The Shores of Duty

[Ignis Glaciesque]

"Go on! Harder!"

Her leg slammed into the sand bag.

"Faster!"

Her fists swiftly pummeled her practice target.

"I picked you up! I saved you! You owe your life to me!"

She panted, out of breath. Her throat burned in exhaustion as her sweat coated body shook.

"Remember your form!"

She straightened her back, sword held in the perfect stance.

"Remember! Aim to kill!"

The crossbow bolt hit bullseye on the practice target.

"You're better than that! Hanuh!"

~~~

Her eyes opened.

Her vision was still blurred as she felt the warm blankets hugging her. Head buried in the pillow, she slowly awoke as his words swirled in her head. Her vision rested on the wooden boards of the cabin's walls. The light from the small, round window filtered into the room, lighting it in dust particles. The steady splashing of water shook the ship steadily, a soothing mechanism. For a moment, the girl wondered what had awoken her; then she heard the chiming of a bell growing in the distance. From above deck, the faint shouts of shipmates sounded. She realized with a jolt that their destination had been reached.

Yet, she remained in the bed.

Her curly, white hair hung over her face as her memories rocked her like the sea rocked the boat. Finally, she opened her mouth to mutter one thing to the man who had raised her, trained her…

"Liar."

She finally flung the comforter off her frame.