"You're quiet."

A soft scoff.

"I'm always quiet."

"More than usual." Dado's posture erected, adding an extra inch to his already towering height. A calculative nature touched his brow and lips, though the fatherly concern softened his expression. "Are you troubled by the same thing? It truly is bizarre. That child..." He struggled to continue, but Rayna didn't.

"There's something odd about him, Dado. It seems the longer he stays here, the more questions I have," she said. The usual steel supported her demeanor, but an uncertainty stained her voice a weak tint of confusion. Of course, the Royal General noticed; it'd be downright surprising if he didn't, as he'd been analyzing the girl since she was born.

He nodded. "That's understandable. His resilience to that kick—it's unusual." Suddenly, something borderline accusatory tickled the hind quarters of his brain and he pinned the princess with an inquisitive stare. "This is indeed the only occurrence, correct?"

Dado was a man of two principles: patience and responsibility. And yet, when it came to Rayna and her overseeing of Kazue, his audacity experienced an uncharacteristic swell. There were specific territories in which he could dip his toe, to test the waters and tease her with the cleverest of remarks; however, this leaned dangerously close to an interrogation, a pressure to confess a secret he only theorized to exist.

Rayna answered with a lethal side glance. "Remember your place, Dado. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you have the gall to demand something from me."

In that moment, routine shattered.

"I do not speak from gall but concern, Rayna." His form remained resolute, sending off not a single sign that he'd pardon his words and bow anytime soon. "I've already said it before and I shall say it again. You are not your mother. Any troubles you face do not have to be faced on your own—"

"His forehead," Rayna breathed. She didn't speak—in no way nor form did her tongue handle the statement in such a manner. Rather, she had tossed it out like a final effort or a saving grace found in the crossfires of a losing battle. As far as she was concerned, her soul wouldn't settle until she derailed Dado's train of thought. "The day that child arrived, I forced his head to the floor." A grimace crossed Dado's visage. "It left a sizable bruise. I was certain it would last a few weeks at the very least, but he recovered in a matter of days."

The Royal General stroked his beard. "I see... is there anything else?"

Instantly, the scar upon Kazue's back jumped to the forefront of Rayna's mind.

"No," she said, "That is all."

A pregnant pause draped over them.

"As long as you're certain—"

"Do not push your luck, Dado," Rayna hissed. "If I say that is all, then it is."

Dado held up his hands in surrender, though the skepticism had yet to leave his eyes. "My apologies, Rayna. I did not mean to agitate you. I just," A chill passed through Rayna's bones, though she immediately tossed it up to imagination, "You seem different. The change has been so gradual that I almost missed it, but it's there."

The princess massaged her temple. "I assure you that I've awoken this morning with the same visage and body as last night." Her attempt at sarcasm went ignored, skiing over the man's skull like an oiled slope.

"Your fire. It's weaker."

Rayna huffed. "For a man who claims to know me so well, your observations are both inaccurate and absurd."

"Absurd." Dado allowed the infant of a smile to stretch his lips. "That's become one of Kazue's favorite terms as of recently. No doubt a heavy and important presence in his life brought this on." Rayna longed to counter, but her tongue was stuffed with cotton and the triumph radiating from him, no matter how insignificant it seemed, planted a seed of confusion. "That child... He's changing you for the better. I can tell."

Rayna's nostrils flared as the corner of her lips twitched. "This conversation is over." She didn't spare the man another glance, instead opting to spin on her heels and storm off like a bristling fox. "Have servants send for me when Kazue's released." Even with her back facing him, she could feel Dado's knowing smirk burning through her robes.

"Of course, Your Highness."

†

Three days.

Three days of pure monotonous torture. Kazue couldn't describe the unfiltered horror that washed over him when the nurse had dumped the news on his shoulders. Despite his lack of fatal injuries, she had banned him from strenuous activity, including his daily chores, and permitted him to at least three days of bed rest. In fact, she encouraged him to take a week off if he ever felt faint; however, the mere idea of extending a minute beyond the punishment seemed preposterous.

Thus, he found himself sprawled about in Rayna's bed, which proved to be the only benefit he took advantage of. Granted, he always invited himself to slumber with the princess beforehand, but the nurse had suggested his sleeping arrangements to be optimal. Of course, she wasn't aware of his incompetent pile of pillows or of Rayna's distaste for sharing a bed with him; in fact, the medic had assumed otherwise. The view of a loving and gentle royal blinded her from the truth of reality, which ultimately compromised Rayna.

Kazue's feet kicked against the sheets. "I'm bored," he whined, head rolling to cast a begging look Rayna's way. The royal teen sat at her desk, eyes raking a stack of documents before her at an almost frantic rate in an attempt to ignore him. Nonetheless and per usual, her efforts were fruitless once the boy devolved in a mess of grunts and incomprehensible syllables.

She slapped a hand over the paperwork before delivering an icy glare. "Be. Silent." Unfazed, Kazue heaved another groan before half-heartedly spreading his limbs out and pulling them into his body, engraving a silk angel into the sheets.

"But I'm boooored."

Rayna could've sworn she swallowed fire. However, before she could craft a scathing rebuttal, a heavy fist rapped on her door and Dado welcomed himself in. The Royal General jolted as two heads snapped in his direction, pinning him down with questioning looks that originated from entirely different ends of the spectrum. He cleared his throat and bowed.

"Pardon the intrusion, Rayna. I just wanted to remind you about our session today."

As if a switch was flipped, Kazue sat up at attention. "Season? Season for what?"

"Session," Rayna corrected. Her ire shifted to their visitor, sparing Kazue of a routine tongue lashing. "I haven't forgotten, Dado. It's rather insulting for you to assume that I would."

"Apologies." Dado spoke as if a joke between him and Kazue simmered beneath the surface, cutting glances at the curious boy. "You've been on bedrest for quite some time, Kazue." A grin weaseled its way onto his features. "I'm certain you're healed enough to walk about. Would you care to come watch?"

Rayna grimaced, barely hiding a cough as spit traveled down the wrong pipe. "Your brain is failing somehow, and for that I'll excuse the foolishness that just escaped your mouth," she said. Dado's lips pinched, a cooled cousin of resignation painting his features; it wasn't unlike the princess to attack his intelligence, especially if she felt attacked first. However, his brow lifted as Kazue unraveled into a fit of giggles.

"Rayna didn't mean it. She's just sleepy and grumpy again."

"For the last time, I sleep plenty," Rayna countered.

The Royal General could recall days of a princess that constantly secreted the fatality of a rattlesnake and pumped venom through her victims' systems with the fangs of a malicious vocabulary. However, that image stood out starkly against the young lady before him, a strange clone who concocted a softer viciousness preserved for Kazue. The observation pleased Dado—exceptionally—but he filtered the feeling away. He opened the door wider, posture polite and teasing.

"Are you two coming?"

†

Kazue drummed his lap excitably.

The sun was beaming pleasantly and spared his pale skin of its usually harsh treatment. However, the dusty concrete beneath him radiated an amount of heat just a margin above uncomfortable; it was bearable, and he would endure a molten seat if it meant watching his guardian spirit in action.

A tickle made his knee jolt, bringing his attention to a lonely cricket perched next to him, its hind legs rubbing along one another like the sharpening of twin blades. Kazue gently shooed it away, but he only tasted success for a moment or two before it returned.

The boy did his best to ignore it.

Rayna and Dado stood in the center of a platform raised mere inches above the grass. In comparison to the royal garden surrounding it and stretching out radially for hundreds of feet, sectioned by rings of shrubbery and flowers permeating an artificial scent of peppermint, the stage was dwarfed. Not a single guard roamed the area due to Dado's direct orders; his desire for privacy during training wasn't incredulous and omitting Rayna's name helped to rid any suspicions. Mentor and student brandished a simple sword, the engravings and hilts indistinct from the militia's own. The same swords that have stolen many lives.

Rayna had discarded her robes in exchange for what looked to be commoner's clothing. A short-sleeved tunic was tucked into loose trousers and fresh gauze covered her forearms. More of it wrapped about her feet but left her perfectly pedicured toes exposed to the heat.

On the other hand, Dado had only removed his shawl and top, revealing a brutish and monster-like composition of muscles and scars. The marred flesh bisecting his skull still reigned the most notable of them all. He twirled the sword casually, testing out its weight and adapting to it accordingly.

"As usual, Rayna, we'll begin with a warm up," he said. "I'm aware that you might be sore, so don't hesitate to stop me—"

"I'm not made of parchment," Rayna grumbled. Countenance stoic, she settled into proper stance and poised her sword. "Just start already." Dado nodded and lowered into his own stance, molding himself into her hulking mirror image. The pair fell deathly still. A dry breeze ruffled their clothing and carried clouds of debris around them like a taunting dance, prodding at skin with pricks of grain and scatter.

Kazue spectated curiously but groaned at the cricket's reappearance. "Shoo," he whispered, fanning at the persistent little insect. His efforts were answered by another hop in his direction, tapping against his calf and retreating in time to dodge a swipe of the hand—

Clang!

Dado parried a right swing. He blinked and instantly found himself blocking and redirecting a flurry of strikes. Every meeting of blade on blade rang sharply in his ears and shot a tremor through his palm. Rayna's attacks were as precise as always, but a hint of aggression accented them. He halted her sword once more, preventing it from leaving a nasty gash on his shoulder.

Rayna grunted, bitter at how much his strength dominated hers. She put distance between them and circled the man on slow, predatory feet. Dado didn't seem perturbed and he followed her every move, pivoting on one foot as she slid into his blind spot.

Kazue slapped down both hands, but he missed his assailant by a scant inch again. His eyes narrowed with growing annoyance; this cricket was proving to be more and more troublesome by the second. He pouted. I can't watch Rayna because of this stupid thing!

Suddenly, the muscles in Rayna's legs coiled and she launched from her hind foot like a bullet. She flipped her blade, both hands gripping the handle, and poured all her strength into an upward swing. Although she was combatively trained, her most powerful strikes were minimal to Dado and he blocked it easily.

However, what he didn't expect was for their swords to windmill over his head and forced down to his opposite side. The next moment, Rayna's hold shifted back to one hand and she rammed the hilt into his chin. His head snapped back, a dull vibration traveling through his jaw, but his balance remained firm.

Until a sweeping kick slammed him onto his back.

"Aha! Got you!" Kazue cheered. He finally managed to encase the bug between his hands and peeked through a gap, watching it twitch about impatiently. It was so helpless and small in his grasp; the poor creature was now at his mercy. The boy placed his attention on the spar, pure awe coursing through his system as he watched Rayna advance on the man.

A boot narrowly missed Dado's torso as he rolled aside. Several more stomps rained down and he barreled continuously until he teetered on the edge of concrete. Pushing against the ground, he allowed Rayna's foot to slide past his shoulder, and he shot up to pound his shoulder into her chest. He hadn't put much force into the hit, but she was already off-center. Their positions have been switched, the behemoth towering over her and prepping to deal a downward jab—

Rayna winced as she tried to sit up, a searing pain alighting her back on fire.

Dado's blade ceased.

He scurried back in a flourish of steel and relaxed his stance. "I thought you had only injured your forearms?"

"I'm fine," Rayna grunted. She swallowed back the discomfort and stood, her pupils dilated and blazing. She raised her sword shakily. "Continue."

Meanwhile, Kazue's brow pinched, perplexed by the sudden change of pace. It was a pity—he anticipated far more action from his guardian spirit and yet, simultaneously, he felt beyond honored to witness her mesmerizing skills. She was a true warrior, a reincarnation of the mythical Ravit. I wish I was like her, he thought.

The cricket chirped again, and he looked down as a recognizable numbness spilled over his innards. It was so fragile. Defenseless.

Emotions equate to weakness.

Dado ignored Rayna's words and pushed on. "When did you acquire wounds on your back? From the same mission?"

"Yes. Are you satisfied?" Her nostrils flared. "Now continue!"

"No." The Royal General sighed and approached tiredly. "Again, you're lying. Why? What happened?"

"Dado, so help me—"

Before she could protest, he gently tapped her back with the blunt side of the blade and she flinched. She bit the inside of her cheek and a coppery taste flowed down the side of her tongue; she almost yelped, but she'd rather develop sores in her mouth than exhibit weakness. Nonetheless, Dado took note of her reaction and his gaze softened.

"Was it her?" A rasp rattled his voice, emotions clawing up his throat.

A sickening crunch slithered into Kazue's ears and simmered in the bottom of his lungs, as if he had swallowed the cricket's last breath. The sensation of a broken exoskeleton and something spongy grinded against his palms, faintly slick to the touch. Like a detonation, a blinding wave of nausea snapped him back to his senses and the reality of his actions crashed over him.

Rayna's teeth gnashed. She couldn't stand it when Dado babied her; it only succeeded in damaging her ego and shoving unsavory memories to the surface of her mind. A disfigured head swathed in scars. Milky eyes. Twin Khopeshes splitting flesh. Organs evading her attacks at the last moment. Fear. Raw and potent and unstoppable.

At this rate, she would never improve enough to face that monstrosity and redeem herself. She spiked her sword down with a growl. "I see you're prone to wasting my time today. Arrogant."

"That's not true," Dado protested. "I'm just concerned."

"Concerned?" Rayna scoffed, low and seething. "Save your fragility for later. We both have responsibilities and I cannot uphold them unless you see through with your own." She jabbed a finger into his sternum. "So, I suggest you grow a backbone and answer to me once you've decided to fulfill your duties."

Dado's mouth hardened into a thin line. "I will once you're properly healed. If I had known about your back, I would've postponed this," he said.

A cold wrath seized Rayna. She was growing exasperated with the man's pity; his moments of coddling had always irked her, but this instance emptied her well of patience quicker than usual. Regardless, she had a code to live by and snuffed out the flames before they could eat away at the pillars of her self-restraint. She adopted a blank mask.

"So be it. I'll train without your assistance today." She then cast her eyes onto Kazue. The child was seated a decent distance away, but his lack of enrapture with her every move somewhat surprised her. She refused to show the sentiment. "You seem far more fascinated with Kazue. Why don't you train him?" Despite her efforts, the sarcasm peeked through as clear as day. "I'm certain he's in far better condition than I am."

"Why are you picking now to throw a tantrum?" Dado asked.

Tantrum.

Whether it was intentional or not, the term managed to fan Rayna's fury. Her fists trembled, though the calm façade persisted. "Oh, is my timing inconvenient? Shame. You of all people should know that suffering," her eyes briefly snapped up to the scar on his head, "Builds character."

Dado didn't have a response, neither externally nor internally. Her statement served to be a low blow, but it was also expected. He had learned ages ago to never take her insults personally whenever the chains around heart loosened. She rarely had the freedom to lash out; he would pose as her outlet if need be. Thus, he remained silent as she stormed off in Kazue's direction.

The boy in question wiped his hands off on the grass frantically. "O-oh no," he whimpered, "I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."

"Kazue."

Kazue froze, his blood cooling yet his heart pumping it harshly through his system. He blinked up curiously at her and fumbled over syllables. "Y-yes. Um. I—yes ma'am?"

She plopped down next to him with her legs crossed, so startlingly close that their knees brushed. She waved a hand dismissively at the platform. "Learn something useful. Weaklings disgust me, and I won't allow such a person in my presence."

Kazue's eyes widened.

Not in horror or disbelief.

But with joy.

"Really? You mean it? Dado will teach me something cool?" The questions would've continued for eons, but Rayna cut him short with a raised hand.

"Yes. Now, do not make me repeat myself. Go."

Kazue didn't require any further encouragement. He sprinted clumsily up to Dado, who in turn arched an eyebrow. "Yes? Do you need something?" the Royal General asked.

Kazue jittered in place. "Rayna said you were gonna teach me something cool! Can you? Please?"

The absolute glee rolling off him could rival the sun's radiance. In the end, it would be downright sinful for Dado to deny him. Expelling a gravely sigh, Dado tossed his sword aside and said, "Alright. I suppose I can show you the basics. We'll begin with redirecting."

"Redering?"

Dado cracked a grin. "Redirecting," he chuckled. "To put quite simply, one has to use their opponent's strength against them. Here, I'll show a demonstration. Wield this." He retracted a basic dagger from the back of his waistband, which thoroughly baffled the child since he couldn't fathom where the weapon came from.

The next handful of seconds involved a nervous Kazue following Dado's instructions on how to hold a dagger properly. Once the Royal General was satisfied with his grip and overall stance, he placed a few feet between them, a supportive smile gracing his features. "Now, attack me."

Kazue's jaw dropped.

"What? But..." The child squirmed. "I don't wanna h-hurt you."

Dado's serene disposition didn't budge. "Don't worry. I assure you that everything will be alright."

"I... O-okay." Kazue grounded himself. Holding his breath, he gripped the dagger in both hands and dashed forward with a stuttered cry. Before he could comprehend what happened, his face was nearing concrete and recollections of his cheek meeting cobblestone were renewed.

His nose stopped inches before making impact.

Dado's patient voice washed over him. "Again."

Kazue cracked his eyes open, gasping upon realizing that his fall was prevented by a meaty pair of fingers pinching the back of his robes and a boot propped before his ankles. With a tug, he was back on his feet and blinking numbly.

Dado didn't seem to mind Kazue's perplexity. He gave an encouraging wave. "Come, Kazue. And when you try again, be sure to watch how my feet and upper body move."

Though reluctance roared deep in his gut, Kazue nodded and assumed the same position. He dove in again, only to experience the same fate; however, as Dado had asked of him, he was more observant of the man's reaction. Like routine, he found himself standing once more but with a hint of clarity tinging his thoughts.

"What did you see me do, Kazue?"

Kazue swallowed as his stare lowered to the man's boots. "Um, you put your foot out in front of mines."

"And?"

"A-and..." His pupils shifted about in his skull. "You turned your body a-away from me? I think?"

It should've been impractical of the human anatomy, but Dado's countenance softened even further. "Very good, Kazue. Again."

And thus, the cycle began. A futile attack. An effortless counter. Reflection. Repeat. With every refresher, a piece of Kazue's optimism was carved away and left for dead. He could only imagine how foolish he appeared in front of Rayna and the thought squeezed lemon into his wounds. His shame spiked as he fell onto his haunches, no longer eager to participate, and searched his surroundings for the princess.

Much to his despondence, she wasn't sparing the pair a single glance. She had resorted to alternating between two-armed and one-armed push-ups, her lips keeping count silently. Contrary to the sweat rolling down the bridge of her nose, no discernable exhaustion colored her features; in its place was a boredom that droved a pike through Kazue's lungs. He cradled the dagger to his chest, attempting to squander the guilt bubbling underneath.

"Let's take a break, shall we?" Dado prompted with a sympathetic pull at his lips. He studied Rayna's form with a calculative eye—although she had claimed to train on her own, he was affixed to an innate obligation to oversee her every move. "If your back allows it, double your sets, Rayna," he said.

Kazue strangled the hilt.

Rayna blatantly ignored the Royal General, but complied with the delusion that she planned to up her regime beforehand—

Dado grunted and fell to one knee, cradling his calf.

Rayna froze.

Kazue did as well. The blade trembled violently in his grasp, a bead of blood dripping down its tip and staining his knuckles. Dado gaped at him in shock; the gash didn't run deep, but he would likely acquire a new scar. However, just as the boy parted his lips to apologize, he caught sight of Rayna watching them with a ghost of amusement emitting from her. A tsunami of giddiness pulled his previous sentiments asunder, drowning them mercilessly and without pause.

He finally made her proud.

Dado traded his gaze between Kazue and Rayna; once the unsettling reality clicked, dread filled his being to the brim. The Royal General dusted his trousers and cleared his throat. "You two may continue as long as you please." He set off in a speedy pace, leaving no room for Kazue to intervene or rush out an empty apology. As the man passed Rayna, nails digging into his bicep solidified him in place.

"You're quite hasty to leave," the princess said.

"I have research to attend to." Dado shook himself free, refusing to garner even a glimpse of her cold delight. "Besides, you're a brilliant girl. You'll be just fine without my assistance today."

The comment seemed to serve its purpose.

Rayna allowed his escape, something pensive knocking at the hind quarter of her psyche.