The Beast Within

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

They all assembled at the rocky incline early the next day, Haneul making an early appearance with Auris in tow, her dark, rough, cotton cloak draped over her.

“I think it’s best we decide from this point who will be the one to help Auris train today.” Ceraun spoke up after greetings had gone all round. “Adrik, why don’t you prepare sticks so that we will draw lots.”

Adrik levelled Ceraun a dark look but made no complaints, he knew why the other Mage made it so that he was the one handling the sticks though, it was so that Adrik would have no stand to protest the final outcome.

He made his way back and handed the sticks over to Auris, who held the sticks out.

He picked first but he did not even have to check the length of his stick to figure out that he had lost, he could feel it in his gut.

“Adrik it is!” Ceraun exclaimed with far more excitement than he should be showing over such a trivial matter. “Let’s race down to the river bank.” He added to Haneul, making a move to take off his shirt before remembering that they had company.

Haneul happily agreed and in no time they were both racing down the steep incline, Auris watching in amazement at their impressive speed.

Adrik cleared his throat, stepping up closer. “We have to get you to at least be able to keep up with them before the time comes to be taken to join the army.” He explained.

Auris looked mortified. “That is barely two fortnights away, however am I expected to manage to accomplish that?”

Adrik took a deep, steadying breath. “I suppose you would just have to give it your all.” He tried to encourage her.

Auris appreciated the effort, slightly terrified with the ordeal ahead of her, although she supposed it would be no worse than joining the army.

“Let us begin with, getting you to make your way to the river bank, all by yourself this time.” He explained carefully.

Auris threw back the hood of her cloak to reveal a shocked expression. “As you wish.” She agreed, her shock turning into a grim look.

There was no way they could help her if she did not try, she would be willing to do at least that.

“Errm? She called fearfully just as they were about to begin their descent. “Adrik?” She called again, hesitantly, her voice soft.

“What is it?”

“I am truly terrified of heights, would y-you… perhaps do me the favor of holding my hand, if it isn’t too much trouble….” She was quick to excuse, rambling nervously while wringing her hands.

“Not at all.” Adrik replied politely through a lump in his throat.

When they got to the bottom, Auris retrieved her hand and thanked him again in earnest for his help, the journey then began proper.

Adrik had to applaud Auris' moxie, for her frail form she had hidden strength and although she was short of breath and her steps failed her, she refused to stop to rest, not till Adrik said so.

“Perhaps, we should take a brief rest.” He suggested, throwing a worried glance in Auris’ direction.

The last thing they would need in that moment was for her to keel over in a dead faint or worse still, break her ankle.

He wandered a little ways from her to provide her some privacy while she tried to pull herself together, they had barely gone a quarter of the journey but this was indeed progress, if they kept this up, they might just make it before they would all have to join the army.

Auris perched gingerly on a rock, her legs feeling like led, she had not done this much work the day before and yet she had wound up with blisters all over her feet. She would definitely be getting more blisters after this fun romp.

She was itchy underneath the layers of clothing that she had piled on but it was a necessary evil to hide her hair and eyes from the rest of the townspeople.

She sighed in relief when her poor feet finally got a break, reaching into the folds of her cloak to grab the leather flask that she had strapped to her waist, taking a refreshing drink.

Discreetly, she eyed Adrik, he did not even seem like he might need to rest much more get a drink of water but then again, the others had practically run all the way to the river bank with no plans to rest in between the journey and if he also ran with them everyday, this should be tremendously easy for him.

It doused her spirits somewhat at the thought because the strength and stamina gap between her and the three of them was so far it made her question if she could ever dare to try and cross it.

Why did she even bother to try?

Why did they decide to help her? Even going as far as to volunteer their training time to do so?

“We should continue or you will most likely start to think about giving up.” Adrik’s low voice intruded into her thoughts, giving her a little smile like he was well aware that she had started to feel dejected.

She looked startled at his pinpoint accuracy but made no mention of it, getting up slowly and putting her leather flask back.

“It is just your body’s natural response to strenuous actions that are unfamiliar, it happens to everyone.” He explained.

Auris instantly felt reassured by the Mage’s words. “Really?” She prompted , fishing for more encouraging words.

Adrik thought briefly before speaking. “Well, maybe not Ceraun, I don’t think he has that happen to him.” Adrik said truthfully, remembering all the days that Ceraun had pushed his body beyond the limits on a simple whim.

The Lightning Using Mage made trying hard look immensely easy and it either stirred the fire in your heart to try and keep up with him or it dejected you, making you want to give up.