Page 50 of For the Strange and Surprising

Several different spears still lean on the fence, and I pick each of them up, testing their weight until I find two that I like. I bring them both with me as I walk between the guys.

“That one is a little long, don’t you think?” Connak asks.

“Why did you pick those, Ada?” Talodus inquires.

I don’t answer either of them yet, mostly because I don’t know how to.

The first of the two feels good in my hand, like there’s a powdered coating on the wood. It doesn’t scratch against my skin as I throw it, but it doesn’t hit the target. I didn’t expect it on the first try, though.

The second spear is dense, but the length is correct. When I pull my arm back to throw, it feels more natural. I miss the target again, and that’s okay because it re-teaches me something vital about myself.

Competing against other people wasn’t what made me a great athlete.

It was striving to be a better me than I was yesterday.

With a smile on my face, I glance at Talodus and Connak before jogging across the training yard to pick up the three spears I’ve thrown. An idea bubbles in my mind, and I’m breathless before I can begin to ask.

“There are more of these in the armory, right?”

“Yeah,” Connak responds. “Why?”

“I like whatever this is made of.” I pass them the powdery textured one. “But this length felt better when I threw it. And I think I prefer the tip of this one, though it has more to do with the way it looks.”

Talodus takes the shorter spear from me and pulls the heart-shaped arrow off. “Let’s build a new one. If we can get the shaft right, then the tips can be swapped until you find one that you like.”

I let the shaft subject slide right by me as they talk about what wood they’re looking for. I can’t muster up a single crass remark, because I’m that excited.

It feels silly at first, but I don’t dwell on it. There’s a bounce in my steps by the time we enter the armory. They efficiently narrow down the collection of spears and pull a dozen of them out to compare.

Once we’ve found a near-perfect fit, we return to the training ring.

I feel ridiculously giddy, and I can’t wipe the grin off my face.

My whole body aches, but I’ve never felt lighter.

17

Adelaide

Day Ten

I slept like the dead after yesterday’s training, and now I bask in the soreness of my muscles as I stretch in bed. A warm bath will ease the ache, so that’s precisely where I head.

The basin begins to fill as I get near it. I still can’t figure out how it works, but that isn’t a complaint. It’s always the right temperature, and I welcome the luxury this morning. I’m not entirely awake yet, so the fact that I don’t have to think about the task is appreciated.

I sink into the water as it continues to fill. The steam threatens to lull me back to sleep, and my eyelids grow heavy despite my refusal. I’ve barely dozed when something startles me awake, causing me to flail around like I’m drowning.

A knock at the door makes me freeze. I roll my head around, willing my x-ray vision to show itself, but I still can’t see through the walls. I keep my ass in the bath.

“Ada,” Connak yells. “Come on. Let’s go.”

He knocks again, harder this time, and I groan in frustration. Water splashes across the floor as I climb out of the basin, rushing to dry myself. I grab the plum purple dress that I didn’t get to wear yesterday, struggling into it as it sticks to my damp skin.

I drag my feet all the way to the door, twisting the straps on my shoulders until they sit straight. I miss t-shirts. And pants.

“What?” I swing the door open, meeting a bright smile. “Where are we going?”

“I’ll tell you when we get there.”