Steel and Sparks

Morning sunlight poured into Elmsbrook like a warm blessing. Dew sparkled across the grass, and birdsong drifted through the breeze, soft and soothing. The celebration from the night before had left the village buzzing with energy, but while most lingered in a restful haze, one section of the village was already alive with motion.

Selena tightened the leather straps on her bracers with a determined expression, mimicking what she had seen Red do so many times. Her new gear, plain but functional, felt snug against her body. Her white tunic fluttered gently as she stepped onto the training field at the edge of Elmsbrook, a patch of open ground that had once been used for harvest gatherings.

Several villagers were already there. A few young men with pitchforks and hunting spears, one or two women with old swords left by their grandfathers. And among them is...Sarah.

The newly freed girl had refused to stay in bed. She now stood beside Red, dressed in borrowed leather armor that hugged her slight frame, her long black hair tied back in a sleek braid. Her eyes rarely left Red's face.

Selena's heart sank a little.

Red: Alright...

Red said, stepping forward and surveying the group with folded arms.

Red: You want to learn to protect yourselves. That means discipline first. Strength second. Speed last. If you're looking to wave a sword around and look impressive, walk back to your beds.

No one moved.

Red: Good.

He stepped into the center of the field and drew one of his black swords, not menacingly, but with the grace of a man who had drawn a blade more times than he'd drawn breath.

Red: Today's focus: movement and footing. You learn how to stand, how to fall, and how to stay up. If you can't do that, you die.

Selena gave a little gulp.

Red's sharp eyes passed over them.

Red: Pair up.

A soft gasp escaped Selena when Sarah moved almost instantly beside Red.

Oh, Sarah said sweetly,

Sarah: should I stay close in case someone needs a demonstration?

Selena: I'll need a partner too!

Selena blurted, stepping between them before she could second-guess herself.

Selena: I mean, I should learn from the best. Right?

Red's eyes flicked between them. He looked amused, in that unreadable way of his.

Red: Selena, you'll pair with me. Sarah, take the staff boy. He looks like he could use someone gentler.

Sarah looked briefly deflated, but masked it with a smile.

Sarah: Of course.

Selena beamed in quiet victory as Red motioned her to the side.

As they moved off, she glanced up at him.

Selena: Thanks.

Red: Don't read into it, he said dryly.

Red: You're just the clumsiest of the bunch. If I leave you with anyone else, they'll end up injured.

Selena: Hey! she protested, but smiled anyway.

They began simple exercises. Red taught her the basics: how to shift her weight when stepping forward, how to keep her feet aligned, how not to swing wildly.

Red: Precision. Not panic.

he reminded her, over and over.

Selena stumbled a lot. Nearly poked herself in the eye with the wooden dagger twice. Once, she tripped on her own feet and landed flat on her back, groaning.

From across the field, Sarah giggled.

Selena narrowed her eyes and muttered,

Selena: She's doing it on purpose.

Red: She's watching me

Selena: What?

Selena blinked up at him.

Red crouched beside her.

Red: Sarah. She's watching me. You're watching her.

Selena turned crimson.

Selena: I...I'm not!!!

Red: You'll get more out of this if you stop worrying about who's near me and focus on your stance,

he said with the faintest trace of humor in his voice.

Selena sat up with a huff, brushing dust from her elbows.

Selena: You're enjoying this.

Red: I enjoy watching you fall? Yes.

She shot him a glare but couldn't help the little laugh that followed. She got back to her feet.

Red stood nearby, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

It went on like that for another hour. The villagers practiced mock duels and dodging drills. Selena gradually found her rhythm. Her movements grew steadier, more deliberate. By the time Red called for a rest, her arms were sore, but her face was glowing with pride.

Red: You did well

he told her quietly as they sat beneath the shade of a nearby oak.

Red: You didn't fall on your face for a full ten minutes.

Selena: Progress...

she said, leaning her head back against the bark.

Selena: My legs feel like wet noodles.

Red: I've fought goblins more balanced than you

Selena chuckled...until she noticed something.

Red had turned his head slightly, eyes locked on a far-off tree at the edge of the clearing. His gaze was still, unblinking.

Selena followed it.

There, just at the edge of the woods, stood a figure. Cloaked in gray, motionless. Watching.

Selena: Someone's there, She whispered.

Red: I know," Red said calmly.

Red: He won't move.

Selena: Should we do something?

Red: No.

Red's voice dropped, and a tiny, almost mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Red: He's an old friend.

Selena's eyes widened.

Selena: A friend who hides in the trees?

Red: Wouldn't be much of a friend if he didn't.

She stared at Red's expression, calm, faintly amused. There was something in his voice, a history hinted at, a bond built not through friendship but fire.

But before she could ask more, Sarah approached.

Sarah: Red~

she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear,

Sarah: I wanted to thank you again. For helping me with the block move earlier. I~

She glanced at Selena,

Sarah: feel like I'm improving quickly.

Red: You are,

Red said politely, then stood.

Red: Rest time's over.

Sarah looked slightly disappointed, but followed his lead.

Selena rose with a sigh, glancing once more toward the tree line. The figure was gone.

Whatever world Red came from

whatever secrets followed him

Selena realized with a growing awareness that she was now walking straight into the heart of it.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready.

But she was going anyway.