Bonded Spirit

  ***

  I gasped awake from the vacant eyes of Walter and the screeching calls of the viper. Stilling my heart, and swallowing the pain that always accompanied me with these nightmares. It might have been yesterday in my dreams, living each moment, each detail. It never stopped, and it never eased. I heaved a deep breath, pushing off the bed, willing the dream of his face, to leave. I was tired of seeing his face staring up to me blankly. Empty. Lifeless. Pale.

  Peeking out the window as I ruffled my hair, unravelling the braid, and letting the ends fall around my shoulders, I glanced to the rising sun. Great, I was doomed to wake early regardless of my actions of the day before. I was stiff and tender; most all of the bruises were healed as I dressed, heading out to the combat area with a smile. I scanned the area and headed to the weights section.

  “Do you wake up early, often?” Asked a surprised voice behind me, I smirked, turning to see Karson ready for training.

  “Sometimes,” I lied. I wake every morning at sunrise; mostly the dreams wouldn’t let me sleep past the hour itself. I just didn’t see the point in getting up. Karson stared hard at my face, reading my lie. I flushed and lowered my gaze.

  He inclined his head. “We’ll do as we did yesterday,” he instructed.

  It wasn’t long before I was too puffed and stiff to make voice. My muscles were in agony; my breath was reckless, no matter how many stretches Karson gave me. Once I finished off three laps, it was in the combat ring where his attacks were lethal. Like yesterday, he paused just before impact; I tensed and feared the strike that never came. He knocked me off balance, narrowing his eyes at my lack of attention. He didn’t comment on it, just holding out his hand to help me rise. La’Kera was amused. She didn’t like my pain, but found it fascinating that I was falling over. She started to tell me when to attack and block.

  I was tender; my reflexes were slower, making my body tense. I was grateful; there were no classes later on either. Least then, I can sleep all this off until this afternoon.

  “Right.” Karson stood taller in that moment, flipping the wooden sword to his side. “After morning fast, meet me at the south yards.”

  “Wh-what?” I pushed my sweaty hair from my brow, with a heavy breath. “I thought it was just mornings and afternoons.”

  He raised a brow. “That’s when classes resume. Not while I have you for the two months. And as of today, you’re on my schedule.”

  Grumbling in annoyance, I pulled the leather tie from my braid, releasing the pressure as I dishevelled my hair. I had been sweating badly during the mêlée, the strands stuck to my brow and neck in ways that had me itch for a shower. I should consider cutting my hair; I just couldn’t think it through all the way. It has remained the same style for the past two years now, and it suited my heart shaped face.

  I narrowed my eyes at Karson, releasing a harsh breath. “What is your schedule exactly?”

  Karson had taken in my discomfort with a wry smile. “It’s not complete yet. Along with the combat training, the meditation, and the basics of knowledge, we will be addressing the areas of History, Magic, Potions, Animal Studies, and Dragon Lore.”

  My face couldn’t be more shocked. My jaw opened, closed, and then opened. “This is so unfair,” I hissed aloud. Rolling my eyes in, I ruffled my hair. I could manage the combats, maybe the track runs and even the meditation, but study, actual lessons during the Kl’Ors festive.

  “Rehema, this is an important time in your life. For you and La’Kera. Regardless of you or the situation, you are as Lady Darcia said, behind in all classes. If you don’t know what you’re fighting or why, let alone how; you will fail out there.”

  “So I suck, and have the level of a second year student in Draeos. Doesn’t mean I have to do it for the rest of my life.” I was being childish, just a few more seconds and I might not pass out.

  “It isn’t for the rest of your life. What you learn in the next two months or even the next two years will stay with you for the rest of your life. Without that knowledge, you will fail. To be lost so soon after just being discovered. Don’t you want the best for La’Kera?”

  I pressed my lips together. “Point taken. Fine. South yards then.” I was defeated and ready to fall over now. No point in trying to argue. Maybe later when I’m not so winded. “Um … are we going somewhere?” I changed my tone, seeing the connection with the south yards.

  Karson smiled wider, his eyes hidden under his long lashes. “That is a surprise.” He placed the swords into the barrel and waved me off, just as Tobias, Alyssa and Xavier stood at the foot of the stairs. Their eyes on Karson’s retreating form. All three were in awe.

  “Did you ask him?” Heaved Tobias excitedly.

  “About what?” I stepped on the stairs.

  Tobias was wide eyed and ready to stop me going anywhere. “Karson? If we could … talk.”

  “Oh, sorry. I forgot.” What, with the running, the hitting and avoiding. I had completely forgotten to talk to Karson about meeting my new friends, and had little breath to muster if I did remember.

  “Are you coming to breakfast?” He eyed my form from toe to head, several times with a look of empathy. A touch of a smile spread his lips before he pulled his eyes away completely.

  “Shower.”

  “Well, I better say goodbye now,” said Alyssa, taking a step closer and giving Tobias a strange look. “I’m heading off on the shuttle in the next hour.”

  “Oh, so soon.” I was annoyed I couldn’t join her; I desperately wanted to go, to get away from studying. “Well, hopefully we can catch up … sometime,” I said, seeing her eyes widen.

  “I’d like that. And you can at least get visit. Maybe on your day of rest.” She leant in for a hug. Tobias ran his hand through his shaggy brown locks, pressing his palm to his neck.

  “Well, I’m off to EzRah. So, I guess I’ll have to bug you after the holidays, unless I see you sooner.”

  “Sure. And maybe by then, Karson and I will be good friends and you can talk personally with him all day.” I held my face neutral; an odd look touched his eyes. “It’s a joke.” I wasn’t completely avoiding the fact I couldn’t be some kind of a friend to him.

  “Right. Well, we’ll see you later then.” He leaned in for a hug, which had me tense. I smiled nervously, unsure if hugging him so soon in our friendship was a good idea. I held out my hand to shake and with a wave goodbye. I headed to the showers, and then to the hall for breakfast. With ten minutes to eat, I was off to meet Karson. Time was against me.