To The South!

Ren ducked under Thorn's sword, pivoted, and aimed a light jab at his friend's ribs. Thorn deflected it with ease, retaliating with a kick at Ren's knee.

Ren stepped forward, closing the distance and rendering the move awkward, his sword flying at Thorn's throat. Thorn knocked the sword upward, hopping back on one leg with a grin.

"Sloppy. If this was the younger Ren, he would've punished that mistake." He said, raising his blade again. "Are you getting tired, old man?"

"Old?" Ren scoffed, parrying Thorn's jab. "You were wheezing before we even started."

They exchanged a few more blows, the sharp clinks of metal upon metal ringing in the yard. 

Sweat dripped down their faces, but their grins didn't waver for one second. Between jabs and footwork, they traded light-hearted insults. A group of squires paused their drills nearby to watch them, whispering in awe.

Then, without warning, Ren froze mid-swing. His sword lowered, eyes wide.