197. Solid Advice. *

My fear was right on point.

After the first day it was painfully obvious that those master marksman and women were toying with us at first. By sunset Carlos had to use his powers just to avoid a few!

The rest of us were in a pitiful state and quite injured in the process. Demelza even took one in the eye colouring her entire face.

I myself wasn't any better, my legs were killing me for jumping around, ducking, rolling and doing anything to avoid those balls, but still those felt the most reliable options to avoid them. No one, not one had the balls to use weapons after seeing Alexander getting hit 40 times in a row, turned out cutting them with a sword was an impossible task. Our guess was we couldn't do much better with our bows and arrows.

In the meantime Zephyr left us proclaiming he didn't need to see us during just the end.

We stayed until the twins and sisters themselves got tired and left for dinner. Alexander and Lucian stayed after Carlos requested them for one last round.

" After all this time, I honestly thought I got tougher but, today has opened my eyes we're no where near the level we need to be for an actual fight. " - said Demelza dragging herself along side us.

She was right, I never felt so much further from my goal. The last three session of mine was a complete disaster, couldn't doge a single ball and that was even considering, the girls felt sorry for me at the end and tried their best to be .. gentle so to speak with their throws. With each round syphoning more and more strength our of me making each round more difficult than the last.

" I feel awful .. I need to lay down. " - Eli held her hand to her chest tilting toward the right a little.

Looking at us now one might think we got beat up badly, which we were in a way. But with me dragging my feet and holding my back the picture was complete.

" We need time, we still have two day before we sat out towards Tori. " - I said determined to pump some hope back into the conversation. " We need to improve a little .. at least me. "

"What do you mean by .. at least me? " - asked Eli.

I explained what Zephyr promised me an how I need to improve if I ever want to see a divine beast up close and personal.

" .. That's sounds like a fairy tail Sisi, your husband wound never let you actually combat the beast. " - said Eli shaking her head with an amused smile.

"I didn't say I wanted to cut his or her damn head off, I was quite content just watching it from a safe distance and maybe sink an arrow or two if my aim is on point. " - I said 

Besides Nifa needs to be there and I could hide behind her wife's illusions without problems .. my husband is just overprotective, which I loved very much.

We arrived at home smelling the delicious cooking of the ladies who were either too old, too pregnant or just had zero interest in fighting.

Zephyr was in deep conversation with Penny Mites and two young girls who must be her apprentices.

" .. I don't particularly care about the specifics, I just wanted to copy or at least resemble the armour of Dharma, I don't need all this fancy bits. " - he said with clear disdain for what ever the idea was.

" But that's still no reason for our Leader to wear the same as the rest of the soldiers. Yours needs to stand out and be more grander than the rest .. so? " - Penny said looking determined to see this through. " Choose .. Full cape or maybe jewels on the shoulder plates? "

" .. Fine. Full cape it is, just make it light and .. whatever just make it look normal please. " - he said defeated by the adoring eyes on him and the sight of us .. he just wanted to wrap this up.

" Perfect we deliver yours and the captains tomorrow and the rest by the time you leave. " - Penny stood up with a satisfied smile picking up a few drawings and such from our table. " Oh hey girl, I've heard you two are in need of armour as well .. stop by my house tonight so we can take your measurements and preference. "

" Hey Penny. "

" Hey Pen .. sure thing I just need some first aid. "

" Hy girls, ignore them Penny we will come after dinner, you're welcome to stay if you want? " - I said offering her and trainees to stay.

" That's nice of you Lylly but, we need to make haste on these armours .. Olaf would never let me live it down if I couldn't deliver on time after he made the necessary parts ages ago .. he also done with your arrow heads if you want to test them. " 

She quickly cut off the two young girls almost twice her size whom looked more than ready to join us tonight and made toward the door.

We need to pick up the arrow heads and make arrows and.. God .. plus the training as well. Just needed to share one look with the girls to understand they had similar thoughts about our schedules.

" Hahaha .. come here my love. " - Zephyr enjoyed our expressions a little before he opened his arms and quickly closed it around me. " Want me to help you out a little girls? "

He smiled confidently and waited for our nods before he continued.

" Quit! .. Hahaha .. Im going to pick up the girls from the Kelso family .. rest a little. "

He was smart enough to jump backwards but it was for naught since I had no energy to spend on the futile effort of hurting my husband .. Instead we just cursed him loudly as he walked out his laughter haunted us for a while.

We sat down he table and sought some comfort from our elders. 

" He is not wrong, he said it before .. Zephyr just needed you lot to understand how difficult it is to keep your wits about you under pressure." - said mother without turning around but still understanding the situation. " .. and this little training is nothing really. Even my Carlos is struggling with it and his experience in battle is extensive. "

" I say don't listen to him, you are young and perfectly healthy .. what wouldn't I give to be 20 years younger and have the opportunity to fight along side strong man like Zephyr. " - Miranda added her bit.

" Either way, you three need to pick up the pace or let something go this training could backfire if you're injures worsen. What if you can't go because you push yourself too much. "

Granny arrived with some pastes and healing herbs in hand overhearing the important parts.

Our telepathy revealed we all thought the same.

""" Hell no .. we keep training. """