Ivy

"Sometimes, we'll get hit," Ivy says. She looks her trainees in the eyes. "We'll get knocked down sometimes. But by the time I'm finished with you, you'll be stronger and you'll be ready."

Her tail twitches with adrenaline. The guardian she's training is taking deep breaths. The spiral huddles close to his partner, his body a tangle of nerves. Ivy doesn't seem to notice.

"Are you ready?" she asks.

Their feet are muddy from the damp earth outside the Mire. They want to tell her that maybe she takes her job a little too seriously.

But she wouldn't take that well, because the truth is that she takes her job much too seriously.

So they nod, and she nods back at them.

"Follow me and do as I say, and we'll be out within the hour."