Chapter 30: The Knight’s Trial

**Thelma Zane’s Perspective** “Heavens above! Pinch me—am I seeing things, or is that really Sir Aldrich?” Mara exclaimed, grabbing my arm with such fervor I thought she might faint on the spot. “What’s he doing here? Has he come to save us from the clutches of our sadistic coach? Thelma, you must know something!” My friends crowded around me, their voices bubbling with excitement and curiosity. I shook my head, feeling as puzzled as they were. Aldrich hadn’t said a word to me about this, and yet there he was—standing tall and authoritative on the training grounds, his presence drawing everyone’s attention like a magnet. Still, I had my suspicions. During my time helping my parents sort through documents, I had overheard discussions about the military’s plans to recruit new members. The army was searching for promising candidates from among us, and Aldrich, with his expertise, was the natural choice to oversee the selection process. Our coach soon called the group togeth