Free Blooming Life (Fate's Intent Book 10) by April Bowles Page B

“Kent, please go away.”
    “You were quick to jump on the new ones, weren’t you?”
    “Get out of here.”
    “So you can continue your work? All right. Watch out, boys. She’s a heartbreaker.”
    He walked away and Janie sighed again. “Please excuse my stupid brother. He likes to cruelly joke at my expense.”
    “It’s all right.” I replied.
    “He’ll thankfully be gone in a few months. He’s almost sixteen if you can believe it. I surely can’t.”
    “So, that’s how it works?” Bryce asked. “You turn sixteen and no longer have to come here?”
    “Yup. Adult age. Most boys will take up a military position and the girls hopefully get lucky enough to marry one right out of school.”
    “That soon?” Seth wondered.
    “Mostly because they say women become less appealing with age. It’s better to snag one early than wait and possibly never get married which isn’t what I’m doing right now so don’t freak out.”
    “Of course not.” I said. “And I don’t think it’s true. Women can be appealing at an older age.”
    Janie smiled and looked between the three of us. “That’s sweet but you say that because your mothers are the three most beautiful women ever. It would be wrong for you to think any less.”
    “I suppose that’s true. We’re also still trying to get used to how differently women are treated here. Like you can’t learn how to fight? What’s with that? You should be able to know how to defend yourself.”
    “That’s what we would have a husband for.”
    “A military husband? They’re not going to be home as much as you think.”
    “If you could take that class, would you?” Seth asked.
    Janie paused, taking a bite from her fork. “I guess I’ve never really thought about it. I’ve always been used to the way things are.”
    “Well, think about it now. Would you?”
    “I suppose, maybe. Just to see what it was like.”
    The bells chimed in the bell tower and we all turned our heads to the window.
    “Lunch is over.” Janie said, standing up first. “It’s back to classes.”
    “Great.” I muttered. I didn’t even get to finish my lunch. “I guess we’ll see you later then.”
    “I hope so.”
    We smiled at each other and parted ways.
    “Couple more classes until the fun one.” Bryce smiled.
    “Let’s just hope they go by quick.” Seth replied.
    I nodded. We were just as eager to get a taste of what combat training class would be like and were more excited just to get the chance to show off what we can do.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 16
     
     
    Bryce
     
    We waited patiently for our next two classes to pass, not taking much interest in them but still attended respectfully. Time seemed as if it were never going to catch up because in our minds, we were already there but all things had an end.
    We found ourselves walking back towards that strange windowless building with a group of boys who seemed as excited as us. They were all talking about how it was going to be, what they were going to do and with what weapon.
    We mostly kept to ourselves through the chatter, already knowing our weapon of choice without any second guessing but we didn’t want to gloat—yet.
    The door was opened and everyone filed inside, trying to calm their excitement.
    “Welcome. Come, gather over here.”
    We walked over to one of the circles in the middle of the room where the instructor was standing, holding two wooden sticks.
    “I am Master Stycoft and this is Combat Training, First Years. For the first few days we will be digging deep to unlock the fighter in all of you by firstly seeing what you can do.”
    The three of us all looked at each other with smiles.
    “This is how we will determine your fighting style and how to proceed in your specific area of training. Now, who would like to be the first to demonstrate?”
    We were eager but one other boy stepped forward before we could.
    “I will.”
    “Very good. Come take a position in the ring with me.”
    He did