“Come on, Maven! You’re faster than this!”

Inside the Viperwolves' hideout meeting hall which also functioned as an exercise room, stood Theana LaSalle. The somewhat muscular lady and deputy leader of the gang was training someone very seriously.

No less serious was her pupil, Maven, the elf girl who survived the severe wounds she suffered long ago. Now, four years since Theana adopted her, she had grown into an attractive youth. Though covered with numerous scars all over her body, Maven’s adorable, cheerful face seemed to mask over all those.

Maven and Theana each held a weapon. Theana wielded a short, straight fork dagger, Maven’s dagger was more curved.

“Remember! Each blade has its own strengths and weaknesses!” Theana explained while continuing her relentless attacks. “Straight blades are best to stab, while curved blades will make slashing moves much quicker.

“Yes, master!” Maven answered.

“Very well! We shall test the Treacherous Stab!”

Suddenly Theana and Maven disappeared from sight. As a matter of fact, they both moved too quickly for ordinary human sight to follow.

Fortunately enough, Maven’s vision was equal of an eagle’s. She could accurately detect Theana’s tendency to aim the opponent’s back. While she herself was also doing the same. Indeed that was the point of Treacherous Stab.

Thus the two fighters competed in speed and agility for each other’s back. A split-second difference would decide whose back gets the blade.

As Maven jumped for her teacher’s back the fourth time, Theana turned out instantly behind the elf and stabbed her fork to Maven’s back.

Her move was too quick for Maven to follow. The elf girl could only bend her hip, thus allowing Theana’s fork to scratch it. Maven quickly fell back. Her face clearly showed the pain she tried to bear with. Clearly she had lost the match.

Theana, however didn’t seem pleased with her won victory. “Huh. We’ll try this again tomorrow. If you can avoid all of my attacks, I’ll allow you to learn a new move.”

“Yes, Master,” Maven complied.

“Stop moaning! I’ve told you countless times, a Viperwolf should never show weakness to anyone.”

“But I’m not yet a member. I’m still an initiate.”

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“Yes. Your father insisted me to drill you in a true Viperwolf before we can accept you as a member. That is why I’ve been training you in my own martial art style these days. But should he run out of patience, pray that you won’t suffer anything worse then a dagger in your heart."

Maven gulped in dread. It was a miracle that she could survive this lair of villains for four years. She could die any second. All she had left to prevent her own premature end was her own will to survive.

With nothing more to say, Theana walked over her foster daughter and walked away.

A part of Maven wished her 'mother' would at least say "happy birthday" to her. Yet another part of her instead was relieved that Theana, let alone Calhoun didn’t know of her birthday. Let alone ever inquiring her about it.

Truly, a harsh life didn’t give a single inch for softness, affection, nor solidarity. Worse yet was that it was only now that Maven even remembered her own birthday. She then recalled her own promise to Father Nigel that she could never tell the Viperwolves. There could be eyes watching her moves and ears listening to her talks at any second.

Maven kept her eyes fixated on the spot, drowned in her thoughts. Would she ever find the opportunity to speak with Father Nigel tonight? The thought got her heart racing.

She didn’t want to simply wait.

She had to create that chance.

==oOo==

Even if one was not yet an official member, every person under the shelter of the Viperwolves was obliged to commit crime on daily basis. Be it robbery, assassination, theft or swindling. There was not a day off for anyone who wish to survive in the "underworld".

Maven was no exception. As part of her training, she was now like a stray cat, watching from the roofs for prey.

Beside her was an aged man who was also lying down. “Are you out of your mind, Maven?” he whispered. “It’s impossible to see anything down there on moonlight alone! It’s already too late. There won’t be anyone passing through here, not after what happened here years ago…”

“Ssh! You’re too loud, Mr. Polgar,” Maven whispered back. “Tonight, let me handle it alone. You can just relax and sit here. I’m sure we’ll get to rob someone tonight.”

“But, Mave…”

“I’ll take responsibility for any failure. Please don’t worry, old man.” Maven smiled back and patted Polgar’s shoulder softly.

The old bandit smiled in reaction to the girl’s gentle heart. This was a feeling he thought he had forgotten after years of service in the Viperwolves. It was Maven who brought it back among these rough men who lived harsh lives.

Polgar rolled his eyes. “Hey, you’re not underestimating me, are you? I’m still the best knife thrower in the gang, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“I know,” Maven replied. “That’s why I think it would be better if you’re to cover for me from the distance, keeping anyone at bay.”

It was very thoroughly calculated thought for a young girl. Polgar nodded in awe. “Maven”, he continued talking. “I should not be saying this to anyone, but I think you have the right to know.”

“What's that, mister?”

“All this time Theana had already adopted so many children, but none survived her ordeal before. You are the first one ever to survive this long."

Maven gasped at the information. Perhaps she had suspected something like this all along. Yet, it fed her strength instead of fear. However, she needed more reason. A reason strong enough to withstand all the hardship and pressure upon the values and beliefs with which Nigel had raised her.

The reason came almost immediately. Her sharp eyes immediately noticed a figure carrying a glowing staff approaching from distance.

“Ssh!" Maven gave a signal to Polgar to stay silent, as the approaching man was armed.