Nora
Several months had gone by, and like a quiet little magic spell, my endurance steadily improved each day through bouts of running, swinging swords like an enthusiastic but decidedly un-piratelike novice, and tackling the dizzying climb exercises.
Ah, climbing. Even now, just remembering the first time I stood in front of that towering wall made my knees feel a little jelly-like. It seemed to stretch up to the skies, its artificial handholds chilly and slippery under my grasp. Meanwhile, Tom and Jamie were ecstatic, scaling to the top with the ease of mischievous monkeys. They cheered and waved at the rest of us from their lofty perch. I wanted to join in, but after climbing a bit, courage would inevitably fail me. My legs went wobbly, my hands turned clammy, and I'd slide back to th
