Sparring grounds

The following morning, you make your way to the training area, which is mostly just an empty space at the edge of the town. Much of your crew is there, sparring with locals and each other. You quickly note that most of them are relatively unskilled, which makes sense. These aren’t trained fighters, they’re escaped prisoners.

The exception are the scattered veterans, who seem to have taken on a teaching role. You catch a flash of movement off to one side, and see a small crowd watching one of the older men dueling the bunny girl, Heather. You see her boyfriend Harry cheering her on, alongside the goblin girl Clara. The duel has clearly gone on for a while, as Heather is sweating profusely, and her opponent is breathing heavily. While she is clearly faster, her older opponent is quite skilled, and far stronger. Both obviously expected to be able to overwhelm the other, but now it’s become a battle of stamina.

A battle that is not going in Heather’s favor. As she tires, she’s forced to parry rather than dodge, and her opponent’s strength drives her back each time. Finally, she stumbles trying to evade, and although she doesn’t fall, it leaves her open for just long enough. Her opponent swats her blade away, and kicks her legs out from under her, leaving her to fall heavily in the dirt. A mixed cheer and groan goes up from the crowd.

Fortunately, both are smiling as he offers Heather a hand to her feet. She nods at him, picking up her sword. “Well fought. I’ll get you next time!”

He laughs. “You almost had me this time. That’ll teach me to underestimate a monster girl.”

He glances over at Harry, who walks up and puts an arm around Heather’s waist. She leans against him with a smile, and the older man chuckles. “Take good care of her, young man. She’s a keeper.”

Harry laughs. “Oh, I’m well aware!”

The two of them wander off, probably to ‘tend to her wounds’. You’re about to approach the veteran when someone else puts a hand on your shoulder. You turn to find Victor, who nods to you. Beside him is Melora, dressed in a conservative robe, unlike last time you saw her. You nod to both of them, feeling foolish when you remember Melora’s blindfold. She seems to acknowledge the gesture with a smile, however. Victor, meanwhile, looks around at the mingling of your crew and his people.

“Your crew already seems to be making friends. I’m glad to see it. I worried that they wouldn’t get along.”

You smile. “Both groups seem to be good people. I’m glad to see it as well.”

He seems to notice that only Ferra is with you. “You lose someone overnight?”

You chuckle. “Alex is still sleeping. Elemental spirits are not early risers. Also, she wouldn’t really benefit from sparring, you know?”

Victor nods. “Makes sense. Would you mind if I went a round with your golem companion, then? I’ll admit some curiosity as to her capabilities.”

You laugh. “Of course, if she’s up for it. And when you’re done, we can spar, if you’re not too sore.”

The panther man smiles, a seemingly rare sight. “Of course. Now, miss Ferra, shall we?”

Ferra nods. “Should I take it easy on you or would you rather I go full speed?”

Victor blinks at such a unsubtle question. “Full speed, I guess…”

Ferra nods again. “Very well. I will try not to hurt you.”

Still seemingly confused, Victor takes up a training axe and a shield. A crowd gathers to watch as Ferra takes her place opposite him. When she forms her now familiar arm blades, there’s a bit of a murmur. It seems that not everyone understood what Ferra is. Even Victor looks a bit concerned, but takes up a fighting stance regardless. With a nod, he says one word.