The joy I had felt, just before the door closed, was replaced with a wave of fear. The last time I fought Quinn, well it kind of hurt.

It will be fine Maria.

I groaned, Whatever you say.

I’ll meet you in an hour to walk with you to the arena. Meet me in the kitchen.

Do I -

Yes,

I groaned twice as loud as I did before.

That was unnecessary. Théoden scolded me as he disapproved my negative attitude towards training with Quinn.

Yeah, yeah. I’ll meet you in an hour.

I slumped against the door and sighed. I didn’t mind training with Théoden. I knew he went a little easy on me. I knew I could utilize the bond to predict his moves. Quinn, Quinn was a firecracker that did not go easy. She utilized the rage that resided inside her to initiate her blood magic. Her blood magic weaved powerful energy as it allowed her strikes to strike true.

Hell, it was because of her blood magic that she found out about Théoden and I. And that was terrifying in itself.

I groaned again as I found the strength and courage to slip on my boots that rested just outside the wardrobe. I glanced over at the floor length mirror and sighed heavily.

I felt like I was getting stronger with these training sessions. I felt like I was getting braver with them. I was gaining skills in combat I didn’t know I had. But what did that make me?

I flexed my toned arms and smiled. Despite being toned from previous training with my father, I felt like I was still gaining some muscle. Alrighty, I am sorry.

About?

Complaining about the training.

It’s alright Maria, just think of it this way. One more training puts you one more step closer to defeating Marcel.

True, that is very true.

I stopped staring at myself in the mirror and strapped my belt across my waist. I grabbed my bag and left my room. Shutting the door behind me.

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I walked down the hall, down the stairs, and into the kitchen to grab a quick bite to eat as I had not eaten much since the festival.

“Good evening Maria.” Roland said as he wiped the counter with a towel.

“Evening Roland, just getting a quick bite.”

I grabbed a premade snack of peanut butter and bread and walked towards the front door and waited for Théoden.

Almost there.

I nodded as I munched on the smoothness of the peanut butter and crunchiness of the fresh baked bread.

The door creaked open, “Why am I not surprised to see you with food?”

Théoden looked down at me with a grin on his face. “What?” I said as I shoved the remaining bits of the sandwich in my mouth.

He shook his head, “Nothing. Let’s get going. Quinn is there already setting up.”

I nodded and he let me walk ahead of him. This was our usual stance. I ahead of him and he was ten feet back. Our pace was normal as it took us around five minutes to walk from the castle straight to the the arena. We were silent on the way to the arena, the only things to be heard was our feet hitting the path way, birds chirping, wind rustling between the buildings, and the faint echoing voices of commoners in near by streets.

Once there, we went inside quickly in case we were being followed and as he said Quinn was already there setting things up. There was a few props placed out, a lone chair for Théoden to sit in, and the lights dimmed. “Ready for training?” Quinn said with a grin.

“I-” I stammered as I felt a small burst of fear as the grin fell on her face.

“Don’t worry Maria, if you are worried I won’t utilize the bond against you.”

I couldn’t help but sigh in relief. “Well, that’s soothing.”

“So, what's it going to be tonight captain?” Quinn asked changing the subject.

“Combat training, limited magic use, don’t stop until either of you have had enough.” He said going to a chair that Quinn must've sat up, “try to limit your hits below the face.” He took his seat. “No weapons but kicks, slaps, punching, the works allowed.”

“Got it.” We both said.

“Take ten steps and let the training began.” He finished giving orders.

I won’t pull anything unless it’s necessary. He told me. Utilize the pain, her energies that she delivers and use it.

I nodded as Quinn and I just stood there facing each other. I sighed and thought of a way to get the fight going. As I was not going to strike her first, she was going to strike me first instead. So, I decided to taunt her. But with what? I thought about how she seemed to be stunned when she saw me undressed. Perhaps I could…

Maria I don’t know if that would be wise.

I ignored Théoden as I cleared my throat and said, “So Quinn..” I began as I choose my words wisely. I wanted her rattled up. “Why did you blush when I changed?”

“I…” she stammered and glanced over at Theo who seemed a bit amused by my testament. As he clearly hadn’t seen that part of my day. “I wasn’t.”

Perhaps I was wrong, I'm intrigued now.

“Not what I saw.”

I turned my back, as I knew I had to prepare for what was about to come. Embracing myself I cracked my knuckles and prepared myself for the fight that was about to commence. The sound of Quinn's battle cry echoed around the arena as Quinn charged full speed in my direction.