Leonor donned a light cloak with the hood pulled over her head and face, hoping no one would see her as a noble lady. While Burien was relatively safe, there were still people who would take advantage of nobles especially one as vulnerable as her.
After Valerio said he wouldn't be able to visit her, she went inside and pulled off her outer skirts to reveal she was wearing riding clothes underneath. They would be much easier to wear than a dress since she needed a good range of movement. It would also make it so much easier to blend in if she wasn't wearing a dress.
With both feet firmly planted on the ground after climbing down the vine next to her balcony, Leonor looked down at her legs. It made her unbelievably nervous to be doing something so athletic after breaking her leg. Even walking scared her but she was dying of curiosity and had to keep going forth. At least with leather riding boots, her leg would have more support. She wasn't sure how far she would have to walk to see what Valerio was up to.
One last glance at her room where she had burnt out the candle so it looked like she had gone to sleep, Leonor turned her head forward and tried to convince herself she had the confidence to keep going forward. All she wanted to do was see what he was up to. She would then return to the manor quietly.
Her father never checked on her and the maids who dealt with her were gone for the evening. Her biggest worry was evading the guards. Not only would they recognize her easily, but they would do anything to stay on her father's good side.
Once she made it to the edge of her father's private property, she hesitated to leave the gate she knew Valerio and the hooded figure had only just used. She turned back to the manor again.
A few lanterns lit up the sides of the stone walls that towered over the coast littered with a few windows. The stone was normally light brown and faintly bleached from the salty air. At night it looked dark and overwhelming. It was clear the outer parts of the building were meant for strength while the center's architecture was more intricate and had more windows.
Despite how cold the situation inside the home had been, Leonor always found the place she grew up to be beautiful.
At that moment, she had to turn away before she was caught.
She had never gone out at night like that. It was intimidating knowing anything could happen to her once she left the safety of the gate.
Realizing she would lose them on the narrow roads of the township, Leonor decided to rush forward. She needed to be more careful or her father would hear about it. She would never see Valerio again if the Count knew what she was doing.
The streets were dark that night and mostly unpopulated since common people often rose with the sun and slept in the darkness. Candles weren't cheap. Only in her seemingly privileged life could she afford to stay up however late she wanted to.
She tried to remain diligent but did not meet the eyes of anyone she passed. Noticing Valerio and the other person turning around a corner and going between a few trees at the edge of town, she rushed faster.
After going between the trees, she found herself in an overwhelmingly dark forest. It took time for her eyes to adjust. She became less worried about people and more worried about if there was wildlife in the area.
Leonor stopped a few times and turned around to be sure no one was watching her. The constant noise of crickets made it impossible to hear if someone was following her.
There were a few moments when she regretted her decision and she paused. With perseverance, she managed to keep walking and found herself approaching a place with more light. She had to stop so the light wouldn't reach her and she wouldn't be found out.
It was a clearing in the middle of the small forest. There was some sort off to the southern side. A few posts with lanterns on top of them stood along the edges towards the trees, casting a golden glow across the clearing. In the center, the ground lacked vegetation and there was old, worn brick inlaid into the ground and dirt otherwise.
The most shocking part of the view was two men in the center of the clearing with swords drawn and looks of focus on their faces. One wore intricate clothing with gilded thread and rich pigments in the colors. Despite their lack of jewels, she knew he was noble but wasn't sure which. The other's clothing was shabby and dull - undoubtedly the clothing of a hard-working commoner.
As the two men circled one another, never allowing the other the upper hand, Leonor gasped to see Valerio with his long blonde hair tied up in a loose bun sitting against his neck. She immediately crouched, hoping she would remain unnoticed.
She and Valerio broached the topic of Eirengard a few times. She was the one who mentioned the best sword fighters in the world being from that place before its destruction.
Never before had Valerio told her he was one of the sword fighters. The topic of swords was never even brought up when they talked. Yet there he stood with a beautiful silver blade and a worn leather strap wrapped around the handle - a sign that it had been used a lot before. He wore brown leather gloves and his cream-colored tunic was pushed to his elbows as he stood on guard.
Leonor focused on the other man's blade but it moved so quickly she never got a good look.
In a flash of gold and silver, Valerio hit the blade out of the noble's hands. It flew across the clearing, clattering on dirt and brick.
Leonor didn't mean to yelp, but she couldn't help responding to something so sudden.
"Do you think you'll ever be able to take down anyone when you have such a loose grip on your weapon?" Valerio snapped at the noble. "Fetch your blade. We're starting again."
However, hazel eyes were set towards the forest.
"Did you hear that?" the noble asked.