It was a rainy day when he gathered all the courage he could muster, and approached her in the middle of her training in the Dragon Claw Tower.
Drazel
H-Hey
Haleena
Ah? Who?...well, if it isn’t the Mighty Rookie itself? haha! Are you here for a rematch? Or could it be training?
Drazel
I-I…
Haleena
Just pick a spear…wait…you know what? I could use a sparring partner, grab that one and come here
Drazel
I-I well…sure
They trained until the sun set, and as the Rain continued falling they sat together.
Haleena
With this we end up with 8 wins for me and 3 for you. Not bad at all.
Drazel
I still can’t see your Red Ocean at all
Haleena
That’s the idea, you are quite good for being so young, did you train before coming here?
Drazel
I don’t have any memory before coming here, I was found by Master “Kirin” in a wreckage. It seems that my family was attacked by beasts when traveling.
Haleena
Ugh, I’m sorry about that
Drazel
Don’t be, I don’t have any memory, In fact I’m grateful to be able to be here
Haleena
I know what you mean. It was difficult getting in here and every day is so taxing, I feel like quitting, but I can’t…
Drazel
Why do you continue?
Haleena
Because I must…my family needs me
Drazel
Your family?
Haleena
…I think the rain has let go, I’ll see you tomorrow, same place?
Drazel
S-Sure, same place, see you tomorrow!
As she left hurriedly, Drazel couldn’t help but feel that he did something wrong. In a way, he didn’t accomplish what he wanted, but the result was good nonetheless. He could feel his movements coming back to him, and for the first time in months, he climbed the Dragon’s tail to continue training. The next day during lunch he was sitting with Sahir.
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Sahir
Hey man, what are you doing? I was thinking of going to “Vanar” town with some of the guys, it would be your first time right?
Drazel
I can’t today, I’m meeting with her
Sahir
…(sigh) I don’t get what you see in her…
That way the days continued, with the both of them meeting almost daily. Their count was at this point a tie, 7 victories for both of them. After dueling they would always talk for a bit, about the Spear, their likes and dislikes. Haleena came from the far north, she often mentioned how it was always winter over there, and how dangerous creatures lurked everywhere. One of those creatures was called Kraken, a big beast with enormous tentacles that hunted any boats that crossed the narrow passages close to her hometown.
Whenever he would ask her about the town’s name, she would always change the topic, similar to when he asked her about her family. The only thing he knew was that she was the eldest of 3 daughters. She liked both Axes and Spears and wanted to learn how to use a Bow.
Drazel
I could teach you, I often hunt game around the forest. Yesterday I caught the Boar that was served in the dinner
Haleena
You did? Wow you never cease to amaze me. Yeah! Teach me! In exchange I can teach you anything you want, what would you like to learn? Axes? Sailing? You name it!
He got lost on her lips and hardly managed to continue the conversation:
Drazel
Sailing sounds useful, I have never been on a boat
Haleena
Ohh, now that is tricky, I said that, but actually it is very difficult to teach in land. I mean, on a boat everything moves, your footing is not the same, plus you have to make use of the wind. Let me think how I can teach you
Drazel
You sound like you have tons of experience on sea life
Haleena
Indeed, in the north, the sea is the main source of food. Talking about food, is there anything you don’t like?
Drazel
Hmmm I don’t like spicy food
Haleena
I can’t believe you don’t like spicy food Drazel
Drazel
I’ve tried, but, you know, it’s like you with Fish, and in your case, that is even weirder, you come from the north
Haleena
It’s not that I don’t like it, but In my home town all dishes are made with fish, I’m just tired of it
Drazel
Hey Helena…Is there someone you like?
She remained quiet, her eyes distant, finally she shaked her head.
Drazel
What kind of man do you like?
Haleena
Well…I couldn’t think about that…I mean…I haven’t thought about that…let me think…If I had to put it in words…he had to be stronger than me at least
Drazel
I understand…Haleena?
Haleena
Hmm, yes?
Drazel
I like you
Haleena
Thanks, I like the way you fight too
Drazel
No, I mean, I like you as a woman…
Haleena
What?!...you idiot!... But…are you serious?!...I mean…you are a boy…
Drazel
I am 16
Haleena
You do know I’m 22 right?
Drazel
I don’t mind, I like you
Haleena
…Well I do mind…I just…why did you have to say that Idiot? Gaahhhh
And like that she left screaming in anger, but this time Drazel knew for a fact that she left for something he said. The next day he went to meet her at the usual spot, but she never came and like that, his spear was clouded again. Sahir tried his best to cheer him up, he even got him his favorite food, an Apple pie, those were very difficult to come by at the Order, but Sahir was friends with one of the girls in the kitchen. Finally on the third day, the Lioness showed. A swift rain was falling rhythmically.