Chapter 26

We went our separate ways and a familiar aura, one that I had been searching for all morning, resurfaced itself, drawing in my attention. Finally, Lon'qu was up and able to give me my next beating – I mean sword lesson. I travelled towards it and found it to lead to the training grounds that I was in yesterday. The same place where I was sadly mauled by a merciless sword master. I opened the door to the room and was surprised to see someone else walk in through a different entrance. Lon'qu's aura disappeared as the strong blue aura, I had been trying to ignore, over took my senses. I looked around, confused on why Chrom was here and not Lon'qu.

"Something wrong?" Chrom asked as he came over and I crossed my arms, more confused as my thoughts weren't helping to create a solution. I had sensed Lon'qu, I was positive, and Chrom's aura wasn't normally as invisible in a different room. I wonder if Robin's was going to be the same. I could faintly sense where he was generally, even with Chrom in the room. To think I could sense Robin with Chrom here. Those two had such strong presences… a realization dawned on me. As I worked on my senses, having them both in the same room was going to be a pain in the head, wasn't it?

"Mychaila?" Chrom called, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"I thought I sensed Lon'qu," I started sighing. "So, he could train me, but when I got here, his presence disappeared…"

"Oh, Lon'qu said he wasn't feeling well to practice and asked if I could take his place."

"Did he now…" I pondered as everything suddenly clicked into place. "Now I know why I haven't been able to sense him until recently."

"What do you mean?"

"The bastard is hiding, using your aura to cover up his."

Chrom was silent as he thought over my conclusion before sighing. "That explains why he insisted that I do it to the point of flattery..." He shrugged. "But since we are both here, might as well use the time that we have."

"I suppose… but the next training session I have planned with him, there is no way he's getting out of it."

"You should give him a break. He's… skittish, around females."

"I noticed, but I thought I had get around his blockade…"

"Maybe you did for a moment. And if you do it again, you'll be the first."

"Challenge accepted."

"I hope you're ready for this challenge first." Chrom started and tossed a wooden sword at me and I caught it, barely. "Because I won't go easy, and neither will the Plegian Army."

"I'm ready…" I answered hesitantly. From what I had seen, Lon'qu's fighting style was a lot different from Chrom's. I sighed inwardly. I was prepared for a beating, but now it was just a royal one. Someone I didn't want to accidently hurt, regardless of the training policy. I readied a stance. No matter the training he wished to do, I wasn't going to have a full assault prepared. "So, what is the first drill, attack or de-"

I didn't get to finish my sentence as Chrom charged at me, unexpectedly. I defended in response and tossed the heavy blow to the side, not that I could have taken the full attack without it breaking through the defense. It was like he threw his whole weight behind the sword. In his opened state, I swooped in for a tiny poke, but he moved faster than I thought he could have after such an attack. He blocked the attack with ease and disarmed my sword, tripping me in the process. I screamed slightly as I fell backwards. He grabbed my collar guard before I could hit the ground. I looked up at him in shock and amazement. Though, I was sure my heart had stopped beating for a moment. This was nothing like the training I had down with Lon'qu.

"Not a bad maneuver, but you underestimated me. First rule to combat is to never underestimate your opponent. If you're unsure, overestimate, this keeps you a step ahead." He said as he placed me back on my feet. "Are you alright?"

"Ya… just… a bit surprised…" I answered after finding my tongue. I picked up my sword off the ground. He might have been a heavy hitter, but he was quick, meaning he wasn't dedicating full power for one fatal strike. It was a good defensive-offensive tactic to throw his opponent off. I readied myself again so I wasn't going to end up broken, regardless of the real intention. I may have known one style, but that didn't mean he didn't have more tricks and plays, ready to use.

He came at me again, this time, prepared for a multiple of possible attacks, I defended each one surprisingly well. I slipped under his guard and went to attack, only to stop short of batting him off the top of his head. He opened an eye as I took a step back, lowering my wooden sword. I couldn't do this anymore.

He looked down at me in confusion. "Why didn't you attack? You clearly had the upper hand."

I sighed. "I think that's enough for today. I learned a few things. Thanks…"

"Why are you holding back?"

"I'm not holding back. I'm just not feeling great."

"Your defense says otherwise."

"Well it just started when I was about to complete the attack."

"Is that so?" He questioned. "I don't believe that to be the case. You were holding back. Why?"

"Because I don't want to hurt you!" I snapped under the pressure. "K… I know this training is important and I'm honored that you're taking the time out of your schedule to practice with me, but I can't do it. I can't keep my promise to keep you safe if I'm walloping on you with a wooden plank."

"Were you holding back with Lon'qu yesterday?"

"Up until a point… which was an accident, but…" I hissed in frustration and I stopped beating around the bush. "Yes, I held back on my attacks so I wasn't causing injury to my comrade."

Chrom sighed, shaking his head. "We may all be your allies, but if you're going to train, you need to be serious about it. If someone gets hurt, then someone gets hurt. Its training, rough housing, someone will get hurt. But we have healers, such as Lissa and Maribelle, on standby for such occasions."

"I know…"

"Then come at your opponent with everything you have. You aren't going to get better if you hold back. If you don't train properly, you're more than likely to get killed because of it. And that is not something I want to happen."

"I'm aware… but I can't bring myself to attack you. That crazy psycho that was back at the castle that willy-nilly took on an army, is not the same person that stands here. She was on adrenaline, she didn't want to die and she wanted to keep her promise. But this is different. You're not only a comrade, you're the freaking prince and you're expecting me to get inside your guard and attack you?"

"That's exactly what I want you to do." He answered. "I understand why you're unwilling. You aren't a killer and you only have the interest of us in mind. But this isn't just for you, it's for us too. Your tactics on fights are incredibly different, allowing your opponent in training, being me, to grow and adapt. If you are serious about helping to save Emmeryn, you're going to have to teach us to better ourselves while we teach you to better yourself."

"That still doesn't get around the fact that you are the standing leader of Ylisse right now."

"Ignore it. I don't act like a prince anyway, no reason to start pampering me now. One knight is all I can handle; I don't need an aura user on top of it."

I sighed as I saw his logic and was happy that he also saw mine. "Well… as long as you see it from my side… I guess I'll try… but… if I do accidently seriously hurt you, I won't be able to forgive myself."

"Don't underestimate my abilities," He challenged, preparing his wooden sword. "I won't let you do that stunt twice."

"We'll see."

"You're a strange one, Mychaila. Now, come at me!"