Two months passed by in a blink of an eye.

And we watched the community grow in front of us as everyone of the maidens pitched in and worked as hard as they could.

Looking around, I saw with satisfaction the purpose that filled the people as they moved around and I marvelled again at Sia, who had brought all this together.

Moving to the new houses, I looked inside and saw neat rows of beds with a chest at the bottom, which stayed as pristine as the day they were made, as the individuals who owned them kept all their possessions inside.

Possessions that the Academy had returned to us, along with arms and armor that lay burnished and gleaming inside.

It was not high-quality armor, being of common rank, but it was as finely made as the armor that I had gotten from the blacksmith.

Speaking of that, I felt at ease again with my most precious gifts back with me. Also, given that I had a veritable armory with me, I could outfit the combat and training team so that they were at the best of their abilities.

Walking over to them, I saw that Marrok was putting down Celsus as he jumped on top of him and hammered blows into his skull one after the other with his gauntleted fists.

Watching Celsus crumple to the ground, I grinned at Marrok, who looked at me provocatively.

Reaching out my hand, I summoned a short sword, and angling it toward Marrok; I advanced as he growled and sprinted toward me, hands outstretched.

At the last moment, I twisted aside, and reversing my grip, I slammed the hilt of the sword into Marrok’s chest as his armor bent inward, and he grunted.

Continuing with the momentum, I pushed forward and brought up my left hand as I let go of the sword and delivered a vicious hook that Marrok blocked with his hand.

Moving in, I brought my knee up, but Marrok’s hand moved downward and blocked it too.

Pushing my knee away, Marrok used the momentum to leap backward, and we regarded each other calmly as we grinned.

Then we were at each other again in a tangle of limbs and fists as we fought back and forth.

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Poor Celsus, who was getting up groggily, got a foot in his stomach and with a grunt, he was back on the ground.

Ignoring him, we fought on and on, until we stopped panting as we looked at each other.

“You’ve improved,” I said as I shook my head.

“You’ve improved too… but not enough!” Saying so, Marrok suddenly flashed in front of me, his hand outstretched as his fingers slipped through my guard and onto my chest.

With an explosive shout, he sent me flying, and I skidded backward, scrambling to regain my footing as he charged forth, taking the advantage that I had inadvertently offered him.

Then, he was on me, and it was all I could do to stop myself from being knocked out, all the way until he caught one arm of mine, then another, and with a roar; he head-butted me and I reeled as I fell back.

Falling down, I stayed stunned for a moment, before a hand was held out in front of me.

Ruefully grabbing it, I was pulled to my feet by Marrok, who said, “Your fire is out. Why?”

Shaking my head, I said, “Too much peace.”

Nodding, Marrok replied, “It has been too peaceful. We grow lazy.”

Shading my eyes, I spoke. “So you noticed it too, huh?”

“Yes. Our bellies are full, and our needs are met. We are comfortable. And comfort is dangerous.”

Looking at him appraisingly, I said, “I really want to know how you grew up for you to think that comfort is dangerous.”

Then, cutting him off, I said, “But you’re right. This comfort is dangerous.”

Silently, Marrok looked at me as a groaning Celsus finally rose and joined us.

“Where’s Sia,” I asked him as he rubbed his stomach while shooting us a glare, which we both pointedly ignored.

“She’s gone hunting with the hunting team.” he answered after a moment’s thought.

Nodding, I walked to the material warehouse, where bales of material, finished uniforms, training clothes, extra arms and armor, and an assortment of other things were stockpiled.

Rifling through the arms and armor, I chose a long sword and then looking at Marrok, who had followed me, I asked, “What do you want?”

Raising his fists, Marrok looked at me.

Nodding, I found a pair of claw gauntlets and tossed them to him.

Then, I hefted the longsword, and shrugging at his raised eyebrows, I said, “No armor.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I want to be uncomfortable, and I want to stoke my fire.”

“Forest?”

“Forest,” I replied.

“Let’s go.”

And we walked out.

As we walked, people waved at us, and a few joined in as they hefted their own weapons.

Breaking into a loping run, we ate the distance up like it was nothing, and soon we were at the forest boundaries.

In time to hear the forest roar as the silence was broken with shouts and sounds of combat.

Looking at the maidens, I grinned as I pointed my longsword forward. “Maidens. What do we do?”

“Fight!” came the roar back.

And we charged into the depths of the forest.

To fight.

And to be uncomfortable.

For we had tasted peace.

And some of us were hungry for more.

For battle.

For Blood.

For war.

And the winds of war blew unknown to us as we fought in the depths of the forest and monsters fell underneath our blades, as their claws rent out armor and chipped our weapons.