The journey to Tollo seemed to take longer than the journey to The Island. Shen found it difficult to concentrate at the start of each of their practice sessions. Once he got into the rhythm of the fight he was fine and it was a way to pass the time. But the quiet moments were the worst. He couldn’t help wondering about his parents. Would he like them? Would they like him? That was his biggest fear. What if he wasn’t good enough for his family? He was certain they were royalty. His friends might tease him about his arrogant look and his royal behaviour, but he didn’t really know how to act like a prince. What if they were ashamed of him?
“You ready to go?” Lara stood in front of Shen, her shadow falling across him where he sat amongst the coiled up ropes.
He pushed his worries from his m
