CHAPTER EIGHT: THE BUILDING OF A CENTURY

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Snippet Thirteen (2): Callouses on the Fingers

Once everyone is sleeping for the night, Alexia quietly slips out of bed into the courtyard right before the house. She stares up at the stars for an hour before nodding to herself in agreement. She pulls at her three protectors before waiting for them to come outside and join her. Gaspar sprints out of the tent before Tânia and Monika join them. “What is it, Princess?” He asks before taking deep breaths.

Before Alexia is able to speak, she notices Armin slinking toward them. “Sorry to wake all four of you up, but I want some weapon instructions. I want my male form to be able to defend myself if ever needed again.” A lone tear slowly drips down her face. “I never want to feel this way again.”

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Armin quickly changes form and hugs Alexia from behind. “Don’t worry, I don’t care what the three of them have to say. My brother and I will teach you how to fight using a sword.” He slowly pushes her away from him before slowly spinning her around in a circle. “I think a longsword would work well in either form, so let us begin with that.”

Alexia starts to dart to Armin, but before she can hug him, he quickly stops her. “It won’t be easy, Alexia. You’ve got no callouses on any of your fingers. It will be painful and it will be bloody. Are you sure you are willing to continue through with it?”

She pauses before looking back at the tent full of her new circle. “It may be painful and it may be bloody, but I am willing to defend myself and my circle if need be.”

Armin grins menacingly before pulling out a longsword and handing it to her.