Neya stood across from me, her stance steady, her blade angled toward mine.
“Lower your shoulder,” she reminded me, circling my form. “You are giving away your balance before you even strike.”
I lowered my shoulder and adjusted my stance.
Recovery had suited her. The pallor that once hollowed her features had faded, replaced with strength that radiated through her posture. The scar along her neck would remain, a thin reminder of how close we had come to losing her, but it did not slow her movements.
Vesuva slithered lazily along the edge of the Gauntlet floor, her twin heads lifting to observe our practice.
Neya lunged.
This time, my blade met hers cleanly. Steel rang in sharp harmony before I twisted my wrist, guiding her strike downwardand stepping inside her guard to press the flat of my blade against her ribs.
“Better,” she huffed. “You are not hesitating anymore.”
I grinned. “I am going to need a new training partner soon. I know all of your tells.”
She scoffed and waved me off. “I would hand you over to Bater, but you will not learn much with him.”
That was entirely truthful. Bater was naturally fun, and training with him never seemed to be educational. At least Neya instructed me. I was gaining more confidence and strength in my abilities because of her.
“You are a great teacher,” I affirmed. “And I know I am landing more strikes, but I would rather you curse me for bruises than bury you.”
Neya’s gaze softened. “You sound like him.”
Before I could respond, the Gauntlet doors opened with a low groan.
“Lady,” Bater called, already grinning in a way that suggested he carried news too large to contain. “I come bearing interruption.”
Vesuva hissed in mild annoyance at the disturbance. Neya sheathed her blade and bowed respectfully. “We can resume tomorrow, Lady.”
I lowered my weapon, looking at Bater. “What have you done now?”
“For once, nothing,” Bater said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. “This time, I am merely the messenger. There are visitors at the outer gate. Requesting entry beyond the bridge.”
My brows drew together.
Visitors were not uncommon anymore. Traders from distant territories. Wandering emissaries curious about the shifting power between Haelen and Umbral. Occasionally even Veythar who had once lived at the fringes and now sought to return.
But something in Bater’s tone unsettled me.
“From where?” I asked.
He held my gaze. “Haelen.”
For a moment, the Gauntlet seemed to narrow around me, the clang of distant practice blades fading into silence.
Neya straightened.
I had not realized my breathing had grown shallow until she spoke.
“Go,” she said gently.
“I—” My voice faltered.
Her chin dipped respectfully. “Take care of your business, Lady.”
I placed a hand briefly over hers in gratitude before turning toward the doors.