Zhilakoa groaned as she entered her chambers, feeling like she'd been put through a wringer. The conversation with Lady Caliste still floated in her head, and then there was Eryn infuriating, arrogant, and yet...
Fiona, looked up from the book she was reading and smiled warmly. "Hey, milady. Rough day?"
Zhilakoa collapsed onto the bed, burying her face in a pillow. "You have no idea. Lady Caliste assigned me to the Crystal Division. And guess who she suggested to be my mentor"
"Oh? Who's the lucky person?"
Zhilakoa's voice was muffled by the pillow. "Eryn. And he's already making my life difficult."
"Well, that's no surprise. You two did get off on the wrong foot, didn't you?"
Zhilakoa lifted her head, her hair disheveled from the pillow. "I'm starting to think he enjoys pushing my buttons."
Fiona set her book aside and walked over to Zhilakoa. "Maybe he's just trying to prepare you for the challenges ahead. The Crystal Division isn't for the faint of heart, you know."
Zhilakoa snorted. "I can handle myself.
Fiona sat down beside her, a gentle smile on her face. "I know you can handle yourself, milady.
"Fiona, I don't get it. Eryn's being so distant and cold. I thought we were friends, or even more than that, Zhilakoa said as her mind drifted to her kiss with Eryn. Now... it's like he's a different person here."
"Maybe it's because of what happened with his Kasmir milady. You know, the one who left him?"
"Eryn never talks about her."
Fiona responded "Exactly. He never talks about her, but that doesn't mean he's over her. Maybe seeing you again brought up old feelings, and he's trying to protect himself."
Zhilakoa frowned, considering Fiona's words. "But why would he be so cold to me? I'm not Kasmir.
Fiona shrugged. "Maybe he's afraid of getting close to anyone again. Or maybe he's trying to prove to himself that he's moved on."
Zhilakoa sighed. "I wish he would just talk to me about it.
Fiona stood up and made her way to get some water for Zhilakoa. "Give him time, milady. He'll come around. And in the meantime, let's focus on getting you ready for the Crystal Division. You have a lot to learn."
Zhilakoa gulped down her water, wiping the drops from her mouth as Fiona gave her a detailed explanation of the balustrade; the treacherous path that all aspiring cadets must cross.
"It's a gauntlet, milady," Fiona warned. "The stone hedges are slick with moss and algae, with no railings to catch your fall. One misstep, and you'll fall into the depths below, where the flarions wait."
Zhilakoa's eyes widened, "What are they?" she asked, trying to feign ignorance.
"Creatures of legend, milady. They breathe fire that can melt steel, and their scales are as black as the darkest coal. They have wings, too, and can swoop down upon you in an instant. And they're always hungry, always on the lookout for their next meal. Their scales and eye colours identify what breed they are and how dangerous they are . Their roar can shake the ground beneath your feet."
Zhilakoa shuddered,"And what about the other cadets?" she asked.
"They're just as dangerous, milady. You'll be competing against them for a spot in the Crystal Division, and they'll stop at nothing to get ahead. They'll push you, trip you, and do whatever it takes to make you fall. It's every man for himself on the balustrade, milady. You'll need to be careful, and resourceful, if you want to survive."
Zhilakoa nodded through the nausea that washed over her trying hard to push through the fear.
"After becoming a cadet, most people get bonded to a flarion, while some try again the next year" Fiona explained. "It's a sacred bond, milady. The flarion chooses the human it wants to be bonded to, and it's a lifelong commitment. You'll be bound to that flarion, for better or for worse.
"What's it like, being bonded to a flarion?"
Fiona smiled, "I have no idea although, I've heard it's exhilarating, milady. The flarion becomes an extension of yourself, and you can feel its power coursing through your veins. You'll be able to sense its emotions, its thoughts. And it will be able to sense yours. It's a deep connection, milady. But it's not just a blessing. It's also a curse. You'll be tied to that flarion, and you'll need to learn to control it, and yourself."
Zhilakoa asked Fiona, "What division did you get into?"
Fiona's face fell as she responded "I never got the chance, milady. After what happened, I focused on serving the Order of the Oak."
Zhilakoa nodded understandingly, remembering the conversation they had shared earlier about Fiona's family.
Fiona continued, "But I've heard the Crystal Division is one of the most challenging. You'll need to be careful, milady."
"I'm going to fall off the balustrade, Fiona. I just know it."
Fiona placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You won't fall, milady. But if it makes you feel better, you should really consider asking Eryn to give you some tips."
Zhilakoa hesitated, unsure if she wanted to ask Eryn for help or if he'd even help her but she still forced herself to get off her bed and make her way to his chambers.
Zhilakoa stood outside Eryn's chambers, her stomach churning from anxiety. Maybe he could help her, maybe he could give her some tips on how to survive the balustrade.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and knocked on the door. The sound echoed through the hallway, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, the door creaked open, and Eryn stood before her, his expression unreadable.
"What brings you to my chambers, Zhilakoa?" he asked, his voice neutral.
Zhilakoa swallowed her pride and her breakfast that rose back up from her stomach, trying to push aside the memories of their earlier encounter. "I need your help, Eryn. Fiona said you might be able to give me some tips on how to navigate the balustrade."
"Oh really? I thought you didn't need my help?"
"Yes, I know but I'm sorry"
Eryn studied her for a moment, Then he stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. "Very well, come in."
As Zhilakoa entered Eryn's chambers, she couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between this room and his cozy cottage. The cottage had been warm and inviting, filled with personal touches and soft furnishings. But this room was harsh and cold, like Eryn's attitude towards her.
The bed was a massive black monolith, with sheets to match. The curtains were thick and heavy, blocking out most of the light. A single chair sat beside the bed and a rack of blades and weapons hung on the wall, gleaming in the dim light. A closet stood in one corner, and a narrow passage led to a small kitchen.
Zhilakoa took in the austerity of the room. It was as if Eryn had deliberately stripped away any warmth or comfort, leaving only a cold hard shell.
Eryn gestured for her to sit, and Zhilakoa chose the chair beside the bed, trying to ignore the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. She looked up at Eryn.
"So, what do you want to know?" he asked again, this time with a tiny bit of softness.
Zhilakoa took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. "Everything," she said. "I don't know what to expect, and I don't want to fall off the balustrade."
Eryn nodded, his expression unchanging. "I'll tell you what I can,"
Zhilakoa whispered under her breath, "Good to have you back, Eryn."
Eryn raised an eyebrow. "What was that?" he asked, but Zhilakoa said nothing.
Instead, she focused on the lesson at hand. Eryn took her through the theoretical aspects of crossing the balustrade, explaining how to spread her arms to steady herself and how to shift her weight to maintain balance. He demonstrated various techniques, his movements fluid and precise.
Next, he asked her to warm up with some light stretches. "We'll head out to the training area soon," he said. "I want to see how you put these techniques into practice."