"Currently we are not at war but be that as it may, circumstances can change at any given time. It's common knowledge that a lot of the wolfbeast population was decimated during the last wolf war. Although we are a proud wolfbeast territory and would rather not mix humans with our affairs, right now we have no other options. Our prominent leaders have decided that we won't just automatically make you our servants. We'll give a chance, a fair fight to show us what exactly you are capable of. If you can show us your talents on the battlefield you won't find yourselves at the bottom of the pecking order. There are twenty eight of you that survived battling Kanakika. So you will divide yourselves into groups of six. You have until midnight to write down the participants of each group. You will only get one week to get familiar with teammates and make your team as efficient as possible. Please choose your teammates wisely and good luck to all of you for you will need it."
She kept replaying the commander's words in her head as she made her way to the upper deck of the Aguatian ship.
When someone grabbed her from behind, his attack was so swift it caught her off guard.
What's even worse with all her training since week she never heard him coming.
Her attacker had one hand covering her eyes and the other wrapped firmly around her waist.
How long had the attacker been studying her routine to know her movements.
He must be highly trained to not have her sense him.
Sleep deprived, Zyra never saw it coming as her kidnapper dragged her struggling body behind a hidden door.
The heat from her attacker's body felt somewhat familiar, she recognised his smell before she heard his voice.
"Don't scream." He whispered in her ears before he released her slowly.
Cyril leaned up casually against the door, sufficiently blocking her exit.
"Cyril what the hell."
She tried to punch him in the face but he caught her wrist instead and didn't let go.
"You need to be more aware of your surroundings Zyra."
She leaned in closer to him and growled, "don't you ever do that to me again."
He ignored her as usual and changed the conversation."
"Heard about your little spat with the lovely Crystal."
"I don't care what you heard. After that little stunt you pulled just now I'm sick of your games."
"They say Crystal's recovering nicely but you don't seem to care that your punches could have caused internal damage."
"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to listen to malicious gossip."
"Not when it concerns my little protegee."
"I'm not your little anything and if you want to continue this conversation any further, I suggest you switch the topic."
"Must be something in the food the Aguatians are feeding you because you've grown claws and turned into a little spitfire. A far cry from the demure, naive girl that begged for my help in the cave."
"See, I remember the cave situation differently. I didn't beg, you offered. While I'm still grateful for the help, it is not gentlemanly of you to throw that reminder in my face every opportunity you get."
"Touche. Speaking of being a gentleman it would not be sporting if I didn't give you this. Happy Birthday Zyra."
He took her wrist and slipped on a golden charm bracelet, the first charm on it was a lion in full pounce made out of the precious carnelian stone. "Thank you but how did you know?"
"Like I've said before I made it my business to know everything about you."
If the gold wasn't a dead give away to how expensive the bracelet was the charm made it clear.
The fact that there were more empty slots for future charms was too much.
She loved it but it didn't feel right accepting such a precious gift she hadn't earned.
Knowing Cyril there was always some ulterior motive.
"It's a lovely gift Lord Carnelian but I can't accept."
She frowned. She was trying to open the locks but it would not spring open.
What the hell was going on, why wouldn't the lock spring open.
"I'm sorry if the gift isn't to your liking but I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice in the matter."
Bloody hell. What in the Terranite Oblivion was he going on about now.
"Cyril, take this bloody thing off me, this instant."
"Not that I can't but I won't. You haven't heard the news yet but things will be changing around here. More than you know Zyra, you are a precious commodity to me and I can't afford to lose sight of you. Only I know the right combination to open that lock."
"In other words, you're treating me like a pet and this has some sort of tracking device."
"I'm glad you caught on and saved me a lengthy explanation. As much as I would like to continue this conversation, it's time for your training to start so I'll bid you adieu."
He left her fuming and didn't look back.
In no time the week passed, the Aguatians were audacious and demanding.
They never once eased up and pushed everyone to their limits.
Zyra had no time to be preoccupied with what happened between her and Crystal.
Or to be weighed down by guilt.
No time to be ashamed for putting the hellcat Crystal in her place.
Her only regret was that she had not done it sooner.
Even though it was cloudy, forget cool air it was downright humid and the sweat dripped down her spine.
It felt good to be out on deck again and breathe in some fresh air.
She had started to feel a bit claustrophobic since they had been cooped up inside for so long, since it had been raining heavily.
The Aguatian guards woke them from three a.m. that morning and had them resume training.
Zyra hardly got any sleep since they went to bed at midnight.
She was beyond exhausted and felt like she could collapse any second from the fatigue.
Since it felt like all her muscles were sore and her lungs burned from all the exercise they had been given.
The worst part was when they had to lift weights, afterwards her hands felt numb and her legs would get muscle cramps.
Zyra's body would retaliate for her forcing it to do too much too soon.
The first Aguatian guard she ever met, the bland one with the big nose, learned his name by chance after his trainer called him by his first name, Aenon.
The trainer was reminding him that he was on duty that morning.
He was teaching them about swords and was surprisingly passionate about his favorite subject.
The trainer called out to her, "You, get over here."
Zyra didn't hesitate.
She learnt that hesitation meant extra work from her Fuegolian days and the Aguatians were even worse as they were perfectionists.
"Choose one and make it quick," Aenon commanded loudly.
She headed over to the weapons rack.
There were so many shapes and sizes to choose from and they were all polished to perfection.
That she could even see herself brightly reflected in the gleam.
All the blades were of finest quality as Aguatians only hired the best and most experienced swordsmiths.
If she knew who she was going to fight next it would make it easier to narrow down her choices. Since she didn't have that option she preferred to go with a slightly curved, single edged rapier. It had no scratches like it had never been used before.
Its gold gilded handle matched her charm bracelet's color to perfection and was just as ornate and expensive looking.
Zyra picked up the blade of the rack, it was light and fitted the palm of her hand, she quickly did a few thrusts to test it out.
She prayed it was durable.
The last thing she would want during a fight was the blade to be broken easily.
Forget the embarrassment but if she was going to use a sword, just like Aenon said she had to be ready to kill.
A year ago she would never believed herself capable of harming another living creature but after her fight with Crystal.
She realized she barely recognised herself anymore and was capable of so much more on the battlefield.
She glanced at her friends for the first time since she had headed over to the weapons rack.
Nyla gave her a thumbs up and Verity nodded her head in support.
Solidifying her decision, Zyra knew that Aenon didn't lecture them straight for an hour straight about swords for no reason; this was another test of sorts.