They left the building behind, and Crystal gestured towards a bench further up the road, not far from where Lidea had spotted the training field earlier. Taking a seat, she observed that the field was no longer empty. About a hundred men had gathered, their boisterous laughter and lively conversations filling the air as they awaited the start of their training.

Almost immediately, she saw herself stepping out of her family home and onto the exercise field where she had trained with her men for years. Following her father's death and her subsequent betrayal, her mother and sister never returned home, leaving Lidea with the advantage of a fort to defend her position. During those years, the king had not been overly aggressive, instead focusing on trying to convince her to abandon her rebellion. It was a time filled with valuable learning experiences and deep camaraderie. Despite her young age, the men had embraced her as one of their own, providing the fatherly support and familial connection she sorely missed.

To her keen eyes, they looked like amateurs. Almost all of them were missing the muscular physique that defined most seasoned swordfighters. Were these the men that Warchief planned to fight with?

Her attention was momentarily diverted by Crystal, who began generously applying oil to the tips of her hair. Lidea could only admire her as she patiently got to work, armed with only a comb.

A commotion pulled her attention back, and she witnessed a figure rushing down from the main structure. The men began to regroup, shouting both welcomes and playful taunts about their commander's tardiness. Dressed haphazardly in loose leather pants and a jerkin, with the laces of his boots not even tied, Warchief looked as if he had just rolled out of bed.

Even from this distance, she could discern that familiar foolish grin on his face, and Lidea couldn't help but silently pass judgment on the man. No wonder his men were in such disarray. Training relied heavily on discipline, and how could he instill that in them if he didn't demonstrate it himself?

A tug on her scalp made her wince, and she shot a glare at the healer behind her. Crystal, however, simply raised an eyebrow while persisting in untangling the stubborn knot.

"Don't give me that look. I'm doing this for your own good. Besides, what's a little pain like this to a warrior like you?" Lidea wanted to argue that she had already said to cut it off, but thought better of it and focused back on the field below. She was taken by surprise as she saw Warchief looking at her. He greeted her with a nod before returning his attention to his men. Lidea wondered if he had refrained from speaking to avoid drawing attention to her. She appreciated it if that had been the case.

"All right everyone, settle down. Welcome to morning practice. Today, I thought we'd focus on general stamina. In other words, we'll be doing exercises until you drop." A collective groan erupted from the group, and Lidea couldn't suppress a smile. No one enjoyed physical exercises. She herself would rather do three hours of sparring matches than even a half hour of endurance training.

"Can't we spar instead?" Lidea frowned, scanning the group to locate the source of the voice. The notion that someone would dare to challenge their commander's training schedule was unfathomable to her. They were either incredibly brave or, more likely, conceited and foolish.

"No. There isn't much point to you guys sparring if you can barely lift a sword." Warchief's no-nonsense answer pleased her. At least he seemed to have some spine. As expected, murmurs of discontent rippled through the group. However, what caught Lidea off guard was the same voice speaking up again.

"But don't we become stronger through sparring anyway?" The short-sightedness irked Lidea as she pinpointed the young man who had spoken. He had a slender build, and Lidea doubted he would be able to endure more than ten minutes in a fight.

"Yuron, we are doing physical exercises. If you do not agree, then feel free to sit out." Warchief's voice had taken on a frustrated tone, and Lidea suspected that this hadn't been the first time his methods had been questioned. At least the troublemaker seemed to have understood his position as he kept quiet after that.

"No more complaints? Then let's start." Lidea observed with interest as Warchief guided them through a series of exercises aimed at building their overall muscle mass. Some of the exercises were familiar to her, while others were new, but she couldn't help feeling unimpressed by the men performing them. It seemed like most of them were merely going through the motions, putting in minimal effort to get by.

Comparisons to the men she had trained and led involuntarily formed in Lidea's mind. While she understood that these individuals were likely civilians rather than professional soldiers like her previous comrades, their half-hearted attitude frustrated her. It seemed as if they didn't grasp the importance of training for their own survival, viewing it as a bothersome task rather than necessary preparation. Suppressing the urge to speak out, she clenched her hands and shifted her focus to observing their technique instead. Unfortunately, even their technique proved to be subpar, worsening her already sour mood. How could they be so inept after years of training? Then she remembered that their role had primarily involved aiding in the evacuation rather than active combat. Redirecting her gaze to the man who aimed to change that fact.

Unlike his trainees, he possessed the build of an experienced knight, and his movements displayed a fluidity that only years of practice could instill. Lidea wondered where he had received his training. He didn't speak with an obvious accent, and his brown hair and sun-kissed tan were traits too common to point to any specific country or people. If it weren't for Crystal, Lidea might have mistaken him for a Lynoës native. But there was one thing that set him apart—his striking orange eyes. Although she doubted it would be noticeable unless one was up close.

As they moved on to a different exercise, Lidea noticed that only half of the men who were still training knew how to perform it correctly. She kept looking at Warchief, expecting him to correct them, but he appeared oblivious or indifferent. How were they supposed to improve if he didn't teach them?

Her growing frustration was interrupted by the same whiny voice from earlier speaking up again.

"Warchief, aren't we done yet?"

Once more, Lidea looked at Warchief expectantly. He needed to address why this behavior was unacceptable and teach the man to follow orders. However, much like before, he seemed to ignore the man's interruption.

"How can he just let this slide?" Lidea muttered her question aloud, causing Crystal to pause in her detangling and look over Lidea's shoulder at the field below.

"He knows he's young," Crystal responded.

Lidea furrowed her brow at the answer. "Young? He's at least our age or older. But even if he were young, that's no excuse. How can you learn anything if you don't put in the work and complain at every turn?"

As Crystal resumed her work, Lidea sighed deeply. "I've told Warchief this as well, but it's not in his nature. He's a free spirit and isn't good at following rules himself. I suppose he doesn't want to lead like an army general."

Lidea's frustration grew upon hearing the response, and she turned her gaze back to the group, where more voices joined in to express their discontent.

Though they had barely started, none of them were keen on continuing this training throughout the whole day. Finally, Warchief stopped as well, not able to keep ignoring them.

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“I already said to you, if you don’t want to join. Sit this one out.”

While she was glad to see him sticking to his earlier words, she wasn’t particularly thrilled about how he was letting them get away with such behavior. In her mind’s eye, she saw herself standing once more on the first major battlefield of her life. She would have died that day if it hadn’t been for Gideon sticking to her like glue. Despite training with them every day, she hadn’t been fully prepared for the harsh reality. The thought that these men would face a similar situation but with less training made her terrified for their life.

As Warchief resumed practice, Lidea noticed a small group sitting at the side. As to be expected, more joined the group throughout the training and Lidea could no longer tolerate it.

“Crystal, what is the easiest way to get down there?”

The woman paused, tilting her head to look at Lidea, then at the men below, and back at her.

"You're not yet at full strength."

Lidea nodded at her remark, knowing that Crystal understood what she planned to do.

“I don’t need to be. Actually, it is better that I’m not. Don’t worry, I know better than to push farther than my limits. I have no desire to delay my recovery.”

This seemed to satisfy Crystal, who sported an impish smile as she began to braid Lidea's untangled hair and put it up in a messy bun.

"I'll help you down. Let's show them what a real warrior is made of."

The descent proved more tiring than Lidea would have liked to admit, but it was nothing that she couldn’t handle. A sense of excitement joined her irritation as they finally reached the training field.

By now most of the men were sitting to the side, leaving only a small group with their commander. Lighthearted banter could be heard among them, who seemed shamelessly unbothered by skipping their training. Lidea couldn’t believe that they were so brazen.

She shared a final look with Crystal who secured a spot on the opposite side. Lidea could almost see how eager she was to see this play out. Clearly, she hadn’t been the only one to be irritated by their behavior. Admittedly, she also looked forward to taking those lazy bums down a notch.

Silently approaching the group, Lidea rolled up her sleeves before joining them. Warchief was the first to see her and they briefly locked eyes. She could almost see him questioning why she was there, as his gaze then shifted to the healer sitting on the sideline.

Lidea paid him no further mind and found a spot on the front row, at the side closest to the men enjoying their tea break. From the shocked faces of the couple of men that noticed her, she gathered that Warchief had failed to brief them on her presence.

Perfect.

Her muscles protested as she attempted to keep up with each exercise. It was an enjoyable pain, reminding her of the progress she needed to make. Despite needing the occasional breaks, she persevered and kept training with them. Soon, she caught whispers of the word 'woman' coming from the men beside her.

She couldn’t help but grin as they reacted exactly as she had expected them to.

“Commander, why is there a woman on the field?”

This time it wasn't the young troublemaker, but rather a middle-aged man who regarded Lidea with a mixture of confusion and disdain. Both Lidea and Warchief ignored him as they continued the repeating series of movements.

"Commander!"

As Warchief completed his set, he held up a hand to signal a pause. Lidea stopped immediately and went to stand at attention, unlike her peers who immediately sat down to rest.

The men looked on in confusion, and Warchief held her gaze. She could see that he started to understand what she was trying to do and played into it, leaving her to stand at attention for longer than normal. The men around her had grown silent, not understanding what was going on.

"Relax, soldier."

Only then did Lidea soften her stance, but she still didn't sit down.

"So, are you going to keep ignoring us?"

The man sounded annoyed, and Lidea had to almost laugh at his gall.

"He should. Why would he respond to someone who doesn't respect him?"

Even if it was also disrespectful of her to speak out of turn, she felt it was necessary in this case.

"We do respect him. How would you know anyway? I have never seen you here before."

She turned to the group, knowing that her appearance did not help give her any semblance of intimidation. Still, she stared them down nonetheless.

"I could see enough from the last half hour that I watched you. If you respected him, then you wouldn't be sitting there chatting your life away while he is trying to teach you how to survive."

"Don't be so melodramatic. To survive? We are at training; it isn't like this is a life or death situation."

Lidea wished that she had her full strength. She wouldn't ever claim to be the best swordfighter, but she was fairly confident that she could handle most of these men. Although, maybe it was better to not beat them into submission if she ever decided to stay. Bruised egos would chase many away, especially if those bruised egos were caused by a woman.

"You could be attacked at any moment. That is why you are training. What is your plan here? To not take training seriously until you know that a battle is coming? If so, spare yourself and leave. You'd be nothing but literal dead weight."

"As if we would lose to those magicless fleabags. We would demolish them."

His arrogance astounded her, and she balled her fist as she tried to hold her temper. He seemed to notice, his grin growing wider by the second. A grin that she would wipe from his face with glee.

"Is that so? How come then that you are in this mess? If you are so almighty, then how did magic get banned? Where were those powerful magic holders when they started to hunt you down and kill you by the hundreds? Were you just not bothered enough to fight?"

"What do you know!?"

His voice had climbed in pitch, and the lack of response was enough for most present to know that she had won the argument. She wanted to answer him but didn't get the chance as she felt Warchief's hand on her shoulder.

"Allow me to introduce Lidea Valkyrea. She will be staying with us for the time being."

A silence fell over the men, and Lidea lifted her chin, meeting their curious gazes. Suddenly, the troublemaker from before came to stand beside the older man she had been debating with. His words pierced her like a stake through the heart.

"So, the magic-less noble that got her men killed and was sent to the execution block. How are you even alive?"

Refusing to show the pain those words caused, Lidea schooled her features behind an emotionless mask. Widening her stance, she looked at the boy without answering him.

"Be silent, you. That girl has been fighting for our asses, far longer than you have."

Her sympathizer was a man of her age, that had not sat on the sideline. His typical drawl, telling her that he came from the poorer neighborhoods of the city.

"Oh boy, Taylor has his eyes set on the woman."

The older man was the one to respond, and she saw her sympathizer turn bright red. Lidea speculated if he was that innocent or if the accusation held a kernel of truth.

"That is enough Firon."

Warchief's voice cut through the tension as he physically came to stand between her and the man he had called Firon.

"I will not allow you to show disrespect to someone based on their sex. Especially not to someone, that I hope to recruit. You are acting like an ass."

Lidea was surprised that the man immediately stopped his rebellious behavior. Looking from Firon to Warchief, she could see that the older man held a great deal of admiration for his commander.

However, the troublemaker did not give up as easily.

"You can't be serious. Recruit her? She is a woman and has no magic! What use is she?"

Warchief sighed at his overdramatic tone, leaning onto his wooden practice sword with a casual air that contrasted starkly with the formality of Rhodry and herself. He reminded her more of a street brawler than a military man.

"Honestly, I am not even going to bother explaining myself. If she decides to stay, you can get to know and judge for yourself if she is useful or not."

"At least she will be more useful than him."

"Hé."

Lidea smiled as the unknown person at the back took a jab at the pest. The teasing among men felt familiar and filled the void that opened up after losing her family for a second time. As the tension dissipated, she began to notice the exhaustion weighing on her body. Although she was happy to have done as much as she had, she knew that it was time to rest.

"I think that this is all I have in me today. Would it be alright for me to join the training tomorrow as well? At least if my guardian allows me."

She hinted at where Crystal sat with a broad smile. Warchief's face lit up in amusement as he followed her gesture.

"I was already surprised to see you up and about. You are welcome anytime. If Crystal agrees, of course, she has the last say on everything that goes on in this camp."

His words caused laughter to bubble up within the group. Evidently, Lidea hadn't been the only one that had been bossed around by the healer.

"Is that sarcasm I hear, Warchief? Maybe I should consider changing some of my ingredients next time you want help?"

The sugary smile she said it with made Lidea uncomfortable, and she could see Warchief swallow.

"I wouldn't ever dare. Please spare me, my overlord!"

"Come here you!"

Lidea couldn't help laughing as she saw the small woman chase after the leader of this camp. She wasn't the only one, as everyone seemed to be thoroughly entertained. The comfortable atmosphere among them made her reconsider her earlier opinion. Maybe she had judged them too harshly. They might not be as well-trained as her men had been, but they seemed to be amicable enough. Maybe she could help while she was staying here, as a way of repaying them. If Warchief would be open to her suggestions at least.