Ash stood astonished at the center of the arena. 

“Seriously?” 

“Only if you manage to evade all my attacks.”

“So, if I last one minute without getting hit, I get to spend two hours outside?” Ash asked with glittery eyes, making sure she had heard correctly. 

Skarlag nodded.  

It had been almost a month since the earthling had started her training. The only people she had gotten to see were the general and the nymphs in the watchtower but none of them was particularly talkative. The lack of social interactions was starting to weigh on her. 

Who would’ve thought I’d crave socializing, knowing I was living like a shut-in not so long ago, she thought. 

“All right. Bring it on.”

It was the same exercise they had done on the day they first met. She was given a shield and she had to evade her master’s strikes. In her mind, she called this exercise ‘just-don’t-die’. 

She strapped the shield to her arm and focused. The stakes were high. She really wanted to go out of this blasted place. 

Skarlag picked up a practice sword, like the last time. She started counting. “One—”

Ash saw the red-haired woman leap at her and aim for her side. She rotated her foot, pivoted her body, and lowered her shield. The sword clanged against it. 

I blocked it! she squealed mentally. 

Skarlag cocked an eyebrow. She went back into an attack stance. 

“Fifteen, sixteen—” 

Ash clenched her jaw as her master dashed forward, holding her sword above her head with both hands. Ash held up her shield but kept her eyes peeled on her adversary. This time, she saw the real blow coming. It was a low kick. She jumped back just in time to avoid it.

The student bought time by circling and putting more distance between them. 

Come on, you can do this! 

“Thirty-four—” 

She flinched as Skarlag dashed sideways. She swung her shield to her left side and the sword clashed against it once again.  

She didn't see her mentor root her feet in the sand and push forward. When she felt the shoulder bonk against her shield, it was too late. 

Ash was thrown a couple of meters away. She had barely landed on her back when she saw a flash of flaming red hair. She shielded herself just in time to prevent the sword from stabbing her in the face. Without thinking, she kicked upward. 

Skarlag jumped away, which gave the student time to get back on her feet. She was now circling once more, ready for the next attack.

“Fifty-nine, and sixty.” 

Ash dropped to her knees. She unstrapped her shield, kissed it, and toppled down on her back. She burst into a nervous laugh as her body finally relaxed. 

The general turned around. “We are done for today,” she said and walked to the gates. “Two hours,” she repeated, before exiting the training ground.

The student watched as the heavy gates groaned and closed after her master left. 

“Looks like someone needed a break too,” she mumbled. She let out a small gasp. “Wait, did she let me win on purpose? Oh, whatever.” 

She decided to save meditation for later. She tossed her grimy clothes away and jumped into the large wooden tub without taking the time to gradually ease into the water as she would normally do. 

She yelped upon impact. 

With rattling teeth, she submerged herself under the icy water, her whole body covered in goosebumps. 

She heard a cackle erupting from behind which reminded her she wasn’t alone.  

She no longer minded the two nymphs in the tower. 

There had been a period of adjustment when she had refused to wash for days until her own smell had become so pungent that she could no longer sleep. But now, it had become easier to be naked in front of them, and even Skarlag. They didn't care, anyway.  

She scrubbed the dirt off herself hurriedly while thinking about the places she would visit next. 

Skarlag made a right as she exited the iron gates. 

As soon as she reached the river, she took a left and walked along the riverbank. The streets were always busy at this hour of the afternoon. She gave a polite nod to the people who bowed at her and pressed on. 

She recognized her destination the moment she saw the tall statues of archers on each side of the shrine’s entrance. 

Sila’s shrine was her favorite. She had always felt a strong connection with this goddess. She was glad when the queen had accepted that she built the Academy nearby. 

She nodded at the queen’s guards stationed at the entrance and walked in. The air was hazy and sweet from burning offerings. 

In front of the altar stood a silver-haired woman enveloped in white smoke. She was dressed in a priestess’s robe with its distinctive azure girdle tied at the waist.

Skarlag knelt down. “My Queen.”

Gidri turned around and walked down the altar. She smiled warmly at her general, motioning for her to stand up. 

Skarlag glanced around. As the High Priestess of Joyia, the queen had numerous religious matters to attend to throughout the year. It was rare to see her make an offering in private, without her usual following of priests and priestesses.  

The queen noticed her inquiring look. “I was asking Sila to grant courage, strength, and perseverance to the Chosen One and the Valiant Six.”

“A most welcome initiative, indeed.”

Gidri tilted her head. “How is her training progressing?” 

“The first days were difficult. It felt more like looking after an infant than actual training. She’s the weakest student I’ve ever had.” The general paused, then dropped her chin. “Forgive my tactlessness.”

The ruler smiled. “You always speak your true mind. This is what I like the most about you. Do you think she will be ready by the end of the month?” 

The woman looked pensive. “She has anger in her. If she manages to channel it properly, it’ll help. But there’s something else…” 

Gidri considered her most trusted advisor in silence. They had met after she had just given birth to Myra. Skarlag was still a teenager at that time. Over the years, the queen had learned how to decipher her companion’s micro-expressions. She could tell Skarlag was dismayed, which was highly unusual. She waited patiently for her general to continue. 

“On a few occasions, she countered and attacked with unexpected mastery. It should be impossible for a beginner like her to do so. Furthermore, there was something about her eyes…” 

The queen furrowed her brows. “Could this be—”

“It’s probably just my imagination,” Skarlag interrupted. “In any case, I made a promise to you and Teshbi and I intend to fulfill it.”