The Harvest Festival (1)
Lia was thrown, her body slamming to the ground, a soft ‘oof’ escape from her lips. Eldric stood above her, looking down at her sweaty and grimy figure with a cold indifference that might mean nothing to him but it served as a fuel to Lia’s motivation. Despite her bruises and aching limbs, she managed to stand up and assume her form. Eldric, still looking immaculate, merely flinches and prepared to receive her blows.

After receiving Eldric’s consent, they started training right away. The rest of the morning passed by with Lia learning all the theories that she needed to know. While the application of those moves was in the afternoon. It was a crash course for self-defense and she was okay with that. Any knowledge, however small, would be enough. She did not want to be thoroughly defenseless. If they were attacked, Lia hoped to be assistance than a liability. Though she would very much prefer it if they had a safe and smooth journey to the capital.

“Never take your mind off of your enemy,” Eldric hissed in her ear as he pointed his own dagger at her neck.

Eldric was the best teacher she could ask for. There was probably no one in the whole country as good as him and she was fortunate enough to have him as her sparring partner. But he was also really strict. Lia was grateful for that. The least she wanted was for her to be taken lightly when she really meant to learn. It was Eldric’s idea for her to learn how to effectively use her dagger, when it was the perfect time to use it and how she would use it against her enemy.

“Don’t let your enemy know that you have a weapon,” Eldric said as he pulled her up from the ground. “In fact, it would serve you well to not show them you know how to fight.”

“Feign innocence?”

“Exactly.” Eldric nodded at her. “Now wash and take a rest. It seems like the scouts are back.”

Lia hinted the night before that there might be bandits out there laying a trap on innocent passersby. Eldric considered her words and sent out his scouts. He did not want to take chances, he said.

Despite all of their precautions, there was this nagging feeling creeping up inside her. Lia wanted her to be wrong.

When she came back, Tim informed her that they would set out early the next day so they would arrive at the next town before dusk.

Morning came in and Lia did not feel like she was ready to face what was to come. Despite the assurances from the scouts, that ominous feeling never left her. Something was bound to go wrong. She tried to shake off these feelings and go on her face. Still, her worries seemed to show on her face as Eldric seemed alarmed when he peeked inside the caravan Lia was in.

“You look like you could use some sleep,” Eldric said.

Lia wanted to contest but Eldric just smiled. She smiled weakly. “I’m fine, really.”

The whole ride towards the town was peaceful but Lia could feel the palpable tension in the air. Everyone was like her, on alert. A rustle of the wind, a sway of leaves, any tiny sound made her jump.

At long last, the outline of the town came into view.