A scratchy fabric rubbed across her cheek and Pia’s eyes flew open. They fluttered closed as the warmth surrounding her settled in. Curling the blanket tighter around her, Pia sighed in contentment.

A blanket? Her eyes flew open. She sat up in surprise, dislodging the blanket draped over her. Light tan tent walls surrounded her. She looked down and saw she was still in her white underrobe, but her boots were gone.

Beneath her lay a bamboo sleeping mat, clearly what she’d spent the night on. Beside her Pia saw a pile of folded robes. Her eyes scanned the tent floor but there were no other items inside.

Crawling to the tent flap, she stuck her head out and looked around. The sun was just dawning, illuminating the morning dew on the grass. The campfire was crackling, and she saw all three men sitting around the fire.

Mustering her courage, Pia prepared to leave the tent. Before her muscles could shift, Ruwe’s head turned to her. In the early light, the angular lines of his face seemed austere and commanding.

“Don’t come out until you’re dressed,” he said, voice steely and authoritative.

Her body obeyed that unsaid authority, and she pulled her head back inside scowling.

Who was he to boss her around?

Anger bristled within her from the way he commanded her, yet a part of her felt grateful. It wasn’t comfortable to be wearing only her underwear amongst strangers. She eyed the pile of robes beside her. A white underrobe and a full set of black robes were folded neatly next to her. Picking them up, Pia was pleased to see that they were sturdy men’s robes. Eyeing the length, she wondered if they’d be too large. She longed to be in clean clothes.

The tent flap was closed but Pia still scooted to the far corner of the tent to change. It was terrifying to change all layers of her clothing with three grown men sat outside. With haste, Pia yanked her dirty underrobe off and pulled on the clean clothes. When she finished tying the belt around her waist, Pia was surprised to find that the robes fit surprisingly well. The robes were a bit roomy around her waist, but the length went right to her ankles.

She left the tent and looked for her boots. After days of walking, being without her boots felt more vulnerable than having been seen in just her underrobe.

“Come eat,” Haojie told her, holding a small plate up for her.

Warily she walked over, waiting for some kind of trick to be played. When no one stopped her, Pia dropped onto the ground and accepted the food. Thick chunks of meat were stuffed into a white bun. Her fingers brushed over the soft texture of the bun with amazement. It had been so long since she’d had a bun.

The men were silent as she ate, and Pia scanned them between bites. In the light of day their features were easy to make out. Haojie indeed had a round boyish face. His hair was held back in a tall ponytail, tied neatly with black ribbon. Yijun had a stronger face, mature and reserved, with a stubborn set to his jaw.

Neither had a threatening appearance and it helped put her at ease. Pia thought they might be double her age, give or take a few years. The more she saw of them, the more they subtly reminded her of Conch and Fewl. Their looks weren’t similar but there was a clear sense of familiarity and camaraderie between the men. It reminded her of that feeling she got with Conch and Fewl—as if, no matter where they were, if they were together, all was well.

Though, sneaking looks at Ruwe, Pia couldn’t help but feel a prickly sensation every time she peeked at him. If she were a dog, the fur on her back would’ve stood on end. In some ways he reminded her of Fewl, rigid and cold. Except, where Fewl had soft eyes and a kind heart, this man had fierce, dark eyes that seemed capable of icing anyone over with a single look. The man’s posture was all straight lines and broad shoulders.

Pia felt severely out of place amongst the three.

After she finished eating, Pia felt safe to try a few more questions.

“What did you mean when you said I was your apprentice?” she asked.

Ruwe looked away from the fire. Pia hid a shudder to have that icy stare directed at her.

“I didn’t think that required an explanation,” he said dryly.

Embarrassed, Pia pressed on, refusing to quail before him. It was hard. The man had a presence, a storm barely contained within his frame.

“I meant…” she paused, thinking about how to phrase it. “What sect are you from?” she asked questioningly, but her brow furrowed in her own confusion. It wasn’t what she wanted to ask.

“Does it matter?” he asked her. “Since you were seeking death fleeing into the wilderness, I mean.”

Stunned, Pia stared at him. A buzz hummed beneath her skin as anger sparked, kindling in indignation.

“I wasn’t seeking death!” she said hotly.

“No?” he asked. “What else do you call running away without a plan?”

“I had a plan,” she hissed, fists curling into balls at her side. How she wanted to pummel him.

His brow rose, unimpressed.

“Oh, right. I forgot. The plan was running into the wilderness without a plan.”

Pia’s temper rose.

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“It’s none of your business, anyway,” she said, harsh and furious.

Ruwe’s expression turned mocking.

“It is, unfortunately, my business,” he told her. “You’re my apprentice.”

“Who said I accept being your apprentice?” she asked, voice rising in frustration.

It wasn’t like she’d accepted being this man’s apprentice. Or that he had any proof! For all Pia knew he was a lunatic escaped from a mountain retreat. She knew that was unlikely, but in her anger, logic was pushed aside.

“You have another option?” he asked, cruelly.

Baring her teeth in a snarl, Pia spat, “Anyone but you would be better.”

Ruwe stood up so fast Pia’s mouth clacked shut in surprise. He towered over her and fear fanned away the rage that had quickly risen as her preservation instincts returned. Despite her fear, Pia refused to back away.

Before Ruwe could say anything, Haojie coughed loudly. Ruwe turned his harsh look on him for a long, weighing moment. The fire crackled and popped as a log slid downward. Finally, Ruwe breathed out deeply and sat back down. Pia let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Seeing that her hands trembled slightly, she stuffed them under her legs.

“How about this?” Ruwe asked dryly. “If you can manage a hit on me, I’ll gladly abandon you here in the wilderness for the wolves to eat.”

Pia thought that over, remembering the ease he’d stopped her attack the night before. Her eyes narrowed.

“That sounds like a trap,” she said.

“Not a trap. Come hit me, right now.”

Chest tight with barely controlled anger Pia surged to her feet. After sleeping and eating her energy had returned. Despite knowing, in the back of her mind, that this was a fool’s idea, she couldn’t help but rise to the challenge.

It wasn’t even about not wanting to be his apprentice. Pia hated that he was looking down on her. Acknowledging her weakness. Rage and pride made her bold, but now that she stood, doubt crashed over her. He hadn’t moved at all. In fact, he wasn’t even looking at her. The man didn’t see her as any kind of threat, not even a nuisance.

“Any kind of hit?” she asked.

The corner of Ruwe’s lip quirked upward, eyes still locked on the fire. He leaned his forearms on his knees and then looked at her.

“If you can even manage to get the tip of your finger on me, I’ll consider it your win.”

The level of confidence he had was clear. It also served to wilt her own. There was only about three short strides between them. If she sat, there was additional room to move. Pia thought about it and then went to sit. She wanted to make it look like she’d changed her mind.

This is madness, she thought. Utterly pointless, but she was going to do it. All her life, Pia had let people push her around, appearing the weakest link. Now, she knew she was the weakest, but she didn’t want to back down.

Leaning and bending her knees, as if she were about to sit, Pia breathed out slow and even. With her left hand hidden to her side, Pia drew a hasty talisman. Dipping low to add weight into her thighs, Pia pushed off the ground and launched herself at him.

It was an ungraceful, full body assault. Uncoordinated and relying solely on the hope of surprise. Her right arm was extended before her, her left still near her side. Breaths before her right hand neared him, Ruwe rolled his wrist and, using his palm and her momentum, spun Pia toward the fire.

Knowing how fast his hands were, Pia had anticipated a block. It’s why she’d prepared a wind and fire talisman. Drawing on the agitated wind around the fire, Pia let loose her talisman. The talisman pulled that chaotic wind yi away from the fire, and with a hot blast of wind, launched her back towards him.

The next move she hoped to manage was to turn and—Pia’s thoughts spun merrily as she flew backward, high over Ruwe’s head, and landed on the dirt behind him.

Dazed, she could only wonder how he had managed that move? Was it yi? A fist strike? Pia sat up, rubbing her shoulder. The wound from the night before ached from the harsh landing.

“That the best you can do?” Ruwe asked her with cold, detached amusement.

Pia rolled over and got to her feet. She wasn’t offended by his question. It had been a bad attempt. There had never been a chance of her landing a hit.

Haojie and Yijun were quietly watching them, expressions blank. Pia took a long few moments to think. The interaction had cooled her temper. As unskilled as she was, her little attack had also been a way to test this man. He hadn’t hurt her or humiliated her.

In her heart, Pia was certain that he could’ve thoroughly destroyed her, leaving her feeling worse than she already did. Yet, he’d merely blocked her and tossed her away. It was not something someone with cruel intentions would do.

Perhaps this man really would be her Master? Why else would a grown man follow and then save a stranger? As an orphan, Pia never expected anyone to think about her after she’d left Dwelling, let alone track her down. The man was clearly skilled. Would he really accept her as an apprentice?

In the deepest part of her heart, Pia was terrified. If she accepted this man’s bold statement of being her Master, and it was false…It was a lot of trust to put in someone.

Her eyes looked from Haojie, Yijun, and Ruwe, to the campfire, the tent, and the grasslands around her. A thousand swords could slice her flesh from her body before she’d admitted it, but Pia had been lonely. The wilderness was lovely and wild, but the absence of other people had worn on her soul. It felt as though everyday her existence had been further erased from society. As if she was just a stray dog, free to wander, but never welcome anywhere.

Hope had silently ignited within her. Hadn’t she desperately wanted to be an apprentice? Did it matter who the man was? He was right. She’d run away when faced with failure. Why couldn’t she seize this opportunity and run with it?

Pia needed the apprenticeship, the man didn’t need her. That was a harder thought to swallow.

Clearing her throat, Pia said, “Yes, it was,” and then returned to her spot on the ground.

She caught the look of surprise on the man’s face at her easy capitulation. Sitting once more, Pia’s eyes scrutinized the man. Now that she was thinking clearly, a bit of excitement filled her.

Ruwe was clearly a fine fighter, either a warrior or a martial artist. His hands were strong and lean, and in the light of day Pia could see the sword callouses on his palms. The broad shoulders and thick arms were evidence of his strength and power.

Yes, Pia decided, this man could probably teach her a lot.

When she looked upward, their eyes locked and Pia grinned to see the slight look of bewilderment he wore.

“If I’m your apprentice, does that mean you’ll teach me?” she asked.

“All it takes is a kick in the ass to change your tune,” Ruwe said with a scoff.

Hope kindled in Pia’s heart—he hadn’t said no.

“You couldn’t get a better teacher,” Haojie called out to her from across the fire. He grinned mischievously and added, “Though, you might regret accepting so easily later!”

Yijun let out a small laugh, shaking his head, but he didn’t protest. Pia frowned with worry, but before she could say anything more Ruwe rose and nodded to his two men.

“Let’s break camp,” he told them.

To her, he turned and asked, “Can you ride a horse?”

Her first reaction was to look around for horses. In the darkness, she hadn’t seen any and she hadn’t thought of looking for them either. Scanning the area, she wasn’t wrong. There were no horses.

“I’ve never tried.”

“Splendid time to learn!” Haojie called to her cheerfully.

“Haojie, you can be the one to teach her then,” Ruwe told her, then he turned and went to dismantle his tent.

Haojie gave her a thumbs up and went to dismantle the second tent.