Javad and Shora threw themselves into their new life, apart, but together for crucial moments. Practicing three times a week, Javad’s martial ability improved much more quickly. He needed it, for Shora had a tremendous advantage in size now. They practiced with steel weapons, although dulled. Shora had the strength to break his skin even with a dull sword. She trained on her own to prevent this from happening, but Javad received additional scars every few weeks.

Shora learned how to survive on her own. She improved her shelter as much as she could, without it being too obvious. Hunting wore out her weapons, forcing her to learn how to maintain and sharpen them properly. Her brother had taught her how to track and remember game trails of the different animal herds and packs. She’d become much stronger over two years. The stocky rhinos that had given her a fight before were now easy prey. With her keen eye and memory, it never needed to come down to a fight. She knew where the prey and predators were, for miles around.

Javad worked hard on his studies. It was difficult, splitting his attention between his mind and his physical training. He also brought Shora books when possible and taught her how to read. They focused on their goals, and for the better part of two years, they were content. True to her word, she didn’t push herself on him, literally or figuratively. Occasionally, she would stare at him when she thought he wasn’t looking. He made a game of catching her looking, and she made a point of acting embarrassed about it. 

The priests of the temple of Inferno responded favorably to Javad, particularly his abilities in martial combat. He was the top competitor in all the temple’s sparring sessions. Acolytes of Inferno had potential to become renowned fighters. From time to time, Qismat nobles scouted the temple for potential squires. But he noticed a pattern. Though they came to look, almost all of them had a name picked out before they even set foot on the temple grounds. Acolytes from noble families were always chosen. Most were merely average fighters, some were straight up incompetent. Javad complained to his teachers about this every time he was overlooked.

They didn’t lie to him. Most squires were chosen as favors for another family. Why take on a young charge for no political benefit when you could choose one and have the family owe you? Javad asked if there was any way to get noticed. Not everyone was of noble lineage. And yet, great warriors usually worked for a noble house. How did some of the nation’s top soldiers first get their start? Where could they show off their abilities?

His instructors told him the one place that pure martial talent couldn’t be missed was the arena. Popularity had a role to play in success there, but a warrior who won every fight could only advance. But for him, this kind of rough chance was a long way off. He still had over a year before he was an adult. His teachers advised him to focus on the Temple of Inferno instead. By now, they knew his intention was to join the Temple to gain an education. But it was a good life, if he’d give it a chance.

Javad didn’t consider it too strongly, but he thanked his teachers for the advice. He knew what he had to do now. He couldn’t wait to tell Shora about his new plan. To lie about his age and join the arena circuit. Surely a warlike individual such as herself would be excited about it.

He’d just visited her the day before, so he had a couple of days to wait. He learned all he could about the arena circuit. He was nervous about it. People could die in the fights. But there were strict rules. Quarter must be given if an opponent surrendered, but one blow could prove lethal. He was optimistic though. His reflexes and speed were so fast that most of his sparring partners couldn’t even get in a blow. Well, except Shora. She still had the edge on him, a foot taller than him now, but was relying on her reach more than before. She used to beat him both up close and at a distance. In their last spar, she’d struggled to match him in close.

He wouldn’t be a warrior unless he was ready to risk his life. Most would say he was already doing that by sparring with Shora. It was the day before he was about to tell her his plan, and he had nothing to do but attend classes. He wondered if she was as bored as he was at the moment.

But Shora was facing something much more immediate.