Morning sunlight slanted across the training yard, glinting off polished steel and casting long shadows across the cobblestones. The chill of the early air still clung to Lior’s skin, but the warmth of his own blood rising beneath the surface dulled it.


    A sharp crack rang out as the training sword struck his forearm.


    "Ah damn it!" Lior winced, stepping back and shaking out his arm.


    Across from him, Kyren grinned. "That all you got?"


    Kyren’s dark hair was damp with sweat, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He twirled his training sword lazily between his fingers, the blade catching the sunlight.


    "I’m just warming up," Lior muttered.


    "Then warm up faster."


    Kyren lunged forward. Lior barely had time to raise his sword before the clash of metal vibrated down his arm. He stumbled back, his feet scraping across the cobblestones.


    "Focus, Lior!" Sir Malrik’s voice barked across the yard. The Templar captain stood at the edge of the ring, arms crossed over his chest. His polished armor gleamed like sunlight through glass. "You’ll last about ten seconds in the Trials if you keep leaving your left side open."


    Kyren chuckled. "You hear that? Ten seconds."


    Lior shot him a glare and swung harder. Kyren easily deflected the blow and stepped forward, driving his shoulder into Lior’s chest. Lior hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from his lungs.


    "Enough!" Malrik’s voice cut through the clash of training swords. "Switch partners."


    Lior exhaled sharply and pushed himself upright, rubbing his aching chest. Kyren reached down and offered him a hand.


    "You’re getting better," Kyren said, pulling him to his feet.


    "I still lost."


    "Yeah, but you lasted more than ten seconds this time."


    Lior scowled. "You’re hilarious."


    "I know."


    "Lior!"


    He turned toward the sound of his name. A pair of girls stood near the edge of the ring, their gray cloaks gathered neatly at their shoulders. One of them a blonde girl named Elyse was smiling.


    "You looked good out there," Elyse said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.


    Lior scratched the back of his neck. "Uh… thanks?"


    "Maybe you could help us with sword drills sometime?" Elyse’s smile widened.


    "I… uh…"


    "Of course he can," Kyren cut in. "He’s got nothing better to do."


    Lior shot Kyren a betrayed look. Elyse’s friend giggled.


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    "Great!" Elyse’s eyes sparkled as she stepped closer. "We’ll see you after the next session?"


    "Um… sure?"


    Elyse smiled again and walked away with her friend, both of them whispering to each other as they disappeared behind the training ring.


    Kyren clapped Lior on the back. "Look at you attracting admirers now."


    "Shut up."


    "You know you’ll have to teach them now, right?" Kyren said. "They’re not going to let you off that easily."


    "Wonderful," Lior muttered.


    Across the training yard, Celis stood near the weapons rack, fastening her gauntlets. Her braid was slightly looser now, dark strands of hair clinging to her forehead. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Elyse disappear through the gate.


    "Are you going to spar," she said flatly, "or just stand there looking stupid?"


    Lior turned toward her. "I’m resting."


    Celis’s gaze lingered on Elyse’s retreating figure for half a second longer before she picked up a training sword from the rack.


    "You’ll get rusty if you rest too much," she said, flipping the sword with one hand.


    "Then why don’t you spar with me?" Lior asked.


    Celis’s expression sharpened. "Careful what you wish for."


    They stood across from each other beneath the rising sun. Celis rolled her shoulders, spinning her sword once before raising it toward Lior. Her amber eyes flashed beneath the sunlight.


    "Try not to embarrass yourself," she said.


    Lior smirked. "No promises."


    He lunged forward, swinging his sword low. Celis sidestepped with perfect timing, deflecting his strike easily.


    "Too slow."


    Lior adjusted his stance and attacked again. Celis parried the blow and twisted, stepping behind him in one smooth motion. Her elbow knocked into his back. Lior stumbled forward and barely managed to keep his footing.


    "Come on, Lior." Celis’s smile sharpened. "The Trials are in two weeks. You’re not planning to embarrass me in front of the High Cardinal, are you?"


    Lior swung toward her left side. Celis blocked the strike and then hooked her foot behind his ankle.


    Lior hit the ground hard.


    Celis crouched over him, the tip of her sword resting lightly against his chest.


    "You were saying?" she asked.


    Lior groaned. "Okay. You win."


    Celis smiled. "I know."


    She stood and offered her hand. Lior took it, and she pulled him to his feet.


    "You’re getting better," Celis said.


    "I still lost."


    "You’ll figure it out."


    "Before or after the Trials?"


    Celis shrugged. "That’s up to you."


    Later that day, Lior sat beneath the shade of an old willow tree at the edge of the training grounds. Kyren was already asleep in the grass nearby, his arm thrown over his face.


    Lior leaned back against the tree trunk and closed his eyes.


    "You’re quiet."


    Lior opened one eye. Celis stood nearby, holding two small wooden cups. She handed one to Lior before sitting beside him.


    "What is this?" Lior asked, sniffing the contents.


    "Tea," Celis said. "Drink it."


    Lior took a tentative sip. It was bitter. "This is awful."


    "Builds character."


    Lior sighed. "You’re the worst."


    Celis smiled faintly and leaned her shoulder against his. "I know."


    For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The distant hum of the cathedral bells echoed through the air. The sun was warm against Lior’s face.


    Celis glanced at him. "So… Elyse."


    Lior frowned. "What about her?"


    Celis shrugged. "She seems… interested."


    Lior’s eyes narrowed. "Are you implying something?"


    "No." Celis’s tone was too casual.


    "Right."


    "I’m just saying."


    "You’re not jealous, are you?" Lior teased.


    Celis’s eyes flashed. "Of Elyse?"


    "I’m just saying," Lior echoed.


    Celis scoffed. "Please. You’d trip over your own feet trying to impress her."


    "I’d trip over my own feet trying to impress you," Lior said before he could stop himself.


    Celis’s smile froze. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink.


    For a brief moment, the playful expression slipped replaced by something softer beneath her gaze.


    Then she looked away, her lips curling into a scowl. "Drink your tea."


    Lior smiled. "Yes, ma’am."


    Celis’s eyes narrowed. "You’re impossible."


    Lior laughed softly and leaned back against the tree. His gaze wandered toward the white spires of the Grand Cathedral in the distance.


    For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to relax.


    Celis leaned closer, her shoulder brushing his arm. "Just don’t embarrass me at the Trials."


    "I’ll try not to."


    Celis’s eyes softened. "Good."


    For a moment, Lior thought she might say something else but she didn’t. The silence between them stretched, comfortable and warm.


    The sun slipped lower in the sky as the last of the cathedral bells faded into the afternoon haze.