Chapter 14
Silver and Cinder trained day and night. Cinder’s muscles trembled at the harsh treatment. She fell into bed at night like a dead soldier and got up before dawn.
Silver began paying Cinder’s stepmother with gold coins that were used before the fall of the old kingdom. Helene didn’t even bother to come see Cinder or ask any questions about what she was doing at Silver’s cottage. She seemed happy to trade her stepdaughter for coin.
Cinder was constantly sore and exhausted but also very grateful to Silver. They practiced climbing trees and shooting arrows from behind branches. Silver had her leaping off branches and landing on horses. They sparred with hands and feet as well as with knives.
Silver was surprisingly agile. She complained at night about her aches and pains and how
