Morning came, while he waited for her to wake up. He'd been awake for some time, but he'd settled to watch over her as she slept.
A little anxious, if anything. It was time to set his plan in motion. Getting injured, and then let her tend to the wounds she'd inflicted on him.
He'd have to use his left hand, and that should make things easy. Too easy.
She shufled in her sleep when he brushed a stray lock of hair, hanging on her face. Not long now, he told himself as he pulled his hand away, and placed it in his lap.
Her eyes languidly fluttered open, a small smile graced her lips, and rolled onto her back.
The sun was peeking his head over the hill, tainting the sky with its golden reddish glow. Darkness and light amalgamated for the briefest moment before, the King of the skies, shone its brightest light.
She remained quiet as she watched the sunrise, with him. A moment, that he will carry in his heart and mind for as long as he lives. He let his gaze drift towards her gilded features, drinking in her serene expression.
She sucked a breath and turned her head to him, pushed herself on her elbows, and let out a silent sigh.
" We will do some sword training today," He cleared his voice at the rasp in his tone. Surprised, her eyes drifted to his shoulder, a shadow of guilt flitted across her face and her gaze met his.
" You're hurt," Merely a whisper. Worried, perhaps. The corner of his lip tugged at that thought.
" It will be fine," He cooly said and pushed himself off the bed, but halted and stilled when the sound of footsteps trickled through. The maid was bringing them breakfast. Alone.
He opened the door before she'd reached their chamber, and waited for her to appear.
Curtly bowing, she said her graces, and placed the meal on the table, looking for the dirty dishes from the previous night. A glance at him, and then at Iris.
A brief request to have the swordmaster prepare swords and armour, for training. Nodding, she said her graces once more and took her leave.
The unease on Iris took a more defined form, as she looked at him, trying to understand why he was so adamant in doing training despite his injured shoulder.
Slowly she dragged herself out of bed, to join him for breakfast. Not much was said during the meal. A silence he'd become accustomed to, in the course of the two moons.
Dressed and ready to spill some blood - his blood; they made their way through the corridor leading to the training grounds behind the castle. The swordmaster was awaiting with the blades ready, and the light armour he requested.
Trussed up in her armour, Iris stood before him, poised for battle. But before they would lock horns in battle, he had to put on a good show to ensure it was believable. There was a risk of sounding condescending and annoying but it had to be done.
" In the heat of the battle," He began in a grave voice," Anticipation of your opponent's moves is crucial, " He paused when she frowned," As he will do the same," Slightly irritated at his sermon," When fighting, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, could be a deciding factor in your feat. Never lower your guard, and never stand too close to your opponent. You only get close to strike and then retreat at sword length," A sneer crept up on her face. Her irritation grew with each word that left his lips," Emotion can cloud your judgement. Use it, don't let it govern you, otherwise, you might as well kneel in front of your opponent and let him put a blade through you. It is imperative to have a clear mind, and attack in short bursts until you've found his or her weakness. When you do, use that to your advantage," He took a deep breath in when she grunted, frustrated. It would have to suffice for now.
" Let's begin. On guard," He raised his swords and so did she. Watching his every move, tense, and seething. Ah, the rage that festered within her was something he hadn't seen in a while. Her eyes followed him, as they circled each other. She would strike first. She was on the edge. On the cusp of breaking. Her greatest weaknesses. Letting rage guide her in battle. She won't even see it coming.
" I believe I have been far too lenient," He taunted, and swirled his sword, " I've allowed you to wear clothing," He smirked and took a step forward, primed to strike.
Iris charged, swinging her sword towards the other shoulder. A side step was sufficient to move out of her way. Corvin chuckled as she crashed into the wall of the armoury.
" Has anyone told you to talk too much," She sibilated each and every word that came off her lips. Utterly, enraged.
" Several times," He chuckled, swivelled his sword and took his stance, waiting for her to charge, " What can I say, I love the sound of my own voice," He quipped, and chuckled when she sneered.
" Perhaps, instead of putting a knife at your throat. I should gag you," She smirked, and charged towards him, with less aplomb this time around. A strike focused on his still good shoulder, as he moved out of the way but she hit him with the flat of her blade instead. In an attempt to avoid hurting him. Not good. Better.
" You can try, but if you fail," She never ceased to amuse him," You'll have to," One of these days," Spread your legs for me. As I said, I've been far too lenient," The blade in her hand trembled. A tinge of repulsion, flitted across her face and charged towards him. Fun time was over.
She swung her sword high, and slashed across his chest, grazing the skin deep enough to draw blood. A clatter resounded on the training grounds when her blade hit the lodestone, and stared at the gash in his chest. Task complete. Guilt quickly crept up on her as she took a step forward raised a trembling hand, and looked up at him. The smile on his lips quickly fell as blood began to trickle down his chest, creeping up to his abdomen.
An whispered apology as she closed the distance, and brushed her fingers over the blood leeching on his chest.
Humming, he sucked a breath and winced when her finger brushed over. She was in disbelief that she had been the cause of it.
" I guess now you have to tend to the wound," He stifled the smile that crept on his lips, as she raised her eyes to look at him. A slight nod was her only reply as she tugged on the armour, and placed it back on the holder. He collected the swords and followed her into the armoury.
The swordmaster, noded smirking at him. Looking from the sidelines he'd seen what he'd done. He opened his arms and closed the distance between them. It was swift, and she had no time to stop herself.
" No need to feel guilty about it," He said when her disposition plunged further," Training has its risks," He smirked when she kept her eyes on the floor," If I were you I would consider it retribution for all the tunics I've ripped off you and the all the nights you've laid naked next to me," A smile crept on her lips as they turned the corner leading to their chamber.