198. Oh Ye Lack of Faith. *

The next morning felt so much worst than anticipated.

I was still ' dirty ' for him so we had no sex .. and I wasn't in the best shape anyway but, still all my muscles were aching and cursed last night after we promised to still do our archery training just before breakfast.

Zephyr was spreading wide on our bed taking up 70% of it easy and it took me a little time to climb out without waking him up.

To my surprise Demelza was already awake and making some tea she was dressed and everything.

" You sure took your time .. but don't worry Eli is sleeping in as well, you don't look so good. " - she said having a too much fun with it.

" Well not all of us were comforted last night and yes .. I feel terrible, everything aches and all I want is go back to bed but, we brushed off granny's advice yesterday so .. here we are. "

I took a seat and gathered myself while drinking some tea examined Dem's face that turned into a nasty shade of blue and waited for my sister to show up.

" We can always just take a break from todays training .. we just need to endure the mocking of others. " - said Demelza with a knowing smile.

We shared some look ..

"" Nah .. ""

Just before we finished our morning warm ups, Eli arrived late but to her credit fully dressed and ready with weapon in hand.

" Sorry I'm late .. walked with Lucian, he and his team having early training as well. "

" Let's do this .. we don't need a full training just enough to keep us limber and we can go with the others once they're all showed up .. lots to do ladies. " - I said over my shoulders walking outside.

_____

" This isn't going any better .. " - said Demelza looking fearful of what's coming.

I was still panting from my last round and holding myself up by sheer will power. 

" At least .. we're here .. " - I said with great difficulty.

Seeing Eli get pummelled out there and her boyfriend almost tearing up, was little balm to our literal wounds.

" Dem you okay to go another round? " 

We turned towards Alexander who didn't look any better but his overall pain was mitigated by the fact he is a large muscular man. His question was easily waived of.

" Of course I am .. Where is Zephyr? " 

They turned to me and I simply pointed up. " He is having fun with the girls somewhere up there .. he sure have it nice. "

That somehow made them even more determined, for us this was killer training meanwhile he was living his best life just flying around. I looked up the sky a little envious, I could be up there enjoying the view and the lovely spring weather.

" Alright! .. We need a break guys. " - said Saam rotating his throwing arm a little.

Eli was offered help by Lucian but firmly refused, it was now a pride thing for all of us.

" Dodged 5 on level 4.. it's progress. " - she said with smile.

That smile somehow give us all a little bit more courage going in the next round.

{ SWOOSH }

" Hey family .. how's going? "

Behind us Zephyr arrived alone and in his brand new black and white armour with a large white Phoenix in middle .. and a full white cape attached to his back.

" You look great little brother, is ours ready as well? " - Alexander went forward and walked around him lifting his cape checking from every angle.

" I believe so, she just gave me mine and as a thank you, I took her and her apprentices for view up there .. ohoh Eli are you okay? " - he said walking closer to his sister in law.

" Just getting my second wind .. yeah you can go. " - she said looking at a patiently waiting Lucian.

" .. Yeah you can go as well. " - Demelza allowed her husband to go.

The men soon left to pick up their armour set.

" You look incredibly sexy .. to bad we still have a few days to go. " - I said wrapping myself around him feeling out the nice material on his back.

" Did she said last night when yours be ready? " - he asked.

Last night we spent an hour at her cozy little home doubled as a workshop while she took our measurements and ended up lamenting to them about the hard training Zephyr came up with .. their reaction was blaming us at the end, saying he didn't force anyone to do this and just offered a friendly suggestion.

His fan club was basically the entire village so finding others to sympathise with us was next to impossible.

" Three will be ready and available on the morning we set out they're gonna spend the next two days with only that and nothing else. " - I answered repeating what Penny said last night.

I let my hand wonder and felt him out a little .. God I missed this .. just a few more days, hell our next sessions might be in Hori village or in the wilderness.

" Stop .. this looks comfortable but I'm just a few more touches away from jumping out of it. " - he said pulling away a little adjusting his pants.

" But seriously .. you lot don't look so fresh, are you sure you don't wanna spend the remaining time just taking it easy and rest up? - he asked without any humour this time.

His concern almost toppled us but luckily .. 

" That's cheating .. " 

Mother arrived with Granny and Mettil in tow.

" What? What cheating!? " - I asked after seeing his ' I just got caught' look.

He took another look at the smiling arrivals and explainded it.

" We sort of took a bet .. if you three will give up before the time limit of tomorrow night. " - he said without any guilt.

" How dare you!? " - said Demeleza.

"I can't believe mother participated in this .. and you two granny? " - Eli said shaking her head.

" .. "

The other two were angry but at this point nothing my husband does surprise me anymore, in fact I will use his lack of faith as fuel .. I was also pretty proud of myself not loosing my drive like the others.

I walked up towards him and gave a passionate kiss almost taking him down in the process.

" .. Well that was .. nice. " - he said a little flustered.

" I hope you didn't bet much against me because you will definitely lose that bet .. what's the passing grade? "