The trick with sleight of hand was to never be completely focused on the target. You can make a few quick glances but that was it. You need to look completely normal as if you're picking a fruit from a tree. In this case, Delyth's attention needed to be on Hias. He keeps switching hands and catching her off-guard. On her second attempt, he placed it in his pocket without her knowing.

"Okay, we're going to change things up a bit. We're coming back to this later." He instructs her to stand and places them in the position Delyth describes her face off with Hias. This became more complicated than cards.

"Focus on me, Delyth."

"Think of it like a dance."

"Again."

"No."

"One step. Two steps. Look into my eyes."

Those were the orders being shouted at her by Othmar. She knew he was getting exhausted and giving up on her. She couldn't allow that to happen. She needed to prove that she could do it. She needed to avenge her parents.

"Del, your time is almost up. You were making progress, you can't give up now. We believe in you, believe in yourself." Soo Min encourages her. "Okay, what made you decide you wanted to be a guard."

"I didn't specifically want to be a guard. I was tired of being told that 'women are meant to do this and women are meant to do that. Women are weak.' I wanted to prove them wrong, so the first thing I went with was being a guard." She fibbed. Naelund was totally different from the other nations. Because of the conditions they were forced to live under, the male and female roles were equal. Delyth wished more for the Naelundians but she was grateful.

"Concentrate on what achieving this can do for you and the women in the Udriles Kingdom. Again." They roll their shoulders and Soo Min places the pebble in her palm, both girls keeping their eyes locked on each other.

Time was drawing on faster than Delyth could comprehend. She was running out of time. Her eyebrows furrow in a tight knit and her eyes squint almost shut whenever she watches Othmar and Soo at work. Not only did she learn a lot more about the art but more about the two who she could now call her friends.

"I was almost sent to Naelund because of how poor I was but I got myself together. People think I steal because it's fun but I do it because I have to. I'm great with numbers but no one trusts a woman, especially me with the nation's collection. I'm lucky though, because there are a few good people around here who think I can change and allow me to clean for them. I don't steal from them because of their belief in me. Before you came, I didn't steal as much because I wanted to be normal or be like the people who had faith in me. I knew it was going to take a while before anyone could trust me again but it was a risk I was willing to take." Soo Min discloses. Delyth felt guilty for forcing her back into the life because of a selfish revenge plan. She thinks of what would've happened if Soo Min was sent to Naelund. Wondering if they would be friends. It wouldn't matter because she would've died like everyone else. She is glad that Soo Min is safe in Esadom.

"Soo might have her sob story but I don't. I have a great job. I fish for the Esadomics and the pay is great. I just steal because it's fun," Othmar shrugs both shoulders while flicking the cards between his fingers. Soo Min watches his nonchalant attitude knowing that although he tries not to think about his parents, he sometimes does and it hurts him. They are the reason he engages in several sexual pursuits. He believes that the idea of love makes you weak and leads you to do stupid things. Since that day, he vowed to stay away from love.

After a few hours, they decide to take the lesson in the streets. It is a busy day, everyone is doing many things and minding their own business. It is almost impossible for Delyth to mess this up. Even if she does, she'll have a whole lot of angry people coming for her.

"You got one shot, Tumbleweed. Make it good or I'm done," Othmar gives her a pointed look to show just how serious he is.

"Don't listen to him, Del, he's joking," Soo Min reassures her and sends a quick glare at him which he only shrugs off. He is indeed joking but one can only see a person fail for so long until you give up on that person. They don't have much longer, so if she doesn't get it now, all hope is lost.

Delyth nods her head and gives herself an encouraging speech. Reminding herself that she has to get this right or all would've been for nothing. She has to bring justice to her parents and the other Naelundians. She knows the steps, all the tricks. The only thing she needs to do is apply them.

She spots her target. He doesn't have anything carrying in his hand but a satchel. She sashays her way over to him with an innocent smile on her face. He sees her and his eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"Hi, I just want to say that you look rather dashing. I've seen you around and thought that you are a real gentleman. I guess I finally found the confidence to actually talk to you," Delyth giggles and looks away to come off as strong. Hardly anyone likes a strong woman. You can be confident and brave but there is a limit set for women in this day and age which Delyth finds upsetting.

Women should be allowed to do anything, even the things that are classified as a 'man's job'. We've proven time and time again that we can do it better than many and achieve much more. Still the men fear to be seen as inferior. They fear that women will rule the world and treat them as roaches. In reality, they should be scared because women do rule the world, we are stronger than men in many ways, most of us just allow them to be in the freedom of their dominance for the sake of keeping their pride.

He flashed her a nice smile. "Well, I'm glad you did that. You look extremely beautiful yourself."

Delyth tunes out what he is saying and focuses on what she is going to take from him. The man hardly has anything. She laughs at the right time to prove to him that she is listening. She brushes her hand gently along his while her other hand is at the back of his neck unclasping his cross chain. It falls forward, out of his sight and she watches as he walks over it before bending down and picking it up without him knowing.

Afterward, she slyly digs into his satchel. Her hand lands on a heavy and thick book. She uses her hand to shape the form of the book in order to figure out what it is. Her eyes almost bulge out of their sockets but she grins bigger to cover up her shock.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. What time is it? I agreed to go somewhere with a friend of mine but it was really lovely speaking with you. I hope I can catch you again when we're both not busy. Bye," Delyth smiles and slips away from him really quickly and finds Othmar and Soo Min who are grinning brightly at her.

"I'm going to hell," she tells them.

"You successfully stole from someone. I'm sure the big guy will forgive you," Soo Min laughs.

"I think l stole from a Priest," she clarifies and they freeze and look at her, not knowing what to say to that confession. Stealing from regular people is better than stealing from a Priest. It's like stealing from Moses himself. Othmar and Soo Min burst out laughing and high five each while Delyth looks at her friends as if they are crazy.

"You are so ready," Othmar states and laughs harder, holding his stomach while Soo Min wipes the tears leaking from her eyes.

May 1745

Three more months went by and to say Delyth was nervous was an understatement but she was also confident. She opened the door to the Throne Room and it appears Hias was prepared for her arrival. Five guards stood at attention, blocking her while the Ruler of Esadom remained behind them.

"I thought I'd switch things up a bit. Are you ready, Delyth Aiken?" Hias asks, with his hands folded behind his back.

"Yes, sir." She responds, confidently. He nods as a response for her to proceed.

Hias was intrigued by the young girl's determination to be great. It wasn't every day a lady came into his court and demanded that they be taught the ways of Esadom. He would never admit it but he so desperately wants her to succeed in taking the bean out of his hand. If she wasn't able to, he would have no choice but to send her back to Swuybia. Though, he would send a letter requesting Ruadhan Dinan, the Ruler of Swuybia, to allow her to be trained among the men. He knew his letter would have a slim chance of getting his approval but at least he could say he did all he could for her.

Delyth charges toward them, sliding between their legs, confusing their sense of direction so she could get past them, going the old fashion way and pushing them out of the way and jumping over their backs when she kicks them to their knees. She is pulled back a few times but she gets back on her feet and fights back.

Finally, she stands in front of Hias who wears a pleased expression on his face. He smiles and she returns the smile, panting heavily. He extends his hand, revealing the bean that rests in his palm. Delyth closes her eyes, releases a breath and opens them.

They begin circling each other. One step forward and another step back. A bystander would think they were practising for a non-physical dance. The two keep their eyes trained on the other, however, she catches a glimpse of swift movement and notices that he switches hands. She stops her movement and so did he. After a minute passes, she circles him yet Hias doesn't move. When she stands in front of him with a victorious smirk playing on her lips.

"I win."

He looks at his palm and shakes his head, disheartened by her failure. "No, you didn't. I still have the bean."

"Yes, you do but you do not have your pocket watch." Hias' hand reaches into his pocket to find that it is indeed empty. "The deal was to remove the bean from your hand which I did in five seconds and put it back but I wanted to do something more challenging, sir."

A grin makes its way on Hias' face. She did it. She actually did it without following the rules. And that in a matter of twelve months. He may have doubted that she would but there was more hope than anything else. He feels as though he watched his daughter take her first steps.

"Very well then. This is your reward." He places the bean in her hand and closes it in a fist. "Is there anything you may need on your journey?"

"No, sir."

Hias tilts his head to the side before turning to walk toward his Throne, taking up a sword and placing it in her hands. She inspects the sword and sees the word 'WARRIOR' engraved on it and the wings of an eagle designed on the guard of the sword. "I just had this made specifically for you, you're going to need it. The forest to Swuybia is even more dangerous now."

Delyth bows, pride filling her heart. Thank you, sir."

"I'll be keeping tabs, dear lass. Do not disappoint me. I wish you all the best in Swuybia, young Delyth."

24/02/22

Au revoir...

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