Trials – Thinning Out The Weak Links
Trials – Thinning Out The Weak Links
Athos gave another set of instructions while walking through the groups of candidates. He stopped by the boys, smiling, and he sat on his hunches, “I know you are all strong. I hand-picked you myself for various reasons. Do not disappoint me, especially you 2, Your Highnesses.” He looked pointedly at Drake and Darius. They nodded once, knowing what was expected of them. Louis walked over to where Michelle and Stella were doing pushups, “Aahh, Belle Dame, it's good to see you here. I hear you were both picked by the same trainer. I am very pleased to see that you can keep up with Michelle, Stella.” With that, he walked over to Athos, and they continued their walk through the rest of the pairs.
“Michelle, why is it that Lumus and Louis both seem shocked that I can keep up with you. I mean, I know that you are a werewolf, but is it really that hard to keep up with a werewolf?” Michelle looked at her for a moment, wondering if she could tell her the truth. But she was wondering what Louis meant. Does he know what she is? “Well, I am not just a werewolf; my wolf, Silver, is Lycan. My mom and I are the last of the Lycans. My mom is also an angel. Wings and everything. So, that is why Lumus was surprised that you could keep up with me, because no one can, except my mom.” Stella looked at her, shocked, but then she started smiling. “WOW! So, your wolf is like so much bigger than your brother’s wolf, right?” They both started laughing. Michelle felt so much more at ease knowing she could trust her.
“Silver is, yeah, and faster. But I think because you are not as heavy as the boys, you can keep up with me a lot easier. Almost like an elf.” Stella froze, and Michelle had a weird feeling that she might have something that Stella didn’t want anyone to know. “I am sorry if I upset you with what I said.” With that, they got up as Athos announced a short break. The boys came over to them, and Sheamus could see that something was wrong. “Stel, you ok?” Stella nodded, “I might as well tell them.” They both nodded and turned to the group of friends around them. “We are not just from a White Witch Covenant, we are also hybrids. Our mother is a White Witch. Erin is our Aunt; she is our mother’s sister. Our father is the head of the Elvin army. They met during the last war, when the war between King Dominique and that rogue Alpha spilled over to our lands. The Elvin Kingdom and our Covenant’s lands border with your Kingdom's grounds, near a clear grass opening with a beautiful pond and cliff ledge.” Michelle took in a sharp breath. This was the same spot she, her mom, and dad liked going to. It was their special place. “Dad got hurt, and Mom helped to heal him. They fell in love, and well, you can see where that went. The High Witch, our grandmother, and the Elvin King signed a treaty, and the symbol of the treaty was Mom and Dad’s union. So, the borders were opened and the lands melted into one.”
Stella looked at everyone to make sure she could continue her story. “So, Sheamus and I are hybrid elves and witch for me and warlock for him.” Michelle hugged her friend, “I knew you were special. Finally, I have someone who can keep up with me.” They all laughed and carried on talking while they waited for the break to end.
Louis whistled loudly, and everyone looked at him expectantly. “The next round of exercise is for us to determine who the first lot will be to be dismissed from the trials. For this, we will be moving things outside.” They all followed the trainers outside to a big open field of soft grass that was cut short and had markings on it like the training area back at the castle. Athos and Louis stood in front of the candidates. “You will drop down and start planking. You will be planking for 5 minutes. While you are planking, the trainers will walk past and pour a bucket of water over your head. If you fall, you are out. GO!” Michelle and Stella dropped down, and Michelle quickly explained the best way to do a plank so that the water won’t bother her.
About 2 minutes into the planking, Athos came up to Michelle and Stella with 2 buckets. First, he poured a bucket of water over Michelle, and she just held her composure. Next, he stood next to Stella, pouring slowly, and she let he mind think of happy thoughts. Pleased with both girls, he moved on to the boys with Louis and another trainer. They poured the water over the boys' heads. When neither boy even flinched, they walked away pleased, moving on to other candidates. After the 5 minutes had passed, Athos told everyone to stand. “Those of you who fell during the water drop, thank you all for coming and for giving us your time. Those who fell after the water drop, before the 5 minutes were over, thank you all for coming as well, we value the time you offered up.”
Drake looked around and saw half of the candidates leaving. Shocked, he looked at Athos and Louis, mumbling out loud. “Holy crap, they're serious,” Louis spoke next, but looked more at the group of friends at the front of the candidates who were left, then at anyone else. “Well done, if you are still standing here, you passed the fitness assessment. Tomorrow, we will assess your mental strength. Please be prepared and ready at the same time, here in the hall. The session tomorrow will be led by Erin and Legolas.”
All the candidates started walking towards the changing rooms to grab their clothes from their lockers and head out. “Stella, don’t change, just grab your clothes, let’s head to the nice clearing I found yesterday when I went running. I can help you there to improve your form when we have fitness again.” Stella smiled, “And I can help you, in return, by getting your mind a bit cleared up, after that nightmare you had, so that you can pass the mental strength assessment tomorrow.” They walked off, got their clothes, and walked out through the woods to the open spot Michelle was talking about. During the walk, they told each other about their families. “Well, you know my brother, but I also have a little sister, who is turning 10 in about a month. She is just the cutest. I am actually a bit jealous, because she got to go with my mom and dad to the castle and she got to meet Queen Celine and King Dominique.”