I should be in the library researching with Katherine. She promised me she’d get the new information to her contact last night, and I am eager to meet her in the library later to see if we can find anything new.
“Where do we start?” I ask.
“Balance,” he says.
“I am not getting on that log again.” I cross my arms.
He points to a plank that spans four tree stumps. It’s only about a foot off the ground.
“We couldn’t have started with that?” I ask.
“Watching you fall in the mud yesterday was worth it,” he says.
“I’m glad I could entertain you.”
He points to the plank again.
With a sigh, I make my way over to it and climb on top. I take a couple steps and have to throw my arms out to the side to help me maintain my balance. I hate that it’s harder than it looks, and I fall quickly. At least this time, I land on my feet and there’s no mud.
It takes three tries before I can cross without falling.
“If you were a new recruit, I’d have sent you to the kitchens already,” he says.
“Good thing I’m not,” I say. “Wait. You do it. If you’re so great, show me.”
He hops up onto the plank and quickly walks across without so much as a wobble. He’s huge, his feet don’t even look like they should fit, but he’s traveling across the plank as if it’s regular solid ground.
“How long did that take you to learn?” I ask.
“I’ve never fallen,” he says.
“Do the log,” I say.
“I’m not the one training today.”
“You’re afraid,” I taunt.
“No, we just have a limited amount of time, and this is your training, not mine.”
I grin. “That’s because you can’t do it.”
“Fine.” He removes the knives he’s got strapped to his thighs and sets them on the ground. Then, he climbs up to the end of the log.
He hesitates.
“You really are afraid,” I tease.
“I’m just waiting for it to stop swinging.”
“Sure,” I say mockingly.
“You’re the worst,” he grumbles as he takes his first step. The log sways, and he throws his arms out to maintain his balance.
I move closer. “That’s not what you told me the other night.”
He glances at me but doesn’t turn his head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh yes, you do,” I say. “You called me beautiful. I think you even fought someone to defend my honor.”
