Walking into the training gym is like walking into a second home. For my gym class, Arobynn set up a private training room for my special skills. Chaol unfortunately is not invites today. It's a combat gym plain and simple. There are punching bags, dummies for practicing moves or techniques, and mats for hand to hand combat. It's not only about hand to hand but he couldn't get them to allow weapons in this training room. This is counted as my gym class by the school but it's kept on the down low. I never knew why though, I think others should be able to train and be able to defend themselves in this world that is slowly turning more dangerous.
I walk to the center of the room. There are some others in the room but I pay no attention to them. They are just others that Arobynn train. I start to stretch out my muscles and warm up. I jogged once around the building just to get my blood pumping. I started a basic circuit of defense stances and movements. I fell into a rhythm after that and was gone. I went from defense to the offensive and I knew others were watching. They should, I would be offended if they didn't because I am a damn good fighter and they all knew it. I stopped my warm up after twenty minutes and moved to one of the punching bags, wrapping my hands as I went. I stood up to the bag and began another circuit of punches first then added some kicks. Soon I was circling and striking like an asp.
I panted hard and I punched the bag one last time them turned to the others and looked expectantly. They all apparently found something far more interesting to look at besides my eyes.
"So, who will it be today? Maybe Tern or Harding? No, I challenged them last week," I feigned a perplexed face and then looked at Nox. He was a good friend of mine and a fierce competitor, even if he was a little too chivalrous for me. I met his gaze and gave him a little smirk. He just shook his head and shot back a smirk of his own almost earing his teeth at me. He started to walk towards me as the others backed up and took positions to watch the fight that was about to happen. It was simple who ever got the other in a compromised position won, and Aelin always won.
Aelin simply picks at her nails in an unassuming position, hoping he would fall for it. He did. He lunged for her but feigned left. She saw it coming and swiftly sprang out of the way and was on her toes easy for the next blow. She immediately went on the offensive and kicked at his unguarded left side. He was ready and caught it but she jumped up close and landed a blow to his jaw that sent him staggering back. She didn't let him recover as she landed another blow to his stomach and then swept her foot under his legs that sent him to the ground. She thought she had him but he rolled out of her reach and sprang back up. He lunged at her once more but it was sloppy and she easily twisted out of the way hitting his back and then his knee. He went down hard and then she pounced.
He didn't stand a chance. In a split second her forearm was at his throat and her knees on his thighs. She smirked down at him. None of the blows would leave a mark but they sure would be sore tomorrow. He just laughed softly and nudged her off him. She rose gracefully, brushing herself off. She went to check her phone for the time and the bell would ring in fifteen minutes. She rushed to the girls' locker room which was basically her private changing rooms sense no other woman trained here. I was always put off about that but I guess everything about Arobynn puts me a little on edge.
I quickly hop into a cold shower and dry off and change back into my jeans and shirt. It was a nice shirt, a dark navy with gold thread on the seams. I tuck it into my pants and slip my feet into my boots. It was fall and we lived North so it would start getting cold soon. I towel dried my short golden blonde hair and put some mascara on. Simple but elegant, good for school. The great thing about this boarding school was that we didn't have a dress code besides looking nice. Sweatpants were a no go and that really pissed Aelin off because she would have loved to wear those all day. She walked out of the dressing room with her book bag and phone in hand. She had a text from Dorian.
Hope you have enjoyed your reprieve from me because I will be back tomorrow. Hopefully you and Chaol haven't ripped each other to pieces yet. See you tomorrow.
I laughed lightly and then looked up to see Nox leaning on the wall next to the doors of the exit.
"Still as good as you were two weeks ago. My wrist still hurts from when you hit it," He says as he opens the doors for me. I just laugh at him and walk out of the door.
"You're the best one in there Nox, don't forget that," I tell him sincerely as I look back, "and sorry about your Jaw!" I yell over my shoulder as I jog lightly to the back gates of the school. I have one more class until I can go to my room and just get in bed.
As I walk to the south entrance I see a scurry of motion. I stop in my tracks and scan my surroundings. In the woods beyond I hear another scuffle of motion and a flash of gold. I creep closer, my curiosity getting the best of me. The sound of crunching leaves and branches snapping is the only sound. It could be anything with these woods. Too small to be a bear but too big to be a racoon or rat. I lean my head into the bushes to find to large golden-brown orbs looking up at me. I make a startled noise as a small golden, albeit dirty, puppy looks up at me. I slowly approach but it only looks at me curiously with its head cocked to the side. I lift my hand up to its nose and it smells it tentatively. Its tail starts to beat happily as if it found what It was look for.
Slowly the dog comes out of the bushes and I see that it's a girl. She has huge paws and I can see that she would be a beautiful silvery gold color if not for the dirt and leaves coating her body. I croon as I pick her up and she nuzzles my face.
"What will I do with you?" I ask aloud. I'm not allowed pets in my rooms but maybe Dorian could pull strings. I hoped no one else would find her and give her to some awful family. I must keep her. Second bell rings and I put her back in the bushes.
"Stay there and don't leave or get caught by anyone. I'll be back in an hour and thirty minutes," I rush into the south hall and enter my Chinese classroom.
I shuffle around in my seat, watching the clock. This might just be the longest half hour of my life. I don't really remember our teachers name but she sure isn't Chinese. She seems fluent in the language though. I just need that last bell to ring and then I can go as fast as possible to the forest. I check my phone under my desk as discreetly as possible. Two minutes till class ends. It seems like a lifetime!
"Ahem," a petite voice sounds. I turn to find Kaltaine Rompier looking pointedly at my phone.
"Have somewhere to be? Maybe with your boy toy Chaol? Or even Dorian. Did you know when he was getting back?" she smiles a sickly-sweet smile but I just roll my eyes and turn around. Kaltaine has always been a rotting pile of shit wrapped in perfumed paper. One minute. I start packing up my books and shove my phone in the back pocket of my pants. Class is over but the bell hasn't rung yet. I tap my foot impatiently against the floor. Kaltaine snorts at my fidgeting. I wish I could punch her in the face. The bell rings as I snatch up my bag and walk swiftly out of the room. The hallways are packed with students but I nimbly weave in between them as I make my way to the back entrance.
"Aelin! Wait up!" A familiar voice sounds behind me and I whirl around to face Dorian himself.
"Dorian! I thought you were getting back tomorrow!" I throw my arms around him as he chuckles.
"I wanted to surprise you. Where's Chaol?" he says as we break apart. "I don't know but I have to go do something," I say quickly and start towards the doors but Dorian is a step behind.
"No Dorian you can't come with, it will draw to much attention," I tell him quietly, "Wait two minutes and follow the trail to the forest, I'll see you." With that I walk swiftly out the doors and towards the forest. My heart beats frantically in my chest and my eyes scan the forest as I go just in case she had moved. I don't care about being caught, I just want the dog to be safe.
As I near the spot I last left her, I slow my steps and start towards the bushes. I move the branches and find the dog in the same place I left her. I smile a bit to myself, she's a smart dog. I bend down slowly, carful not to startle her. I hear loud, obtrusive steps coming down the trail and I know immediately that it's Dorian. I go to grab her, but it's then that Dorian decides to make his grand entrance. The dog backs up, immediately afraid of the new presence next to me.
"Oh my gods Aelin, you of all people would find our missing runt," Dorian says, exasperated and a bit relieved.
"Huh? Wait this is one of the staffs' dogs?" I turn to him swiftly and he just raises his eyebrows at me.
"Yah, my mom has been breeding dogs for a while, and this one was from the most recent litter. She doesn't seem to like people and won't go near anyone, so my mom was going to put her down."
"Put her down? You wouldn't do such a thing! Just give it to me and she will be all taken care of."
"I don't know how your going to be able to take care of it and its not even allowed to have pets on school grounds."
"Well too bad because your going to pull some strings and get me this dog and your parents aren't going to care."
I cross my arms and plant my feet, waiting for his counter argument to mine. He just shrugs and goes to pick up the dog. She shy's away from him but he is able to grab her before she runs away.
"See what I mean, she doesn't like anyone. I'll ask my mom about it and I will make a very convincing argument. Just don't tell anyone about it yet and try to be patient, Aelin, please."
With that, he turns back down the path towards the school grounds. I hope he can get me that dog without much trouble. I'm not worried for the dog, oh no, I'll get that dog out of that hell hole even if I go on a covert operation that is completely against every rule at this damned school.