Damon was excited when he saw the place Chopa found for our training. It wasn't too far away, but still hidden from curious eyes. We started planning almost as soon as we got there and we decided that we should try making ice swords first. Bows and arrows needed more finesse and attention to detail, and also a tread to pull the arrow. And the bow should be more flexible. I was beginning to doubt that it was even possible to make. The arrows were definitely makeable, but the bow... not so much. We had to find some other way.
Even making an ice sword wasn't that easy. Damon would make as much water as I needed, most times too much water. It seemed as if he could produce an ocean of water if needed, while I myself couldn't even produce a glass. I guess this is the difference between a magic affinity and general magic.
With that water I was able to freeze some undefined forms which were nowhere near actuall swords. Although Damon was making the mold, by modeling the water in the air, it was up to me to form the ice to harden. The outside of our weapons were hard, but as soon as we dropped them on the ground, they would shatter and reveal their soft inside. It was harder to freeze something bigger and more detailed than needles and although I did form an ice wall several times before, this needed more concentration. After almost two hours we were exhausted and a little disappointed because we expected to have two actual ice swords before going to breakfast. Not only did we not succeed with that matter, but when we tried to pick up a sword which didn't shatter, our hands froze. We considered it a failure, but decided to meet again the next day.
Noriko was surprised when I came back to the dorm and I explained that I went out with Chopa for a run. Her eyes were closely observing my clothes which were the same ones I usually wear on Fridays afternoons and the sweat on my forehead and seemed to be convinced.
"Why start running? Isn't your fighting class enough movement?" she inspected.
"I always lose and want to finally have a victory." I complained. "Running everyday might help with that."
"Everyday?!" exclaimed Noriko.
"Maybe not everyday, but some days a week." I added quickly. She was still suspicious, but let it go for the moment. It pained me to keep this from her, but I promised Damon. I will discuss it with him later. Even if I didn't tell Noriko, I knew she would find out in the end. We lived in the same room, it was inevitable.
"Did you have a nightmare last night? You were rolling in your bed and patting. I tried to wake you up, but you stopped so I let you sleep." she worried about me.
"I had a bad dream." wondering whether I should tell her about my dreams, my hands were rubbing against each other. My words came before my mind had decided. "I have strange dreams sometimes. About me, but I'm in a strange room."
"How do you mean a strange room? Like imprisoned there?" she asked.
"There is a courtroom, I think, and I am being judged for my crimes which include starting a war and dethroning the king. He, the king, and the two princes find me guilty. After my sentence is pronounced it feels as if someone pushed me in a dark hole and I keep falling." I explained.
"It's just a nightmare, right?" Noriko tried to reason. "Everyone has strange nightmares sometimes."
"Yeah... But it feels so real after I wake up." I frowned.
"That might explain your adversity to royalty." she meditated.
"Maybe" I said.
"What war though? We have been at peace for many years. And what sentence?" She asked.
"A war with Myrina." I said and added quickly. "I think the sentence is to send me to prison or to die by the first prince, that is something I never remember for sure." My heart squeezed a little.
"I don't think that will even happen. Prince Aillard quite fancies you." she concluded as if answering all my questions.
"Leaving your fantasies aside, " she pouted when I said that, but I continued "he judged me for the crime I committed in the war." I sat on my bed. I was concerned now, remembering the details and Noriko's face mirror mine.
"There's no war going one. And I don't think any will start anytime soon." she said and sat beside me, taking my hands into her. "You don't need to worry, I won't let anything happen to you. Not that I think you are capable of planning a war, but in the worst case scenario, I'll break you free from prison and we will run into the world. That's what friends are for!" she smiled and thigheten her hands around mine. Her eyes were looking deep into my own to assure me that she was not joking. I believed her and my heart loosened a bit. I hugged her tightly and she patted me on the back.
"Thank you!" I said while still holding her in a tight hug. "We should go eat something before they close the cafeteria." I added while letting her go, thinking that I absolutely must tell her about Damon's and mine training.
In the cafeteria, Damon had already eaten when he approached us with his usual good humor, but asking me with his eyes if everything is ok. He might have wondered why we were so late, so I just nodded that there is no problem. As soon as Noriko was a little further, I said to damon.
"I have to tell Noriko about our training." I didn't let him protest and continued. "She is my friend and won't tell anybody. And it would be very hard to keep it a secret, being roommates."
He looked at me with understanding eyes and said "I was actually thinking the same on my way here. I am actually sorry for even suggesting this. I know you two are very good friends." he looked shyly at his shoes. It was long since he did that in front of me and reminded me of our first meeting.
"Don't worry, Damon, she will understand and will even cover for us." I said, and I was half right with the part that she will cover for us… in the end.
When she heard about our meeting earlier and the fact that I lied to her, she became angry. Like a fire breathing mother dragon angry. Mostly because I didn't trust her from the beginning. When she calmed down, after I assured her that I won't keep these things from her, she promised to help us. With her help, we trained more often than we initially planned and Noriko would stay with us and sometimes even practiced her magic. After just two more meetings we were able to make two ice swords and started sparing. The swords weren't the best ones and we had to use thick gloves to use them, but in the end we got the hang of it.
The results started showing and the following fighting lesson I finally beat Aaliyah during a match. She was a little surprised about my sudden improvement, but didn't ask anything. Not even Rhys had anything spiteful to comment, being too shocked. We had another match, and I won again. My chest almost burst with pride that I wasn't that weak, and that I am finally improving. But it calmed down when I met Arild's eyes. Aaliyah might not know about how I become stronger so fast, maybe it wasn't so interesting for her, but Arild seemed to smell it all.
"So,-"he began "-who taught you how to fight?"
"I learned on my own." I defended, but my traitorous eyes glimpsed at Damon, who was heading towards us. Arild quickly followed and understood. "Hey, Damon! Do you know how much trouble you are in right now?"
"Why would I be in trouble?" he asked, not knowing that Arild figured it all out.
"Not in trouble at all." I hissed between my teeth. "Not if you don't tell anybody."Arild gave me a sarcastic look while Damon finally understood.
"I had to." the latter defended ."It was unfair to keep her out just because we were cowards. Don't look at me like that. What were you if not a coward who, instead of helping a friend, chose not to because of fear of her cousin." Damon attacked him and I felt all my protest stopping while a wave of surprise took over me. It was the first time Damon spoke like that to Arild. To anybody actually.
The surprise could also be seen on Arild's face, but a smile took its place and then he started laughing. "You two are no joke." he said. "You are right, Damon! But I won't let you to continue." he added while our faces became dark. "Not alone, anyway. Both of you need a better teacher. I saw how you swing your sword when you were fighting with Aalíyah. I'm surprised you aren't crying of wrist pain."
"Hey, I'm still a beginner." I protested and both of them started laughing.
Not even a week after our Damons and my first secret meeting, the whole group found out about our training. Clearly, we couldn't keep secrets from them. It was for the better, as we always had the excuse of spending time together outside. And not only that, but the addition or Arild as our teacher made great improvements on our skills. We even planned to combine his and Damon's affinity to make a wood arrow, but that will have to wait for after the new year. Like that, the rest of November went by without even realizing and December started.