Chapter 59
"It isn’t fun, but I can’t go complaining to you, can I?" He was staring at Alistar’s arms, both of which were covered with thick welts and many spots of discolouration.
Seeing his own body in this condition brought up memories of the brutal beatings he had received at the hands of the young guard back in the mines. Feeling a look of disgust beginning to form on his face, he quickly mastered his emotions and sighed in response to his friend’s words.
"I’m just tired of wearing heavy-sleeved tunics."
Despite the summer heat, the two had agreed to wear sleeved tunics in their day-to-day lives in order to better conceal their injuries. If Caedmon saw the condition of Alistar’s arms and torso, he would surely assign a guardian to accompany him whenever he left the property.
Zech shook his head, saying seriously, "You’re tougher than you look, Alistar. These past weeks, I’ve never been pushed so hard in my life." A smile swept his serious frown away. "If Jaden tries to push you around, be sure to give him a good knock, you hear?" Stretching, he went on, "What do you say we get ready for the next round?"
They finally let their smiles fade, the sounds of the gentle breeze and the flowing water breaking the ensuing silence.
Hmm?
Alistar sensed that someone was approaching them from about a hundred paces away. Could it be one of the girls, he wondered? He took a steadying breath as Lessa’s face passed through his mind. No, her aura was gentler, like cool water within a healthy stream. Seeing that Zech was about to attack him, he decided to ignore it and instead spent the next several moments clearing his mind. Just as they were about to begin, a domineering voice rolled in with the wind, interrupting them.
"Who’s been beating you, now?" Jaden suddenly emerged from a nearby copse of trees, carrying a fishing rod and a wooden pail as he approached them from a few dozen paces away. "Your stinkin’ old man is still saying these things?"
Alistar and Zech traded impatient glances, the latter mumbling something about forgetting that Jaden liked to fish in this area whenever the local fisherman settled down near the Dozen’s spot.
"How did you even hear that?" Zech asked resignedly. "And what’re you doing here, Jaden?"