Chapter 1
Running through my morning drills I manage to beat my time from last week, there is always room for improvement no matter how good you or others think you are.
We’ve been in hiding for years. Nine to be exact.
I was once a general, a warrior, trained an army. My body in top shape, killing machine. I’ve met leaders from around the world and have allies everywhere. But I still have some of my old enemies too. It’s not enough that I left my job, my own Alpha behind, they still want my head. But I had something to protect, someone more important than anything that had ever been in my life before.
“Ten minutes fourteen seconds!” A loud young voice calls out.
“I knew you weren’t studying.” I chuckle. “Come on this is more interesting than the history of some small kingdom we will never travel to.” “Here’s the thing Jules, you never know…” “Where you may need to go or hide. Who you may need to talk to.” She finished for me.
“There’s truth to most things I repeat. We are safe here only because I learned about our home when I was your age and met the leader when I was training. Knowing their customs got me in the door when my rival was kicked out.” “And they didn’t pass until the next year.” She finishes.
I smile and throw my sweaty towel at her. “Do better, beat my time.” I challenge. “Well…” “Unless you can’t?” I bait.
Stripping out of her big t-shirt Jules stretched and bounced a few times. She went over to the rocks and gave me the look.
“Go!” I set the timer.
Grasping the hangholds Jules pulled her way up and over the rocky formation, got to the rope course and swung out. She leapt over obstacles and ran over a rolling log. Halfway mark. She got a running start and ran up the steep wall and flipped from the top. “Show off!” I shouted.
Quickly bending down to pick up a wooden pole she rammed it into the floor and used it to flip over the railing. Leaping off the rim and twisting, Jules landed in the water and swam across the pool. Diving down to pick up the weight. She brings it up to the surface and gasps.
“Mom! You increased the weight!” She accused and I laughed. Dragging it out she made her way to me and I threw a dry towel at her. “Time.” “I took too long with the retrieval.” She says. “It was unexpected so you couldn’t prepare. But that isn’t an excuse.” I smirked. “Because…?” I asked. “You never know what could happen. Be prepared for anything.” She says wringing out her hair.
“You didn’t panic and still retrieved the weight. It was unexpected you still completed your task.” I commend. “Is that approval?” Jules laughs.
“Sometimes I’m nice.” I manage to say. “Only because it’s me.” Jules puts her hands on her hips. “Yes, because if you were anyone else you would have gotten demerits for slowing down.” “So don’t get me room, don’t give me extra points because i’m your little girl.” She skipped back and forth.
“You my daughter are a smart ass and are my child. I’m not going to train or treat you like a grown warrior when we have no war and no strict standards. We live a peaceful life. I’ve worked hard to get us here.” I say sipping my water.
“But why do we train at all then…” She smiles. “Because anything could happen at any time.” She says for me.
“Okay yes i’m predictable I know. Let’s go do schoolwork.” I flick her head.
“We will have another guest soon.” I say over dinner. “Oh yes!” Jules pumps her fist. “Who is it?” The governor is testing out candidates for the upcoming challenges. “The ones where they select members for the army?” “Yes, and since we won’t be participating he wanted our help.” “Our help, you mean your help. They always want you to train the little tryout and I have to hide in the balcony and watch.” She huffs.
I smile and chew my food slowly. “Wait, really?” Jules perks up. “Our help. We will always be in uniform and identities of course secure.” “Uniforms and a mask! Matching?” “Yes.” I smirk, “Do you want to help redesign the uniform? I’ve always worn one thing but it’s outdated and we should be united.” “Yes!” Jule’s runs to get some paper.
“I’ve been waiting for this day forever!” “Your nine.” I say flatly.
“Beside the point. Our first real mission, we’ve done small tasks but not something so huge. This is awesome!” She starts shoving papers at me.
“Okay so basically… this is what you wear now, and from your stories these are what you used to wear. And these are my ideas.” Jules said breathless.
“These are really good, you’ve been practicing.” I shuffle through them.
“Which are your favorite?” She asks.
“Out of the concepts? I love the colors on these two, and the options for accessories in these. Pockets are great. The only thing not needed in my option are these two ties here. I’ve had them and it wasn’t for me. But it may be for you, it depends on your own style and that’s okay. Every fighter has a style.” Jules hung onto every word loving the approval.
“I’m glad you had these ready, it’s perfect timing.” I add and smile.
“Draw up two different styles combining these ideas. How long will that take?” “I can work on it now!” I laugh at her energy. “Okay but don’t rush it. As you design imagine using the pockets or straps. Act out pulling a dagger or rope, ask yourself if that is realistic.” I tell her. Nodding she sharpens her pencil.
Later i’m doing late night property checks and head inside. I find Jules face down on the table drawings partially sketched out. She has a dagger and belt. Good girl. I turn all the lights out and lift her. Tucking her in I kiss her forehead and turn in for the night.
