Each hour, my heart raced the closer it got to the time we were supposed to meet for training. Each hour I received the same message from him.

Maria, calm. I promise you it will be fine.

I stopped responding after the first few, as they didn’t seem to help. I couldn’t help but think of all the possible ways Quinn could easily mangle me.

Quinn knows to take it a bit easy.

Considering how that talk went, I doubt it.

Yeah, I watched it and I was alarmed with how eager she seemed to be. But of course, he didn’t see it that way.

A few hours earlier…

“Quinn, I have a question to ask you.” Theoden spoke as he had her come into his office for a closed door meeting.

“What’s up captain?” Quinn questioned.

“I want you to train with Maria tonight.”

“Wait…I’m the first one?” Quinn piped up with a smile. “I figured you would have asked one of the others.”

“If I want her to be able withstand any attacks at all I need to start her off strong.”

“Well, thanks. Are there any limitations to the fight?”

“I want you to fight like you normally would but limit magic.”

“So I can hit her as hard as I want?” I swear Quinn’s smile grew here. Again, Theo denies it but I swear it was there.

“I don’t want you to seriously hurt Maria, but I want her to be able to properly handle a hit.”

“Got it. When do we start?”

“Eight.”

~Present~

Maria, she will take it easy. She knows better.

Yeah, sure she will. I still wasn’t buying it.

She will behave. I have warned her not to be rough with you.

He tried to calm my nerves but nothing helped. Fighting with him was one thing. I knew he had strength but I also knew he knew how to properly manage how much force goes into each hit. Not only that, but I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.

Quinn on the other hand, was well known for her brutality when it came to one on one combat. She didn’t take it easy and would often leave her opponents with several broken bones.

I knew Quinn’s inability to take it easy in fights is one of the main reasons she got to where she is today. Not to mention the fact that Theo loved to spar with her as he could utilize his full force against her and not feel bad about it. As she hit him back equally as hard.

You are overthinking this Maria. I promise you it will be fine.

Whatever. If I end back up in the infirmary, it's on you.

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You won’t, I promise.

I sighed as there were two more hours left until my doom. Yeah, that is what I am calling it. My doom.

Would you rather have me go full force on you or would you rather face Quinn?

Huh…I hadn’t thought about that. Theo’s full force would definitely put me in a coma. His draconic strength was undeniably strong. Mixed with his magical essences provide to be a deadly force if truly unleashed.

Quinn, I knew she had a bit of weird essence tied into her fighting ability. Which allowed her to overpower some of her kicks and hits. Her essence seemed to drain whenever she overpowered her strikes as from what I understood when Theo talked about it. Not to mention Theo has talked on how her abilities have a unique twist as they often utilize blood.

I think I'd take my chances with Quinn over you. At least I know with her, she gets worn down.

Thought so. You don’t have to worry about her use of her blood magic. I am limiting the use of magic during your training session with her.

I sighed in relief, good at least then her hits won’t be as powerful.

The rule goes for you too Maria.

Theoden made sure to tell me that one. I don’t even know how to utilize half my magic, why would I utilize it in combat training?

My point exactly.

Me not knowing how to utilize my wild magic was a very good point in me not using it in combat training. However, I knew at some point I would have to learn how to use my magic and mix it with my fighting skills.

And that will come. However, I prefer you to learn that with me and not my elite guards. I don’t need you to seriously hurt them.

Fair enough. So we are still meeting at 8 tonight?

Yes, 8. And Maria?

Yeah?

Quinn and I are going to go a few rounds ourselves if you want to show up early.

Going to wear her out for me?

He laughed. Perhaps. Are you going to come watch us?

How early do I have to be?

Thirty minutes, we have just started our last round.

I’ll be there, I suppose.

I let our connection go silent. Being there thirty minutes early meant I had an hour and a half before I had to face something I feared and that was Quinn’s keen melee abilities.

----------------------------------------

I arrived at the colosseum when Theo said too and could hear them talking through the door.

“She’s going to chicken out!” I could hear Quinn shout through the door. Thanks for the confidence…I thought.

“She’s here already.” Theoden said, “I invited her to watch us first. Come in Maria, don’t be shy!”

I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. “Huh, so you did show.” Quinn said as she looked at me in disbelief. Thankfully she didn’t question how Theo knew I was there.

“I told you she would come.” Theoden said. He walked over to me and gave me a quick hug.

“I still had doubts.” Quinn remarked. “Now, I get the enjoyment of kicking your ass in front of Maria.” Quinn smirked, “this is going to be great!”

“Should I be-” I began to ask as her remark made me feel uneasy. If Quinn was this eager to fight Theo, I would hate to see how she is when it is my turn to fight her.

“Nope. You don’t need to be concerned. Just take a seat and watch and learn.” Theoden said as he walked over to a wooden chair and placed it next to me. He gave me one more gentle hug and a kiss on the forehead before he turned his focus to Quinn.

“This is an all in fight. Full magic allowed on both ends. We tap out when we get too exhausted. Just watch and try to learn a thing or two, Maria.”

My eyes went a bit wide at his statement. An all in fight meant everything goes.

I don’t want you too--

I will be fine Maria. I’m just doing this to get her essence down a bit. That way she won’t be tempted to use it when she fights you.

Please just don’t get hurt.

Part of me knew that he would be fine but part of me was worried that she would hurt him with her magic.

I will be fine Maria. As much as I am a skilled fighter, I am an excellent healer don’t forget.

He wasn’t wrong there. His ability to heal was just as incredible as his ability to fight.

“Quinn, let’s show Maria how it’s done shall we?”

“Finally! I have been itching for a good fight!” Quinn said as she ran at Théoden full speed.