NightHare

Year 5, Magic, & Hare (3.2)

Wounds adorned both Inu and Saxa. They trailed across their arms, chests, and legs. From cuts dripped blood, running down their skin. Black and blue bruises speckled their bodies, inhibiting their movements.

Lexi watched the pair continue to slash each other, each hit creating a new injury. As she followed the blood trail down, she started to wonder. How many herbs is it gonna take this time?

There were three reasons why Saxa and Inu asked her to judge their matches. The first was because she was their friend and an impartial judge. The second, she was often available or could be convinced to help. The third but most important reason, she was a healer—a herbalist in training.

Her attention wavered as she lamented all the herbs and salves they would need. Lexi wasn't that worried about them. She knew the matches never got to the point of endangering either of their lives because it was just practice. They never fought hard enough to kill each other.

But both of them were killing her medical supplies.

Clash. It was another block.

Lexi placed a hand on her temple and reached for her necklace. As she lifted it out of her shirt, the attached spacial ring came into view. Sister Lena noticed that she was constantly carrying things around: books, journals, quills, herbs, etc.

So for her thirteenth birthday, Sister Lena gifted her a ring on a chain.

Ever since she received the present, Lexi wore it daily, using it to carry extra books and herbs. In the subdimension was her old herbal journal. Although she had memorized all the herbs, it was good to carry around. Besides the journal was a pile of forest herbs, potions, and salves. They were all things she saved up from multiple trips to the woods.

And in the corner was a stash of coins: 50 gold. They were her savings from selling plants and random jobs.

Schwing. The noise drew Lexi away from her thoughts. The blades skid against each other, sparks flying as metal clashed metal.

Saxa barely defended the attack. She panted heavily, trying to regain breath and stamina. Her hands quivered as she held her daggers, her legs shaky. She could hardly stand. Inu might win.

With renewed confidence, Inu recklessly marched forward, slightly gasping. He raised his sword high above his head, preparing to strike down and win the match.

But Saxa was faster.

Her arm swung forward. Her hand steady as she brought the dagger to his throat. It was a feint.

Inu dropped his sword and raised his arms above his head. "I lost."

"Ah." Saxa fell on her back, lying on the grass. He followed suit and collapsed face-first into the ground.

Lexi strolled towards them with ointment in one hand and bandages in the other. She dressed their bloody wounds, binding their arms and legs.

"Ow," yelped Saxa. "Be gentler."

Lexi glared at her, pressing down on the wounds. They trembled as she patched them up.

"So..." started Lexi, "are we still going tomorrow?"

Inu replied in a muffled voice, "Yep."

"Yeah." Saxa stretched her arm, admiring Lexi's skill.

After completing basic treatment, Lexi packed her stuff and got up. She walked towards the church, leaving them behind. "See you tomorrow then."

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It was Saturday, and there weren't any afternoon classes. Lexi had prepared targets for archery practice.