The winter before, Irene remembered the novelty of being handed shovels to take care of the snow. She was so excited to race the others until the practice yard was clean.
However, that year was different in the way that she had no energy to get one of the shovels first. That also meant she was going to have to attend breakfast duty which she always dreaded because it meant she would eat last.
Even though she didn't get a shovel first, she still had to push the snow away the next time one was available. As she did, her lower back ached miserably and she thought she was sick to her stomach.
Unwilling to allow the others to see her weakness, she managed to press on. Even through the rest of the drills and eventual sparring, she tried to keep her head up and at least go through the motions of what was required of her.
"Iro, are you alright?" Gunnar called from the front.
Seeing that all eyes were on her, she quickly nodded.
"Just fine," she responded. "A bit tired, sir."
