Boundless Limits {B.Durran}

05

"You seriously knew every answer in history and apparently every right question to ask in Battle Brief," Rhiannon says, shaking her head from where she stands with the other first years in the squad.

They group on one side of the sparring mat, identical to those surrounding them, and they watch Ridoc and Aurelie circle each other in fighting leathers. The second and third years stand on the other side, clearly not wanting to get to know them.

The two first years appear as if they will be almost evenly matched, in both size and physique. The tie-breaker between them will be how much training they've received and their battle experience.

"You're not even going to have to study for tests, are you?" Rhiannon asks, disappointment coating her tone as she looks at Violet.

The girl shrugs, "I was trained to be a scribe." Her words explain enough as she observes the match with interest.

Tierney sighs from her position on Violet's other side. Her foot taps the ground impatiently, waiting for the moment when the two first years will stop circling each other and attack. Neither want to attack first and be hit with a counter-attack, after all, they don't know the strength of their opponent. 

A smile twitches the corners of her mouth as she tilts her head back when a breeze hits her skin. The wind caresses her and she finds pleasantry in the intense heat encasing the gym for but a moment. 

Tierney glances at the wall of windows and doors thrown open, allowing a breeze to waft through. It's a poor attempt to cool the training cadets, although, it's not doing much.

It's stifling hot days that Tierney wishes she was back in Tyrrendor, where she would be at the river cooling off under the shade of trees, but instead, she's training in an odorous room swamped with unbearable heat.

Glancing around the room, she notices most of the men are shirtless, claiming that opponents will have something to grab onto. Tierney doesn't care for their logic, she's respectfully enjoying the view that's only gained from days of hard-core training. 

"Guess that means you're not worried about academics," Rhiannon says, her brows rising at Violet. Tierney glances toward Rhiannon who has chosen a leather vest, much like Violet's but hers cuts above the collarbone and secures at her neck, leaving her shoulders bare for movement.

Tierney wears a leather vest much like Rhiannon with the intention that it would help cover her neck, but despite having her arms bare she still has the metal plates strapped to her forearms. It doesn't help with the heat though, considering there was leather between the metal and her skin to help prevent rubbing. 

"Stop circling each other like you're dance partners and attack!" Professor Emetterio orders from across the mat, where Dain watches Aurelie and Ridoc's match with their squad executive leader, Cianna.

"I'm worried about this," Violet says, tilting her chin toward the mat.

"Really?" She shoots Violet a sceptical look. "I figured as a Sorrengail, you'd be a hand-to-hand threat."

"Not exactly," Violet mumbles, smiling sheepishly at the woman beside her.

Tierney turns her gaze back to the mat just as Ridoc launches himself toward Aurelie, but she ducks, sweeping out her leg and tripping him. He staggers but doesn't go down. He pivots quickly, palming a dagger in his hand.

"No blades today!" Professor Emetterio bellows from beside the mat. "We're just assessing!"

Ridoc grumbles something as he sheathes his knife, just in time to deflect a right hook from Aurelie. "The brunette packs a punch," Rhiannon says with an appreciative smile before glancing at Violet's way.