Coyasko helped Arin to her feet, patting her back. The courtyard continued to empty. Dragons of great size flew above. Arin tried to ignore the oddness of the creatures. Gage was still with them, silent as he watched the two. Coyasko beckoned a Crimson dressed in a leather training uniform over. As the two whispered, Arin tried to absorb the fascinating world around her. People dressed in different uniforms strolled through the courtyard, stared at Arin for a moment before continuing on. Some had oddly colored hair and eyes.

“It will be done as you wish, sir!” The Crimson saluted Coyasko before hurrying off. Arin inched closer to Coyasko, curious about what he was talking about.

“He’s going to make sure the Plaque is going straight to our soothsayer. After that he is going to have the rooming councilor set you up in a dorm.” He smiled, trying to ease her anxiety, “but while we wait let’s train.”

He picked the sword off the ground, offering the handle to Arin. She curled her gloved fingers around the leather. Coyasko released the sword, making Arin bear its weight. Trying to look tough, she forced herself to mask her struggle. “Normally I would let you rest but you need to learn self-defense. Others most certainly will attack, and I cannot always defend you. You can thank me later.” He looked her over. “First I want to see what you can do so I know where to help you. So just come at me with your all and I promise that I won’t hurt you much.”

How was she supposed to know what to do? She scrutinized Coyasko. He was relaxed, sword pointing downward. Arin rushed forward, doing a simple thrust at him. He sidestepped away, throwing his blade up. The attack was too powerful, the clanging of the two metals numbed her arm. Arin’s blade flew out of her hand, landing a few feet away. Dumbfounded by his speed, she probably would never be able to match him in combat.

“Well, there is a lot you need to learn before you can train with the other Crimsons. First we will work on your posture.” Coyasko returned Arin’s sword.

“What needs to be fixed about my posture?”

He chuckled, “just about everything, don’t worry about it. No one is good at first. Get into the form you were in when you attacked,” Coyasko instructed. Arin shifted into her battle stance. He circled her, using his sword Coyasko nudged her arms and legs into proper posture.

Arin’s legs were gently pushed shoulder-length apart, sword handle leveled down to her hip. Her left shoulder was facing forward and her knees were bent a little.

“Make sure you’re light on your feet. Who knows where the opponent will strike,” Coyasko reminded. Arin nodded with determination and slight fear.

“Is this good, sir?” she asked.

Coyasko nodded. “Let’s see how well you can block my attacks now, but don’t worry I won’t hit you hard enough to kill you.” Coyasko backed away. Arin swallowed, trying not to shake. He was going to hurt her.

Coyasko stood a few feet away from Arin. She remained in her pose petrified. Slowly, he thrust his sword to her right side, she jumped away. He shook his head and pulled back.

“Defend, don’t run. When the Others attack, you will not be able to run. Take this seriously.” Arin hurried back into her position turning red. Gage turned and walked away, his long tail dragging behind him. Did her stupidity chase him off?

Coyasko did another slow attack. Arin could hardly focus with all of the questions spinning around in her mind. She pushed his sword away with her own. He approved before attacking from the left side. Why did she have to learn? They should protect her!

The workout caused a furious sweat to cover Arin. She didn’t take off her winter gear. There was no place to put it and Arin was afraid to ask.

She performed the same technique, pushing his blade away with her own. He attacked her from above. She moved the heavy steel, her arms shaking. The two blades hit and Coyasko pulled his sword back. He began to quicken his attacks.

The defense was becoming instinctive.

Maybe they do want to protect me but can’t keep their eyes on me all the time.

Coyasko showed her evasive strategies and attacks all throughout the afternoon and into the evening. The sun disappeared over the horizon. It was getting colder, but compared to Washington, it was still hot. The courtyard remained a bit quiet. Crimsons would occasionally pass by. They would give her a quick glance before continuing on. They meant peace for now. That could possibly change, frightening her.

Maybe they want me to join their army? No that is ridiculous, I’m twelve I can’t do anything for them.

“We should have a regular match again to see if you remember everything I taught you,” Coyasko finally said, snapping Arin out of her fearful daze. She shuffled into her pose, arms trembling from the exercise.

They stood a few yards away from each other. Coyasko took a step forward, waiting to see Arin’s reaction. Arin remained stiff, trying to think of something to do. Closer and closer, he inched forward. He stopped in front of Arin and swung his sword on top of her. Sword as a shield, Arin protected herself. Blades crashed, the eerie shriek rang in her ears. Tingling vibrations traveled across her body. Coyasko smiled, encouraging her to fight back. Arin did a small jump back, causing Coyasko to nearly lose his balance. He fell onto one knee, grunting. The few Crimsons nearby turned their attention to the spar. She looked around shy of the strangers. Coyasko jumped to his feet, sword in hand again. His smile said that he was proud of her, yet Arin sensed a tinge of irritation for losing.

“Great job! You really have improved these last few hours. However . . .” he noticed her exhaustion, “you look exhausted. While we continue to wait for your room assignment let’s take a break by the well. Sound good?”

“Yes, sir. May I take off my jacket?” Arin asked as they made their way across the courtyard.

He was slightly surprised by her question. “Of course! I don’t understand why you wore it in the first place!”

“It’s cold where I’m from, sir.” She took off her muddy gear, the cold air was a luxury on her sweaty skin. She rolled up her sleeves, exposing light cuts from her escape.

Coyasko noticed them and frowned. “Are you . . . okay? You must have been through so much.” They stopped by a stone well, a rope lied on the grass. Coyasko began to pull on the rope. Arin watched from nearby, reluctant to speak. Coyasko pulled a wooden bucket from the hole, water sloshing around. “Feel free to sit down. Here you don’t have to be commanded to just breathe,” he chuckled, offering Arin the bucket.

Although Arin accepted it, she was unsure how to drink from it. If she tilted it back, would she end up soaking herself? She sat down giving her legs a nice break, and tilted the bucket towards her. Some did spill, but overall was a nice refreshment. Coyasko took the bucket from her, tossing it back into the hole.

A Crimson made their way to the two, holding a clipboard. Arin shifted closer to Coyasko. She did a quick bow to them before flipping through a few pages. “Sorry, sir, I finally found an available Rank One room as requested.”

Coyasko looked over the Crimson’s shoulder, reading the papers. “Thank you for your service, this is perfect.” He sent her away, taking the room key.

“Now what?”

“Let me take you on that tour now and show you your room. You can do basic defense now. That’s all you need to know as of this moment. If they attack tonight, you’ll be fine.”

“Who are my roommates?” Arin asked, eagerly joining Coyasko’s side.

“You’ll see,” he replied as he led Arin inside the castle. He pushed the grand doors open, a comforting cool breeze rushed outside.

Beyond the gilded doors was a grand room. A large throne molded from gold sat at the far end of the room. Marble columns stood perpendicular to the throne acting as its guardians. A scarlet banner with the diamond and rainbow insignia hung behind the throne. Stone staircases led to the kingly item, Arin stopped just to gaze upon it.

“This is the ever-so-famous throne room. When the leader speaks to a large crowd; he goes up to the throne and addresses the Crimsons. We also use it for new leaders to gain their official rule over the Crimsons,” Coyasko explained and he turned to the right where three hallways were. “In our culture it is disrespectful to gape at it, it creates envy.”

Arin fixed her error turning her attention to the hallways. “Are you going to be the next leader after that Mila dude?” Coyasko silently nodded his head. He pointed to the three hallways on the right.

“These three hallways lead to various rooms and staircases that take you to all eight floors. Only graduated warriors and those familiar with the castle need to be here. I suggest you stay away from them at the moment,” Coyasko explained.

He faced the left hallways now. “The other three hallways here lead to another armory, more staircases and training rooms for those who are training here at the capital. There are a few infirmaries and vacant housing rooms, none of which you will be staying in,” he continued and Arin nodded labeling each room in her mind.

Coyasko walked down a left corridor and Arin hurried after him. All she could think about was Ms. Holt and everyone else she left behind. Victor protecting her was still astonishing news. She wasn't paying attention to Coyasko's tour. He pulled a metal door open revealing a stone staircase that spiraled skywards. He led Arin up to the third floor and told her that the second floor was used for more classes and some other things. Nothing she should worry about.

On the third floor Coyasko showed Arin the dining room and where the dorms were located. He stopped walking and explained everything else that Arin needed to know. "The sixth floor and beyond is off-limits for everyone, understand? The fourth and fifth floor are for Rank Three and beyond students. This floor is for Rank One and Two, okay?"

She nodded, will they ever trust me? Will I ever get to go to those forbidden floors?

“I know that you are upset and confused about what happened today but it will work out, I promise," Coyasko added, gesturing to the farthest door down the hall.

“That’s my room?” Arin asked.

Coyasko placed the small brass key in her blistered hand. "Your roommates will be up shortly. They are eating dinner and will be back soon." He left her with haste. She sighed watching him leave. He turned back to face her. “I'll be around, but for now I have lots of work to do."

Arin approached the wooden door and grabbed the brass handle. Memories of the Lightfoots flooded her mind. How she opened the doors at their house. Trying to forget about them, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.