The next morning. Liora was already up, strapping her old leather armor over her shoulders. The scent of warm bread drifted from downstairs.
Tessa stirred on her bedroll and blinked at the ceiling. "Is it quest day already?"
"Not yet," Liora said, tightening the last strap. "But it's just as important. Today's for training."
Tessa sat up straighter. "Training?"
Liora nodded. "We're a party now. I want to make sure your basics are solid before we take on anything riskier together."
From the bed, Aria's sleepy voice mumbled, "Training day?"
Liora turned and gently brushed a hand through her hair. "You can watch. But no swinging sticks at people."
Aria giggled, burying her face in the pillow.
Out Behind the Inn
They found a quiet patch of grass behind the inn, where the early sun hadn't yet burned off the dew. Liora brought two wooden practice swords, the same kind she'd used when learning under her old mentor.
"Alright," she said, handing one to Tessa, "let's start with your stance."
Tessa took it and tried to mimic Liora's ready posture, feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, sword steady.
"Close," Liora said, circling her. "Shift your weight to your back foot a bit more. You're overcommitting forward."
Tessa adjusted, eyes narrowed with focus.
Aria sat on an overturned crate nearby, swinging her legs and clapping lightly whenever Tessa managed a clean swing.
They began slowly, focusing on form drills, balance, and footwork. Liora was firm but never harsh. She corrected Tessa's grip, guided her shoulders, and even demonstrated a quick defensive spin that made Aria gasp.
"You're so cool when you do that!" Aria shouted.
Liora smiled slightly. "Then pay attention. Maybe you'll learn it someday."
A Step Forward
After a short break, during which Aria handed out cups of water like an overenthusiastic squire, they moved on to light sparring.
"Don't worry about beating me," Liora said as she raised her wooden blade. "Just don't freeze."
Tessa gave a nervous chuckle. "Freezing isn't the plan."
Their practice duel began. Tessa attacked with speed, not grace, her strikes were quick but wild. Liora blocked or sidestepped most of them easily, occasionally tapping Tessa on the shoulder or thigh to show where she'd left herself open.
After a solid ten minutes, Tessa fell back, panting, sweat dripping down her face.
"You're getting better," Liora said. "But you still fight like you're afraid to be hit."
"Because I am," Tessa admitted, wiping her brow. "You hit hard."
Liora gave a small laugh. "So will the world. That's why we train. So you won't be broken by the first real swing."
A Moment of Growth
Aria walked over, holding a little handkerchief she'd been folding into a rabbit. "You did really good, Tessa. You didn't fall over once."
Tessa smiled, crouching down to accept the cloth rabbit. "Thanks, kiddo."
"You're getting strong," Aria said, puffing her cheeks proudly. "Just like Liora."
Tessa blinked at that, her smile faltering for a second, replaced by something softer, more fragile.
"Not yet," she whispered, glancing up at Liora. "But I'm trying."
Liora looked at them both, the girl who called her "mommy" without hesitation, and the one who still wasn't used to having anyone believe in her at all.
"You're doing more than trying," Liora said simply. "You showed up. That's the first real step."
As the sun climbed higher, they called it for the day. Tessa was tired, Aria was hungry, and Liora felt something she hadn't in a long time:
Hope.
Not just for surviving the next quest, but for what they were building.