Reinhart had completed his training with Kaelan, and she looked happier that it was over than he was. Looking down at his hands, he was still amazed by how easily each weapon had come to him.
"While I was the one meant to train you, I think that I learned more from this experience than you did," Kaelan said with a sigh, making Reinhart rub the back of his head sheepishly.
"Sorry. I honestly never thought that I was going to be as good with everything as I was," Reinhart apologized, but Kaelan put up a hand, shaking her head.
"No, it was very good to spar with you, and I hope that we can do this many more times in the future. As one of the best of my kind with weapons, it is humbling and very instructive to meet someone as skilled as you are. Even if you don't think you are," Kaelan said in Reinhart's mind with a razor-sharp smile.
Reinhart held back his wince, but the vicious smiles all the Dralkon gave were hard to get used to. He knew that it was a happy smile, but he wouldn't want to see what happened if it wasn't!
"I am just glad that I am this good. I have a lot better chance of disarming someone, rather than killing them," Reinhart said, but Kaelan shook her head and stabbed a finger into his chest. The Dralkon woman was slightly shorter than Reinhart, but at that moment she loomed over him.
"When you enter a fight or a battle, you are putting your life on the line. Not only that but if you fall, think about what will happen to others? What would happen to your Queen? War is a horrible thing, and I have seen many killed and taken lives, but I live to talk about it, and protect the ones that I love. You must be prepared to kill to protect what you love in this world."
The world sank deep into Reinhart, but it was still a hard pill for him to swallow. War was not uncommon on Earth, but he had lived in a time when good men volunteered to put their lives on the line for their countries. Reinhart was not one of those men, but he also understood that this wasn't Earth.
This was a new life, and Reinhart didn't want to end up alone again. He had something that he wanted to protect more than anything in the world now.
"I understand," Reinhart breathed out, but Kaelan scowled at him.
"That is not good enough, and you need to drop this attitude. If you say that you are better than strategy than battle, you will be not only standing side by side with the Queen but also commanding her armies. You can give half-hearted responses to anyone. You must believe the words that are coming out of your mouth. You must put faith and determination behind each of your words because they carry a power ever greater than most magic," Kaelan lectured, her voice stern and unforgiving.
Reinhart stared at her for a moment, then clenched his fists and squared his shoulders. It was a long road ahead still, but Kaelan's harsh words added perspective. They weren't playing a game. It was a war, a war for their world and the people they cared for.
"I understand, and I am prepared," Reinhart confidently retorted back, a newfound determination and resolve flickering in his eyes.
"Good. All that is left for you is to train with Maylinn, but you will have to be patient with her. She is not the best flier, but it is something that she can do, and we are all sisters from the same clutch, so we always work together," Kaelan explained, and Reinhart nodded.
"We've been through so much together already. I'm sure Maylinn will be a great teacher, just like you and the others," Reinhart replied, appreciating Kaelan's concern despite her gruff exterior.
His positive reaction seemed to catch Kaelan off guard, and the weapon master nodded in approval. "Good. Acceptance is the first step to understanding. We'll rest for now, and then tomorrow you'll begin training with Maylinn."
Reinhart thanked Kaelan for her guidance and sat down in the middle of the cavern as Kaelan left to go get her sister. All the events of the past near week rolled though his mind.
Things had started off with him giving up his life, only to be transported to this new world. Things had started moving at a blinding pace from the moment that he arrived, starting with jumping out a window. That willingness to do what needed to be done was what first drew Reinhart to Maze. Even now she was pushing hard to become strong enough to take back her home that was stone from her right after her father was killed.
For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to cherish the fact that they were in this together. It didn't matter if they were from different races, or that he wasn't from this world originally. What mattered was that they were here, now, working towards the same purpose. They were going to protect each other and they were going to take back Maze's kingdom.
The warrior-in-the-making relished the silence that cloaked him. Above him, sparks of light scattered through the cavernous ceiling, lending a peaceful ambiance. He was alone, but he didn't feel alone. He was away, but he didn't feel disconnected. It was a little paradoxical, just like how his life had panned out - full of unexpected moments and people that have made him a better man.
As he sat there, absorbing the tranquility, he took a moment to reflect upon his current situation, but something interrupted him. The interruption was a loud but muffled roar that pierced Reinhart down to his bones. There was nothing from his world that could make a noise so intense and fear-inspiring. While he didn't know a lot about this world yet, the sound only made him think of one thing.
Dragon.