Fiona was tired and grumpy. All that buildup and she hadn't even been able to swing the sword. This wasn't anything like the stories she'd read or heard about sword fighting.

"Alright, you can stop," Fenrin called out and Fiona turned around.

Her uncle looked different, he'd gotten a haircut and he looked...cleaner. As she stared at him, he rubbed his face self-consciously.

"Guess Vai got sick of looking at my ragged mug, eh?" he joked.

"It looks good," she said shyly, looking closer. It was weird, she could see the resemblance now. The sharp jaw, high cheekbones. Despite the scars and headband, she could now tell he was her mother's twin. He looked a lot less scary too.

He ruffled her hair, no doubt pulling some free of Vai's careful plaits. "Flattery won't get you out of training," he said laughing. "We've got to strengthen those noodle arms of yours."

Fiona frowned again, annoyance returning. "I'm not that weak!"

Her uncle gave her a darker look. "Yes, you are. Despite the name, swordplay is no game. You don't learn properly and you'll be a danger to yourself and others. You're not even half as strong as a non-combatant like Vai."

Fiona didn't respond but her face assured Fenrin she wasn't convinced. Her uncle grabbed her arm and pulled her back over to where her sword was abandoned. He shouted, a bit sharply, "Vai, come here!"

Fenrin picked up the wooden sword and his axe, Fiona watched wide eyed, unsure what was going on. Vai appeared and Fenrin handed him the axe, which he took distastefully. He shoved the sword in Fiona's hand.

"Alright Vai, to prove a point to her royal stubbornness, I need you to hold that straight out and hold it steady. Fiona, do the same with your sword."

Vai passively obeyed, the heavy axe lifting and Fiona mirrored him with her sword. Seconds ticked by and Fiona watched in disbelief as Vai stood there, unmoving. The axe, probably an easy ten times heavier than her wooden sword, didn't waver while her arm began to tremble and drop.

"There, see. Weak." Fenrin snatched the sword out of her hand. She bit her lip. Fenrin's voice was still angry but he added, "You're a kid, one who hasn't had any practice with this sort of thing. It's okay that you're not strong enough yet, but you need to accept where you're at and work to get better. Understand?"

She nodded but Fenrin still stared her down, repeating, "I said, do you understand?"

Tears pricked her eyes and she answered, "I understand."

Fenrin stepped aside and she ran inside. He sighed and looked over where Vai still held the axe. Honestly, Fenrin was also a bit surprised he was still unwavering.

"Oh, you can put that down now."

Vai lowered the axe carefully and handed it back. He nodded and turned to go inside. Fenrin rubbed his chin, hefting the heavy axe. Maybe that comparison hadn't been fair after all.