She took it from his large hands, and unfolded the creases in the small parchment, struggling to make out the words that were written on it. Suddenly, her squinted eyes opened widely, as she realized what it said. "He's alive?" she asked excitedly. "He is, but he's been in critical condition since the horde came down the Rhydian Pass," he replied solemnly. "Without healers there to do their work, he'll be hard pressed to heal as quickly as he would if he were here. Whether he can make the journey to get here is another story entirely," he continued.
Leona looked pensively at Thorsen, flicking her eyes back and forth between him and the paper in her hand. "I think I understand what you mean," she began. "It's not that I don't want him back, but I don't think he will be able to lead the Warrior's Guild with his injuries even after they've healed. Perhaps being the head trainer for the new recruits, but even that he might end up struggling with," she explained. Thorsen nodded his head in agreement.
"I will do what I can in the meantime. However, there is one thing I would like to request of you, if I may," Thorsen said, his tone dropping a little. "And what could I possibly give to mine and Meliss' savior?" she asked inquisitively. "There are two outside that I would like to take directly under my wing. They've told me before that they owe a sort of blood-debt to those who lost their lives defending the castle. I would like to make sure that they are trained as well as I can possibly train them," he explained.
"You? Taking on two apprentices?" she asked, astounded at his request. "Is there something wrong if I do?" he asked, wondering if he had accidentally struck a nerve. "No, no! I just… I almost wish you had been the one to take up the mantle of training Meliss instead of Master Pyle," she said dejectedly.
By the Graces, I didn't know I'd miss her that much to the point where I would subject her to harsh training just to keep her around, she thought.
"Well, I would have, but Marta and Neko are at much different stages in their combat experience than she is. It wouldn't be fair to her if I were to have her join them," he suggested. "And you think her being trained by synners is any less gruesome?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It…" he paused, gathering his thoughts. "It has nothing to do with it being gruesome or not. Both types of training would be difficult regardless of who it is; but their motivations are different," he began to explain. "Meliss longs for the strength to defend herself and her loved ones, yourself included," he began.
She considers me a loved one? Isn't she just the cutest? she thought, feeling the blood rush to her face.
"Neko and Marta however are out for blood, so I will teach them mana manipulation and sword skills that could make even the finest knight question his skills," Thorsen said confidently.
"You will?" the pair in question asked, bursting through the door. Thorsen didn't look at them, closing his eyes and sighing heavily. "Are these two the ones you were talking about?" Leona asked, chortling softly. "They are," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose, finally turning towards them. "While I'm disappointed, I'm not surprised you two were eavesdropping," he said, observing the two still sprawled on the floor. They got up quickly, dusted themselves off, and presented a salute to him, when Leona stepped out from behind him.
Shit, it's the queen, Marta thought, dropping her salute and elbowing Neko in the stomach in the time it took to blink.
As he doubled over, she moved with lightning speed to grab his nape and slam his head down into the ground. "Apologies, your majesty," she said, bowing her head. Leona, still stifling a laugh, composed herself, walking towards the pair. Her majestic air radiated from her, as she held out her hand to the two. "I think I like you two already," she said with a warm smile. Marta took her hand, gazing into her sky colored eyes.
It's not much of a help to get me back on my feet, but it's a nice gesture. I should probably watch how much force I put into this, she thought as she gently pushed down on Leona's hand, getting to her feet.
Leona extended a hand towards the folded elf, and without even thinking, he took it, pulling much more heavily than he intended to, getting back onto his feet. Leona struggled, but managed to maintain her composure through it all. "Thank you, your majesty," he said, wincing slightly at the pain raging in his gut. "It's my pleasure," she replied with a warm smile.
She could melt a glacier with her smile, he thought as what could've been mistaken for a streak of light shone in his eyes.
He blushed, and backed away as quickly as he could. "Y-your majesty, w-we meant no disrespect by eavesdropping, but once we heard he was going to train us, we couldn't contain our excitement," Neko replied. "I see. But with that excitement, are you prepared to be rigorously trained and settle your… uh… what was it called again?" Leona asked Thorsen. "Blood debt, your majesty," he replied.
"Yes! Your blood debt!" she said, radiating more excitement than the pair in front of her. "We're ready, your majesty," Marta said, standing well beyond a head taller than Leona who strained her neck to look up at her. "Well, I'm sure that after Thorsen trains you, and you've settled your blood debt, you'll make fine bodyguards for me," she said, playfully hinting at their potential futures. "We… what?" Neko asked incredulously.
"However," Leona interrupted, "that is contingent on whether you can complete his training," she continued, gesturing at the giant behind her. "We'll do our best, your majesty," the pair said in unison, bowing as low as they could, though Neko winced through the pain. Leona smiled once again and put her hands on both of their shoulders. "Oh, I'm certain that you will! I look forward to watching your training," she said with a playful tone that immediately sent chills down their spines.
"You… what?" the pair asked.
"You heard me," she said playfully. "I'm going to observe your training for as long as you are here. By the Graces, I might even join in for a few lessons," she continued. Thorsen, on the other hand, was anything but amused. "Your majesty, I can't allow you to join in on their training," he said with a heavy sigh.
"And why not? It's not like I'm going to learn mana manipulation like Meliss is doing… or am I?" she asked in jest, shrugging when she couldn't find the answer herself. "Then… what would you want to train in?" He asked, fearing the answer he was about to hear.
"Well, Meliss said that she wanted to grow stronger to protect herself, and while she is far younger than I am, I would also like a few lessons," she stated. "Besides, it's not like I can't surprise you-know-who with something to help ease his mind while we're apart," she winked.
The pressure to teach new recruits is one thing. Making sure I can teach her how to survive in a dangerous situation so that Bernar doesn't kill me is another kind of pressure. Gods above, was she serious about wanting to learn mana manipulation? Thorsen considered, digesting her request.
"Very well, then, your majesty," he caved. Leona brought her balled fists up to her chest and shook them rapidly, a high-pitched squeak resounding from her excited expression.