The battle of Savages is the only battle or conflict to happen among Lupine ranks. It was a time where a Lunavar had died of natural causes. Meaning that there had to be a competition for the throne. At the time, there were two contenders. A Valmir and a Maovessa. They had an equal amount of support across the Lupine territory. Neither refused to stand down. It got so nasty between the families, that innocent Lupine began to get caught in the crossfire. There were ambushes, assassination attempts and in the end, the two sides battled it out for the crown. However, in causing so much pain and devastation in their quest for power, the two families lost their favour. Allowing an Orzanya to become the next Lunavar right underneath their noses.

The two warring families lost a lot of favour and were almost destroyed after their actions. Both, however, managed to recover. To this day, the Valmirs and the Maovessas are enemies. They hate losing to each other and whenever they can they will battle for the Solavar or Lunavar title.

~The History of Solavar's and Lunvars of the Lupine Territory.

We walk out of the large doors that lead into the great hall of stone. I have the same wide-eyed reaction as I look up and see the houses built into the walls and the bridges of stone crossing each other at various heights above me. We walk out through the tunnel that leads out into the main city. Not many Lupine stop to talk to us. They give the Solavar wide smiles and nods, but they don't stop their work.  Again, they look at me with strange expressions. I ignore it though as I continue to look around at the city in awe. The houses are made predominantly of the sand-coloured stone and are all sorts of shapes. Fitting into their spaces however they can. A lot are made from other materials too. Almost like they've taken whatever they could find to repair and build. Lines of clothes hang between buildings and Lupine throw things from windows.

The fashion here is so different to that back in the Solavar's castle. Some Lupine wear the leathers that I've seen so much of. Most, however, wear looser and softer materials that don't cover a lot of the skin. Then again, in this heat, I can't blame them. I am in my training uniform. I feel very lost as Kai leads me through the streets. It is more of a maze than my own city. Razan and Nishka walk behind us happily and I can see eyes widen as we pass. There are lots of other wolves in the city with their Lupine. They aren't big like some of those in the castle. They are sizes of wolves you would see in the wild normally. Still, they are beautiful. Kai and I chat as we walk.

"I like the new accessory," he says, looking at my sparkling ring. I raise my hand to look at it and frown. "I'm surprised Karn and his crew didn't take it off you on your way here," he chuckles. I let out a huff.

"I wish they had," I growl. "Bloody thing won't come off," I tell him. He frowns.

"You managed to get a ring stuck on your finger?" he asks.

"Not on purpose," I reply with a laugh as the diamond sparkles in the sunlight. "When I was in Ronzal mine," I begin, "Nianzu and I went a little... crazy," I gulp, thinking back to it. "One moment, we were escorting the Centaurs out. The next, we were tunnelling through the dirt and rock." I shudder, remembering as I clawed through the tight tunnels. Not caring as my fingers and skin were getting torn to shreds. "Then, we found a small cavern," I frown. "And inside it was this large, glowing stone." I lose focus as I think back to the stone as it glowed gold and rippled with colours of pinks, blue and purples. When I look down at the ring, I see hints of it now. Kai listens with a frown of his own. "We touched it," I frown "and then the room exploded in light. Anyway, Nianzu and I woke up in the original tunnel with these rings on our fingers," I shrug. "I've not been able to remove it either," I sigh.

"I heard the treasures in Ronzal mine are cursed," Kai replies. I shrug.

"Well, so far it is only a ring. I just can't take the fucker off," I grumble. He looks down at it.

"It is beautiful," he says. I smile.

"Yeah, but it has gotten me in trouble with Riva. She keeps telling me I shouldn't be showing off my wealth or training with such finery. Luckily, my gloves cover it most of the time," I sigh. Kai laughs.

"That sounds like Riva," he tells me. "Still, we should keep an eye on it. Just in case it does have some strange magic to it..." I nod my head then frown.

"Where are we going?" I ask Kai, changing the subject.

"Be patient, princess," he tells me as he smiles down at me. I sigh and roll my eyes. We continue to walk, the further we get from the castle the more people begin to talk and crowed around Kai.

"Solavar!" people shout as a crowd begins to form around us. Kai laughs and holds up his hands, speaking in Lupine. My heart races a little as he gestures to me and I hear my name. I smile and say the Lupine greeting word. Most of the time, I just watch as Kai interacts with his people. It is so different from back home where we are meant to be distant. I could never imagine my father doing this. Eventually, we get to a wider street and people begin to leave Kai alone again. I don't know if he asked them to or not. 

"A market," I smile as I look down the street to see rackety wooden stalls and Lupine shouting and bargaining with each other. Kai grins at me and I take his arm as he leads me into the mass of Lupine. We push past people as they run around in a hurry, too busy to care that the Solavar is here. Of course, they give him small gestures of respect. Kai leads us to the first stall.

"Not like the things you have at the capital I am afraid," he tells me. I laugh.

"I kind of gathered," I joke as I see what's on offer. Dryweed tea. Great. Kai says something in Lupine to the man behind the stall. I watch as he adds a little bit of golden liquid to the tea and he passes it to me.

"What did he add?" I ask.

"Honey and a bit of whiskey," he replies. My eyes widen and I take a sip. The liquid still tastes of dirt. But the honey adds a nice sweet note that makes it slightly more bearable, then the strength of the whiskey comes through and my eyes water. Kai laughs seeing my expression and gestures for me to give him the cup. I do and he takes a sip himself.

"How did he get honey and whiskey?" I ask. Kai shrugs. 

"You don't want to know," he jokes and I nod my head. He holds out the cup again and I take it back. This time, I take a slightly smaller sip before giving it back to him.

"You finish it," I say to him. He laughs and downs it all in one big gulp. I shake my head at him.

A group of children run in front of us, making us stop short.

"Solavar, Solavar!" they shout. They are roughly ten or so. That is my guess anyway. Their hair is messy and their skin covered in patches of muddy sand. Their clothes are torn and not very well fitted. 

Kai grins and says something to them. Their eyes fall on me and they frown. A little girl smiles though and asks me what my name is. Thankful Riva taught me that, I am able to answer in Lupine. She grins and I hear the word brinya. I understand Kai's reply to them.

"Yes, she is the Princess," he chuckles. Their eyes widen and they look at me. The girl starts tugging on my skirt and a crouch down to listen to what she has to say. I don't understand much of it, but I hear Kai laugh next to me. I look at him questioningly and he speaks back to the little girl. She blushes.

"Sorry, I didn't know you didn't speak much Lupine..." she says in a soft voice.

"Not at the moment," I smile back at her. "But I am learning." She nods her head.

"We are not good at common tongue," she sighs.

"No?" I ask. "I'm not good at Lupine," I say to her. "Perhaps, you can teach me," I smile. Their eyes widen and she grabs my hand. They all laugh excitedly as our large group all walk to a large open square. I am sat down in the middle of it, the children sitting down around me. I look at Kai, nervously. He stands to the side, watching with a calm grin. I gulp and look at the group of the children. They sit waiting expectantly.

"Erm," I say, not sure how to ask them exactly what they would like from me.

"We teach you Lupine. You teach us common tongue," A boy states in his thick accents.

"We do not have... educators," the girl frowns as she tries to find the words. I nod my head.

"Okay," I smile and think back to the lessons I had in my youth. Though I am not sure how much they need me to teach. They already sound like they have a fairly broad knowledge. With a sigh, I push that to the side and begin with some of the basics. They sit and listen quietly with wide eyes.

"More!" another shouts once I am done.

"I thought we had a deal," I tell them with a laugh. "Now it is your turn. Come on," I grin. The next half an hour, I have the children all yelling things at the same time as they try and teach me slang words among other words that I'll apparently need. The girl, Leila, also teaches me numbers up to ten.

"Practice again," she orders.

"Okay," I sigh and begin to count on my fingers. When I get to seven, she stops me. Exasperated, she tells me I am pronouncing it wrong again. She says the number a few times, making me copy her a few times until she is satisfied. Only when she is satisfied, am I allowed to finish counting. She grins and gives me a hug before pulling away.

"Sorry," she says in Lupine, looking down. I crouch down and take her hands.

"What for?" I ask.

"For touching you," she replies softly.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," I tell her. "Would you like a hug?" I ask. She looks at me with wide eyes and nods her head. I open my arms and she falls in. I wrap my arms around her tiny body tightly and smile. She pulls back and giggles, before gloating to her friends. I don't know exactly what she says, but I hear the word princess in there.

Kai comes next to me and whispers in my ear.

"She is gloating to her friends that she got a hug from a princess," he tells me. "Now they all want one," I smile.

"Perhaps another day," I smile at the group of children. "I have more places to visit," I say. They all let out disappointed moans. "I'll come back, I promise. I can't miss my lessons." Their faces light up and I wave them goodbye.

"Are they really not getting an education?" I ask as we start walking again. Kai sighs.

"They are mostly children of the streets," he tells me. "No family and no one willing to take them in."

"Oh," I say, an ache settling in my chest.

"I try and do as much as I can for those without homes. But, there is only so much," he sighs. I nod my head. "Not many people are wealthy. There isn't enough money for children who are not your own to be taken into families," he explains.

"For now," I tell him. He smiles and nods his head.

Kai takes me to meet others in the city. I go to schools, healing centres, factories and all sorts. Some people are more open to my arrival than others, but at the moment, it doesn't bother me.

We arrive in the dining hall for dinner at the same time. There is a smile on my face still after the events of today.

"Thank you for coming into the city, princess," he says, bowing his head slightly. I bow my head back in respect.

"Thank you for giving me the royal tour," I smile. He lets out a low chuckle and we begin to walk to our tables.

"I had a lot to live up to," he says, referring back to the tour I gave him in our city three years ago.

"You did very well considering it's your first time," I joke. He laughs.

"What could I have done to improve?" he asks.

"Well," I begin, "You didn't sneak me into a holy temple I'm forbidden from entering to start with," I sigh, shaking my head. "I'm actually a little disappointed in you," I tell him with a shake of my head. He laughs again.

"I'll try better next time," he says.

"As you should," I reply, a laugh in my voice. He grins at me.

"Enjoy your dinner," he tells me as he leaves to go and sit in his space. I sit down next to Una and Wyatt. Una doesn't talk to me, as usual. Wyatt does though, thankfully.

"Good day?" he asks. I nod my head.

"I think so," I smile at him and stop as Kai begins the prayer.

The next four weeks pass in a blur. I throw myself into all my training and studies. I don't think I've ever worked my body so hard or brutally. I haven't visited the city as much as I should have. Even on my days off, I've been studying. I am already drastically better at speaking Lupine than five weeks ago when I first got here. I think Karn was right about me having the other Lupine gifts. With the intense training, I have been gaining strength, speed and endurance. Though I was fairly toned from before, my muscles are a little more defined now thanks to Karn and Kovan's training programs. It shouldn't happen that quickly, but I am guessing with my gift making more of an appearance, it helps massively. Of course, I had to work for the results I am beginning to get. I have taken numerous beatings and worked my body to the points of complete exhaustion. I am still not as good as the other Lupine, but I am catching up fast. Karn says it won't be long until I am out of my training uniform and a full-fledged Lupine Warrior. It is from there that I will begin to be taken more seriously. At least, that is what I'm hoping for. It is also when I get to learn how to ride Razan. The thought of riding Razan makes my heart race with excitement. I can only imagine what it must be like to race across the desert on the back of such a magnificent creature.

"Are you even listening to me?" Riva snaps, speaking in Lupine.

"Sorry," I reply and look back at her. She gives me a slap and forces me to focus again. When she speaks, it is a mixture of Lupine and common tongue. What she has already taught me, she says in Lupine. What she hasn't, she switches back to common tongue.

"We still believe in the creation of this world," Riva explains to me as we begin a lesson in history. "But we don't worship all the gods." I nod my head.

"Not a lot of people worship any gods any more," I tell her. "Not after they abandoned us," I sigh.

"We do not believe they are gone," she replies and my eyes widen. "You see," she begins, "Our gods would not leave us. They did not battle and bicker like the others."

"Who do you worship?" I ask.

"Solar, the god of the Sun, Summer and the Day. We also worship Luna. The Goddess of the Moon, winter and the Night." I take notes down as she speaks, ready to do some of my own learning later.

"You see, we believe that when all the races were created the rest of the gods couldn't be bothered to look after their creatures. They made this strange, beautiful world and left us alone in it. With no guidance or abilities to survive. These deserts were their experiment. To see how far they could push their magic to create a place that is unnatural. The summers are extreme in the warm temperatures. Blazing heat that dries the stone and takes all the liquid from everything. In all of Vivelle, we have the longest days. Strangely enough, the winters are the complete opposite. It becomes a freezing desert."

"Really?" I ask, my eyes wide with shock. I have always thought this place an almost unhabitable place of burning heat.

"Yes," she smiles. "Snow, ice and darkness. For though we have the longest days during the summer, we have the shortest days during the winters."

"Wow," I mutter.

"At first, we were just human. Freshly made and thrown into these lands. No clue on how to use it and how to survive it. Not only that, but the goddess of beasts had also built a spectacular creature. Wolves were created by the god of Animals, but she twisted his creation and made them so much more," Riva sighs, her hand gently stroking Tia's fur.

"The Kintara wolves," I smile, looking at my bored, sleeping wolf. She nods her head.

"Beasts so powerful and beautiful that the Animal god got jealous and banned them to these lands. Hoping they would not be able to survive the environment. Sure enough, he was right. The wolves struggled with their furs in the summer months. In the winter months, they struggled for food. They were so desperate that packs would raid human villages and tear people to shreds," she shudders. "For years, our two species struggled together. Killing each other just to survive. Humans would use Kintara wolves pelts for warmth and eat their meat just as hungrily as the wolves did to them," she sighs. "Solar and Luna looked upon our outcast lands and grew sorry for us. They knew that is was their seasons and weathers that caused us such distress. We could have moved, yes. But as you have seen, there is an enchanting beauty to these lands." I nod my head. "It is hard, yes. But it is our home and to leave it would be weak. Impressed with our resilience and loyalty to their lands, Solar and Luna went to the goddess of beasts." I nod my head, completely engrossed and fascinated that Nianzu's mother had something to play in all of this. "They made a deal with each other. A deal to bring both species together. Saving the Goddess of Beasts beloved creation and their beloved humans. That is how human ascended to Lupine. Muscles once weak were filled with strength and speed. Eyes that could hardly see could now have vision at night. Hearing, touch, taste, smell and sight all improved and magically strong. That would have been enough. But, they wanted to give us more. The gave us the bond with a Kintara wolf," she grins as Tia snuggles up against her. "Both species working together in the loneliness of these vast lands. Wolf and Lupine. A bond of friendship, companionship and love. A true, uncorrupt bond." I smile widely and feel Razan nudge my shoulder. "When the wolves bonded to their Lupine, their bodies grew in strength also. They became resilient. Weapons became useless against the beasts. As did poisons. They could not starve, nor could they overheat or dehydrate. That was all part of the deal. As a way to save the wolves from the natural dangers, their lives were entwined with the Lupine so much that as long as their Lupine were alive, they could not be killed. Their sustenance would come from energy from the bond. Not that they still don't like to eat," she chuckles as she nudges her wolf.   "That was still not enough for the Lupine though. They were still hungry and little food could grow in the heat or cold. No food meant no animals to hunt either. So, the Lupine began to leave their deserts and attack villages and farms close by. Angry that the Lupine were terrorising the people in charge of harvesting his precious, fertile land, the god of Earth declared the Lupine to be destroyed. Solar and Luna refused and instead came up with yet another deal. Allow food to somehow flourish in these lands. Food that will be able to sustain the people. That is how we got dryweed. Though, of course, he couldn't make it taste nice," she chuckles. "He at least filled it with all the vitamins that the Lupine would need. He also gave us the Red Potato. Again, what it lacks in flavour it returns in nutritional value." I let out a laugh also as I think back at the dishes. "With more plants growing, animals were able to return for us to hunt," she explains and I nod my head. "Providing us with the proteins and fats our bodies need." I nod my head, completely engrossed.

"So," she continues. "The Lupine were so grateful to Solar and Luna for giving us the abilities to flourish in their lands instead of forcing them out, that they decided never to war between themselves. That they would honour the bond with their wolves by never pitting the beasts against each other. So, it was decided that two leaders were needed. A male and female. A united and mated pair. Instead of having a fight for the crown, the leaders had to build support from the other Lupine. The first rounds were peaceful. The pairs slowly building trust with others through promises and plans of how they would rule. When there were two pairs left, then the fighting came. For though they wanted peace, the Lupine knew they would face challenges. They needed strength and skills in battle. So, they fought to the death until there was one couple remaining. The male was named the Solavar. The female, Lunavar."

"What do they mean?" I ask. Riva smiles.

"Well, you know Solar is the name of the god and the Lupine word for Sun. You know that Luna is the name of the night goddess and the Lupine word for moon. Var, means champion." My eyes widen. "So if our leader is male, he is the Sun's champion. If our leader is female, she is the Moon's champion."

"Wow," I say. She smiles.

"We believe that a Solavar or a Lunavar are only overthrown when Solar and Luna have chosen a new and better champion." I nod my head and she sighs.  "Now, that is enough today. Tomorrow, I will talk to you more about the bonds between Lupine and Kintara wolf." I let out a disappointed sigh. "Don't worry, you still have a lot to learn about all of this," she smiles and together we walk to breakfast.

"Good morning, Illyana," Evon grins as I sit down next to Una. I smile at the Lupine woman opposite me and say hello back, speaking in Lupine. I also say a quick morning to Una and only get a muttered word back. Our relationship has been tense, to say the least. She still thinks I am going to drag her down and ruin her chances of advancing in the Lupine ranks. I have, however, managed to befriend some other warriors. Evon and her partner Iyara being one of them. Wyatt plonks himself down next to me with Zoran on his other side. They too have been whipped into shape, though they didn't need as much work as me. The two of them are already out of their training uniforms. Though I think that is because they were scared of Zoran. Being the Mer prince and all. Evon blushes when she sees Wyatt and I smile. She has a little bit of a crush on my handsome friend. However, she has not noticed the fact that Zoran and Wyatt are practically inseparable and also share a room.

"Princess," Wyatt grins, slapping my back. "Cor, got some muscle definition going on there, finally," he grins, speaking in Lupine. I ordered him too so that I could be around it as much as possible. I shove him off.

"Stop it" I laugh and give him a light punch, replying in Lupine also. I look over to Zoran and smile.

"Hello, Zoran," I say. He smiles back and gives me a small wave.

"Good morning, princess," he says with his smooth Mer accent. He too has been learning the Lupine language and it is a very strange mix with his accent.

I look at the two of them. For some reason, even though I have been spending hours training alongside these two, I feel like I've hardly seen them.

"Any news from Nianzu and the girls?" Wyatt asks. I let out a long sigh and shake my head.

"No, nothing," I say.

"I have tried to make contact with the Knights," Zoran tells me. "But I have heard nothing back." I nod my head. "I think they are busy continuing your work with the mines. Plus, getting messages to and from this place is difficult."

"Don't you still have the link with Nianzu?" Wyatt asks. I shake my head, missing my shapeshifting friend.

"I think it has a distance limit," I sigh. Wyatt nods his head.

"I actually miss that grumpy fuck," he sighs. I chuckle.

"Yeah, me too," I reply, feeling my heart sink a little.

"At least you still have us," Wyatt grins.

"Poor girl," Iyara replies quickly and I tip my head back and laugh. Wyatt crosses his arms grumpily and leans into Zoran.

"Hear that, we aren't appreciated around here. We are no longer her majesties number ones."  Zoran laughs deeply and pushes Wyatt back off him and pats his legs.

"What do you mean we?" he asks. "I am a Mer prince. I'll always be useful," he chuckles. Wyatt look's even more offended as he gazes at me with sad puppy eyes. Zoran laughs and leans into Wyatt, pressing a delicate kiss on his lips. I smile at them and Evon opens her mouth in shock. They pull apart and Wyatt smiles happily. 

"Aw," I chuckle and wrap my arm around his shoulders, leaning into his side. "Does someone feel jealous?" I grin, still continuing on from Zoran's comment. He leans into me and nods his head, jokingly. "Poor, poor Wyatt," I laugh and kiss him on the cheek. 

"Pft," he mutters and pushes me away. "You don't mean it, you've replaced me," he sighs dramatically. I shake my head.

"Always the attention seeker," I grin and shake my head.

"I treat you like my sister and this is what I get?" he asks. "I spend years of my life pretending to get beaten by her..."

"Oi!" I shout and slap him around the arm. "I beat you those times fair and square," I tell him. He shrugs.

"If you insist, your majesty," he replies sarcastically, before pulling me into a hug. I laugh and shake my head against his chest.

"Honestly," I chuckle. "You would have thought you were the royal with that attitude," I grin. Wyatt laughs and lets me go so I can eat my food.

"You two grew up together?" Evon asks. We nod our heads at the same time. I am grateful that Wyatt is here. One connection to home in this foreign place. Someone I will always be able to trust.

Iyara grins wickedly.

"You must have some epic stories of the princess when she was young," she exclaims and I hear some of the other warriors lean in to look at him expectantly.

"No, no," I say and quickly shove my hand in front of Wyatt's mouth. He bites me and I rip my hand away with a dirty expletive leaving my mouth.

"There was this one time when Illyana first got a sword..." he begins before I practically jump on Wyatt to shut him up. Even Una is interested now as the table begins to silence.

"You are not telling that story," I warn him. "Or I swear to the gods, that Councilman of Military position will go to Merissa instead," I grin. He seals his lips. 

"Good boy," I smile back, patting his head.

"Princess, You are no fun," Evon says and sighs. I shake my head.

"I am interested in this story," I hear a voice behind me say. It's Kovan who grins behind me, his brother at his side with an equally mischievous smirk on his face.

"If Wyatt knows what's good for him..." I threaten and then squeal as Kovan lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder.

"No!" I shout as Wyatt opens his mouth. The Lupine around the table are quick to stand up and gather around my friend. I have grown closer to quite a few of them over the past weeks which I am now beginning to think is working against me. Kovan holds me tight over his shoulder as I try and wiggle.

"I'm warning you, Wyatt!" I shout as I let out another squeak and Kovan spins around. We get funny looks from the other tables, but over the last almost six weeks I have realised that boisterous scenes like this are not uncommon from this table. usually, they are a dinner treat instead of breakfast though. I have witnessed many playfights and arguments and now it would appear I am allowed to join in.

I look over to Kai who sits at the Solavar's table. The rest of the council look amused.

"Start the prayer, please," I mouth to Kai. His wicked grin tells me he has no intention of starting the prayer and every intention to hear the embarrassing storey Wyatt is about to tell. I had not seen much of Kai these last few weeks. Both of us have been extremely busy. Perhaps, this time away from him was a good thing. Now, however, as he lets this continue, I want to go over to him and throttle him.  

"Well," Wyatt begins standing up. "Seeing as I have such a captivated audience, I can't just let them down," he sighs. "Plus, I know I won't be getting that position I so clearly deserve as you have proven to me that I am no longer your favourite," he sighs dramatically.

"Wyatt," I warn again, smiling through my gritted teeth.

"It all begins the first time Illyana was given her sword." I move quickly, jamming my elbow into Kovan's back. He lets out a curse word as his grip loosens around me. I wrap my legs around his waist and launch my body back. Landing on my hands, I use the momentum of his heavy weight falling to flip him over my body and pull me back up to standing. Completing the strange flip I had just done. I quickly jump out of his way and race toward Wyatt. There are cheers as I very tackle him in a very unladylike fashion. I cut him off mid-sentence as my shoulder slams into his stomach. My arms find the back of his legs and I pull them out, allowing his back to land heavily on the ground. He lets out an oomph and laughs as I straddle him.

"I forgot that was one of your favourite moves," he chuckles as I jump off him. Holding out my hand for him to take, I help him off the ground.

"You win this time, princess. Your secret is safe with me," he chuckles.

"Good," I grin. "Make sure it stays that way," I tell him and give him a wicked smile. We both sit back down and he laughs, pulling me into his side.

"Yes, your majesty," he mocks and then groans, stretching his back. Evon shakes her head.

"We thought we were about to get a wonderful story," she tells me. I chuckle.

"It is not a story to be told whilst I am sober," I reply. I see Kai laughing and shaking his head as Kovan slowly walks to his place.

"Nothing to see," he shouts and sits down. "Solavar, if you wouldn't mind," he smiles. Kai lets the room laugh and calm down before finally starting the prayer.

Because of my trick earlier, Kovan is particularly brutal today. He has us carry heavy logs on our shoulders whilst we jog our usual route out of the city and through the canyons. My whole body is on fire as we reach the resting point and I drop the log on the floor.

"You are a cruel man, Kovan," Evon groans as she drops her log, panting and rolling her shoulders. He smiles.

"Yep, a quick few sips of water and then back to it," he orders. We all groan. I quickly gulp down some water and go to lift my tree. I can't find the energy to both lift it and then get it in the right position on my shoulders.

"Here, princes, let me help with that," Kovan grins, lifting the tree trunk with ease and onto my shoulders. I groan, feeling the heavy weight against my already tired muscles.

"Let's go!" he orders as he helps others with their logs. We are slow as we make the ascent up the steep canyon path. Barely going faster than a walk. Every step is agony. Both through my aching muscles of my legs and the burn in my arms and shoulders from carrying the log on my back. I do what I usually do. Grit my teeth and think about anything else other than the pain. It doesn't really work, but I keep pushing anyway. When our group finally arrives back in the training square, we all throw down our logs with relieved sighs before falling to the ground, exhausted. My muscles feel so weak and painful that I am not sure I'll be able to get up again.

"Good job," I say to Una. She raises an eyebrow and doesn't say anything back. I huff.

Be that way then, I don't fucking care.

"Girls," Kovan says, sitting down between us. I groan.

"Haven't you tortured us enough today?" I ask. He laughs and sits back.

"Don't you worry, this is only the beginning. Your next two weeks are going to be the worst of your life," he smiles. I laugh dryly.

"I highly doubt it, but okay."

"You two are not working as well together as I hoped," he sighs. "So, I am entering you both in a special competition," he grins. I sit up slowly, not liking his smile.

"Special competition?" I ask, looking at Una. Her eyes are wide as she looks at Karn.

"She is not ready for that," she snaps quickly. Kovan taps my back with a heavy slap. I let out a wince and he chuckles.

"Of course she is," he beams. "I can't think of any other way to get the two of you to actually start working together than the huge amount of quality time this game will give you."

"What is the game?" I ask with a frown. He looks at me with a smug smile. 

"Meet me here tomorrow at first light and I will explain it to you," he says, standing up. "Enjoy your bed tonight, it's the last time you'll be sleeping in one for a while," he shouts as he walks away. I look at Una and see fear in her eyes.

"What is he talking about." She glares at me.

"You and I are about to spend the next few weeks in only each others company," she snarls. "And it's probably going to either get us killed or bring shame to our reputation," she sneers. I gulp.

"Do what he said. Get a good nights rest and be ready for what is to come. If you fuck this up for me, I'll fucking kill you myself," she growls before turning and walking away. I stay sitting on the floor of the training grounds in shocked silence. My throat dries and my heart rate begins to race. What the hell does Kovan have planned for our "team-building" exercise?

Evon and Iyara come over to me and help me up. There are nervous smiles on their faces.

"If we are right in what Kovan is thinking, you're pretty fucked," Evon smiles at me.

"Gee, thanks," I say to her. She smiles and links her arm in mine.

"Come on," she says casually. "Forget about it for now and enjoy dinner. It could be your last," she shrugs.

"How is that supposed to help me forget about it?" I exclaim. Iyara laughs and pats my shoulder.

"Don't listen to her, Illyana. She is teasing you." I gulp and nod my head.

"No, I'm not," Evon replies with a frown. I don't miss the "shut up" look Iyara gives her. "Oh, yeah. It's all a joke," she tells me. I give her a sarcastic look of my own and she smiles sheepishly.

"You'll be fine," she says with a wide smile.

"Thanks, I guess." I reply and the three of us make our way for 'my last dinner'.

Just what has Kovan got in store for me?