The next morning's training was plagued with mishaps, minor though they were. Tiene's mind, apart from her still fuming at Dar'Khan, was thinking about her brothers returning from Ghostlands. The battle against the trolls had taken longer than she thought it might, and she had missed Duthan and Lor'themar so much.

She had painstakingly planned what she was making for dinner but had gone over it about a dozen times or more. She so wanted to do something special for them, and so her decision reached, she had prepared much of it before coming to the guildhall.

After another bout of naming various attacks and duelling, as it were, with the target dummies under Zelanis' supervision, they stopped for a break.

She sat near the doorway and quietly munched on a goldenbark apple while burying her nose in one of her books. She didn't notice someone coming over until they sat down beside her with an audible "oof!" when they hit the floor. She turned to see Camnath. He looked a little awkward, so she offered him an apple.

He accepted with a smile. "Thank you," he said and took a bite. Tiene went back to reading her book while she heard him crunching away on the fruit. She guessed he was back to continue their conversation from the day before, but she would wait until he broached the subject.

"What are you reading?" he asked after a few moments.

"Poisons and their Properties. I borrowed it from Darlia." She showed him the book.

He nodded then commented, "We are not ready for the use of poisons though." 

"I know, but it's good to understand them in advance." She smiled and waited for him to say something else. He seemed to be more interested in his apple again. She sighed quietly.

"About yesterday..." he said suddenly.

"Yes?" she responded, hopeful.

He fidgeted a little and looked around as if checking no-one else was in earshot. "That man. The one who came over when we were talking."

"Dar'Khan. What about him?"

He took a deep breath before continuing. "Is he - your - your..." He took another bite of the apple.

Unless she was gravely mistaken, Tiene suspected that he was trying to deduce if she and Dar'Khan were courting. Camnath looked embarrassed and, it seemed, somewhat unsure how to broach the subject. Tiene was not going to make a fool of herself, however, and blurt things out. She wanted to be sure about what he was inquiring. "My what?" she coaxed quietly.

Camnath met her eyes briefly then stared at the space on the floor between his feet. "Your suitor."

Tiene smiled inwardly. "No, he is not," she said then for good measure added,  "Nor will he be." 

Camnath looked up, this time maintaining eye contact. "Good! I mean...okay." He managed a nervous smile.

Inexperienced though she was, she surmised that Camnath was in the same boat. Innocent. Pure still, though it would be unusual for a boy his age, or so she had been led to believe. Perhaps she should try to make him feel a little more comfortable. That, in turn, might make the butterflies in her stomach quieten too. "Yesterday, you asked about the magic I use for stealthing. Was there something specific you needed to know?"

"Well..." He inched a little closer, encouraged by her question. " ... I wondered if you would perhaps consider ..."

"Tiene!" A voice from the street called out to her.

She spun, looking around the pillar where she sat. Duthan and Lor'themar were standing outside, waving at her. Tiene jumped up delighted and took a step towards them. Suddenly, she halted. She turned back to Camnath.

His face wore the same expression it had the day before when Dar'Khan had interrupted them. Dark and disgruntled. "It's my brothers, Duthan and Lor'themar," she explained. "Come and meet them. They have just returned from Ghostlands where they were fighting the trolls."

The young man's face brightened. He stood up and after dusting down his clothes, walked with her.

As she reached the two Rangers, Tiene ran into Duthan's arms. He twirled her around, then put her down, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Baby sister!" He smiled. "In training, no less." His eyes looked over the ebony-haired elf who had accompanied his sister while she hugged Lor'themar welcome.

"Yes," she replied to Duthan, catching his scrutiny of Camnath. "And this is a fellow student. Camnath," she said, inviting the young elf closer. "This is Duthan, my brother, and Lor'themar, my - hmm - adopted brother, you could say."

The Rangers said hello and shook hands with the young elf. Without Tiene noticing, a glance passed between them; a small grin on Lor'themar's face.

"So," Duthan started, looking at Camnath while hooking his thumbs on his belt. "You two been training together long?"

The boy cleared his throat before answering. "A few weeks now." 

"I see," Duthan said, the corners of his mouth betraying a small smirk. "And how is Tiene coming along?"

"She is terrific!" Camnath enthused.

"Uh-huh."

Tiene cottoned on to her brother's line of questioning and stepped in. "I'm right here, Duthan, in case you have somehow gone blind."

Lor'themar stifled a laugh. "Come, Duthan. Leave them be. They have their training to attend." He pulled Duthan away.

The fair-haired Ranger nodded, smiling. He would save his teasing of his little sister back home. "Ok, you two run along now. Nice to meet you, Camnath."

"Likewise," Camnath replied and nodded a farewell to both the Rangers. He waited until Tiene led the way back to the guildhall, then followed behind her.

"And I will talk with you, back home, Tiene," Duthan called after her.

She spun around, scowling at him before breaking into a smile. She was too happy to see her brother's safe return to remain annoyed at his teasing. 

"Hmm -" Duthan turned to Lor'themar. "So which one, then? Dar'Khan or Camnath?"

Lor'themar burst out laughing. "No competition. Most definitely Camnath," he replied.

They started towards the Rangers lodge, laughing as they went.

Back in the Students of Shadow guildhall, Tiene and Camnath were about to continue with their training on the dummies when Zelanis approached them. They stood expectantly in front of their trainer, awaiting their next scenario.

"It's about time you two had a duel," he said, watching their faces. They were excited. "Yes, I thought now would be a good time to start as I have heard you will be leaving us soon Tiene, to study with the Crimson Blade."

Tiene was beaming. "Yes, we received news yesterday."

Camnath's face fell, but he forced a smile when he saw Tiene looking at him questioningly. "Congratulations," he said. His voice did not convey the sentiment.

"Thank you." She sensed he was not altogether happy.

"Okay, you two go and get prepared, I will be through shortly."

The combat ring was in a concealed room off to the right where Zelanis' training area was, and the two students passed through the doorway, not entirely sure of what to expect. The room was lit only by a centre light which was dimmed, enabling shadows for trainees learning to enhance their stealth abilities. Yet more training dummies were lined on both the left and right of the central ring looking menacing in the dim light.

The students' footfalls echoed, another test for a rogue's light-footedness no doubt, Tiene thought.

As she made her way to the right, so Camnath moved to the left. She sighed, wondering if he resented her training with the Crimson Blade. She thought she would try to lighten his mood. She used her stealth ability and snuck up behind him. "Are you annoyed about my news?" she asked.

Camnath jumped; he had not heard nor seen her approaching. She materialised in front of him. He lowered his gaze for a moment as if needing to find the words he wanted to say. Finally, he looked up. "It does not displease me, no. I am truly happy for you; it will be a great honour to train with the Blades. It's just..."

"Yes?" she coaxed him to continue.

"I feel I was just getting to know you."

Tiene's butterflies suddenly swarmed.

"But now you will be leaving for Lordaeron, and I won't be able to learn how you stealth with magic."

The butterflies dropped to the ground, in one massive, unmoving clump. At first, Camnath's words had made her feel special, giddy, hopeful. But then it became apparent it was just her ability to stealth which he liked. "Well," she said, trying to conceal her disappointment. "I have a month yet Camnath. Apart from showing everyone the stealth skill here, would you also like me to show you privately?"

He laughed a little, and his eyes lit up. "That's what I have been trying to ask you, but each time I've tried, people kept interrupting."

"Oh!" She forced a small laugh, still trying to ease the sting from realising his interest was merely professional. "Sure. Just tell me when you want to start." She turned and made her way back to the other side of the room.

Zelanis entered the room and called them to join him in the centre. He had something behind his back. "Right then, Camnath and Tiene. You both have been consistent in your scores, making good progress, so I thought you should try your skills with these." He then revealed what was behind his back - foam daggers. He watched the look of stunned disbelief cross their faces.

Tiene looked up at their trainer, her eyes conveying annoyance. "We haven't even reached a level to start with wooden ones? What are we meant to do with these? Tickle each other to death?" she asked, holding up the foam toy.

Zelanis tried his best to keep a straight face. "You are not here to kill each other Tiene, by any means. It is only to test the skills you have learned so far, against a living, moving target. Now, to gauge how you fare in this exercise, you will dab the tip of the daggers in these..."

He moved off to the side of the room then returned carrying two pots of paint - one red, one blue. He handed the red to Tiene and blue to Camnath. He told them to place their pots at the edges of the ring and make ready for combat.

He smirked as he saw Tiene shaking her head. Camnath, on the other hand, looked ready to take on the world. The boy was seriously competitive.

"Now, Tiene, I know you can use stealth, but Camnath hasn't learned that yet, so I would ask you to refrain from using that ability as he will be at a disadvantage."

Tiene looked at her opponent. She could tell he was taking this seriously and would go all out to win. She did not doubt she could beat him, but she also thought of an argument to put to her trainer. "If we were in real combat, we would not show such consideration to an enemy though, would we?"

Zelanis raised an eyebrow. The girl had a valid point. "True. But for today's exercise, my decision stands. And Camnath is not your enemy, so go easy - both of you." Zelanis turned away abruptly, as he tried to stop himself from dissolving into laughter at a very disgruntled Tiene. She was a feisty student, but all the trainers loved her.

She huffed. "Fair enough."

"Okay, then. Remember what you have learned, the best areas to achieve the maximum bleed. I will give you a scenario, and you must strike the best area for the desired effect. Now, coat your daggers and start the duel on the count of three." He watched as his students went to their tins of paint. "Don't worry. It washes off easily." They moved to the centre of the ring, their daggers dripping in red and blue paint.

"Are you ready?" They both nodded. "You must slow your opponent; where is one of the best places to strike? Three... two...one, go!"

Camnath instantly rolled forward to mark Tiene, but she flipped over his body. As she passed, she quickly scored his Achilles heel, calling out her target area.

Camnath had missed his target, so he spun around and just managed to mark her hamstring before she shifted out of reach. He too called out his point of impact. His face showed slight annoyance at having missed the first time.

Zelanis inspected their marks. "Well done both of you. That was a good move by the way Tiene." He handed them both a damp cloth so they could wipe off the paint.

"Right, ready?" their trainer called again. "You must strike your opponent, so they lose consciousness. Three...two...one, go!"

The students crouched. Not prepared to miss this time Camnath waited for Tiene to move first. She did, but only to bluff him into moving forward. As he did, she ducked under his arm, brought her dagger up and drew a red mark across his throat.

In the same instance, Camnath shadow-stepped his way in front of her, painting her throat blue. "Jugular," they called together. Their eyes met, and a mutual exchange of respect passed between them.

"Excellent!" Zelanis congratulated both.

They made use of the damp cloths once more. Camnath then dabbed an area on Tiene's throat she had missed altogether. She felt her face flush. He smiled.

Their instructor seemed delighted with their progress. "You need to inflict massive blood loss. Three...two...one, go!"

Camnath was quick to move, lashing out with his right hand for her solar plexus shouting "Aorta" while Tiene marked him in the right armpit and called "Brachial."

Zelanis applauded both but commended Camnath as his choice was the better of the two. The cleaning cloths were not as effective on their clothing, but they dulled the colours at least.

"Okay, one more." Zelanis allowed his students to replenish their daggers with paint before he gave out the final test. "Right. Instant death required, and a word of warning, even with foam daggers, the areas you may go for can still receive an injury. Three...two...one, go."

Once more, Camnath used his shadow-step to move behind Tiene. He put his arm around the front of her shoulders, about to mark her temple, but she grabbed his arm and dislodging his balance, kicking out his right foot, she heaved him overhead where she grabbed his ponytail and scored the back of his neck. "Brainstem," she called.

Her fellow student spun round, utter shock on his face. The corners of her mouth twitched, and she pointed to her temple for him to mark her. He did, although there was little point. "Temple," he said almost in a whisper.

Their trainer came to stand next to them with freshly dampened cloths. Tiene motioned for Camnath to turn round. He did as she bade, and she lifted his ponytail to clean the paint from his neck. "Sorry. It's in your hair as well." She released his ponytail.

He turned back to face her, then gently wiped away his blue mark on her temple. "I'm afraid I have done the same, Tiene," he smiled softly.

Zelanis stood silently for a moment while they finished cleaning away the paint.

"Well," he said, amazed by both students' prowess but noticeably impressed by Tiene's last manoeuvre. "You are both exceptionally talented and have come a long way in a relatively short period. Well done both of you. And Tiene, that was one slick move."

"Thank you," she said.

The lessons were over for the day, and Camnath asked if he could walk Tiene home. She agreed.

For part of the way, they walked in silence, awkward. Then Camnath eased it by congratulating her. "I admit, though, I thought I would win hands down," he admitted, a little smirk playing on his mouth.

"I know you did," she replied. They looked at each other and chuckled. "We ended up equal."

"Yes. We did. Apart from stealth."

"Your shadow-step technique is impressive. Perhaps you could help me with mine when I show you stealth." She halted. They had reached her home.

"I'd like that," he said, smiling. He looked towards the house. Curtains twitched. He turned back to Tiene. "I guess this is home then."

"Yes. Thank you for walking me."

"It was my pleasure."

A moment of awkwardness surrounded them again. Tiene bounced on her toes, and Camnath shifted from one foot to the other. "Well, good day, Tiene." He took a step back.

"Good day, Camnath. See you tomorrow."

"Yes. Tomorrow." And then he was walking away.

Inside, Inaris, Duthan and Lor'themar were standing at the side of the window watching, laughing between themselves.

"Go on, turn round and look at her," Inaris was willing the ebony-haired elf. He had aired a bet with Duthan.

"I don't think he will," Duthan said. "He seems quite shy."

"Yes he will," Lor'themar and Inaris said simultaneously.

"Whose side are you on?" Duthan asked his friend.

"Tiene's," Lor'themar answered with a soft smile.

They waited. The young elf was almost at the steps which led back down into Farstriders' Square. The brothers quickly checked where Tiene was.

She stood just under the canopy at the front door, waiting, wondering. They glanced back at the steps.

Camnath turned and waved.

"There you go! Told you!" Inaris said happily, clapping his hands in delight. "You owe me gold, brother. Pay up."

Duthan grudgingly handed over the money.

Oblivious to her observers, Tiene waved back at Camnath. Her butterflies were swarming by the millions once again.

Thank you for reading!!!

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