Aric perks up instantly at the idea. Not even knowing what the deal might be.
He leans in closer to Thyra. Looking her up and down.
Aric: "A deal? Sure. Whatever it is, we'll take it."
I turn to him. Dumbfounded
Kareth: "...Are you insane?"
Aric: "She just saved us Kareth. We owe her something. Besides, what's the worst that could happen."
Thyra's lips curve. Not a smile, something sharper. Amusement? Contempt? It's hard to tell.
Thyra: "I'll train you."
The words landed on me like a thud. Though Aric has never seemed happier.
Aric: "Wait… Really?"
His signature smile was back in full force. Despite what had just occurred. He looked like Thyra had just offered him the key to the world. Though in a way I guess she had.
Thyra turned to me, examining my body. Unlike before it was less judging and more surveying.
Thyra: "Your skills are… lacking. If you keep going about like this there's no doubt you won't live to see the next season. If you want to survive you'll need proper training.
She let her eyes linger on me heavily as she said the word survive. Almost as if she knew something I didn't
What does she know?
Kareth: "What do you get out of training us?"
Her expression flickered. Between emotions I couldn't quite read.
Thyra: "Let's just say I don't like wasted potential."
Her eyes flicker back to Aric, then to me again. She looked like she wanted to say more, but stopped herself.
Aric: "That's good enough for me. When can we start?"
This fucking moron.
Kareth: "You can't be serious. We don't even know her. It's entirely possible that she wants something else."
Aric: "And what's the alternative Kareth? Keep stumbling around until one of us dies in a fight. You felt how strong that guy was. We're not ready for anything that strong or even stronger. We got lucky that you managed to cut off his hand and even luckier that Thyra stepped in."
My mind jumps back to seeing the man's hand fly off his arm into the wall. My sword held high in the air, covered in his blood. I remember grabbing the hilt and holding the blade above my head after striking. But I draw a blank when trying to think of dashing at him and slicing his arm.
My shoulder still aches from hitting the wall and my legs still feel a bit shaky even now. I turn to Aric. if she doesn't want to waste my 'potential'. Why train Aric as well.
Kareth: "And why train him. You never saw him fight, so the excuse of 'wasted potential doesn't mean anything to him."
I point to Aric, who is still supporting my weight from one side. He looks a bit confused but realises why I'm asking quickly.
Thyra's grip on the spear tightened and her breath hitched in her throat. She turned away from us for a second.
Thyra: "... that's none of your concern… If he wants to learn I suppose I'll teach him."
She shifted her weight between her legs.
Aric raised a brow while twiddling his thumbs, clearly about to press further. I glare at him slightly, managing to get across the point to stay quiet. At least for now.
The silence hung between Thyra and us. The weight of her glare that had momentarily vanished returned once again. She looked as if she was trying to peel away layers of me to figure out who I was.
She must know something about my past. I need to learn what she knows.
I sigh.
Kareth: "...Fine. I'll accept your deal. But if you try anything I won't hesitate."
Aric grinned at me
It's not like me or Aric could do anything to Thyra in our current states. I saw what she's capable of while she's not even trying. In an actual fight both Aric and I would get destroyed.
Aric: "So it's settled. We're gonna get trained by the legendary one-armed spearwoman herself."
Thyra shoots Aric a glare. He must be used to being glared at by now.
Thyra: "Don't call me that. You said earlier that calling me that felt bad calling me spearwoman."
Aric: "But it's a cool title. Do you have any others that people call you?"
Thyra: "No. and if you try to make one Ill… She lets out a sigh nevermind. I don't even want to think about it. Just don't do it."
What's with Aric that causes Thyra to be like this. She's so cold towards me yet forgives him instantly.
Thyra: "cmon. We're done here, follow me to the training grounds. I know the owner so we can use them anytime."
The crowd split to provide a path to the door for us to leave. Aric followed eagerly, leaving me behind to hobble behind them. Though by now my legs have stopped aching. The door slammed behind us as we left the guild hall. Talk started firing up again behind us, but the door and thick wall drowned out most of the noise.
Finally my ears have a rest. Though now my shoulder hurts.
Aric stuck close behind Thyra. They were talking, though I couldn't hear what they were saying.