Two days passed with Mariel, Saya and Casindire taking turns tending to Siravin. The refugee situation had meanwhile come down to a manageable size, and the local doctors and nurses had taken over the operation. Charne arrived on the second day, his arm having made an amazing recovery all thanks to a mysterious kinsmaiden.

"Another week and it'll be time for your duel... So, we'll spend the last week refreshing, and refining your technique." Charne made a few practice swings, getting back his strength. "But first, attack!"

Mariel rushed towards Charne. As she drew closer, she spun her sword around, throwing up a sizeable amount of sand from the ground, aiming for him. He immediately raised his shield, blocking out the dust.

"Around him." Siah whispered. She made a feint against his shield, while using her fleetness to position herself on his flank. Immediately she jumped back as his shield swung into the air where the side of her chest had been a mere second before. She began thrusting her sword, aiming for his abdomen, but her attempt was blocked by a swift parry, metal hitting metal as their blades contacted and locked.

"Not bad, Winqas will at the very least have a sword and some size of shield. Your movement placed you on my flank which will no doubt prove effective..." Before she could properly react, he had parried her, and with his sword, made a demonstrative stab at her neck, before she felt the edge of his shield hitting her hip. She staggered back, and this time he began to charge her, his sword raised above his head for a deadly downward strike. She spun around and dodged away from the strike, only to realize it was another feint. A split second later, she found herself with his sword resting against her neck.

"I'm impressed, but you won't win like this...

"Don't worry, I'm not going to let an opportunity to impress you pass me by... Just wait for the duel." Her confident claim drew a smile out of his serious expression.

"I see, so should we work on your movements? Or perhaps your ability to take hits?"

"Both... Just like we did. I'm not too confident about taking several hits... So, I'd like to practice dodging and parries first."

"Sure thing."

The practice continued well into the early evening. As they finished up and collected their equipment, Mariel noticed a few familiar faces standing along the fence.

"Looks like she finally noticed us." Siravin noted curtly.

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"I admire her dedication." Saya nodded approvingly. "But she's still got a lot to work on..."

"Is it finished? What's the final score?"

"Ah, eight to three in that guy's favour Cassy."

"What a shame..."

Mariel came over to them and immediately received praise for her effort and skill. Per Saya, they had been watching ever since she had so confidently proclaimed she would win the duel. Any embarrassment Mariel felt was soon suppressed when Charne came over. He greeted them all in turn, but got a frosty reception from Saya and Siravin. Casindire however, immediately embraced him as if he was a long-time friend.

"So... Siravin, and everyone, this is Charne, he's been teaching me how to fight."

"I remember some of you from the festival, right?"

"Charne, this is Siravin, you've never met before."

"Hi!"

"Hello..."  The two exchanged directly opposed greetings.

"So, Um Siravin? Anything you want to know? How I got here and what happened?"

Siravin threw her a somewhat amused look, but shook his head slowly. "I've learned long ago that when it's about you, it's better to shut up and simply accept the changes. Seems like every time I'm not around, you find someone new to drag along."

"That's not..." Mariel tried to defend herself, but knew it was a lost battle.

"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow Mariel?" Charne shrugged and left them while waving his hand over his head.

"Sure! I'll be there!" She shouted after him.

Mariel gathered up the last pieces of her things and together, they all began to head back to the temple together. On their there, Saya and Casindire got caught up in buying groceries, leaving Mariel to look after Siravin. With some effort, she found them both a bench to wait on.

"I'm glad you're up and about again... I was worried you might not make it..." She began, but immediately, Siravin seized her hands in his own, looking at her with an unusually stern expression even for him.

"What do you remember? Have anyone said anything about what happened by the watch tower?"

She related to him what had happened, that they had lost and the others had been subjected to torture. As she finished, she noticed a strange hint of relief on his face.

"I see... No, you've got it all right..."

"But why did you want to know?"

"Even more horrible things happened. If you remembered them, I'd be worried is all."

"Not like you to worry about me... Or anyone else for that matter? No offense..."

Siravin nodded and immediately the conversation fell apart. The awkward silence began to settle in, but before it could truly cool, Saya and Casindire returned carrying baskets loaded down with food.

“Okay, I think we have everything… Want to head back?”

“Here Casindire, let me take a couple of those…” Siravin sighed and gently took a couple of baskets.

“You really shouldn’t… Do you think you can handle it?”

“I won’t get back to where I was unless I do something… Being… Collared for so long made me lose a lot of strength… I’ll be just fine.”

They turned back towards the temple in silence. Ever since Siravin had returned, everyone had been a little on edge. By this time, they had all made relations and come to know each other a lot better and intimately. Siravin had been apart, and his factual nature did little to improve the chance of small-talk. Mariel felt a slight worry build inside her as she considered what would happen when everyone got back together. She figured that many things had been easier without his sharp comments around, but now he was back… She purged the worry from her mind with a decision to take it all in stride.