“So I take it this is a common practice here?” Sammir said as he fastened the leather helmet into place before accepting the chest protector from Lexi. She watched him struggle to get the straps into place for a while before, with a gentle smile, pushing his hands away and cinching the training armor into place.

“The training is. At least among Hunters, like me, or people who do bodyguard work, like Romeo. Banksy doesn’t participate much, but he is a bit of an unusual case.”

“How so?”

“His ability to break locks is possibly the highest in the Kingdom. He gets a bit of a pass because of that.”

“Oh, I see.” Sammir looked Lexi up and down, a bemused smile on his face. “I can’t help but notice you are not wearing any protection.”

Lexi pulled a small wooden knife from the wall. “I wouldn’t say that. This will be my protection.”

“That seems a bit unfair.”

“For you?”

Sammir let out a soft laugh. “You are a cheeky one, Alexis Shadowhart, though that is one of my favorite things about you, I think.”

Lexi tossed the knife from hand to hand, a smile on her face. “Flattery won’t get you very far in the ring, you know? At least not with me.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that, but I am playing the long-game, you see. Planting the seeds, as it were.”

“And you call me cheeky?”

“They do say it takes one to know one.”

“I do wonder…” Lexi tossed the knife high in the air and caught it, her eyes never leaving Sammir. “You aren’t just trying to keep me talking so we don’t have to spar, are you?”

Sammir placed a hand on his chest. “Me? Perish the thought, my fair lady. I simply am paying a compliment to the most beautiful sparring partner any man has ever been graced with.

He bowed low, drawing a soft laugh from Lexi.

“Are you proficient in any weapons?”

Sammir thought about that for a moment, walking along the wall, his eyes travelling over the many weapons. After a few minutes of contemplation, he reached out and pulled down a spear. He tested the weight in his hands, spinning it around and thrusting forward.

“The people of Romiatii have always preferred the spear to the sword. It is said our ancestors were the first to tame horses, and that a Romiatii Lancer could run through five men with a single thrust.”

“Should I expect the same of you?”

“Well, I don’t want to brag but…” Sammir turned to face her, setting into his stance. “No, not in the least, I am afraid.”

Lexi observed Sammir’s stance with a practiced eye. He was not lying, he was not particularly adept with the weapon. While his stance wasn’t terrible, his feet were too close together, and his hand placement on the spear was too far back.

To put it simply, his balance was going to break the moment she attacked.

So Lexi attacked.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Dashing forward, Lexi’s short blade knocked against Sammir’s spear, knocking it up and away. Sammir’s eyes widened as he fought to control his weapon, but it was far too late as Lexi stepped towards him and slammed her fist against his chest. With his feet still spaced too close together, he was unable to cleanly absorb the blow and easily teetered back. Lexi pressed on, knocking away his painfully sloppy counter swipe before punching him in the chest again.

With an ‘Oof’ Sammir crashed to the floor, the spear slipping from his fingers and clattered against the ground. Lexi dropped down next to him, gently touching the blade against his throat.

“I win,” she said with a soft smile.

Sammir took a moment to regain his breath before smiling back at her, “If only death was as beautiful as you, no doubt many would beg to meet her.”

Lexi rolled her eyes, reaching out and pulling Sammir back to his feet. “You’re almost as bad as Romeo.”

“I would stop, but I can’t help but feel it is working.”

“I’d be more impressed if you could land a hit on me,” Lexi said. She grabbed his spear and tossed it back to him. “It would also make me feel better knowing you could at least somewhat defend yourself”

“I do understand your point, but it seems it would be easier to simply keep you by my side, always.”

“And what about when I’m working.”

“Ah, that is a excellent point.” Sammir clicked his tongue. “I suppose this does mean I’ll have to learn at least a bit. So, you are saying that if I can land one strike on you, I will have impressed you?”

“It would be a start.”

“And here I was thinking I had already started impressing you. Very well, this time I will come at you with everything I have. Prepare yourself.”

Lexi nodded, dropping her center of gravity and holding up the knife in a reverse grip, waving it gently back and forth, ready to deflect.

“Hah!” Sammir thrust forward, pressing all of his strength behind the spear.

The weapon traveled on a beeline towards Lexi’s chest, hissing through the air, before coming to an abrupt stop as Lexi reached out and caught the shaft, locking it in place just before it could touch her.

“Well, that was unexpected,” Sammir said. He gave the spear and experimental tug, but Lexi held fast.

“You really shouldn’t hold back.” Lexi pushed the spear back, sending Sammir back a few steps before he could catch himself. He gave her a nervous smile.

“If I were to say that I was not holding back just now, I don’t suppose that would make you swoon at my ineptitude, would it?”

Lexi was on him in a heartbeat. Sammir didn’t even have time to breath before Lexi’s blade came swinging up before coming to a stop just as it touched his flesh. She gave him a cat like smile before a faint blush lit up her cheeks and she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his for the briefest of moments.

“No, not in the least bit.” Lexi whispered before she slammed her knee into his gut and sent him to the floor. “But your willingness to try does.”

“Th-that’s good to know,” Sammir gasped as he dropped onto all fours. After a few moments of heavy breathing he nodded to himself and rose back to his feet. “Shall we continue, then?”

Lexi, never one to back down from a challenge, nodded, and rushed towards Sammir.

To his credit, the novice held his ground, thrusting and slashing at the nimble, young mage, but his weapon never came anywhere close to touching her before she managed to work her way behind him. With a smile on her face, Lexi kicked out his feet and sent him to the mat again.

“I suppose third time isn’t the charm,” Sammir groaned as he rose back to his feet.

“That was better though,” Lexi said. “Be more mindful of your feet. You can get more power behind your thrusts if your stance is wider. Also, don’t be afraid to choke up on your weapon more. It may feel safer to have more distance from me, but you’re actually slowing yourself down because you aren’t distributing the weapons weight evenly in your hands. It will feel more natural once you find the correct placement for your hands. Like this.”

Lexi took Sammir’s hands and gently moved them into place, while using her foot to kick his legs into a move suitable position.

“See?”

“I do.” Sammir nodded as he looked down at his hands before lifting his eyes to Lexi. “I am glad.”

“Glad”

Sammir nodded. “Yes. I have greatly enjoyed our time together, but I couldn’t help but feel like you were somewhat uncomfortable being with me. Today… Today I feel as though I am seeing the real you. The same woman I saw that day I was saved.”

“Oh.” Lexi reached up and toyed with her scarf. “I suppose you are not wrong. I am not entirely comfortable doing what you might consider ‘normal’ things. I have spent most of my life this way. Training is comforting in a way.” She looked up sharply. “But I don’t mean to say I haven’t been enjoying myself, it is simply….”

“I believe I might understand.” Sammir spun the spear around, almost dropping it in the process. “When I am working, I often feel completely at ease, even in high pressure situations.”

“Exactly.” Lexi breathed a sigh of relief before tilting her head. “I don’t believe you ever fully explained what is it you do. I know it has to do with the medical field. Are you a type of scientist?”

Sammir shook his head. “Oh no, nothing quite so impressive. My brother is the scientist, actually. He handles the difficult aspects while I simply deal with the business. Most of my job consists of traveling to different cities to develop new supply chain routes. To be honest, that is technically what I am doing in Voy.”

Lexi’s mouth quirked into a half-smile. “Is it now?”

Sammir bobbed his head from side to side. “Well, as far as my family is concerned, yes. It is true that I have a few contacts I have been meeting while I am here. There is actually a plant native to Voy. The seeds are necessary for a medicine that helps stop the spread of Salamander Rot. It has been a problem in the slums of some of our larger cities. Unfortunately, the climate in Romiatii is unfit for cultivation, so it is very important that we keep this supply from ever stopping.”

“Has your family always worked in the medical field?”

“No, it was a rather recent development. To be honest, while I do not know all of the details, I am quite sure my ancestors may have made our initial fortunes in quite unsavory ways. It has been our mission to right that wrong as best we can. That’s why, when given the choice, we decided to venture into this field side-by-side. I’m not sure how much good we can truly do, but we feel we must try.”

“Oh.”

Sammir lifted up one hand and hastily waved it back and forth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blather on so much. It's a bad habbit of mine, I don't know when to stop speaking. I apologize for making you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t,” Lexi said softly, then in a louder voice, “You didn’t. Not at all. I am glad to know more about you, Sammir. I… I like it, very much.”

“Thank you, Lexi.” Sammir smiled, before slowly lifting his spear back into position. “I suppose I should get back to trying to impress you, then?”

Lexi lifted her own weapon as well. “I think you’re doing quite a good job already.”