The Blood in Our Veins

Chapter Twenty - Surprises

- TRISTAN'S POV -

Sindri looked at me, exasperated. "Do I have to?" she groaned. I nodded.

"You can spend a year in the woods without weapons, but here, you're in danger. I won't let anything happen to you." I told her. She crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you accusing me of being incapable of protecting myself?" she asked.

"No. Er,yes. You're completely unarmed. You don't stand a chance against even my weakest men." I said. She scoffed.

"Who said I was unarmed? Bring me your best." she ordered. I began to protest, but stopped. She needed to see what she was getting into. Then she would let me train her.

"Fine. You'll regret this." I warned. "Ryon! Practice scenario three!" He turned and began calling out orders. In moments, a large ring was set up in the middle of camp, bordered by ropes. Twelve men, all fully equipped, stood facing Sindri in the center. Without warning, they all rushed forward, attempting to surprise her.

She seemed completely unfazed. Seconds later, I lost sight of her as she was completely surrounded. I waited for her to call out and admit that I was right, but the sound never came. In fact, it was my men who seemed to panic. Suddenly, they stopped the scare tactic and began to actually fight. I could see flashes of white, but other than that, there was nothing.

Seconds later, all of the unfortunate warriors I had sent in were laying on the ground, groaning in pain. Pieces of armor lay scattered all over the ring. Blood stained the dirt. Sindri was leaning against a post as if nothing had ever happened.

"Can I go now?" she asked. I felt my face heat up.

"No. RYON! Practice scenario eight!" I called. He turned around and nodded slowly. This was it. I could see what she did. With one-on-one combat, she had nowhere to hide. Ryon stepped over the rope border and stopped before Sindri. He said something, but I couldn't quite hear it. She laughed.

She flicked her head to the side. Ryon yelped in surprise. Blood trickled down his face. Sindri flipped forward. Her braid slid across his torso and his armor fell off. It lay on the ground in two pieces, cleanly cut. He chuckled deeply. Swinging his fist toward her, she easily dodged it. She slammed her bare foot into his chest and he staggered backwards. She shoved him and he fell to the dirt. She stood over him and smiled.

Suddenly, his foot shot out, tripping her. She landed next to him laughing. He flipped over and pinned her arms to tthe ground. They stayed like that for a long moment. There was some kind of conversation going on between them. She sighed and nodded. He got up and pulled her to her feet. They said something else, then began making their way back over to me.

"See?" she said. "I'm completely capable." I nodded, dumbstruck, and let her move by me. I watched as she dragged Ryon to the woods. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened in the ring. I had a feeling I would never know.

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- SINDRI'S POV -

The twelve men were all around. I could see the smug looks on their faces as they waited for me to surrender. They were in for a nasty surprise.

"What now, princess?" one laughed. If only they knew that it was much more than a pet name. Tristan had it ordered that no one outside the tent that morning would know my true identity. I was only the Maiden of the Pack. Supposedly helpless.

I grabbed my braid in one hand and flicked it downward. Shining blades were suddenly visible protruding from my hair. Eyes widened and swords were drawn. I twirled in a circle and blades fell from hilts and armor was rendered useless. Many blows were attempted, but none managed to strike. I spun and lashed out. Soon, all the men lay on the ground in small pools of their own blood. Their groans made me feel all the more satisfied.

"Who are you calling princess?" I asked no one in particular. 

Knowing it would frustrate Tristan, I leaned back against a post in the ring. I had done what he asked. I had trained.

"Can I go now?" I asked innocently. My twin's face became bright red. I held in a laugh. His expression was priceless.

"No." he growled. "RYON! Practice scenario eight!" Moments later, Ryon stood in front of me.

"There's still time to give up." he said. "Training with Prince Tristan isn't so bad. Besides... I don't fight little girls." I laughed.

"You're going down." I hissed. I whipped my head to the side. The short blades sliced under his eye. He let out a yelp. I leaped into the air and flipped forward, smirking as his armor was cut cleanly in half. Ryon laughed darkly. I narrowed my eyes, preparing to dodge whatever he threw at me.

Without warning, his fist shot out. I slid out of the way easily. I kicked his chest and watched as he lost his balance. Taking advantage of the situation, I pushed Ryon backwards and grinned when he hit the ground with a satisfying thump. 

As I watched him from above, I felt his foot hook around my ankle. Before I could react, I was on the dirt beside him. Seconds later, he was on top of me, holding my arms to the ground. I laughed.

"No fair! You cheated!" I cried accusingly. Ryon smirked.

"Street rules." I grumbled some vile things under my breath.

'How old are you?" he asked suddenly.

"Eighteen as of May thirteenth. You?"

"Nineteen yesterday." I chuckled.

"What?" he asked.

"For your birthday you had to go find a girl who can kick your ass." I giggled. He laughed.

"I'm beginning to wonder who that girl really is behind the fur and claws." he said. I sobered immediatley.

"Let me up." I commanded.

"Only if you tell me."

"I can't."

"Then you're not going anywhere." There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence. I finally let out a long, heavy sigh,

"Fine. Now get off." Ryon smiled and jumped up. He pulled me to my feet.

"In the woods?" he asked.

"Yep." Together we walked back to Tristan.

"See? I'm completely capable." I said to him. Then Ryon and I jogged off into the trees.

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HOW AMAZING AM I!! I UPDATED TWICE IN ONE DAY!! Man. This chapter is abnormally long...

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