The sound of sword clashing with sword in a very deliberate manner rang out. Fabric fluttering, and grunts and yells of a young girl exerting herself and releasing her inner power in controlled bursts created a symphony, carefully accenting the sword play. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she continued her careful practice.
Weeks of hard work had already seen leaps and bounds in her ability. More than anyone had expected, the child had a talent for swordplay and her teacher was happy to hone it, sharpening her instincts into skills. Lazren watched as his student spared with the young squire, a little older than herself. Though he had been practicing longer, Thane had a hard time beating the young princess.
"You both need water. Remember to listen to your body, Princess. I can tell from here your thirst is peaking. You should have felt and quenched it long before now." Lazren reminded her and the girl leapt out of strike range. It was something she had begun to do on her own. Even though she was in practice, the child did not seem to trust her sparring partner to lower his blade when she did. It was odd, but they had come to accept it as unique to her.
"Yes, Weapons Master." Raina replied, taking up the cool bottle next to his hand. It was made of glass and intricately blown just for her. The bottom was a teardrop that thinned out at the top to a delicate pour spout. The warm purple with its soft pink tint glowed in the sunlight as she drank the water within. It instantly soothed the fire as she tilted it, letting a stream of water pour into her open mouth. Then, she poured some water on her face, to keep the sweat from getting in her eyes and rinsing her bangs clean.
"Good girl." He smiled glad Raina had taken to calling him as such. Thane however waited patiently to the side. His own little face flushed from exertion. A few strands of dark brown hair fell into his eyes, plastered to his forehead by sweat. His warm chocolate eyes watching the Princess with respect.
"Thane, come get a drink. Your exhaustion can't be less than my own." She offered her bottle. Without thinking about it, he took the glass and poured water into his own mouth from several inches away. The water danced in its stream catching the sunlight and sparkling.
"Is it normal for a boy to share water with a girl in the field? Especially a princess?" A long missed voice asked. A soft chuckle in a women's voice followed.
"On the training ground or battlefield, gender doesn't matter nor does title unless a order is made. We should feel blessed our daughter respects such a sacred brotherhood, my husband." the women's voice explained. Raina was frozen in place, her back still turned to the two voices. It felt like a dream…
"We are home, Princess." Clovis reinforced what she was hearing, snapping her out of it. Disregaurding her sweaty dress she ran to her mother and father, throwing her arms around their necks. Both adults had knelt down, having expected the sudden attack of love. There was happy, almost giddy laughter as the trio were reunited.
"Don't you ever leave me like that again. Ever, ever." Raina warned them both, her little hands holding tight to both adults. Kyera wrapped both arms around the child and Clovis had one around both his favorite ladies.
"Next time, baby you come with us." Raina reassured her, the empty place in her heart suddenly filled once more to the brim.
"Agreed." Clovis whispered as Lazaris and Thane turned away as if they saw nothing. Both of them excusing themselves from the family moment. One sent a prayer of thanks for a request granted.