His body moved with fewer wasted motions this time. Red struck and would Anecus lean instead of dodging, conserving energy. He started to flow like water.
Red's eyes narrowed in approval. "Better." But even with that, the session pushed Anecus beyond his limit.
Near the end he missed a step and was too slow to pivot. Red's heel caught his side.
Anecus grunted collapsing with a heavy exhale. Red was beside him in an instant, not as the trainer but as a father.
Anecus couldn't speak, he leaned in his father for support, trembling with exhaustion. Brushing sweat soaked hair back Red looked up at the setting sun. The tree tops started to turn amber. 'We've been at it for a while.'
scooping his son up without resistance he walked home listening to his boy's breath.
Cassia had tried staying awake for them in the living room but she had long since fallen asleep, sprawled across a woolen rug with a book open on her chest.
Jane knitting as the door creaked open saw them. Her features softening seeing her pride and joy. "How'd he do?"
Red placed him next to his sister, "Better then I expected, better then those twice his age." he had a complicated look for a second. "But worse then he himself hoped."
Jane chuckled quietly pressing her cheek to Anecus's hair. "That means your pushing him right."
Red leaned against the wall, arms folding. "He's going to be stronger than me one day."
Jane smiled. "Good thing he's already gentler." 'we just need to keep it that way.'
----
It began subtly.
Naia sat closer now. 'Too close' Cassia noticed.
During meals her shoulder would brush against Anecus's arm just a moment longer than necessary. When they walked through the fields she'd naturally drifted to his side.
Anecus didn't notice or 'he doesn't care.' but Cassia did.
She'd catch her watching him with a softness that made her feel threatened. She'd laugh at his smallest jokes, 'and now it seems like the only person she is looking at is Anecus.'
At first Cassia brushed it off, 'we've always been close...all three of us.'
But one morning after Naia spent the night she wasn't in Cassia's room. walking to his room Cassia found Naia already up and combing through his training gear.
Naia noticing her "I thought I'd help." and in a hushed tone "someone has to."
Cassia's fingers curled slightly "I was gonna do that."
Naia looked up fully "Oh? sorry I didn't see you."
"It's fine" Cassia said to quickly. "I guess who helps him doesn't matter."
But it did.
After full day of training with Naia watching the trio sat on the porch steps watching the horizon and beyond.
Cassia sat with arms folded around her knees watching the wind. Until she head Naia speak.
"I've been thinking, when we are older lets travel together. Like really travel. Go see the world."
Anecus grinned "you think we'll be ready for that?"
"I do," she said softly. "as long as we're together."
Cassia glanced at them from the corner of her eye, her lips pressing into a small line. plucking a blade of grass and twisting it "Maybe," she murmured. "some things aren't meant to stay the same forever."
Naia blinked turning to her "what does that mean?"
Cassia didn't answer. But Anecus could feel the tension spike. He wasn't sure what had changed. 'I wish I was good as mom at this stuff.'
That night while everyone was asleep Cassia sat awake next to the hearth watching the embers pulse. She glanced toward Anecus's room, then to the darkened doorway where her and Naia shared a room.
She wasn't sure if it was jealousy or a fear of being left behind, or something else entirely.
But it was growing.
Cassia woke up in the living room that morning, Jane already making breakfast "Cassie can you and your brother go into town and grab a few things?"
Cassia slouching off the couch with a nest of hair "Sure mom."
Jane "oh Amara and Rennen are in the east fields today, can you take Naia with you?"
Cassia stilled for a moment 'ugh...' "ok."
Returning home Cassia carried a basket in both hands, grumbling slightly. "We could've split the weight you know" he muttered.
Naia skipping beside Anecus with her arms swaying flashed a grin "You looked determined I didn't want to get in your way."
Cassia's jaw tensed
Anecus already carrying three bags stepped ahead and opened the gate for them. "I'll grab the rest and help mom."
"I'll help too!" Naia added brushing past Cassia as she followed him inside.
Inside the air was filled with the clink of jars and the soft rustle of dried leaves.
Naia stood beside Anecus watching him sorted roots from stems occasionally their hands brushed, and both smiled.
Cassia stood at the door.
Watching.
Finally she stepped in setting the basket down a bit louder than needed. The herbs shifted as few spilled over the edge.
Naia blinked. "Careful, Cass."
"I know how to carry a basket" Cassia replied sharper than she intended.
A beat of silence.
Anecus glanced up sensing the edge in her tone. "Everything okay?"
Cassia opened her mouth then closed it. "Everything's fine."
Naia returned to her sorting. "You sure? You've been kind of tense lately."
Cassia's eyes snapped to hers. "Oh I'm sorry I didn't realize being a third wheel came with behavioral guidelines."
Naia froze as the air shifted "…What?" she asked, quiet.
"You heard me."
Anecus looked between them a frown forming. "What's going on?"
Naia's voice dropped. "Cassia if something's wrong just say it."
Cassia took a step forward. "I don't like being treated like I'm invisible like I'm not here. You act like it's just you and him lately."
Naia's brows furrowed genuinely confused. "We've always been close that hasn't changed."
Watching that pure genuine look of innocence irked Cassia "Hasn't it?" she whispered.
Anecus stepped forward slowly his expression confused but sincere. "Cass… you're not invisible." And whatever Anecus had been awakening surfaced making the room feel comfortable again.
She looked at him, at the boy who always stood at the center of their little world. Who never asked to be but always was.
Tears pricked the edges of her eyes "I know that But lately I don't know why but it feels like I'm just watching from the outside like you're both moving forward without me."
Naia's face softened a flicker of guilt flashing in her eyes. She stepped forward but Cassia turned away.
"I'm fine" she said forcing steadiness into her voice. "I just… need air."
She left into the late morning sun with the garden's soft earth welcoming her steps as she walked without a destination.
Anecus moved as if to follow, but Naia gently touched his arm.
"…Let her go" she said softly "just for now."
He looked at the door, troubled.