I don’t know how long I’ve been standing here, lost in memories as I stare at the ropes. Does he remember my races with Kassia?
Of course he does. Leon remembers everything.
I reach out. The coarse fibers of the rope bite into my palms as I haul myself up, feeling the strain in my shoulders and back. My muscles scream in protest, and I hiss out a breath.
Pinning the rope between my feet, I push, using the rope as leverage. And still, my body aches.
I grind my teeth. Leon wants me to climb the rope? I’ll climb the fucking rope.
One pull.
Another.
Another.
I’m out of practice, and it feels as if I’m making no progress at all. Distantly, I can hear Baldric jeer, but I tighten my grip around the rope, ignoring the sharp sting from the splintered fiber.
My vision narrows, until all I can see is the rope.
Race you, Velle! Maybe I’ll let you win this time.
My next exhale sounds more like a sob.
Kas never let me win. I would have snarled at her if she had.
Focus.
Muscle memory kicks in and I use my legs. I’m almost at the top. Just inches away from being done.
The rope turns eel-slick beneath my palms.
The flash of confusion is enough to break my focus.
I slide, curse, squeeze with my legs. But my thighs can’t find any purchase on the slippery rope.
I plummet, my hands still tight on the suddenly smooth rope.
This is going to hurt.
Fire rips through my hands and I let out a screech. The rope is no longer covered in oily slickness. I’m still careening toward the ground, but the coarse fibers are tearing up my hands.
A sudden burst of wind wraps around me, slowing my descent.
I know that wind.
Leon slows my fall, and I halt, saved from breaking my body against the floor far below me.
Gods, my hands hurt.
I let out a pained moan. But it’s drowned out by the commotion on the ground.
Leon has Hester’s tunic in his fist, and she’s staring at him wide-eyed. A guard marches toward her. “Power is only permitted during sparring,” he snaps.
Hester’s eyes dart, and she looks up at me. “I was just having a little fun. Helping her train. We should all prepare for the unexpected here, shouldn’t we?”
I look like an idiot clinging to this rope. Sucking in a few shallow breaths, I slowly descend, until my feet finally hit the ground.
The guard steps closer. His eyes are hard. “Do you want her charged?”
