“Ugh, I am SO hungry.......hopefully Carline will understand that I didn’t have time to eat because of my mishap with Minerva and let me have a protein bar or something before we start. If not I think that my stomach may get so loud it will seem as though there is a bear on the grounds”

Marie thought, as her stomach growled, reminding her that even though she had had a large lunch the day before, it was not happy that she had skipped dinner. She had just gotten into the training grounds when her stomach let out the loudest rumble yet. Wordlessly, Carline handed Marie a nut chocolate protein bar, one of the many flavors that she kept readily available.

“How many times must I tell you that it is important to fuel your body properly Marie?!”

Carline exclaimed, gently scolding her student. Marie hung her head and began a mumbled apology around her mouthful of food.

“orry I urt erva-”

Carline cut off her unintelligible explanation and sternly told her to finish eating.

"After you eat you can explain why you did not eat before you came down to me this morning"

Marie quickly scarfed down her last bite and chewed it thoroughly before she swallowed. Then she said,

“I am sorry for not eating this morning Carline but I did not have the time. I, um- well I kinda broke High Sorceress Minerva’s wrist when she tried to wake me up. I swear it was not on purpose-well I guess it kind of was but-”

Carline held up a hand to stop her student's rambling and shook her head, a small smile breaking out on her face.

“No one told her how we wake you up I would assume?”

Marie nodded, her expression and tone both practically screaming with anger,

“Yeah, I mean who would have had a reason to tell her that, it’s not like that is something in her job description!”

Marie paused for a breath and continued talking,

“I really hope she does not hurt anyone for not telling her. There is enough going on with Bain and Nadasia missing and I only have 6 days to figure out how to save them without handing over the Golden Phoenix. I mean- you know I can’t do that, not even for Baine. Oh Carline, what am I going to do!?”

Marie said, her voice breaking as tears began to run down her face. Carline gathered Marie into her arms gently, whispering soothingly in her ear. Knowing that there was nothing that would get Marie’s mind off of her feeling of helpless frustration better than a sparring session, Carline said,

“I know you are upset Marie, but try and channel all of those emotions into a sparring session, ok? You know that you can come at me your hardest and you won't hurt me so don't hold any of that anger back ok? It's not healthy.”

Marie nodded and took a few deep breaths to regain her composure and walked over to the rack that held the many wooden practice weapons. Even though they were wooden, Carline’s aunt had enchanted them to weigh as much as the real deal. This enchantment, while relatively basic, was a huge help when it came to training. Carline and Marie, as well as anyone else who cared to do so, were able to spar as though they had real weapons, but without the risk of someone being hurt.

“Alright let’s go.”

Marie said, handing one of the swords to Carline and keeping the other for herself. As soon as Carline had her stance, Marie rushed at Carline, forgoing her usual circling tactic in an attempt to catch Carline off guard. Carline slid left gracefully, just as Marie’s sword was about to reach her, and slashed towards Marie’s exposed back. Marie parried with her own sword, arching her body quickly to avoid Carline’s attack. Their practice blades crashed against each other sending vibrations up both of their arms. Carline was quick to send her sword into an uppercut, attempting to “cut” Marie from head to toe. Marie sidestepped to the right, and the blade passed a whisper away from her face. Before Marie could respond to her attack, Carline swiftly kicked Marie in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of her, and stunning her for a brief moment. The moment that the blow to her solar plexus caused Marie to stop gave Carline the time to point her sword at Marie’s throat.

“Hellfire Carline, you cheated and that kick hurt!”

Marie exclaimed, panting both from exertion as well as Carline’s well-placed kick which had knocked the wind out of her. Carline’s expression darkened at Marie’s outburst.

“Are you telling me that you think a real enemy would only use their sword, Marie?”

“No Carline I-”

Carline cut her off her voice growing colder with every word,

“Because if that is what you think, you have learned NOTHING! If someone wants you dead, they will do whatever they can to kill you, Marie. you must be prepared for anything during battle. If you focus on only one part of your opponent you will get yourself killed!”

Marie bowed her head, accepting the rebuke/warning.

“I am sorry Carline, you are right, I ought to know better.”

Satisfied that her point had been made, Carline handed her sword to Marie.

“Put these away and stretch, once you are done you can go.”

Marie nodded, put the swords away, and began stretching. As she made her up the stairs to her quarters, Marie thought about the fight.

“Carline was right, I really need to pay more attention to her hands and feet when we are fighting. It might not hurt to try something like that the next time I spar with her......as long as I don’t let her catch me with it again”

She mused, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.