Blades, Bickering, and Goodbyes
The field had become a familiar place for Selena over the past month, a place of sweat, laughter, frustration, and slow but steady growth. Yet this morning, it was the battleground for something less noble than swordplay: a duel of affections.
Sarah: Your form is as limp as wet lettuce,
Sarah taunted, twirling her wooden sword with a smirk.
Selena: At least I don't fight like I'm trying to impress someone,
Selena shot back, mimicking the same twirl and immediately fumbling the sword into the dirt.
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
Sarah: Is that what you call swordplay? I thought you were stirring soup.
Selena: I'll show you stirring soup!
Selena lunged clumsily, nearly tripping over her own boots as her blade grazed the air an arm's length from Sarah.
It was chaos, comical chaos. They weren't trying to hurt each other, not really. But their swings were fueled by bubbling rivalry and unspoken longing. Every clash of wooden blades rang out not with skill, but tension...and plenty of clumsy footwork.
Selena: You're stepping on my foot!
Sarah: Maybe your foot shouldn't be there!
Selena: Maybe your face shouldn't be so smug!
Their antics had drawn a crowd. Villagers chuckled, shaking their heads at the two young women trading awkward swipes more than real strikes. Some of the younger boys started placing bets on who would fall first.
Meanwhile, Red stood off to the side, arms crossed, silently watching...not them, but the forest.
His gaze was steady, fixed on a familiar tree at the edge of the field.
There.
The shadow.
It was faint, just a silhouette...a man, standing in the half-light between trunk and leaves. Always watching. Always present, yet never close.
Red's lips curved into a faint smile, the kind that knew pain and comfort both. He's alive, Red thought. That's enough for now.
He turned back toward the training grounds, ignoring the ongoing slapstick sparring match between Selena and Sarah. The clack of wood and cries of indignation were background noise to him.
Let them grow. Let them find their strength in their own messy way.
He'd seen enough blood and silence in his life. Let there be noise here.
One Month Later...
The sun hung low over Elmsbrook as Red and Selena stood at the village's edge, packs ready, weapons cleaned, and their travel cloaks flapping gently in the morning breeze. The time had come to return to Silverhaven and report the completion of their quest. But the villagers weren't about to let them go quietly.
A group of them gathered with wide grins and baskets in hand, baskets brimming with herbs. Lavender, valerian, marigold, nightshade, and dozens more~ all sorted, bundled, and fragrant.
"For you, Red! For you, Miss Selena!" called one of the older women. "Payment for the guild quest!"
Selena blinked.
Selena: W-We can't take all this! This is way too much!
Red raised an eyebrow and muttered with dry amusement,
Red: The herb quest pays by weight, remember?
Selena gawked.
Selena: What.....?so the more we bring, the more we get?
Red: Exactly.
She stared at the mountain of herbs now being loaded into their packs by helpful hands.
Selena: We're going to be rich in flowers.
Red: It'll cover the inn fees.
Before they could mount up and leave, Sarah approached.
She wore her traveling gear, a fresh leather tunic, a new blade slung across her back, and a spark of fierce determination in her emerald eyes.
Sarah: I've made up my mind, Sarah said proudly.
Sarah: I'm heading to Ironspire Hold. They say there's a combat guild there that trains real swordswomen.
Red gave her a respectful nod.
Red: Good choice. You've got the spirit.
Sarah hesitated. Then, with uncharacteristic softness, she added,
Sarah: And when I come back, when I've earned my title, I'll make good on my promise.
Selena tilted her head.
Selena: What promise?
Red raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Sarah stepped in close, too close...and reached up to plant a kiss on Red's lips.
Selena gasped.
Red didn't move. He simply allowed it with the expression of a man used to unpredictable situations.
But before Sarah could pull away triumphantly, Selena surged forward and yanked her back by the shoulder.
Selena: Hey! That's...That's completely uncalled for!
Sarah smirked, unbothered.
Sarah: Jealous?
Selena: I....No! You just....You didn't even ask!
Sarah: You snooze, you lose
Sarah said cheerily, brushing her braid back over her shoulder.
Red let out a quiet sigh, rubbing his temples.
Red: This is going to be a long ride.
The villagers, sensing the rising tension, offered their final goodbyes and well-wishes, trying not to chuckle at the trio's awkward love triangle.
As Red and Selena finally turned toward the road, their horses now weighed down by fragrant bounty, the sun climbed higher.
Red: Are you mad?
Red asked after a while.
Selena: I'm not mad...
Selena grumbled, riding beside him.
Selena: I just don't like seeing someone... throw themselves at you like that.
He gave her a sidelong glance.
Red: You did the same when we met.
Selena: I did not!
Red: You hugged me in your sleep.
Selena flushed crimson.
Selena: That doesn't count! I didn't mean to...
Red chuckled softly, the rare sound of his laughter making her heart skip.
They rode on, the road stretching before them toward Silverhaven. Behind them, Elmsbrook faded into the distance...a small village forever changed, a place where lives had shifted, paths had begun, and a girl named Sarah trained with fire in her heart, aiming for a sword and a dream.
And in the shadows of the trees behind the field, a figure watched them go.
Still alive.
Still waiting.