**CLANG! WHOOSH—DINGGGG!**
*"AHHHHH!!!"*
My eyes fly open at the scream. Sunlight stabs at my vision as I jerk upright—**THUD!**—my back slams against the wooden crates in the cart. Heart hammering, I shield my eyes with one hand, squinting through the blinding light to see what's happening.
*"Ha ha ha! Told you, Aiden! You could never beat me in a fight!"* Julianne stands victorious, twirling a wooden practice sword. *"Want to try again?"* she taunts, pointing the weapon at her fallen opponent.
Aiden groans from where he lays sprawled in the dirt, slowly pushing himself up while rubbing his left arm. *"Nah...but you could've gone easier on me. If that'd been a real blade, you'd have cleaved me clean in half!"*
*"You're lucky it wasn't steel,"* Julianne counters, her grin sharp. *"Next time, I won't hold back."*
Noticing my movement, Julianne turns and sees me blinking owlishly from the cart. *"Ohhhh, sorry! Did we wake you?"*
I slump back into the shadowed cart, one hand pressed to my pounding heart.
Aiden ambles over, thrusting a chipped wooden bowl toward me. *"Sorry 'bout the ruckus. Here—breakfast."*
*"Th-thanks..."* I mumble, peering at the lumpy gray sludge swirling in the bowl. My gratitude evaporates.
*"Eat up, kid,"* Aiden says before strolling away.
Gingerly, I raise the bowl to my lips. The porridge has no flavor to speak of, but the texture—**thick, slimy**, with occasional gritty lumps—makes my stomach turn.
*"Bleh—ugh!"* I sputter, barely keeping it down.
Julianne's laughter rings out as she approaches. *"Mmm, delicious, isn't it?"* she teases.
*"Why's it so...slippery?"* I gag, throat working.
*"Ha! They tossed in last night's leftovers,"* she admits, then softens. *"Not exactly a feast, but you need your strength. Try to eat, okay?"*
Seeing her soft expression and worry for me I feel a distant but familiar warmth wash over me
*"O-okay,"* I mumble sheepishly, setting aside the empty bowl.
*"Good! Now back to training!"* Julianne barks, planting her hands on her hips. *"Aiden, get your ass over here! We're not done yet!"*
*"Fine, fine,"* Aiden grumbles, rolling his shoulders. *"Bring it on!"*
I lean against the cart, watching as their wooden swords clash—**SWOOSH! DINGGGG! BANG!**—each strike sending vibrations through the air. My fingers tighten on the cart's edge as I become completely entranced by their duel. The way their blades dance—fluid strokes, sudden parries, the thunderous impacts—makes my pulse race with excitement.
**CRACK!**
With one final mighty collision, Julianne's sword splits clean down the middle.
*"Ha! Where's 'Mrs. You'll-Never-Beat-Me' now?"* Aiden crows, twirling his intact practice sword. *"Think she ran away!"*
Julianne glares at the broken weapon in her hands. *"If these were real swords—"*
*"—But they're not,"* Aiden interrupts, grinning. *"A win's a win."*
*"Whatever you say,"* Julianne huffs. *"We should probably get the kid some proper food now. Hey, kiddo—?"*
She turns toward the cart and freezes. *"Pfft—Aiden, look at him!"*
I don't realize how starry-eyed I've become until Julianne's laughter snaps me back to reality. Face burning, I immediately duck back into the cart's shadows.
*"What? I didn't see anything,"* Aiden says, squinting.
*"You should've seen it!"* Julianne wheezes between giggles. *"His eyes were practically sparkling! Think we've got ourselves a little admirer!"*
*"Aww, I miss being that easily impressed,"* Aiden sighs dramatically. *"The noooostalgia!"*
My entire face feels like it's on fire as I bury it in my hands.
After a little bit, Julianne's footsteps approach. *"Hey, kiddo,"* she says, voice softening. *"Still embarrassed?"*
*"N-no, I'm not!"* My voice comes out muffled through my fingers.
*"Come on, I was just teasing,"* she chuckles. *"Here—if it makes you feel better, I got you some actual food this time."*
I peek through my fingers to see a steaming plate—a small steak with roasted potatoes and carrots. My stomach growls loudly.
*"...Fine,"* I mutter sheepishly, accepting the meal.
After a long silence, Julianne's playful grin fades into something softer—more serious. She crouches down to meet my eye level.
*"Listen,"* she says, her fingers tapping the hilt of her practice sword. *"Being enamored with the sword isn't something to be ashamed of."*
*"Are you... making fun of me again?"* I ask suspiciously, shoulders hunching.
*"No, you little sh—"* She cuts herself off with a sigh, then flicks my forehead. *"—Squirt. Passion for the blade isn't embarrassing. Most folks would praise you for it, actually."*
*"Oh really?"* I pout, rubbing my stinging forehead. *"Like who?"*
Julianne's smile returns as she gestures to herself with a thumb. *"You're lookin' at one."* Her hand ruffles my hair roughly before she stands. *"Now quit sulking like a scolded pup."*
As she strides off to rejoin Aiden, I feel that strange excitement bloom in my chest again the same I felt watching their swords dance. My fingers unconsciously grasping at the dirt almost like they are looking for something.