A Dance Of Words And Blades

The morning sun cast long shadows over the training grounds as the knights continued their drills. The air smelled of dust and sweat, a familiar scent that clung to Elara's skin. After her intense spar with Keshav, she had barely caught her breath before another round of training began.

Across the yard, Keshav stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze assessing the recruits as they practiced their swordwork. He hadn't spoken much since their match, but Elara could feel his eyes on her from time to time. Watching. Calculating.

A sudden presence beside her broke her thoughts.

"Well, well, looks like Sir Grump has been keeping an eye on you."

Elara turned to see Lilian grinning at her, mischief dancing in her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Elara asked, adjusting the grip on her wooden sword.

Lilian wiggled her brows. "Oh, you know, Keshav. The man who speaks in grunts and glares. I've never seen him this… invested."

Elara scoffed. "He's testing me, that's all."

"Mmhmm," Lilian hummed. "Or maybe he's intrigued. You do have a way of worming into people's heads."

Elara rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips.

Before she could reply, a familiar voice cut through their conversation.

"You two are awfully chatty for people who should be training."

Keshav had approached, his usual stoic expression in place. His eyes flicked from Elara to Lilian, then back.

Lilian smirked. "Oh, look who finally decided to speak more than three words. What an honor."

Keshav exhaled sharply, clearly unamused. "If you have time to talk, you have time to train."

"Ah, yes, because talking and training can't exist together," Lilian quipped. She turned to Elara. "Do you think if I keep pestering him, he'll finally admit he has emotions?"

Keshav arched a brow. "Do you think if you keep talking, you'll finally say something useful?"

Elara bit back a laugh as Lilian clutched her chest dramatically. "Ouch. That almost hurt."

Keshav ignored her and turned to Elara. "Spar with me again. Now."

Lilian let out a whistle. "Twice in one day? You must really like losing, Keshav."

Keshav shot her a flat look. "Unlike some people, I take training seriously."

Elara sighed, stepping forward. "Fine. Let's go."

They squared up, and the moment their blades met, Elara knew Keshav wasn't holding back. His strikes were sharper, his movements even more precise than before. But she wasn't about to let him overpower her so easily.

She met him strike for strike, anticipating his movements before he made them. Their dance of blades drew the attention of several knights, murmurs spreading as they clashed.

From the edge of the yard, Damien watched, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Elara didn't have time to focus on him. Not when Keshav was pressing harder, faster.

He was testing her again.

But she wasn't about to fail.

With a quick maneuver, she twisted around his next strike, positioning herself behind him. It was a risky move—one that left her exposed if miscalculated—but she had been watching him closely.

Keshav barely turned in time, but Elara stopped her blade an inch from his neck.

Silence fell over the training ground.

Lilian let out a loud cheer. "Ha! That's my best friend right there!"

Keshav exhaled through his nose, lowering his weapon. He studied her for a long moment before nodding slightly.

"Better," he muttered.

Elara grinned, a surge of pride running through her.

But as she glanced toward Damien, their gazes locked for the briefest moment. There was something different in his eyes. A flicker of something unreadable.

And just like that, the moment passed.

But Elara couldn't shake the feeling that things were starting to shift.

For better or for worse, she wasn't sure yet.