The sun dipped low over the Valorian mountains, casting a golden hue over the training grounds. As the day's training wound down, Alistair, Marcus, and Elara gathered near the edge of the courtyard, the clanging of swords fading into the evening air.
Alistair, wiping sweat from his brow, slumped onto a bench. Marcus lay sprawled on the grass, eyes half-closed, enjoying the breeze.
"Think you'll ever best me, Alistair?" Marcus teased, smirking. "Or should I start training with my left hand?"
Alistair laughed, tossing his training sword aside. "Keep dreaming, Marcus. One day, I'll surprise you."
Elara joined them, her bow slung over her shoulder. She sat next to Marcus, eyes twinkling. "If he doesn't, I will. You're not invincible."
"Invincible?" Marcus sat up, feigning shock. "I prefer 'skillfully superior.'"
They laughed, their camaraderie a welcome respite from their rigorous training.
As twilight deepened, they wandered to the edge of the training grounds, overlooking the town below, aglow with evening lights.
"Do you ever think about what's out there?" Alistair asked, gazing at the horizon. "Beyond the mountains, I mean."
Elara leaned against the fence, her gaze thoughtful. "Sometimes. We've only explored outside a couple of times during missions. I wonder what else we haven't seen yet."
Marcus stretched, eyes on the distant peaks. "I think about it too, but I like knowing there's always a home to come back to. Valoria's enough for me."
Alistair nodded, warmth spreading through him. "Yeah. And whatever happens, we'll face it together, right?"
"Always," Elara said, placing a hand on Alistair's shoulder. "We're a team."
Marcus clapped Alistair on the back. "We've got your back, even if you go poking around in forbidden places."
Elara shot Marcus a look but smiled. "Ignore him, Alistair. We're here for you."
Alistair felt a rush of gratitude. Their loyalty was unwavering, and he resolved to be worthy of it.
As darkness fell, they gathered around a small campfire, the flickering flames casting a warm glow on their faces. Elara handed out mugs of ale, a reward for the day's hard work.
"To Valoria," Marcus toasted, raising his mug high. "And to us, the finest warriors this kingdom has ever seen."
Alistair and Elara joined the toast, their mugs clinking together. "To us," they echoed, smiling.
Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence as they watched the stars appear. Alistair felt a deep sense of belonging and an unspoken promise that no matter what happened, they would face the future united.