RYLIE
"Your form is close to perfect," Silas commented as I went down and up, balanced on my palm and tiptoes in continuous push-ups. His tone carried a hint of pride, making me smile inwardly.
Hiding a smirk, I pushed my body to exhaustion. That was his way of saying my form was already perfect.
The day of the solstice was growing closer and for some reason, an uneasiness was growing within me as well. It gnawed at the edges of my mind, a certainty that something big was coming and that this solstice would not go as I expected, but there was nothing to do but wait. I pushed myself harder, hoping that the physical exhaustion would drown out my worry.
After a few more rounds of push-ups, sit-ups, some stretching, and flexibility exercises, Silas ended the exercise session weirdly. Usually, we did way more, and he pushed until I was near collapsing before he ended our sessions.
"We'll start training with weapons a little earlier today, there's something I want to test out," Silas said, his voice echoing through the almost empty training room. Like clockwork, we were here quite early every day, and only a few people trained as early as we usually did.
This room had become my second home, its wooden arcs as familiar as it could be. They were bathed in the soft morning light, the smell of pine and sweat mimgling in the air. The sights and smells that accompanied my morning routines had become a comfort.
"Okayy, what do you have in mind?" I asked, more than a little excited.
"You'll see."
As I watched, Silas cupped both hands together, and suddenly, the wind picked up speed, feeling cool against my perspiration-misted skin. He whispered something I could not hear into his cupped hands and when he put his hands down, my eyes widened in surprise.
Where his hands had been, there was a swirling ball of air. It was strange, the air was swirling around so fast that I could hardly see the pieces of little twigs and leaves dancing around in it. Then, in a voice that sounded so familiar that goosebumps broke out on my skin at the sound of it, he echoed, "Rayah" and the air ball dispersed.
The blood drained from my face, and I stood shock-still, "what was that?" I inquired in a deathly calm voice.
"The messaging system in the trees." He chuckled lightly, then he saw how pale I was. "Ry? What's wrong?" Worry filled his eyes and he approached me cautiously.
Quickly, I weighed my options; this only meant that someone had been reaching out to me from this tribe already; no surprise there, but how had they done it? How did they break the barrier of my consciousness and wander into my dreams, and more importantly who was this person?
"Ry?" He called again, leaning forward to peer into my eyes, worry clouding his gaze still.
I shook my head, willing my thoughts to disperse like the ball of air had. "Nothing," I murmured, ignoring his look of disappointment.
"You could always talk to me." The undertone of his voice begged me to trust him but I couldn't, not when I didn't understand anything myself.
"I'm fine," I reassured, managing a weak smile. "Why did you call on Rayah?"
"Yes, why did you call on me?" The girl in question approached, she was quick. I could not fathom how quickly she had gotten here but then again, she was a tree person.
All traces of his earlier worry and disappointment drained from his face and was quickly replaced by seriousness.
"Get in the ring, Rayah. You'll be helping with Rylie's training today. You too Ry." Silas ordered as he walked away from the ring, approaching the hanging weapons on one side of the room.
"Morning, Munchkin," Rayah said in greeting.
"Morning, Rayah." Her hair, which was usually up in a head wrap, was out today, and it was loose, its long tips reaching past her waist. I had never seen it out before.
The glossy black mane shone brightly in the morning sun, its reflective sheen making me a little jealous. I could never make my hair cooperate like that.
She was a beautiful one, this Rayah, her doe eyes and oval face perfect for getting lost in.
Silas came back a moment later, bearing wooden swords. He handed the light weapons to both of us, moving backward so he could see and assess me properly.
"Get into positions." He ordered, voice booming loudly.
I playfully tapped my wooden sword against Rayah's, before putting a little bit of distance between us. I gripped the hilt of my blade tightly, swinging the light wood around in a circle, before widening my legs and crouching into a stance.
Smiling widely, I gestured at Rayah to come using my sword. And she did.
It was a clash of wooden blows and we parried and ducked, each one of us exercising her expertise with the blade. Silas watched from his spot, judging quietly and often shouting suggestions at the both of us.
Usually, I fought with Silas, and he was unmatched, but we were evenly matched, Rayah and I, so no one gained ground above the other person. We were on equal footing.
After some minutes Silas called an end to the match.
"Enough," he bellowed, "Rayah, you can pick your own choice of weapons now." Once again he went back to the wall of weapons.
"Sweet." Rayah immediately left, going to the wall as well.
I watched them in confusion. Silas was soon back, brandishing two real swords. "I think swords are your weapons of choice." He handed them both to me.
We had always trained with wooden weapons, and everything about the metal was different; it was heavier for one, and the hilts were different. They sat perfectly in my hands though, feeling like extensions rather than weapons. I sliced through the air, using one after the other, testing them.
"Mmmmmm," I murmured in appreciation.
"I thought so too." Silas chuckled.
Rayah approached, two small axes in her hands; she held them so easily like they weren't new to her.
"Those are her most utilized weapons," Silas offered, reading my mind. "She's pretty good, so pay attention and learn what you can." Then he stepped back as Rayah stepped into the ring.
Her outfit was leggings, a loose shirt, and boots; everyone wore boots. With her hair down and her axes, she stalked into the ring like she was about to execute judgment on me.
"Fight!" Silas commanded and she came flying through the air like a demon before I could think. Last moment, I raised both swords above my head, protecting myself against her assault. The force of steel on steel almost brought me to my knees, Rayah didn't waste any time, kicking me to the floor as I blocked her attack.
Get it together I screamed to myself as I immediately rolled off the floor, both of Rayah's axes now lodged in the ring where I had initially fallen. This was what battle was and I had only been joking around the rest of the time. One mistake and my life would be forfeit.