Shards of Silver

EIGHT

"Again! You're not listening!" Calvan growled.

Isren's fangs snapped out as she stumbled back. She didn't bother to sheath them again.

"Well, I'm sorry," she growled sarcastically. "If someone would just slow down and explain to me the moves I should be doing instead of just randomly attacking me, I might have already learned them."

Calvan's red eyes glared at her as she wiped at the sweat dripping down her face with the back of her arm. Her eyes narrowed, her pupils becoming cat-like in her anger.

"Would the two of you stop fighting? You've been going at it for an hour now." Aerelle called from her corner of the room. She sat cross-legged on the floor with a candle in front of her. She frowned at them.

"You have no say in this, Aerelle," Calvan spitted. His fangs flashed out too. "Your combat skills aren't great either."

"You need to keep practicing your magic," Isren said through gritted teeth. Aerelle groaned.

"Sweetie, if I practice anymore of my magic, I'm going to pass out."

Isren sighed and sat down on the ground where she was at. She panted for air, trying to steadily bring it in and out of her lungs. It worked somewhat. She still felt like her heart was trying to leap out of her chest.

"Then that means you haven't been practicing enough," Calvan responded angrily. "If you do pass out, at least you'll be able to sleep like you always want."

Aerelle let out a sharp laugh. "Yeah, but not the way I want it. I want a break. I'm serious. The two of you have been attacking and fighting with each other for so long. I'm getting a headache. I can't concentrate on my magic anymore."

"A break. Let us have a break," Isren said breathlessly. She had a sharp pain in her side. She wasn't sure if it was from when Calvan attacked her or it was just her lungs and ribs trying to kill her.

"The two of you are weak." Calvan shook his head at them. Isren glowered.

"You're not that strong either. Don't pretend that you're better than us."

"Tch," Calvan clicked his tongue. "At least I'm doing more training than the two of you. Honestly, it's embarrassing when your leader sucks at everything and then your mentor doesn't show up for days."

Isren's brow furrowed in anger. Irritability and frustration were the only two things she had been feeling all that morning. Not just in the arena but even in the room that Omar left for them. "Well, if you're so embarrassed about your leader then why did you choose to give up your leadership?"

Calvan didn't look at her, only at his feet as he rested his hands on his hips. "I have my reasons."

Isren stood up and gave him a pointed look. "What reasons, Calvan? None of us knew how this was going to turn out. I'm tired of hearing you say that whenever we ask."

"I'm not going to tell you, alright? Quit pestering me about it." Calvan gave her a dark look. "I have my reasons and that's it. I'm not obliged to tell you, leadership ribbon or not."

"Fine," Isren huffed. She mirrored his look. "Don't tell me, but if one day you put this squad in jeopardy, I won't hesitate to beat you and put you in your place."

"You can't, you're too weak."

"Stop it for Greater's sake!" Aerelle shouted. "We can't be attacking each other all the time. Shut up both of you. We're all tired and we need to—"

Calvan and Isren launched at each other with a flurry of punches and kicks. They each bared their teeth at one another as they drew back then jumped forward again. With Calvan's fist heading towards her torso, Isren brought her arm up to block it and used her other fist to hit him on the side of the head. Calvan snarled as he stumbled back. Isren bent her knees so her body was closer to the ground, waiting for him.