Chapter 13: Another New Face

“You look like sh*t,” Chalea said.

Tavin felt like sh*t. All of the previous day’s and night’s outings left him absolutely drained. He had somehow managed to wake up on time, but the slog back down to the training ground already felt like too much. To top it all off, Valina was nowhere in sight.

“Perhaps I pushed you too hard,” Chalea mused. “Take the morning off, and meet me back in the square at noon.”

“Thanks, Chalea,” he said.

“Don’t think this is me going easy—I just can’t have you broken. We resume this afternoon, and you better be ready.”

Tavin was happy for the break. He headed back to town, and Chalea hung back at the training ground. He wasn’t sure why; she had an odd way of doing things, but Valina seemed to trust her so much he couldn’t help but let it go. He didn’t feel like heading home, so sat on the cobblestone by the town square, under Benett’s awning. He knew the blacksmith wouldn’t mind.