Solace in the Shadows -36-

ok im not sure if the colors for your and Falins mind speak will come up when this publishesbecause its being really stupid at the moment so if its all in black i apologize now and youll just have to figure out who says what which isnt that hard
Alices POV:

watching Falin and Amaya fight was really shocking. they always seemed to get along so well and then suddenly they break into an intense argument. when i pointed out how pointless the argument was it was really weird watching them. they didnt say anything. they just stared into each others eyes and you could see the tension just fade away from them. I looked over at Brady and he was watching them with the same confused expression as i was. noticing my glance he shrugged. we both looked back at them when Falin laughed apparently for no reason. a couple seconds later they both smiled stood up in unison and walked out of the dining hall hand in hand.

"well that was really weird" said Brady watching them go

"yea I have no idea what just happened" i replied

Amayas (your) POV:

it had been different but pleasant leaving the dining hall with Falin. you were used to his prescence but not used to him being so close. your hand felt warm and slightly tingly where he held it.

well we have an hour before we have to be at the training grounds. what do you want to do?

you smiled at him im up for anything as long as its with you

he smiled back at you and squeezed your hand lets go outside i could use the fresh air

yea this place is starting to feel enclosing

you both walked out the frount doors and outside Falin let go of your hand and layed under a tree closing his eyes. you layed down next to him. when he felt you lay down Falin almost instictively put and arm around you and drew you closer to him. you layed like that staring at the sky and the branches of the tree together silently just enjoying each others prescence. suddenly Alice and Brady came into your view.

"there you guys are!" exclaimed Alice "weve been looking everywhere! your trials start in a couple minutes come on!"

you jumped up "a couple minutes?! it only felt like we were out here a short time."

Brady smiled at you "well it was quite a bit more than a 'short time' "

Falin wrapped his arm protectively around you and glared at Brady. the meaning of his glare was clear. you smiled with the knowlege that you and Falin were dating and leaned into him.

Bradys eyebrows raised and he backed away. Alice smiled at you and said "come on this way"

you and Falin followed her back inside and into the training grounds which were a central outside courtyard in the middle of the mansion. looking around your eyes widened. it almost looked like a soccer or football field with a wide grassy plain and seating around the edges where a handful of shapeshifters had gathered to watch your trials.

Brady and Alice wished you both good luck and went to join the other observers

seeing you standing there Michael smiled and approached you and Falin "the trials are done individually" he said "which of you would like to start?"

Falin glared at him "ill go first"

"alright" Michael said "you step over there and wait for instruction. Amaya you can go sit and watch"

you nodded and looked at Falin good luck

thanks he replied

you walked over to where Brady and Alice were sitting and sat next to them "so what happens at these trials?" you asked

"well," said Brady "usually there are several different challanges that include fighting, running and sometimes something else if Michael feels like mixing it up"

Alice picked it up from there "if someone isnt that good at any of those skills they will be tested in other sections like cooking or healing and if they fail those as well they usually get put on the cleaning staff"

"i see" you said shifting nervously in your seat

noting this Alice gave you a reasurring smile "dont worry youll do fine"

you smiled back and turned back towards the field. Falin was in wolf form his black fur making him look like a shadow and his bright green eyes glinted. next to him a smaller long limbed wolf with grey fur touched with red on his face tail and paws was crouched ready to spring. a whistle blew and they both took of running the grey wolf was clearly much faster than Falin and pulled ahead quickly winning the race they both turned back to human form and shook hands.

"its no surprise Falin lost to Marik. Marik is the fastest wolf in the pack and leader of the scouts" said Brady with a trace of respect

you didnt reply but took a closer look at Marik. he had a friendly look to him with grey blue eyes and and neat red brown hair. you watched him step off the field to be replaced by a huge man with short blonde hair and dark brown eyes.

"thats Kris hes the leader of the guards" said Alice "he may look harsh but hes really not so bad"

once again you didnt reply but continued to watch the field. Kris turned out to be a pale grey wolf touched with white and brown around his face and back. Both wolves circled each other and without warning Kris lunged at Falin knocking him over and heading for his throat. your eyes widened in worry but your worry was unecessary. somehow Falin pushed Kris off of him and attacked. soon both gave up all cautiosness and attacked each other full on becoming almost one growling being. after awhile blood streaked and panting Kris got a hold on Falins neck. also covered in blood Falin rolled over showing his belly in submission.

as soon as Falin gave in Alice went rushing down to the field you gave Brady a questioningly look.

"shes a healer" he said "shapeshifters do heal fast but they can heal faster with the help of one with the healing talent"
"oh" you said and looked down at the field hoping Alice would hurry up. you could feel Falins pain and knew he was just short of passing out. as Alice worked on Falin you could feel the pain steadily fade away and sighed in relief Brady gave you a weird look but you ignored it. once done with the healing Alice came up and sat next to you again. "your turn"was all she said you nodded and walked down to the field passing Falin as you went

be careful. Kris is really tough

i will

you walked forward trying to appear confident and knowing that you fooled eveyone except for Falin who knew exactly how nervous you really were.

Marik walked up to you and said "dont be nervous these trials arent that big of a deal"

you frowned at him and shrugged. apparently there was someone else besides Falin who could see through your false confidence. you turned into a wolf your silver fur shining in the sun and stood next to Marik waiting for the whistle looking up into the crowd you saw Falin Alice and Brady. Falin smiled at you. feeling slightly reasured you looked forward and heard the whistle blow.

you started off running slowly getting warmed up and feeling the wind blow through your fur. Marik was already a ways ahead of you but you werent concerned. as you sped up you felt the exileration of running. you truely loved to run. as you got going it felt like your feet were hardly touching the ground. soon the space between you and Marik began to shrink until you ran side by side. ignoring him you put on another burst of speed seeing the finish line ahead of you and got just ahead of Marik winning the race.

Panting Marik walked up to you in human form you turned to human form as well and shook his hand. his eyes sparkled "that was amazing. i hope Michael decides to put you in the scouts i would be happy to work with you further"

you smiled at him "thanx"

as you were recuperating from the race you saw Kris come towards you "that was a quite impressive race. now its time to see how good you fight" he said

you nodded and turned back into wolf form and tensed ready for an attack. you didnt have to wait long. quite suddenly Kris lunged at you. quickly dodging out of the way you counter attacked going for his neck. anticipating your attack Kris twisted to face you snarling you ended up biting his shoulder instead of his neck and though you released quickly it was quickly enough. you felt a sharp pain as he sank his teeth into your neck. knowing you didnt stand a chance now you tried to roll over on to your back and surrender, but his grip wouldnt allow it you couldnt roll over without further injuring yourself. his teeth tightened on your neck and you whimpered. unable to stand any longer you slumped over. Kris released you and you rolled over on your back. your neck wound was bleeding heavily and you couldnt breath very well. you thought you heard Falin calling your name and then you passed out.