The morning came cold and gray. My body still ached from yesterday, but Master Zee didn’t give me time to rest.
“Up,” he said, tossing me a wooden staff. “Today, your body learns what your mind needs.”
I dragged myself outside. Mist covered the ground, and the rocks were slick with dew. Zee stood waiting, arms behind his back.
“Strength is not born in comfort, Alpha Nyra.”
I lifted the staff, copying the stance he showed me before. My arms shook almost instantly.
“Strike,” he ordered.
I swung it slowly and weakly. He blocked easily and knocked the staff from my hands.
“Again.”
I picked it up, swung harder and missed again. He swept my legs out and I hit the ground, gasping.
Zee’s voice cut through the air. “Is this how you’ll face the one you saw in the water?”
My breath caught.
