Page 16 of Spirit Trials
He levels his stare at me. “I can guarantee you will have a water challenge. The water will be just as cold.” I look down at the water again. “For the first time, you just have to stay in for sixty seconds.” His voice isn’t as intense this time.
I swallow my retort and walk down into the water, shivering as I do. “Are you counting?” I ask as my teeth chatter.
“You have to go all the way under before the time starts.”
I grit my teeth and take a breath before plunging into what feels like ice cold water. I emerge a second later and throw my hair back. “I hate you,” I mutter.
“So, you’ve said.”
“How long has it been?” I ask through chattering teeth.
He takes his precious time. “Twelve seconds.” I groan out loud. “Focus on moving, to keep yourself warm.”
“There's nothing I could do in here to keep myself warm, Rysden,” I say as I level a scowl at him. But seeing as I’m literally freezing, I try ducking under the water again. I swear the breath freezes in my lungs; it’s so cold. I let my anger at Rysden burn through me while I stay under water—anger at my circumstances, at the king, at this entire situation. Finally, when my lungs can’t take it any longer, I burst through the water. I refuse to ask Rysden how long it’s been.
Chapter 11
“One minute and two seconds.”
I climb out of the water and try to climb up the side of the bank, but I get slogged down. Rysden reaches out a hand and takes my hand and pulls me up to where he’s standing. “Th-thank y-you,” I say through my teeth chattering. “I’m going to go take a warm bath.”
“Not yet.”
I turn around, and my shoulders sag. “What now?”
“This way.”
I slog after him, dripping water everywhere. He stops at a wide tree. “Climb it,” he orders.
“I know how to climb trees.”
“When you’re wearing wet, heavy clothes, and your fingers are numb?” he asks in return. I stare at him and then shake my head and face the tree. “Pretty sure you have to touch the tree to start climbing.”
I ignore him as I map out the best way up the tree. I take a few steps back and then run at the tree. I take two steps up the trunk and launch myself at a higher branch. I then pull myself up and begin the task of climbing to the top. It definitely is more difficult than usual, but I manage just fine. In a matter of seconds, I’ve reached the top. Peering down at him, I call out, “How was that?” I don’t bother waiting for a reply before I start climbing down. When I reach the last branch, I swing forward and drop to my feet beside him.
“Do it again.” I lift my gaze and realize he’s waiting for me to argue with him. I close my mouth and attack the tree again. We walk back to the house in silence after that.
“Tonight, a tailor is coming to the house. He’ll take your measurements and make you some clothes, so you don’t have to keep wearing my brother’s.”
His words surprise me, but I don’t say anything. When we get back to the house, Hector meets us in the entryway and takes in my wet clothes. “I’ll wait for you to change and then we’re going hunting.”
“I already know how to hunt.”
“When there’s snow on the ground and all the game has gone underground?” he asks.
I take a deep breath. All I want is a warm bath and to bury myself under my covers. “All right. Give me a few.” I make my way up to my room and change into another black shirt and trousers; Jamik has kept me supplied. I look longingly at my bed before leaving my room and making my way to the front door where Hector is waiting for me. “I’m ready.”
“Farrah.” I turn around to see Rysden holding up something. Upon closer inspection, I realize it’s a fur. “Turn around.” I do, and he slips it up and over my shoulders. Instant warmth envelops me. I close my eyes and let the warmth soak into my frozen bones. When I turn around, he’s already gone. My eyes meet Hector’s, and he gives me a look I can’t quite read.
“Let’s go, Young One.”
I follow him outside, and we walk towards the trees behind the house or the castle as I call it. After we’ve walked forever, he finally turns to me. “Let this be your first lesson. You have to eat.”
I face him. “Uh, yeah.”
“Other contestants have to eat too.”
His words seem to find a landing place. “I may have to fight for food.”
