Knuckle Down:
Chapter 8
"More!" The voice of Yun echoed through Cast's head, vibrating in time with every pushup he did.
"Cmon now! You can do better than this!" Cast tried for a last push up, but couldn't quite make it. His arms gave out and he fell.
"Oof!" The dust cleared out from under him. The scene around was tranquil, belying the struggle that Cast was going through. The grass on the edge of the lake moved in small waves and looked synchronized with the lapping of the water against the lakes edge. The sun was high overhead, adding to Cast's struggle, the heat of it beating against his fur.
"Cant I take a break?" Yun looked down at him. His expression spoke volumes.
"You can't give up now. You have to develop that arm strength. However It seems your overall strength is lacking as well. Get up" Cast worked his way to his feet.
"Alright, Here." Yun rummaged through his sack, and pulled out a large bag. He tossed it at Cast.
"Whats this?" He asked. Yun smirked.
"Put that right here in front of me." Cast did as he was told.
"Alright, see that beach right there?" He pointed to a small sandy bar at the edge of the lake. Cast nodded.
"I want you to go over, pick up some sand with your hands, run back here, and fill this bag up until it's completely full." Cast jaw dropped.
"WHAT?!?!"
"You heard me. I want you to fill this bag up. Now get started, it's early morning, so you should be done around tonight." Cast stared.
"Don't just stand there with your maw hanging open! Get to work. Come to the tavern when your done." Cast stared again, and Yun turned around and started walking back toward Corneria.
Cast looked woefully at the bag, then started walking towards the edge of the lake.
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The sun beat down on Cast as he trudged to and from the lake in the midday sun.
The bag was barely a foot high, maybe only ¼ done. He was going too slow! He wouldn't be able to finish at this pace. Cast went to the edge of the lake on one of his return trips. He leaned down to the edge of the lake and took a long drink of the crystal blue lake water.
He looked at back at the bag, and then got back up and went to work.
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At the tavern Yun was enjoying a quiet nap in the back in a small booth. A small rustling beneath him woke him up from his light sleep. He moved and looked under the table, and saw a small piece of paper stuck in between the floorboards. He plucked it from its position. On it in small writing was a number, 313. He stared at it, then put it on the side of the table.
He turned and looked at the sundial across the tavern. It was only mid-afternoon. The kid wouldn't be done for another 3 hours at least. He looked down at his cup.
"Man, he better not finish too late. I need to get to the Inn for some sleep. This booth doesn't cut it." He then leaned back and closed his eyes, preparing for another nap.
He was rudely interrupted by a large slamming sound coming from right in front of him. Then table almost broke under the strain, and Yun almost had a heart attack from the sudden shock.
In front of him was the full bag of sand, and behind it grinning was the young fur.
"So. Happy now?" He asked. His fur was slick with sweat. He must have been working tremendously hard.
"You finished already?!" Yun asked incredulously.
Cast just grinned.
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