Page 10 of The Chosen Fae

"So what we're going to do is give you some simulator training on these things. That way, you won't be so disadvantaged during the challenges."

"That would be great."

"The other fae won't know that the simulator training is to help the two of you learn the basics of things they already know. They'll think it’s just a game room to enjoy during breaks you'll have. But it would behoove you to really use the time wisely to learn what you can."

"We will." Stone knew he would. He believed that Rune would too.

"All right. I'm going to let you go, and you can practice some of the skills you'll need for the challenges."

Once Kentner finished speaking with him, Stone met up with Rune.

“I was surprised that Ondine told me we would have a way of catching up on skills the other fae already had. I’m really glad for that.”

“Me too. Did she tell you about changelings and about dealing with fae seers?”

“Yeah. The fae seers sound like they could be a problem. So what do you want to do first? The weapons room? Or the simulator room?” she asked.

“Let’s go to the weapons room.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

They walked in and smiled when an instructor started showing Rune the rudiments of swordplay. Then Vesper walked in carrying a sword also. His sword had flames on the hilt. Stone thought Rune’s and his swords were grander.

Stone watched Rune's moves and how the instructor showed her to place her feet, thrust, and move forward in attack mode. He began copying them to learn the moves at the same time.

Vesper watched for a while, then walked out. Stone figured he thought he needed private lessons. But Stone was happy to do this with Rune. Or maybe Vesper felt he didn’t need lessons at all. He might not need any.

Then Pari came into the room carrying a pouch of throwing stars and hit a target on the other side of the room. She wasn’t doing very well. Then someone came to teach her, and she didn’t act very receptive. She kept arguing with the instructor.

Stone was surprised because the game coordinator said she was skilled with the throwing stars.

Stone really liked sword fighting. It was excellent exercise, and he felt at one with the blade. But he hoped he wouldn't actually have to fight anyone using a sword. Especially if his opponent was trained in sword fighting at a much earlier age. He glanced at Rune. She was concentrating hard on the instructor's moves. Stone liked watching her moves!

Caspian walked in with his bow and quiver of arrows, followed by Fang.

After nearly an hour of practice, the instructor told them they were both doing great. Maeve entered the weapons training room with throwing stars and began throwing one at a target. She was good at it, and he figured she'd had lots of practice. Then Silas came in with an ax. He went to another part of the huge room to throw it at a different target.

Like Maeve, he was really good at hitting the target. Stone guessed that only Rune and he had never practiced with weapons before. He was glad he received the beautiful sword as a gift. He wondered whether the others had asked for the weapons they were working with or had just been given them randomly, as he had.

He and Rune watched Maeve and Silas throw their weapons at the target and then retrieve them. "Did you request a sword?" he asked Rune.

"No. Did you?"

"No. I didn't know we would have weapons to carry with us for any of the challenges. That's kind of foreboding."

"Yeah, I know. Maeve requested the throwing stars, and as well as she does with them, I suspect everyone else asked for a particular weapon they've practiced with back home. Like Silas with the ax. Whereas you and I have never had weapons to use. Well, except for a knife I found on a rock that I used to clean up fish with when I was cooking them over a campfire," she said.

"Me too. I thought someone had accidentally left one there while I was sleeping or otherwise occupied, but it seemed too convenient. It was just after I shifted into my fae the first time, so that I could make a campfire."

"Thankfully, I have a little magic and can make a fire," Rune said.

"Yeah, that comes in handy. I love your sword."

"Yours is beautiful too. I love the moons."

"Your stars are grand. We have been gifted these by the goddesses, don't you think?"

"Yes, but maybe they gifted each of the fae competitors with a weapon."