Chapter 13

I woke up after I had been shaken violently. I jumped up and punched the first person I saw. I heard a laugh and I turned to see Drake grinning ear to ear. He had a wooden staff with him. It looked like he was getting ready for physical training. I looked around and asked if I could join him in fight practice. He looked like there were better things I could be doing but changed his mind. He warned me he was a strict teacher and took no slack. I told him I was told he is an era defining genius so I expect nothing less from him. He smirked, "Are you sure you want to learn how to fight?" I nodded, "I don't want to be helpless all the time. I want to be able to help. Besides if there is a fight I don't want people to worry about me. I rather fight by their side so they won't have anything to be concerned about anymore." He gave me a satisfactory nod and took me to the exercise hall. It was different from the defenders. People were standing behind the trainees with whips. Each mistake earned a hundred lashes. I was told to go through the obstacles course and reach the other side without falling. The first was a monkey bar about a hundred feet up in the air that spanned half a mile it was over a pool of water with real alligators swimming in them. They were looking at me like I was their next meal. Next was a Salmon ladder that almost touched the ceiling. Next was a few dangling nunchucks soldered to the ceiling from one side to the other. Then was a rope that is attached to the ceiling that I had to go up and down a thousand times at the same speed you first went up and down. Next on the line were logs were suspended on ropes. Each log was shorter than the previous one. The next one was a bridge made of wooden planks that were laid out in a crisscrossed fashion. So that I had to walk on carefully because with each step it starts turning around. That had caused many to fall down after a few steps. Next were spikes that were pierced into the ground and each one also in different lengths had a small plate on top. I was told this was called the plum flower poles. I had to defeat an opponent to pass this test. It was two walls side by side that I had to scale with only my hands and feet. I had to alternate with my right leg and left hand. Then right hand and left feet till I reached the top. Next was a suspended punching bag that I had to hold on to and force it to move me across half a mile. I am sure you understand by now what kind of obstacle course I am talking about. I felt like this was the extreme version of American Ninja Warriors. I made it without hurting myself and he gave me a nod. Which according to most is a rarity. He never shows favoritism. When I was done I was told I can go and rest but I decided to try the course again. This time I enjoyed the momentum. When I was holding on to the monkey bars used my feet to hold myself and dangled for a moment to feel gravity. I heard a distinct sound of disappointment. I told whomever it was that everybody has left for the day and I am taking a moment to appreciate the change of course. I feel this will help me in the next round of exercises. I heard a cough and realized that the next batch has arrived so I quickly finished the course. I approached the guy with the whip and bared my back. He gave me the hundred lashes and I was told to go to the combat arena. Each section worked for an hour and they had to switch. People had bow staffs, swords, nunchucks, guns, knives, sash cords and knuckle rings. Some were people fighting hand to hand as well. I studied their moves and started my course. I managed to get through fine till I reached the hand to hand section. There I was on the mat more than I was standing. This didn't deter me. So when they called it a day I spent the time with a practicing dummy till he came to take back to my room. He commented on how I was able to go through the obstacle course so easily. I told him I had seen documentaries and tv shows that showed me what to do. He didn't praise me and I didn't push him. One of his wives was kind enough to remind him and spoke on his behalf. I smiled, "No gets everything right on the first day. Like everything in life it takes practice. Working for praise is for idiots. You earn trust not praise." He looked at me, "Praise is for those who deserve it." I gave him a nod to prove that I am not looking to please him I just want to be the best. He gave me a nod and waved at his slaves. They brought me a serial killer and watched as I fed off her. When I was done they carried her back to her cell. I tried to walk out to the garden but was barred. They kept repeating it over and over. 'The master forbids it' I got frustrated and walked back to my room. I kicked a few things and soaked in the jacuzzi for an hour and walked to another section of the training room. This place was kept Arctic cold and people had to practice meditation first. Then they are taken to a pool where they soak for an hour and fight their opponents with their teeth sounding maracas. Then back in the water after which they were blindfolded and told to swing axes at the nearest bullseye. This took willpower to master as these guys weren't wearing snow gear. They were wearing t-shirts and shorts but some were bare

chested. When I was done the teacher smiled at me and asked if I wanted to try meditation. I sat down and felt the cold but after much focus, I managed to tune it out. I sat there till I felt a tap on my shoulder. I saw it was James, I had somehow meditated into his head. We were talking when I felt a pair of hands on my throat and I was pulled out with a quick jerk. I got up to see an angry Dracula. He wasn't happy that I was chatting with him of all people. I didn't bother explaining because I knew it would make things worse. He took my hand and escorted me to the garden where Tiamat was waiting for me. He gave her a pitchfork and she screeched with glee. She extended her and I felt something searing hot burning in my mind. I clamped my mouth shut till she was done. She gave me a golden pearl and swam away. I gave him a look and he promised that she and her kind will live. I massaged my head and walked back to the ice chamber to focus. I focused and this time ended up in my grandfather's head. He was dreaming about the day he took me to Alaska for ice fishing. I walked in and the place changed to resemble his house. Grandma was making meatloaf. She likes to make it once a week. I stormed in crying because Mikey had smashed the ice cream truck with his grandpa's rabbit. I wanted to punch him and grandpa was consoling me. He explained that violence solves nothing. He and the entire town is living in a state of frustration since Mikey learned how to turn on the ignition. I was frowning till Mr. Ford walked in. He saw me and smiled, "The freeloader is on his way." Grandma shook her head, "He needs to stop before he gets arrested" They talked while I managed to collect myself. Mikey walked in with his usual bravado. When he came within range I punched him as hard as I could. He screamed in pain as I broke his nose. It felt amazing as he felt the pain that I was feeling on a different level. Mr. Ford chuckled as Mikey demanded an explanation. I reminded him this is not his grandma's house. He walked out without another word. I followed him home but along the way, I found his father. I told him what had happened and the man promised to take care of it. I walked back home to find the freeloader sitting by the porch asking grandma if he can come in. He saw me walking and I saw what he was thinking. I ran as fast as my legs took me. I hid behind a trash can till his wife found him. She yelled that he had forgotten to bring the groceries. I walked out of his head and focused on adjusting my body so it won't whine about the cold as this is will be an everyday thing. Dracula stood there with a smile as I had adjusted faster than others. He wanted to say something but I waved my hand to tell him to shut up. As a teacher he was impressed but as a possible boyfriend he looked dejected he couldn't woo me. I washed myself and did ten thousand pushups, ten thousand pullups. I used the tension ropes and alternately did pushups. Dracula was impressed as he had never seen anything like that. He sat and watched as I finished the gym section and walked out to see a corridor that was lined with trophies. These were stuffed and severed heads. There were a variety of creatures and people. The last was the Witch Queen and I jumped with a shriek. I looked at him and he shrugged. A younger woman wearing the witch queen's crown came asking if he needed anything else. He shook his head so she hopped on her eagle and flew away. He made it clear that I was not allowed to talk to James ever again. Next time he won't be very nice. I promised that I won't do it again. He escorted me to a new room where I had to choose what to wear. He was hosting a ball and I was invited non-negotiable. So when I got downstairs he announced our wedding. What the Cluck?