I had done some training too, but it had only been summer camp for youth, and we were mainly taught how to shoot so we could defend ourselves in case of an attack. The emphasis hadn't been on strength or endurance. I had done that on my own to prepare for the pilgrimage, but it wasn't on par with what we were doing here.
"I'm afraid so. Basic training is always brutal. They want to whip us into shape as fast as possible." Alar pushed a plate of food toward me. "Here. You need to eat to replenish your energy."
The plate held a generous portion of eggs, bread, and some cold cuts of meat that smelled like goat. Not that I cared what it was. I just wanted to fill my stomach.
"Thanks." I picked up a fork. "For this and for keeping me company on the run, but I don't want you to do that anymore."
He lifted a brow. "Why? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"
"Are you seriously asking me that after all we have been through together?" I asked before loading a generous portion of eggs into my mouth.
"Then why don't you want me next to you?"
I finished chewing and took a sip of water. "You shouldn't slow down for me. I don't care what position I attain in the Force. I don't even care about becoming a rider that much, but you do. And let's face it, as a guy, you are expected to do better than a small girl like me. We are not all like Shovia."
The smile returned. "So, you are worried about my success on the Force?"
"I know how important things like that are to you. You are a competitive guy."
He tilted his head. "And you are not?"
I chuckled. "I'm not a guy." I stuffed a large piece of cold meat into my mouth and started chewing. Goat meat was flavorful, but it wasn't soft or succulent.
"But you are competitive, right?"
Was I?
Well, in some things. The things I was good at. "I'm competitive in academics, which is done sitting on my butt and not charging up a hill."
Something passed in his eyes, something hot and hungry that had my pulse racing.
He leaned closer to me. "You have a most lovely butt, Kailin, whether it is sitting in a chair or running up a hill."
My eyes widened. "Is that why you always stayed a couple of feet behind me? You were watching my butt?"
Alar feigned innocence. "You wound me. I wanted to catch you if you stumbled. All those small rocks made the trek hazardous."
"Right." I rolled my eyes, wishing Shovia were here with some witty comeback.
For all my academic excellence, I wasn't nearly as good as she was at retorts.
"It's the truth," Alar insisted. "The five of us need to stick together. Morek, Codric, and Shovia were charging ahead, so it was up to me to stay with you."
He might have even meant it.
I nodded. "The idea that we were all chosen together still seems impossible, miraculous even. What are the odds?"
"That's why I believe we need to stick together. Providence must have a task for us in mind. As a group."
I was surprised that Alar believed in fate. Elurians were loose with their religion, and they weren't nearly as superstitious as Elucians. I wondered if he had noticed the number five recurring at every turn.
It was like an omen, like fate was telling me to take note.
Five years ago, I had defended my village against the Shedun. Five days before the pilgrimage, I had met Alar. We were divided into groups of five on the trek, and our quintet was the first one in history to have all of its members selected for the Dragon Flight Academy.
Heck, there were even five sinks and five shower stalls in the girls' bathroom.
"About yesterday," Alar said, breaking my string of thoughts. "I wanted to talk to you about?—"
