I rolled my shoulders, swinging my sword in front of me, snarling at Sofie. She copied my snarl, pacing in a small circle with me. We prowled like a pair of wolves, waiting for the other to make the first move. The first mistake. All one of us had to do was step out of line, and the other would pounce.

I was not about to let Sofie be the one to pounce.

"I'm older than you, Sofie," I taunted, still pacing, "and I have more experience. Experience always wins."

"Only if you have the strength and stamina to back it up," said Sofie, "and since you're getting old..."

I refused to be goaded by her remark, but I had to admit that it stung. "I'm not old!"

She smirked. "Denial is the first stage."

"FUS!"

Sofie stumbled, cursing at me, as we locked blades. She grunted, and I growled. The human within me told me that I had made a dirty play, but the dragon inside wanted to win, at any cost.

"You cheated!" she cried, bracing one leg behind her as I pushed her closer to the ground. "No magic!"

"That wasn't magic," I said while panting. Where has my stamina gone? Gods, I really was getting old. "That was part of my natural ability. Nothing more."

"Still. You cheated."

I had almost pushed her off her feet. A grin quirked at one corner of my lips. "Do you concede?"

"Never!" She pushed forward, with strength I did not know she possessed, and knocked me backwards. I reeled, nearly dropping my sword, as she screamed at me. She swung out her sword, and pain as hot as dragon fire split my cheek open. I let go of my sword and fell to the cobbles, clutching the bleeding wound on my face.

"Oh, gods, Ylva!" Sofie dropped her sword and knelt in front of me. "I'm so sorry! I didn't—"

"Go get Vilkas. And Danica. Or any other healer." I winced, keeping pressure on the gash. "Go. Now!"

She scrambled to her feet and dashed away, leaving me alone.

I groaned as the blood from my wound seeped through my glove. She had cut me deeply, quite possibly to the bone. Without a healer or healing potions, I would have a nasty scar to match the other one on my face.

Serves you right for Shouting at her.

I ignored that quip and got to my feet. I started to make my way to the porch, but did not get far before Vilkas came running towards me. He grabbed me by the elbow and led me to a chair.

"What on Nirn happened?" he asked, peeling my hand away from my face. He started to turn green, eyes wide with horror. 

I clapped my hand back over the cut. "Sofie. It was an accident. She never would've done this intentionally."

"I have no doubt about that, but... gods, it looks terrible."

"Nothing a healer can't fix."

Not long after, Sofie came back, Danica trailing just behind her. Try as she might to hide it, I still saw the tears she had on her face.

"Sofie explained what happened," said Danica, kneeling beside me. She pulled my hand away from my wound, face growing serious. "I'll need some healing potions, too. This is quite serious."

Vilkas stood to fetch them. "I'll—"

"No, I'll go," said Sofie, dashing off the way she had come.

"Ylva, are you... sure that Sofie didn't do this on purpose?" asked Vilkas as he dropped to his knees next to me.

I gave him a confused look. "Of course. Why would she?"

"Well, she was pretty upset when she found out about Eirik. Some might say she was angry with you, too."

"No, she wouldn't let this get the better of her. It's been a week since then, anyway."

"Perhaps you shouldn't eliminate that as a possibility, Ylva. That's all I am saying."

"Vilkas—"

Sofie returned with the healing potions, handing them to Danica as fast as she could. She then stood a good ten feet away from us, head down in shame.

"Ylva, drink this, please," said Danica as she gave me one of the potions.

I started drinking the disgusting potion while Danica worked at repairing the damage with her healing magic. Warmth spread through my face, bringing with it a sense of relief. I sighed, sinking into the chair below me.

"There," said Danica as she lowered her hands. "For now, there will be a small scar, but it will fade with time. Perhaps next time you should wear your helmet?"

I chuckled, running my index finger over the puckered line bisecting my cheek. "Probably wouldn't be such a bad idea."

She placed the remaining potion in my hand. "Drink this if you feel any pain, and come get me if you need me."

"I'll remember that, thank you."

She stood, turned, and walked away. She brushed past Sofie, giving the young girl a pat on the shoulder, before leaving the training yard altogether.

Sofie shifted her balance from one foot to the other, head still bowed. "Ylva, when I was getting those potions for Danica, a courier stopped me and gave me this. He said it was for you." She held out her arm, a sealed piece of white parchment in her hand.

Vilkas stood and took it from her, then gave it to me. Sofie left just before I broke the seal. Unfolding the letter gingerly, I began reading.

Ylva,
I wish I could deliver this news in person, but my duties as a Legate prevent me from leaving Castle Dour. I'm afraid that your appeal was overthrown. It is a clear violation of the White-Gold Concordat, and the Emperor cannot condone such an act.
That being said, Rikke has agreed with you, and with the authority she has been given as High General of the Imperial Legion, she has ordered that any and all soldiers within Skyrim's borders are to act against the Thalmor forces. She has also given me authority to do what I see fit with this new permission.
Be warned: if we are caught in this act of open rebellion, the repercussions will be disastrous. The Empire is putting a lot of faith in you, Ylva, and I pray to all the Divines that you know what you're doing.
Meet me in Solitude when you're ready to discuss battle strategies.
Legate Marina Brunelli.

I read over the letter over and over, making sure that I had read it right.

"What is it, Ylva?" asked Vilkas.

"I have my army." Hands shaking, I handed him the letter. "Now this fight can begin."

He read over the letter, eyes widening as he went. After a span, he looked back at me, concern on his face. "You realize there's no going back, don't you?"

I nodded. "This is the chance I've been waiting for, Vilkas. The chance to get the vengeance my parents deserve, to free this land once and for all. How could I back down now?"

He cupped his hand to my healing cheek. "I know. Remember that I stand beside you, no matter what."

"I couldn't do this without your support, love. Thank you."

Removing his hand, he dropped to a crouch next to me. "So, what now?"

I grinned. "It's time to start poking that really big bear with that really big stick."