corrected my stances and posture as we trained all evening. I was too exhausted but there was no going on break.

When I later retired home that evening, I was too exhausted to even eat. I fell on my mattress and rested for the night.