Those words etched into her soul. At this moment, she wished the floor would open to swallow her in.
She took nervous steps towards him, unsure of how to strike. The instructor noticed her hesitation, he found it somewhat annoying, so he decided to strike first.
His strength becoming stronger in every clash, his physique overshadowing her small stature. She tried holding it in, her knee already pinned to the floor, she became weak.
She whimpered as she felt herself getting closer to the floor. So she pulled away rolling into a corner. She squeaked when she hit her foot after crashing into a pillar. The pain was enough to make her cry out but she didn't. Tears flowed down her cheeks, she cried silently. Her throat ached as she snifled repeatedly.
She remained on the floor for few seconds and got up. She limped through the room to her position behind the disciples.
After several hours of training, they were dismissed.
Isadore and Rachel helped Tyra walked through the hallway to her room. While sitting on her bed, she removed her boots and noticed the blister on her toes, it had swollen.
"I'll get ice from the kitchen". Rachel immediately left the room.
"I wish I was called to wield the sword, I would have crushed him with a strike". She said through gritted teeth, raising her hands like she would strangle someone.
"Just one strike".
She turned towards Tyra but paused when she saw her saddened expression...
She sat at the edge of the bed staring blankly at the window. Her eyes looked swollen from crying a lot, still holding up tears. She was hurt and embarrassed.
The cold stares and sharp gazes of the disciples still lingered in her head. They had stared deep into her soul, mockery evident in their gazes. Like they had seen something amusing to watch.
Isadore sat beside her obstructing her view of the window but she turned away.
"If you think that was your most embarrassing moment, wait till you hear mine".
Tyra did not budge, she sat still looking at the door like she waited for someone to come in. Isadore sighed.
"If you need me, Im just few steps away from here". She left immediately.
Tyra tucked herself in bed. She was still thinking of what happened earlier till she remembered her sole reason for coming to Andoths. It was to train, become knowledgeable and stronger to take revenge and claim the throne. She wiped her tears soon after to sleep.
.....
They had stayed in Andoths for over two years, conversant with the laws of the land and the other disciples. Each of them had gotten better with training and experience in sword fights.
But Tyra's curiosity about a disciple only heightened.
He was feared by all disciples and rumoured to have never revealed his face. He hid his identity behind a black cloak. It was heavy and flowed to the ankles. The hood was large, draping low over the brow and casting the face into darkness. When pulled up, it cloaked his features in shadow leaving only a faint silhouette beneath.
Whenever she asked the other disciples about him, they only gave shallow explanations and groundless rumours. This only made her more curious.
One day after training, she spotted his figure outside the training hall and decided to follow him. She left her friends who were having long conversations with other disciples. Now that she had a chance, she didn't want to miss it.
She followed quietly not making a sound behind him.
From behind, he was a looming shadow, tall and broad shouldered, his presence commanding even in silence. Even veiled in darkness, his figure exuded aura that made onlookers hesitate. She was uncertain of whether to flee or keep following him as they walked through dark corners of the sect, a place she had never passed through out her stay in Andoths.
He walked further into the woods. Tyra's heartbeat quickened as she followed behind slowly. She clutched the sides of her skirt tightly looking around. She was scared by the houts of unseen birds and creaking sounds of crawling insects. It was already dark, the reflection from the moon lit the pathway but it wasn't bright enough. The tall trees canopies had blocked it's light.
"Go back to the sect".
Tyra stopped in her tracks and almost losing her balance, fell on the wet grasses. His hoarse and cold voice made her tremble in fear.
He had stopped walking and turned slightly to face her. She opened her mouth to speak when she heard her name from a distance, behind her.
She had turned to see a familiar figure, her petite shadow casted on the ground. It was Isadore.
She looked away from her but didn't see him again. He had disappeared like a flash of light. She cussed at Isadore under her breath.
Isadore helped Tyra off the floor dusting her dress. "What are you doing in the woods Tyra". She asked with a little concern.
"I was this close in finding out the identity of that disciple but you just had to...". She said in frustration.
She walked towards the sect, hastening her steps. Isadore finding it hard to catch up with her slowed down.
"Where are you going to young lady".
"Just be quiet ".
...
Following Tyra quietly, Isadore noticed that they had stepped into a restricted sect.
The disciples had been given strict warnings to stay away from the Documentary sect. It contained records of old disciples and secrets of the earth. Noticing two guards by the entrance, she pulled Tyra into a nearby corner.
"What are you doing here Tyra? You are going to get us into big trouble". She said with great concern.
Tyra removing her hands from Isadore's grip scoffed. "It's not like I forced you to come with me. The choice is yours dear, stay or leave".
Isadore held her waist looking at Tyra in disbelief, she bit her lower lips still contemplating on her last words. Tyra was about to leave when she held her hand again. Her eyes darting between the guards and Tyra's determined face.
"Fine. But how do we get past those guards?".