Siren began sparring with the headmaster, Sir Boris.
He was a towering half-human, half-karnal hybrid, a hulking figure standing six feet four, born in the town of Linzdel in the human kingdom of Mancrest. A former Knight Colonel of the human armies, he had retired to Serenvale to train young protectors.
The clash of their swords sounded like thunder, each strike echoing across the field, sparking the air with a fierce intensity that drew every eye.
Saga watched, spellbound. Siren and Sir Boris traded blows with lethal precision, their blades flashing like bolts of lightning. This wasn't like the mild sparring she'd seen earlier; this was frighteningly beautiful, a ballet of death, raw and real. The ring of trainees around them jolted, stumbling backward in panic, while the entire audience stood utterly silent, eyes wide, breaths held as if even the air itself dared not interrupt.
Siren's face was sharp with focus, like a hawk homing in on its prey. She surged forward, her sword a blur as she swung upward with both hands. The force knocked Sir Boris's blade aside, exposing him to a lethal, swift downward strike.
But Sir Boris was no ordinary opponent. Unshaken, he was formidable.
With a swift step, he leaped back, keeping his broad frame just beyond her reach. In one brutal motion, he lashed out with his boot, striking Siren square in the chest.
Siren flew. Yet even as she tumbled backward, she rolled, rising to her feet just in time to see Sir Boris's shadow looming over her.
Saga gasped, her heart racing as Sir Boris's blade arced toward Siren's head. In her mind's eye, she saw it, a terrible flash of her sibling's head severed, rolling on the ground.
But Siren twisted out of the way just in time. Sir Boris's blade met only empty ground.
Siren's movements sharpened, her agility transforming as if by some supernatural force. They clashed in a storm of steel, blow after blow, each strike meeting its mark with precision. Their focus never wavered.
Then, with a perfectly timed strike, Siren knocked Sir Boris's sword from his grip. She lunged forward, intent to kill, like a tigress going for the jugular. Her blade was a silver streak aimed at his neck. Saga's pulse quickened as she envisioned the blade piercing flesh, a spray of blood, surely this was the end for Sir Boris. There was no escape. She cursed herself for staying to witness this brutal madness, for not leaving for home when she had the chance.
But then, something miraculous happened. Just before Siren's blade could pierce his throat, Sir Boris vanished! One heartbeat, he was there; the next, gone. Siren's sword sliced only air, nearly sending her sprawling forward. She staggered, catching her balance as a murmur rippled through the crowd.
Saga spotted him, standing nearby. She blinked, doubting her own eyes. Sir Boris had disappeared and reappeared almost ten feet away. How had he done that?
As he stood there, a calm look of approval softened his gaze upon his apprentice. Siren laughed, approaching him as if nothing extraordinary had happened. But Saga knew what she had seen. Sir Boris's skill wasn't merely physical, it was magical, like the spell Lady Genevieve had performed.
Saga reined in her surprise and straightened as she saw Sir Boris leaving the trainees and walking in her direction. When he stopped before her, his towering figure nearly blocked out the sun. His silver armor gleamed, his head was crowned with a mane of fiery red hair, and his face was ruggedly handsome, though softened by a pair of smiling green eyes.
"If it isn't the little sister of our protégé! How are you this fine afternoon, my dear Saga?" bellowed Sir Boris. He was a capable man in every way, except, perhaps, when it came to speaking in a normal volume.
Saga stifled a sigh but stood respectfully. People always assumed she was Siren's younger sibling. Her "evil twin," as she called her, had spread that rumor herself, and Saga's small frame alongside Siren's imposing height didn't help disprove it. Eventually, Saga had grown tired of correcting everyone and simply went along with it. Besides, Siren was technically fifteen days older.
She returned his smile and replied politely, "I'm well, sir. Thank you. If you'll allow me, may I ask you a question?"
"You may ask me anything your heart desires, my dear girl!"
"I mean no disrespect toward an accomplished Knight of Mancrest, but may I ask how you did that?" Saga asked, a bit sheepishly.
"Hrm? Did what?" His green eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.
"I just saw you disappear and reappear in another spot," Saga said. "You avoided my sister's sword when it looked… unavoidable. How is that possible?"
Sir Boris burst into laughter. "The answer is simple, girl. I am mighty!"
Saga pressed her lips, clearly unsatisfied.
Just then, Siren joined them from the field, having slipped out of her armor and now dressed only in her training shorts and bra. The eyes of nearly all the boys were glued to her sweat-slicked chest and stomach, and even some of the girls couldn't look away.
As she took her place beside Sir Boris, she asked, "What's going on?"
Sir Boris caught Saga's gaze and said, "Listen closely, Saga. It is the sacred duty of a teacher to climb the summit so he may invite his students to join him. No matter how difficult the ascent, they can look up and see living proof of what is possible. Do you understand now how I vanished and reappeared?"
Saga looked even more confused. She shook her head. "I'm afraid not, sir."
Sir Boris grinned broadly and slapped Siren's shoulder, roaring, "It means I'm far stronger than this one here! That's why I have to hold myself back when I train these kids, or they'll perish before they have a chance to learn! I didn't disappear, girl, I was simply too fast for your eyes to follow!"
He roared with laughter, and Siren joined him, saying with a grin, "Nothing less from the man who calls himself my master!"
Saga sighed inwardly. What a pair of swordbrains!
"At any rate, there's something I'd like to discuss with you, my dear," said Sir Boris, his tone shifting to a sudden seriousness. "Is that alright with you, Saga?"
Saga nodded. "By all means, sir. What's it about?"
"I hear you spend a lot of time in those woods. Is that true?"
"Of course. I'm a hunter."
"Splendid, Saga. Very brave of you."
Saga smiled. "Thank you!"
But Sir Boris's eyes didn't mirror her smile. Instead, his brow creased in concern.
"Have you been hunting in those woods over the past few days?"
"I have, yes."
"Did you happen to notice anything unusual?"
Saga blinked in surprise. How did Sir Boris know about the creature she'd encountered?
"I apologize, sir, but what do you mean?"
"First, are you aware that I'm one of Serenvale's protectors?" Sir Boris asked, pointing to his forehead, where a white mark appeared at his internal command. The Bestowed Mark, a small white dot encircled by eight tiny triangles like a sun at noon, was granted to those who took the Oath of Seren.
Saga nodded. "Yes, I'm aware."
"Good. Now, let's see…" Sir Boris rubbed his chin, thinking. "We've received some troubling reports from our scouts about suspicious activity in the Ergrov Forest. They mention monster sightings, things lurking in the bushes, and stalking people. Also, the wildlife has been unusually scarce lately. It doesn't bode well, does it?"
"With all due respect, sir, that sounds like someone got spooked. Not everyone is cut out for the deep woods, especially one like Ergrov."
Saga inhaled slowly to calm herself. Ergrov was her second home, and she hated it when people spoke about it as if it were an ominous trap.
Sir Boris offered her a kind smile. "That could be the case. I don't deny it. But this isn't just hearsay, my dear. I've seen tangible evidence. The scouts found prints—warrior-grade boot prints—in various places throughout the forest. There's someone out there...or something. I just hope it's not something sinister."
Saga frowned. Boot prints? Was Sir Boris talking about that blue-skinned elf she'd met?
Instinct seized her throat before she could speak.
Sir Boris regarded her with the sharp gaze of a Karnal, making Saga wonder what type he was. It would be impolite to ask.
"Well, my dear? Have you seen anything of the sort?"
Saga swallowed. "No, sir. I have not."
Sir Boris narrowed his eyes. "Are you absolutely certain?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Saga replied firmly.
"Well, alright then." Sir Boris exhaled, seeming relieved. "But I don't want you going back into that forest. Understood?"
"Understood."
Sir Boris paused, scrutinizing her face. His voice grew stern. "Listen, child, your uncle is the mayor. He runs this town, and right now, he has too much on his plate. That's why we don't bother him with minor issues. It's the duty of the protectors to keep you and everyone else safe. Give me your word that you won't go into the forest until we understand the situation. Do I have your word?"
Saga nodded politely. "Yes, sir. You have my word."
Sir Boris nodded in appreciation, finally allowing himself a smile. "Thank you, Saga. You've put my mind at ease."
"Do you think it could be the bandits, sir?" Siren asked, her brow deeply furrowed. "There are the notorious Empty Eye Reapers and the Devil's Children. And I heard the Blood Brothers are moving in through the Howling Mountains, headed this way. They've already razed Swan Falls, Diamond Ford, and River Crack. Could it be them? Maybe they've sent a reconnaissance team to scope out their next target?"
"Not a chance in hell!" said Sir Boris. "The kingdom of Mancrest has dispatched powerful bounty hunters at my request. The Blood Brothers would have to get through them before they even sniff Serenvale. Fat chance of that happening. No, girl, something else is afoot."
"I could help!" Siren said eagerly. "Give me a team, and I'll apprehend the culprit for you, sir—"
Sir Boris patted her head. "You just worry about your training. You're far too valuable to waste on such shady missions. Leave it to the adults." He shifted his gaze to Saga. "Remember what I told you, girl. No hunting in the forest until I say it's safe, do you hear me? I don't want a child's blood added to my guilt."
With that, Sir Boris returned to the field and moved on to test another trainee. This sparring session seemed much less intense than his previous bout with Siren.
"So, how was your test?" Saga asked.
"Passed with flying colors!" Siren replied, grinning with pride. "In fact, I'm the only one who passed. This time around, I'll be the only one taking the Oath of Seren and receiving my badge of honor." She gestured to the field behind her, filled with active trainees. "Can't say the same for any of these losers."
"Nothing less from the biggest swordbrain in Havensol Town," Saga sneered. "Maybe those other kids have enough brains not to be thrilled about swinging a stick all day!"
Siren stared at her, then grinned wickedly. "Did you hear what Sir Boris said? Forest's off-limits for you now. I think I'd better inform aunty Yrsa, just to make sure she understands how crucial it is for you to stay put at home, eh?"
"Siren, you jerk!" Saga burst out, unable to hold back. "You wouldn't!"
"Oh, but I must!" Siren replied with a mock sigh, feigning deep concern. "Alas, the sacred duty has fallen to me to protect my dear little sister. I shall bear this burden, like Lady Seren herself," she said, eyes gleaming with mischief, "and make sure aunty Yrsa keeps you out of that forest for as loooooong as possible."
Siren chuckled as she sauntered off to rejoin her friends, the shameless boys ogling her like lovesick fools.
"This isn't over, you snitch!" Saga shouted, shaking her fist. "You'll pay for this!"
The nearby boys and girls turned to look at Saga with scornful glances, clearly unimpressed with her outburst.
Saga couldn't stand it any longer. She stormed out of the protector school, her frustration simmering, before she lost her temper entirely.