“Percy.” Rulah came up to Percy and stood very close to his side. “I need to speak with you.”
I didn’t wait for Percy’s response, and I took off down the stony path heading down a tunnel of willow trees toward the lake.
I’d traveled with Lorn for two years before he’d first brought me to the Northern Woods. I was six years old when I’d first crossed the realm. All of the elves were beautiful, but at the same time terrifying. There were very few children, and Lorn made sure to keep me far away from them in case I lost control. We were loners in the elven kingdom, keeping to ourselves in the training hall that happened to be built right over a ley line. There I practiced fighting, knife throwing, and archery.
Life was hard as the only human girl being trained by a former scout commander. It was said that Lorn was the greatest scout commander they had ever had, and everyone wanted to be trained by him—but he wouldn’t take on any more trainees.
The day he’d walked in with a human girl and declared that she would be his only pupil was the day that sealed my fate. I was the most hated and ignored person in all the Northern Woods. I’d heard rumors that Rulah had even gone before the elven council and tried to get me removed from their courts. The rumors were that she thought if she could get me kicked out, then maybe Lorn would take on other students. It didn’t work. Apparently, being the adoptive daughter of Lorelai Eville held weight. The elven council knew to keep my mother on their good side. It didn’t help with me being ostracized.
When I was sixteen, Lorn brought in Percy, who was already a few years into his scout training. Lorn announced he would be my training partner.
At first, Percy was cold to me. Indifferent. He didn’t want to train with a human girl. I could tell he didn’t think I was worth the effort. He wouldn’t talk to me or address me. When he did, he would call me ‘Girl’. He ignored me unless we were fighting, and as soon as the weapons were down, I was back to being invisible.
Then that coldness turned to hatred, and the next few months were a living hell as he relentlessly beat me in every single drill.
Knives, he would easily disarm me. Staff, he would knock me on my back. Hand-to-hand combat, I’d be face down, kissing the mat with a knee in my back. He was a firsthand witness to my tirades, temper tantrums, and all of my very human emotions and frustrations. He was years ahead in training, and I hated losing. My mouth was a waterfall of colorful language that he had never heard.
“Why?” I had cried out to Lorn in private. “Why are you making us work together? He despises me and doesn’t want to train with me. Why can’t we go back to training just the two of us?”
Lorn had quietly rebuked me. “Do you doubt my methods? Have I ever led you astray before?”
“No,” I’d said quietly.
“Then you will continue to train with Percy.” He had turned his back on me, ending the discussion, or so I thought. He’d slowly turned and called out over his shoulder. “Maybe this lesson isn’t just for you, but for him. Have you thought about why he doesn’t like training with you?”
“It’s because I’m human.”
“Really? I wouldn’t be too sure of that. Do you know Percy’s affinity for magic?”
“No,” I'd answered. “He also doesn’t talk about it, either.”
“Then you don’t really know your opponent, do you?”
“Will he tell me if I ask?”
“No.” Lorn’s eyes had twinkled with mischief. “He won’t tell you. Maybe if you beat it out of him.” Lorn’s announcement about Percy had puzzled me.
After their affinity ceremony, most of the elves had some token or dressage that announced their gift. It could be a necklace with a sun, or a blue scarf symbolizing water. The scouts and soldiers’ uniforms were designed to showcase their affinities. It was an honor.
Percy had been way past the age of acceptance of his gift, so he should have been displaying his affinity. But his clothes were always the brown training uniform with no frills, complete with his leather bracers. There hadn’t been a single clue as to Percy’s aptitude in magic. Instead of focusing on him, I’d tried to change my perspective and focus on my own weaknesses.
I knew it had annoyed Percy. Seeing my emotions displayed so openly on my face and he would fight harder against me, showing no mercy. Month after month, it continued, and then one day, I’d stopped my meltdowns. I’d changed. I didn’t speak of my pain. If I was angry, my face was a blank slate. I’d buried my emotions deep and kept them locked away. My snappy comebacks fizzled down to nonexistent. I became a coldhearted soldier with no feelings. Like an elf.
I could feel his confusion in the change of my demeanor. I hadn’t cared. I’d wanted to be the best. To survive. I’d fully expected Percy to continue to despise me forever.
Then one day it just stopped.
Lorn was in another meeting with the council, and it was just Percy and I in the training hall at sunrise. Battered and bruised from the previous day’s exercises, my eyes had been red from lack of sleep because I’d spent the night going through my fighting forms. There was a bruise on my face where I hadn’t ducked in time and had connected with Percy’s elbow. I’d had a slight limp from a swollen ankle.
Percy had seen my disheveled face and the change in my gait. “Why don’t you give up?” he’d challenged. “Why do you subject yourself to this training? It’s obvious you are still lacking.”
I was surprised when he’d addressed me. He never spoke to me.
I'd picked up the wooden short sword from the wall of weapons and moved to the middle of the mat.
“I have to learn control, and train to live by myself.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to hurt the ones I love ever again.” I’d said it with vehemence and had immediately pictured my parents and those I’d accidentally hurt with my curse. “I don’t belong out there,” I’d said, pointing with the practice sword toward the veil.
“And you don’t belong here.” He’d watched my face closely.
“I know,” I’d said sadly, then dropped my arm. “I have to learn to live in a world in-between.” I’d held up my training sword and beckoned him to do the same.
Percy blinked at me, and I had known the subtle nuance of their culture to read his confusion again.
“You're hurt.” He wouldn’t raise his weapon.
“I’m always hurt, or haven’t you noticed? My body isn’t as hardy as the elves. You never cared before.” I’d settled into my fighting stance.
“You should rest.”
“I don’t have time to rest. Come on,” I’d demanded again, shifting my weight to my non-injured foot.
Percy then dropped his sword on the ground.
“This isn’t fun anymore.” He’d turned his back on me and walked away.
“Don’t you dare!” I’d screamed. “Get back here, and finish what you started.”
He’d stopped. “What did I start?”
As quietly as I could, I’d charged, knowing that he would react. He’d deflected my sword, swept out his foot, and knocked me to the ground. I’d hit the mat with a thud and gasped in pain as the wind rushed out of my lungs.