CHAPTER 273: After the Dust of Training
The training grounds were never truly quiet, even when training ended.
The clang of metal and the sharp breaths of exertion faded, yes—but they always left something behind.
Heat clinging to the air. Sweat soaked into the earth as snow fell softly. A tension between people who had just spent hours pushing their limits and were now about to return to the rest of their days.
Dren rolled his shoulders, trying to stretch out the stiffness in his muscles as he met up with his other friends.
Cat plopped onto a low stone beside him, wiping her brow with the back of her hand.
"I told you," she said, voice smug.
Dren didn't answer immediately.
"I told you," she repeated, louder this time, nudging his arm with her elbow. "And you said I was always wrong."
"Even you know you are always wrong when it comes to things like this," Dren told her.
