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Seraphina was unusually quiet for the remainder of the lesson. She had far too much to contemplate. Distracted, she allowed Eloise to improve her average against her, with Eloise scoring one point for every three of hers. The lie—that she could see the future as an oracle with the Sight—was a deception she had to maintain. A flimsy shield if tested for immediate foresight, but fortunately, she could predict the future in broad strokes for she most of the major events of the future in intimate detail.

So absorbed was she in her thoughts that she barely registered Kellan calling them to stop. Moments later, two tall men from her father's guard entered the Haql Tajriba, bowing respectfully to the Armsmaster.

"These are..." Kellan began.

"Who are they? They seem familiar... but this area is reserved for members of my family," Seraphina protested, drawing herself up to her full height, her eyes hard as flint.

The old man took a deep breath. "As I was trying to explain," he said, his voice suddenly stony and firm, "this is Giles and Krayton. They will be assisting me today in teaching you both a lesson."

"And pray tell, what lesson would that be?" Eloise asked archly, beating Seraphina to the question—a fact that annoyed her to no end.

"A lesson in the difference of the sexes, and a lesson in fear," Kellan replied, nodding. "I had forgotten that fear and pain can be the greatest of teachers—their lessons are rarely forgotten."

"Wha... what do you mean by that?" Eloise questioned hesitantly, her eyes darting between the imposing men and the Armsmaster.

Kellan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We've focused too much on scoring points, on technicalities. It's one thing to perform during sparring, and quite another to act under real pressure and threat."

"And you are proposing...?" Seraphina interjected, her voice edged with suspicion.

"Giles and Krayton here," the old man continued, making a sweeping gesture toward the pair of burly men, "will help fill the gaps in my instruction. They will help you bridge the divide between theory and practice."

The two men looked like they could be brothers—and likely were, Seraphina mused. Thankfully, they were easy to tell apart: one had dull, dirty blonde hair, and the other sported mousy brown locks. Their faces bore the softness of village boys, expressions somewhat doughy and unrefined. Yet their bodies told a different story—broad and muscular, with a healthy layer of fat. Thick limbs corded with muscle strained against their padded jackets. Standing at least two heads taller than Seraphina, they towered over both Kellan and Eloise.

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"And how will they do that exactly?" both girls asked in unison, sharing an embarrassed glance at their perfect timing.

"I'm glad you both asked," Kellan answered, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I want to see how long you two can last against them in the square."

"You wish for us... to fight them?" Eloise stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kellan shook his head. "No, Lady de Laney. Not fight—survive. Out there, you won't be able to pick and choose your opponents. Things will be unfair, but that's no reason to give up. Use everything you've learned, but you may not leave the square. Do not be overly afraid; they won't take your lives, and I've procured a few restorative potions from Alchemist Jurgens. You may, of course, refuse this test, but doing so will mean you are no longer Lady Seraphina's lady-in-waiting, and you will be sent home."

"How dare—" Seraphina began, stepping forward in defense of Eloise.

The old man raised a hand imperiously, halting her. "No, this is Lady Anaselena's order. She has foreseen something. Neither your father, you, nor I can deny her. You know this," he said with a shrug. The two brutes beside him chuckled knowingly.

Seraphina felt a spike a rage take her. The damnable, conniving witch of a woman!

Eloise's face paled, worry etched into her delicate features. Being sent home would be a great stain on her family's honor. Rumors would swirl for years that the de Laneys were unworthy of their elevated status. She looked truly distressed.

It was time to give her some much needed motivation.

"My lady-in-waiting, Eloise de Laney, first daughter of Baron Geron de Laney, is, of course, more than capable of such a trivial task. You are a fool to think she could fail such a simple test," Seraphina declared with the conviction of a true believer, shooting the smaller girl a meaningful look. "You will accept... won't you, Eloise?" she added, smiling—a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I will?!" Eloise echoed, her voice shaky, feeling cornered. But even a mouse, when trapped, can find its courage. Her expression hardened, her jaw setting in determination. In a stronger voice, she affirmed, "I will."

"Excellent! I'm glad both of you have so readily accepted my methods," the old man crowed. Seraphina almost expected him to rub his hands together like a villain from a play.

"You there... Giles," Seraphina called out, pointing in the general direction of the brothers.

One of them pointed to himself. "Me?" he asked dumbly, his voice a deep bass that resonated in the chamber.

"I will pay you twice whatever you are being offered to simply lose," the blonde girl stated, crossing her arms beneath her chest.

"My lady!" Kellan blustered, his face darkening like a storm cloud.

"It was you, Kellan—no doubt conspiring with my witch of a mother—to create this situation. I am simply giving these louts an opportunity to bow out without injury. Healing potions are expensive," she said with the confidence and authority of someone twice her age, her bearing belying her youthful appearance. "I have foreseen it, after all."

For that single moment, she stood not as a girl but as a commanding general, offering clemency to the remnants of a defeated army.

All three men looked troubled, though for very different reasons. Seraphina did not truly expect to dissuade them from their course, but that was never her aim. She wanted to plant a seed of doubt in their minds.

When an outcome is believed to be preordained, it becomes exceedingly difficult to muster the will to fight against it. The girl would scrap together whatever advantage she could.

Though she couldn't see it, a light of admiration flickered in Eloise's eyes.