Chapter 163

YAKOV WAITED DOWNSTAIRS AND GRINNED at Alek as he arrived. 'I was about to give up on you.'

'I was busy.'

Yakov gave him a knowing look. 'Mm. Shall we go?'

They walked to the Keep's gate then set off at a decent pace on the track Yakov had run yesterday.

'Good to go faster?' Alek asked.

'Sounds good.'

This was just what I needed, he thought. The track flashed by as his feet pounded the earth, arms pumping. The burn in his legs and chest egged him on harder and harder. The path was a bit rough and the challenge of dodging trees and leaping over a log was good fun.

He could hear Yakov breathing hard behind him.

'You alright?' he gasped.

Yakov grunted in response. Sunlight hit the tops of the trees and began to inch downward as the sun rose. The sense of excitement and anticipation flared through him again and he bounded ahead. A sudden yell caused him to stop and Alek spun back to see Yakov bent over his knees, a small distance behind him. He jogged back to the adviser.

Yakov g