Sweat dripped down her temple as her arms braced against the impact. Her teeth gritting in attempt to not let a grunt escape.
"Another one of those punches and your barrier would be broken."
"Yeah, I think I got it."
Stepping back, Uthid slapped his knees.
"Remember to keep your knees bent."
Nodding her head, Aloy resumed her stance making sure they remained bent. Although, it was a little too unsatisfactory for Uthid.
As she barely managed to catch herself from falling on her legs when a harsh kick aimed at the inside of her leg made her knees buckle.
"Not low enough to mistake you from doing a squat."
Turning around while still on ground level she eyed his legs as an evil idea sprouted itself in her mind.
Twisting her body she slapped the ground. Her left leg remaining crouched as she sprung out her right which grazed against the tough terrain belonging to the training grounds.
Successfully she rammed her leg into Uthid's. With fast momentum she sweeped him off his feet and smiled upon her victory in a squatting position.
"Maybe a squat is what I intended to do."
The older of the two laughed as he brushed himself off and handed her a concealed dagger.
"It's small, but a quick clean cut will take a life."
Grasping it firmly Aloy twisted it in her palm. She moved her arm downwards diagonally, trying to get used to the foreign motion.
"No."
He slapped his hand against her wrist, effectively stopping her from twisting it.
"That maneuver is for a much bigger dagger, this one," grabbing the blade with his other hand he gently pressed it against her neck. "Is more for assassination, for stealth."
Aloy unconsciously rubbed at the scar embedded in her neck. A trait that did not go unnoticed by the former General.
"Although I have no doubt others used your maneuver as a last ditch effort to defend themselves."
Blinking she stared at him idly, "Did it work?"
Uthid shrugged as he handed over the blade and motioned for her to resume, "You'll have to ask them."
Scoffing at his remark, the red head took to the dummy and copied Uthid's previous maneuver.
"I'll let you see you to that, while I bring us some refreshments."
With a brief nod Aloy watched as he exited the small arena. Feeling so surreal that the man before her had participated in horrid events.
Locking eyes with the black buttons embedded in the dummy, she knew she'd get more information on the raids, and perhaps more insight on a certain hunter.
"Just please do me this favor Janeva."
Said person could only glare as they kicked their feet on top of the the desk that separated the two.
"She will find out no matter if I seal my lips about it."
Collapsing on the only chair available, Avad let out a childish groan. "I know, I just need something to buy me some time."
Janeva's eyes roamed over the disheveled man in front of them, wondering how he managed to travel this far without any witnesses.
It was obvious now to Janeva how Avad quickly mended his broken heart from Ersa.
"We both know Nil would never refer to you as what you once where to him."
Avad groaned more as he softly hit the back of his head against the wall. His curls shielding his eyes from the daggers thrown at him.
"He took the side of my father, do you not remember?"
"Do you not remember who led the raid on Cinnabar Sands?"
Avad's hands tightened against his trousers unconsciously as unwanted memories flashed across his mind.
"You're overdoing it Janeva, what I did was the right thing and we both know it."
"I may look up to you Avad, but what you did to Nil will never serve as the right thing."
"If I have to be the bad guy to make things right for Meridian then I will be."
The atmosphere turned toxic as Janeva scoffed at his ridiculous statement, "A bad guy who left his friend to death."
The sound of flesh making contact with Janeva's wooden desk made the guard slam the door open.
Janeva could barely grit out an, "I am fine." Before Avad managed to push past the guard.
"Do you wish for me to catch him Warden Janeva?"
The man stood awkwardly between the doorway, with half a foot inside the room.
Confused if he actually needed
permission to catch a suspicious visitor.
"No. Let him be and return to your post."
With a nod the guard exited the small room.
Janeva put a hand to their temples and let out a much needed groan of their own. "How ironic how they both wish to conceal the past, they need to reunite at once."
"Mango?"
Aloy watched as Uthid used his blade to peel off the hardened skin.
"A true Carja delicacy, something the Nora couldn't ever dream of." With a chuckle the man continued to peel.
Aloy didn't feel an ounce of objection at the comment as her mouth watered at the fruit that seemed to get juicer after it was being skinned.
Picking up a piece of the skin she plopped it in her mouth. Not expecting the toughness, yet still deciding to swallow.
"Did you just-nevermind, skin is nothing new on the menu for your tribe."
Nudging her arm Uthid offered her a slice of the orange fruit. With a smile of gratitude she grabbed it and
appreciatively dropped it in her mouth. Her tongue bursting in joy at the new flavor.
"Delicious isn't it?"
The older man laughed as she went for more. The sight of her in such a state of happiness made his heart tightened at the thought of his own daughter.
Handing the knife towards Aloy, he beckoned for her to eat her fill as he brought his water canteen to his lips. Looking on to the setting sun, he envisioned her jumping into papa's arms. Her small frame nuzzling into his, as he softly petted her hair.
It was only when Aloy grabbed his wrist did he realize the water was freely flowing down past his lips and onto the hardened sand below.
"And here I thought I was the daydreamer."
Enclosing the top with the lid, Uthid quickly wiped at the water on his face.
"I was merely teaching you about the dangers of losing your guard."
His palm made contact with the young woman's back, as she stumbled from the wooden slab. "Hey!"
"What did I tell you."
Aloy let lose a laugh as she felt the most at ease as she had when she was with Rost. Regaining her balance she
sat back down next to Uthid.
"I need to ask you something."
Resting his hands on his knees the older man turned to the huntress. The atmosphere morphing into one of
earnest.
"Then speak it girl."
Facing the sun, Aloy rested her hands on her lap. "The red raids," she said while trailing off. Noticing how his posture changed slightly at the mention.
"I have no quarrel with anyone, but I feel as if I am missing something."
Uthid closed his eyes as he fought an inner battle. It would take too much time to tell her in one setting. "I am sure you have heard about it already."
Shaking her head abruptly Aloy quickly butted in, "I want to know who was involved directly."
Opening one eye he stared at her puzzling. Crossing his arms he let out a noise of contempt. "Most are dead, most are vagabonds, and some are back at their posts."
An image of a certain man popped into her brain as she stumbled for the right words, "A man older than you, with eyes full of hatred. He seems to be important in the ranks, who is he?"
Chuckling lightheartedly at her statement he answered with, "You just mentioned most of the councilmen."
Not finding amusement in the situation Aloy could only throw her hands up in exasperation. "Think harder, a man who distastes the Nora, who gets to talk to Avad all the time."
Bringing a hand to run through his beard he sat in thought. There could only be one man to his knowledge that fit the description. Who he's only personally seen in action twice. Unpleasant memories the both of them.
Why did Aloy want to dig deeper into his name he had no clue. Was it the right thing for him to reveal it to her?
Would Vanasha reveal it so easily? Or would she let the huntress triumph in her own determination to find the answer? Either way, she would find it out.
"The man you are referring to must be General Kieran."
Repeating the name both in her head and out loud, Aloy was now relieved at having a name to put to a face.
All the questions she had in mind simmered as she realized how low the sun has gotten. Not wanting to overwhelm the man who made her feel like a child once again, she took her leave.
"Thank you, Uthid."
With a nod he watched as she hurriedly exited the arena. Squinting his eyes he could barely make out the little bounce in every step the fiery huntress took.