Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

A Friend's Hesitation

Treasa hadn't been so tired in her entire life.

She hadn't ever been able to sleep so deeply, as the oblivion she had sunk into after she had finished healing the Queen. She hadn't known it had taken as long as it did until she was awake and talking to Lianza several days later.

Even when she could keep her eyes open longer than the time it took for her to eat more than she used to eat in a month, it was still another week before she felt as if she was bouncing back. The fear that she had permanently damaged herself faded as the inner energy she had always taken for granted returned, and now she was finally feeling truly and completely returned to normal.

Treasa knew that also meant that she would leave soon, and as uncomfortable as she was in Clairval, as much as she hated being so close to the city, with all its memories of pain and suffering, she avoided the topic, reluctant to go. There had been dinners and balls that she had not made it to, out of a lack of desire to mix with the nobles of Clairval for fear of recognising them or being recognised. And Lianza had not pushed the issue, had not even brought it up.

She also behaved far better than she ever had before, once she was able, following Lianza's directions on studying in the library and training with the Guard, and learning from the healers here in Clairval.

Treasa feared that the moment she stepped out of line, he would realise they needed to leave, and then they would be gone. And she couldn't leave just yet.

She still hadn't seen Captain Darya again, and wondered if she could find her way to where the woman was, at least to make sure she was alright, despite assurances from Lianza and others that Darya was, in fact, alright, just following the healer's direction to not overdo it again.

Treasa started the internal debate with herself again, as she stood on the training yard after her lesson with Lianza and the Vayan, Commander Tayver, who had a very odd style of fighting that seemed to be a cross between human, Feyshan, Rulin and Vayan and a bunch in between that Treasa did not know how to place. She was watching a match between Prince Davanos and Lord Cansal, watching them fighting in the Rulin style today.

Yesterday, they had been using the large bastard swords. Today they were using the two vicious looking swords that the Rulin used. Both were magnificent fighters, but even with her minute knowledge, she could see that Cansal was less experienced with these blades, just as Davanos had been less experienced the day before.

It was fun to watch, but the men seemed to use a lot more of their strength and size against one another, in ways that no one had bothered trying to teach her, which was probably a good thing, seeing as how she could never come close to matching their abilities.

Or size.

"Why do you look overwhelmed?" Captain Darya was beside her suddenly, watching the fight as well, with a slight look of longing on her face.

Treasa shook her head. "I'll never be as good as them. Not like that."

Darya snorted, turning to look at Treasa. "You mean you won't be stronger than you are smart? No." The older woman offered a smile. "But strength isn't the only thing that wins a fight. Davanos is lucky because he's fast, that's his weakness though, he's faster and stronger than he has skill. It allows him to cut corners, and it's why Cansal can match him most days. Cansal is strong, not as fast, but every movement is perfect, cause it needs to be."

"So Lord Cansal is the better fighter?" Treasa frowned softly, feeling the pain and injury radiating off the woman, nearly begging to be healed, wondering how Darya was standing beside her.

"Not necessarily." Darya offered a shrug, then winced at the movement. "A fight, a proper fight, it's about a balance between all of that, and a little more. Sometimes the winner just wants it more, had more sleep last night, is slightly less distracted, or just got lucky. Perfection is sometimes a weakness, too. You focus too much on what you've planned to do, that the moment the plan doesn't work, you have no idea what to do."