"She is not to be treated as a delicate noblewoman. She is a soldier of the North. I expect you to push her physical limits, drill her in the basic katas until her muscle memory is flawless. Teach her to channel her mana, and break her bad habits before they solidify."
Kaelus looked directly into Captain Pyros's flaming amber eyes. "Do not coddle her, Captain. The enemies of the Empire will not show her mercy because she is small. The Crucible must forge her."
Captain Pyros slammed a massive fist over his heart. "Understood, Your Grace! The fires of Valen forge only the strongest steel! We will mold her into a warrior worthy of the Vanguard!"
"See that you do," Kaelus nodded grimly.
He had to attend a joint-council meeting with Leonidas regarding the subterranean mapping of the Ashen Forest, a matter of urgent, world-ending necessity. He could not oversee the training himself.
