Keith and I herded the newest members of our safe space away from the shrine, a little faster than is usually considered polite. Both Otto, and Kraglin peered about inspecting the area. After we had reached the middle of the area Kraglin dug his heels in refusing to move any farther. “I’ll not be going any farther, noone will ever call me coward, running from a woman.” Keith and, I shared a look than at the same time turned sideways waving our hands towards the shrine. “Feel free to explain that to the ladies all you want, but I take no responsibility for the consequences. Nor will I be paying for your funeral.” I said with just enough confidence he didn’t immediately go anywhere.

“Well now I am not going to provoke them either, mother didn’t raise a complete fool. But ill not be pushed around by children either. Where is the campfire this one calls a forge hidden away.” Kraglin said pointing at Keith. We both pointed at the mine entrance at the same time, which was dangerously close to going back towards the shrine.

Kraglin huffed saying. “Well we can wait on that for now.” He glared at me saying. “You twinkle fingers, where might I go to get a good drink around this backwater planet?” I was stunned for just a second. All this time we had not even thought of food, or drinks. I sighed saying. “The store is about the only place that I can think of at this moment. At least around here, the closest town might have quite a bit. But the last time we were there, it looked like something ugly had moved in. I didn’t want to risk the groups survival without our tank here.” I said patting Keith’s shoulder.

Both Kraglin and Otto burst out laughing this time. Otto was the first to settle down saying. “Man in a clunky suit of tin yes. Tank no. Not yet he’s not. But after we are done with him. He will be able to stand up to the strongest of foes.” He turned to me saying. “While Kraglin inspects the forge ill be testing you priest. A warrior is useless without competent healing.” The look on his face was more than a touch ‘im going to break you, while enjoying every minute of it’. My morning was going to suck on many levels, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Kraglin grabbed Keith’s arm by the elbow pulling him towards the forge. Faintly I could hear him say. “With you as a shield I can inspect the forge while you catch nine hells from the girls.” At which point I swear I heard the squeeling sound of tires as Keith was dragged away. I couldn’t hear what he was saying but it sounded like pleading followed by begging.

I then began my own Degobah style training…. No the word was torture. It began with laps around our area, at first it was refreshing. It felt great to be able to do more than hobble. I was waiting for the lower back pain, I always knew was waiting to drop me down to a pained stagger. It had been a constant in my life for ten to fifteen years now. So not feeling any pain was thrilling. But then I realized I was very much out of shape. Despite all the rumors I did not throw up a dozen times. It was only twice, well three times, but the third doesn’t count as it was just dry heaves.

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After what felt like hours of torture Otto just shook his head in disgust saying. “Until you can run the entire time around this tiny area without stopping for a full hour. I have nothing more to teach you. You will do this running three times a day. If I catch you slacking off i’ll run behind you, if you slow down, i’ll slice parts off of you. That way you get to train healing also. Your choice, i’ll enjoy it either way.

With that I collapsed to the ground panting. There is nothing more humbling than thinking your ‘still’ in shape, to be publicly shown just how out of shape you are. As my breathing got more under control. I heard faint clapping. I looked up to see Erica grinning like a loon stage clapping in my direction. Katie was next to her but had a strange haunted look. Before I could say anything Otto chose that moment to spread the misery.

“Druid and Rogue, you will now run around the area at full speed. You will continue until I tell you to stop, Go!” Surprising noone, except maybe Otto. Both women just stood there giving him the stink eye. “Well are you deaf?” Otto continued. Erica’s expression changed to a single raised eyebrow that to my eyes spoke volumes.

The ladies shared a look than Katie gave a slight nod. Erica turned to Otto saying. “I’m not sure how your mother allowed you to be let out into public, talking to women like that. But we are not your students, nor slaves. We don’t take orders from you. If you don’t like that response. You can explain it to our agent Mr. Wall over there, see if you can get him to agree to your orders.” She pointed at the side of the carpenters hut.

Otto's expression soured that he deflated. He shook his head slightly looking up in sorrow saying. “I’m not trying to force you to do anything you don’t want to. I’m trying to prepare you to survive. I've lost students in the past, I don’t like it. But if you feel your prepared, then I won’t help. Your death, and the death of your friends will not be on my head. They will be on yours. I wash my hands of the responsibility. Have a good enjoyable few days, lounging around feeling superior. After your deaths I will not morn you, i’ll train the next ones. I’ll use your deaths as an example.” With that he walked away towards the mine entrance.

I’m not sure if he was trying to guilt the girls into wanting to train or if he really didn’t care. He just had that good of a poker face. I glanced over at the ladies. They had twin looks of fury on their faces. Thankfully it was not aimed at me so I was not going to be the one who drew their attention.