THE EASY PART
“I take it back, this is never going to work,” I said, propping myself up on my hands and knees.
“It’s gotta work. You just need a new suit, so you don’t die,” Po said, wheeling around to the front of me.
“Johanous promised it would be ready by the start of the tournament tomorrow,” I panted.
“Then the plan will work! I just know it. We’ll all be friends again!”
The Carpenters around me readied their practice swords and I stood wearily. Every day for a week we had practiced, and every day I had come out with more and more bruises. Every Carpenter was helping me train, Azel’s voice echoing regularly along the chamber: “Again!”
One by one and often teaming up, the Carpenters engaged me. Although the tournament would be like any other I had competed in, I was rusty, and we
