Flavius returned from his patrol, parting ways with his partner with a few casual words. The dust of the road clung to his greaves, and the weight of the day pressed faintly on his shoulders. Yet his eyes drifted, almost instinctively, toward the tree where Rainer was known to dwell.
Removing his helmet, he trotted closer, curiosity gnawing at him.
'I wonder what Rainer is doing? Hopefully, he is not out causing trouble again.'
He sighed inwardly, the thought heavy with a reluctant fondness.
'He's wanton and reckless…but a good fighter. At least, he's fun to be around—unlike Kotys!'
He let out a faint huff of frustration, then blinked, smirking as an idea hit him.
'Ah! Yes! Perhaps I should train with him sometime!'
He grinned, but when he reached the tree, the sight that greeted him nearly made him topple from his horse.
Rainer, stripped to his loincloth was kneeling in the dirt, clawing at the earth like a deranged beast. His fingers tore furrows into the soil, nails caked with dirt as his shoulders trembled.
Flavius froze, stunned. And in a flash, several thoughts dashed across his mind.
'What in the gods' names?! Did that defeat drive him mad?! Did the soldiers mock him to the cusp of insanity this morning!?'
Then he shook his head, rejecting the thought.
'No! He might be too shameless to be broken merely by words! Maybe it was the wounds from the woman he fought? Or, is he actually a daemon, performing some perverse ritual in broad daylight?!'
His thoughts raced some more, but none were convincing. At last, he decided to ask directly.
He rode closer, the leather of his saddle creaking as he drew to a stop, clearing his throat.
At that moment, Rainer looked up and smiled as if nothing were amiss.
"Oh! Flavius, my horse friend! You good?"
He hailed before returning to claw at the ground like he wanted to dig out the earth's innards.
Flavius' eyes swept across him from head to toe, visibly unsettled.
"I...should be asking you that." Flavius's eyes twitched as he gritted his teeth. "Did the insane woman's headbutt knock her madness into you?! What in your father's name are you doing!?"
Rainer glanced at the shallow ditch he'd gouged into the earth; then at his bleeding, trembling fingers, and sighed with contentment. Then he looked up at him with an awkward smile.
"Oh, calm down, Flavius. I know how this looks, but I'm just training. I promise."
Flavius grimaced, skepticism evident in his scrutinizing gaze.
"I have trained myself, Rainer; and I have witnessed madness. I would appreciate it if you didn't blur the line between both!"
For a moment, Rainer seemed to want to debate on the issue, but one look at Flavius' mildly concerned, faintly disgusted expression had him dismissing the idea.
But then paused, stroking his chin.
"What if I told you I'm training to steal Veliona's heart with my bare hands?"
Flavius looked about ready to retch, and Rainer let out an awkward chuckle.
"Heh. Yeah... Not my best jest, I'll admit."
He huffed faintly, then gestured toward his spear leaning against the tree with a wry smile.
"I need to harden my fingers if I'm to wield that bar of metal like the professional I am."
Flavius' eyes flicked to the weapon, and in one smooth motion, he dismounted and strode up to it.
"Is it that heavy—ugh!"
He tried to lift it, only to drop it back with a shocked grunt. The spear thudded into the dirt, heavier than it had any right to be.
Rainer's wry smile deepened as he bent back to his training.
"The Prefect says I'm expected to fight a deathmatch with that weapon. As it stands, I'd be better off unarmed. Still, I'll try my best either way."
Flavius blinked, startled. And he swivelled around as he tore his eyes away from the ornate spear.
"Against who?"
"Comedy... Cumnut? Bah! Whatever that centurion's name was." Rainer spat, disdain dripping from his words.
Flavius winced, sympathy flashing in his eyes. He then returned to his horse.
"Oh, I've seen Centurio Commius fight. And honestly, friend. I can only pray that the sands remain steady under your feet."
Rainer scoffed lightly, finding something funny.
"Sure. Thanks. But I think Commius would have better need for your prayers."
Flavius watched him for a moment, then sighed. Nodding a goodbye, he rode back toward camp.
––✺––
Half an hour later....
Rainer stopped clawing at the dirt as his chest rose and fell with ragged breaths.
He threw his head back and gazed at sunlight filtering through the leaves, glittering like diamonds in the sky.
Rainer let out an exhausted sigh.
"Ahh. My body's a mess. I feel like I might pass out any moment now, and I haven't even done a quarter of what I planned for today!" He groaned, then fell silent. The frustration in his eyes quiet, but unyielding.
The wind blew, and as the branches rustled, his eyelids grew heavy.
For a moment—or at least, what looked like one, he shut his eyes and let the darkness claim him.
—
"You look tired."
Rainer's eyes snapped open. He wasn't sure how long he'd dozed, but it felt like an hour. An hour kneeling and looking up to the sky in blissful slumber. Careless.
He turned to the direction of the voice, and there, seated by the tree—was Rufus. He sat at the same spot, hunched as he had appeared in Rainer's dream... Only now, he was real.
"Sorry. I woke you up," Rufus apologized. And though his tone held little emotion behind it, his eyes were sincere.
"I was afraid your head might fall off... With your neck being angled backwards as you did—"
All of a sudden, his head swiveled to the side as if hearing his name called. Soon his deep gaze landed on Rainer's spear on the tree beside him, and then he fell quiet apparently lost in thought.
Rainer, witnessing all this, simply sighed, rising to stretch his neck.
"No need to apologize. I wasn't supposed to be sleeping anyway." He informed, approaching to retrieve the spear.
He took it away, but Rufus' eyes followed as if glued to it.
Rainer tested its weight and twirled it clumsily. However, it immediately slipped and clattered to the ground.
"I heard about the combat exercise with Commius," Rufus remarked.
Rainer retrieved the weapon, glancing at him curiously.
"Yeah? From who?"
"...A certain cavalryman with great ambitions."
Rainer stabbed the spear into the ground and stared at it as if trying to comprehend its secrets.
"You don't say."
Deciding he still wasn't ready to practice with the spear, Rainer dropped to the dirt for pushups.
Rufus watched for a moment, but soon rose, picking up his weapons from the tree roots. Then he began walking toward camp.
Upon, reaching Rainer, he spoke without stopping.
"Grandmother says you will do fine. That the hero will endure." Then he glanced back.
"And I believe her."
Without another word, he walked back to camp.
Rainer scoffed into the earth, pausing mid‑pushup as sweat dripped down.
"...Perhaps."
He sighed and pressed on.
––✺––
Night time...
Rainer slurped the last of his stew, exhaled and grinned with satisfaction.
"Wow! This tastes better than usual. You could cook for kings, Hops!"
Hoplite blushed, slightly embarrassed.
"N‑no. I cooked it the same. You're just hungrier than usual."
Rainer feigned offense.
"What? Are you calling me a glutton?!"
Hoplite's eyes widened in alarm and he stammered an apology, but Rainer burst out laughing.
"I jest, Hops!"
Hoplite pouted, snatched the plate, and stomped away.
"Rainer, you bully!"
"Hahaha! Thanks for the meal!" Rainer called after him and Hoplite waved back with a big smile.
When he was gone, Rainer's grin faded.
He turned to the shield resting by the tree, lifted it, and set it flat on the ground. Sitting, he silently traced the carved symbols embossed on it with his palm.
The day's training had revealed much about his body, and he found that it was sturdy—very sturdy. Also, at times, it could explode with a sudden burst of explosive strength when he was high on adrenaline.
His stamina, however, was average, and his movements were stiff. Thinking back, it was a miracle he had escaped Veliona's challenge with only shallow cuts and a concussion.
Still, he had met most of his goals for the day. Only one remained before meditation.
His eyes shifted to the spear.
'I have to practice my throwing skills.'
The thought alone made his heart ache.
'If I overdo it tonight I won't be able to move my arms tomorrow. Soon, Hoplite will have to spoon‑feed me—'
Then he froze, a small smile tugging at his lips, as if struck by a sudden idea.
'Ha! That doesn't sound bad idea.'
He laughed and turned to the tree. Where a bulls-eye was carved into it, and his eyes though exhausted, burned one last time with determination.
With a pained groan, he pushed himself up.
'I better get to it.'