The Tiger Within

The sound of sword clashing with sword in a very deliberate manner rang out . Fabric fluttering, and grunts and yells of a young girl exerting herself and releasing her inner power in controlled bursts created a symphony, carefully accenting the sword play . Sweat beaded on her forehead as she continued her careful practice .

Weeks of hard work had already seen leaps and bounds in her ability . More than anyone had expected, the child had a talent for swordplay and her teacher was happy to hone it, sharpening her instincts into skills . Lazren watched as his student spared with the young squire, a little older than herself . Though he had been practicing longer, Thane had a hard time beating the young princess .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"You both need water . Remember to listen to your body, Princess . I can tell from here your thirst is peaking . You should have felt and quenched it long before now . " Lazren reminded her and the girl leapt out of strike range . It was something she had begun to do on her own . Even though she was in practice, the child did not seem to trust her sparring partner to lower his blade when she did . It was odd, but they had come to accept it as unique to her .

"Yes, Weapons Master . " Raina replied, taking up the cool bottle next to his hand . It was made of gla.s.s and intricately blown just for her . The bottom was a teardrop that thinned out at the top to a delicate pour spout . The warm purple with its soft pink tint glowed in the sunlight as she drank the water within . It instantly soothed the fire as she tilted it, letting a stream of water pour into her open mouth . Then, she poured some water on her face, to keep the sweat from getting in her eyes and rinsing her bangs clean .

"Good girl . " He smiled glad Raina had taken to calling him as such . Thane however waited patiently to the side . His own little face flushed from exertion . A few strands of dark brown hair fell into his eyes, plastered to his forehead by sweat . His warm chocolate eyes watching the Princess with respect .

"Thane, come get a drink . Your exhaustion can"t be less than my own . " She offered her bottle . Without thinking about it, he took the gla.s.s and poured water into his own mouth from several inches away . The water danced in its stream catching the sunlight and sparkling .

"Is it normal for a boy to share water with a girl in the field? Especially a princess?" A long missed voice asked . A soft chuckle in a women"s voice followed .

"On the training ground or battlefield, gender doesn"t matter nor does t.i.tle unless a order is made . We should feel blessed our daughter respects such a sacred brotherhood, my husband . " the women"s voice explained . Raina was frozen in place, her back still turned to the two voices . It felt like a dream…

"We are home, Princess . " Clovis reinforced what she was hearing, snapping her out of it . Disregaurding her sweaty dress she ran to her mother and father, throwing her arms around their necks . Both adults had knelt down, having expected the sudden attack of love . There was happy, almost giddy laughter as the trio were reunited .

"Don"t you ever leave me like that again . Ever, ever . " Raina warned them both, her little hands holding tight to both adults . Kyera wrapped both arms around the child and Clovis had one around both his favorite ladies .

"Next time, baby you come with us . " Raina rea.s.sured her, the empty place in her heart suddenly filled once more to the brim .

"Agreed . " Clovis whispered as Lazaris and Thane turned away as if they saw nothing . Both of them excusing themselves from the family moment . One sent a prayer of thanks for a request granted .