Waking up in the morning, Samara lay in bed for a few minutes. This is really my only choice. I can’t really fail or I’ll have nothing. Rising up she got dressed, sliding on her corset. How am I going to tie this? I have to be self sufficient. Seeing a hinge on her closet, she hooked the laces and shoved off as hard as she could. Almost. After a few tries, she had it as tight as she wanted, and carefully wrapped the laces around to tie in the front. Next she slid on her uniform. Her gaze caught her own reflection and she startled at the difference the corset made in her posture. She tightly braided down her hair and pinned it closely to her scalp.
Next she ventured into her outer room. There was a package waiting for her. Who knew when it had arrived, she must have been asleep. It had a note.
Let me know if these don’t fit. ~ Asa
She unwrapped the cloth and it looked like pieces of gold. Gold? Samara was startled by the possible wealth. It must be some alloy that just looks like gold. As Samara picked up one piece she realized it was shaped like a hand, like welded rings for each finger and a smooth sheath bracing the thumb. She slid it on her hand and it fit as if made for her.
This must be why he needed my hands yesterday.
Gripping her staff, she realized that her grip was much stronger with the gloves. Her fingers didn’t bend as much as they did before.
Samara sat back down and ate before picking up her staff and walking outside. Ethan quickly walked up beside her.
“You slept later today, Samara.” Ethan’s voice sounded amused, not upset.
“I just had more preparations this morning.”
Ethan looked at her. “First, I’m glad you decided to carry your staff with you. It’s important that you can defend yourself at any time and place, not just practice it. Second, how are your gauntlets? Asa thought they might help your… problem from yesterday.”
“They are fine.”
“Good, you’re going to need it. Today we drill and you’re going to practice rolling as well.” Ethan smirked a little. “Just make sure you don’t get too cocky, or you’re going to wind up rolling in manure again instead of grass.”
Samara blushed. Does he have to remind me? She tried to calm her face. “If this is what I have to learn, this is what I’ll learn,” she said coolly.
Ethan’s eyes glinted. “Then watch your step!” He began leading her into the footwork and staff drills they started yesterday.
Samara felt stronger with the corset and gauntlets and met each of Ethan’s steps. He drilled her and taught her new skills, until she had thoroughly pushed herself. Abruptly, Ethan stopped.
“You’re having a much better day today, but that’s enough. I need you to check in with Asa and then make sure you aren’t late to meet with Liron.”
Samara was surprised at the abruptness of the stop, but didn’t ask why. She stopped to catch her breath and walked toward Asa’s rooms.
When she arrived inside, Asa walked out of the back room. A soft smile slipped onto his face. “Samara, you’re wearing the gauntlets. Do you like them?”
“My hands feel better when I’m wearing them, but they’ll take some getting used to.” Asa walked over and took her hand in his, flipping it over to the palm side and revealing deep blisters everywhere they touched.
“Samara…” Asa sighed. “Why did you push yourself so hard? You could have told Ethan to quit.”
“If it’s my job to be this strong person he wants me to be, then I need to train into it.” Samara said resolutely.
“If you get injured it will take longer than taking your time.” Asa admonished her. “Now, let’s see the rest of you.”
He came behind her and untied her uniform, opening it in the back, and laughed. “So that’s why you were able to hold yourself upright for so long.” Samara blushed, realizing he was going to have to remove the whole tunic, not just open the back, in order to remove the corset. Her face grew hot. “Did you tie this all by yourself? Quite impressive.”
Her face burning, Samara helped him remove her tunic. Asa’s gaze dipped for a moment. Did I see him blush? Gently he untied the laces in the front, and then pulled them to the back and retied them there.
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