Ella and Lucca began sparring. Through the corner of her eye, Ella caught glimpses of Ailish and Andrew’s sparring match.  She lost concentration. This allowed Lucca to best her.

“You’re getting distracted!” Lucca remarked, pointing his practice sword at Ella’s neck.

“I guess I am,” Ella responded with a laugh. She gazes at Ailish and Andrew as if she would rather be over there.

Lucca lowered his practice sword. “What is it? Are you jealous of Andrew?” He lowered his voice. “If that’s the case, I’m pretty sure he has a thing for Soren. Besides, Ailish is too old for Andrew. He’s fourteen.”

“No!” Ella said a little too abruptly, lowering her practice sword as well. She lowered her voice. “I just want Ailish to get where she wants to be with this training.”

Nothing more!

“She will,” Lucca assured her, his voice rising a little. “You’re helping her. Andrew’s helping her. We’re all helping her. We’re all going to get where we need to be. We’re a team!”

Soren cheered. “We’re a team and there’s no getting away from it. You’re not getting rid of us and we’re sure as Hell not getting rid of you.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Ella muttered, “and you’re right. We are a team.”

Andrew and Ailish cheered from where they were standing.

“You’re getting it, Lisheria!” Andrew cried, his face glowing with approval. “You’ll be a pro soon!”

Ailish brought her practice sword down to her side. “That’s what I live for!”

Laughter ripple over from that side of the room.

Lucca gave Ella a look of concern. “I think you need to rest.  You can’t spar when you’re distracted.”

“Right,” Ella uttered, gaining concentration once again. “I’ll get my chance to improve at the next session. This one is about Ailish. Let’s give her our attention.”

Lucca and Soren nodded their agreement.

Ella, Soren and Lucca watched Ailish and Andrew spar again, now that they all had the chance to be observers. They had a  bit of a rocky start but it became more spectacular as Ailish gained confidence. A few more minutes passed and Ailish defeated Andrew, pointing her practice sword at his throat victoriously.

“Not bad,” Andrew said as Ailish lowered her practice sword. He lowered his own and exclaimed “Scratch that, you did amazing! Keep practicing and you’ll be even better in no time.”

Ella gave Ailish a look of admiration. “You heard the boy.” She ventured over to where Andrew and Ailish stood. “I think that’s enough for today.”

Lucca collected the practice swords and put them away as Ailish and Andrew stood there, panting, exhausted from the exertion.

Lucca returned to the others and congratulated Ailish with a high five. “You did amazing!”

“Thanks,” Ailish replied, catching her breath at last.

Soren stepped closer to the group. “That was a good first session.”

Ella moved closer to Ailish and gave her a hug. Her heart fluttered as she did this but she ignored it yet again. “Keep up the good work.”

Ailish murmured her assent as Ella released her from her arms.

Once everything was packed up, Lucca led everybody back into the house.

Ailish turned to look at Ella. “We should head home.”

Ella gave a nod of agreement.

Soren gave Ailish a pleading look. “I’ll stay a little longer. Andrew and Lucca can walk me home.”

Ailish gave her sibling’s hand a squeeze. “You have my permission. Do stay out too late.”

Ella and Ailish went out the door, beholding the brightly coloured sky.

***

Andrew, Soren and Lucca watched as Ella and Ailish disappeared down the street. Lucca shut the door and headed into the living room.

“What did you want to show me?” Soren inquired.

“Why don’t I show you?” Andrew responded in kind.

Andrew and Soren went through the house to the back door and out into the backyard. Andrew guided Soren over to a target. An old table stood next to it with knives stuck in it, their points jammed into the wood.

“You need to be able to defend yourself,” Andrew pressed. “I know you prefer solving peacefully but sometimes you have to take actions you don’t like.”

Soren acknowledged this. “I know. I just don’t like the chaos of battle.”

Andrew gave them an intense look that mingled concern, empathy, compassion and a determination to protect them. “Then make it manageable. You can cast your illusions and use defensive spells for only so long. If someone figures you out, they could have the upper hand. Don’t let them.”

Soren let out a slow breath. “What do I do?

Andrew put his hands behind his back. “Go into battle wearing clothing that can hide small objects like sheathed knives. If you appear to be unarmed, you will have surprise on your side. Also, keep your defenses up; protect your weak spots.”

Soren nodded. “What would I do with the knives?” 

“If your target is farther away, throw a knife, if they’re in close quarters, take the opportunity to stab. If possible, do it when they aren’t looking. I know you don’t like using swords or bows and arrows so this seems like the best option for you.”

Soren fiddled with the hem of their shirt. “I guess so.”

“You’re going to learn how to throw knives but not today,” Andrew continued, motioning towards the sky. “It’ll be dark soon so it won’t be safe to practice knife throwing.”

“Agreed,” Soren replied. “Isn’t knife throwing dangerous though?”

Andrew gestured with his hand as if throwing an invisible knife. “To the thrower?”

Soren nodded again.

“Only if you don’t know what you’re doing,” Andrew proclaimed. “Lucca and I will teach you not only to throw knives but how to not hurt yourself while doing it. We’ll also teach you hand to hand combat so that you have a backup plan if you’re ever in a spot where using the knives won’t work. Let’s hope you don’t run into one of those situations though.”

“Understood and agreed,” Soren returned. “Thanks for your help.”

“You’re part of a five person team,” Andrew reassured them. “We help each other out. That’s the point of all this.”

Soren gave a dramatic sigh. “Why do you challenge my beliefs like this?”

“It’s in my nature,” Andrew teased. “I used to be on a debate team, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Soren rolled their eyes in mock amusement. “What’s the real reason?”

“Promise not to tell the others?” A shadow passed over Andrew’s face. “I’m not ready to tell them yet.”

Soren took his hand and shook it. “I promise.”