Shin took a deep breath, brought his bow up, and released in one fluid motion. The arrow hit right on the bullseye with a satisfying thud. He smirked proudly to himself. His practice was paying off it seemed. He could see his improvement.

"Seems to be a thing, us running into each other. Especially since you keep training in my spot."

Fir was standing at the edge of the clearing with her hand on her hip. Her indigo eyes were glaring at him. Her matching hair was pulled up in a loose ponytail. The turquoise tunic she wore was much too short for a girl her age. It was distracting to Shin at times. Her precious sword was hanging at her side. She wasn't pointing it at him this time surprisingly.

Shin sighed and went to pull his arrows free from the target. "I don't have time for this." He muttered under his breath.

"I'm talking to you! This is the third time this week. I was training here first. Don't act like I'm crazy."

Shin tugged the arrows loose and finally acknowledged her presence. He knew she wouldn't give up unless he responded.

"I apologize. I didn't realize you owned this spot."

"That's it!" Fir unsheathed her sword and pointed it at Shin.

"There it is." Shin couldn't help but smirk because he knew it wouldn't take long before the sword was pointed at him.

"We duel right now! Whoever wins gets this spot." She was already in her attack stance.

Shin just shook his head. "You are so strange, you know that?"

Fir looked taken back. "I..I am?" She looked confused.

Shin walked towards her slowly still wary of her sword.

"What I mean is, Sacaean women rarely pick up weapons. Even if they did, they would choose a bow."

"Oh..." She lowered her sword.

Shin continued speaking softer. "Sacaean people also worship Father Sky and Mother Earth. You don't pray and you don't even belong to a clan. I've never met a Sacaean like you."

Fir looked down self consciously. "I'm sorry..I.."

Shin held out his hand. "No please. I respect it...admire it even. You've taught me that our people can also live freely like you. Tell me...why do you follow the path of the sword?"

Fir was silent for a moment. It seemed like she was wrestling with something.

"My mother. She lived by the sword. She was beautiful but also deadly. She was known all over the continent as the 'Princess of Swords' and the 'Sword Vassal'. She would have been even more famous, but fell in love on the battlefield and later died of an illness. I can't remember much. Her sword is all I have...so I must honor her and chase after her dreams. I guess I'm hoping to find myself in the process."

She was being so vulnerable and so real with him. He saw her in a different light. It made sense why she was so intense when it came to training. She was no longer the annoying girl he met on that foggy island. She was something more. He couldn't contain his smile.

"Why are you smiling?" She asked, probably confused.

"Your eyes...they are beautiful."

"Wh-What!?" Fir turned bright red.

"You are looking straight ahead at your dream of mastering the sword. I will pray that your dream will come true one day."

Fir gathered her composure. "Ummm thank you, Shin." She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. "That means a lot."

Shin bowed. "So should I leave so you can have your training spot?"

Fir kicked at the ground still a little red from blushing. "I don't see why we can't share. Just don't get in my way."

Shin nodded with a smile.