Aura of the Moon - Chapter 7-9 (Patreon)

Chapter 7

Ayla stared up at the ceiling. It was the first time she had been awake and cogent in who knows how long. Her time after falling asleep initially was spent waking up, drinking, eating and dizzily regarding whoever else was in the room with her until she eventually fell asleep again. She opened her eyes, blinked slowly and she did not feel like going back to sleep immediately, but she was extremely thirsty.
“Water...” She reached down the side of the bed and caught the bucket on it's edge, knocking it over. Her fingers curled at the sudden disaster that just took place. The contents spilled onto the wooden floor. She was silent, paused as she watched water drip between the floor boards.
“What now?” She returned to lay on her back and looked up.
`I'm thirsty, but I'm not supposed to move. But I'm also supposed to drink water whenever I can. What would Miller get mad at me for the most?' She tried to imagine what he would say. The way it played out in her head was:

“Ayla, I know I said don't move but aren't you taking it a little too literal? If the room caught on fire you'd obviously need to move. It's the same if you're out of water and you're dehydrated. But, you should wrap yourself in the blanket when you go out and put boots on... You can't just walk out in barefoot and your light clothes because you think it's a quick trip.”

She blinked. `The imaginary Miller predicted what I was going to do and corrected it... I think I'm still a little delirious.` She sat up, sliding her feet into her boots. She wrapped her blanket all around her and slowly moved out into the hall of the quarters. She looked left and right, then up at the night full of stars.

`Dark... It's late.`

She made her way out into the yard, bucket in hand beneath her blanket. With everything wrapped up tight she was a bubble of warmth, so there was nothing for anyone to complain about. She slowly wandered towards the training grounds where she knew the well would be. As she got closer she began hearing clanging noises. The sound of targets being hit. It was so fast that it was like and alarm going off. She rushed up and hid near the well, staring into the darkened yard. She saw a tall, lithe figure dancing around the dummy in the moonlight. He struck one last target with his wooden sword before jumping back. She squinted.

`Why did he quit? It looked like he could keep going. What did he get?` As she thought that the figure turned around. She could not make out his face very well, not because she could not see easily in the dark but because her vision in general was a little shoddy while she was still sick. What she did see was him holding up all five fingers on both hands. He then closed his hands and opened them again.

`What is that? Five, five...` Her eye twitched.

`Twenty? Are you kidding me? Did he just want to tell me that he broke my record?` She could not help it. She wanted to approach the man. As she did someone gently grabbed her and turned her around.

“Dame?” A small, polite voice sounded off beside her.

“Y-yes?” She was a little spooked. Her senses were very dulled because she could not sense the maid at all.

“You shouldn't be out here. The Doctors orders.” The woman had bluish-black hair tied up in a bun and was wearing the standard maid uniform with a few additions. She wore sleek heeled boots, like a mix between a maids and a Knight's apparel, and the way in which she carried herself was quite martial.

“Uh-” Ayla looked down, fog making it hard for her to explain herself. She eventually just gave up and shut her mouth and bit lightly on her bottom lip.

The maid smiled. “Did you need water, Dame?”

“Yes! That's it. My bucket tipped in my room.”

The woman cocked her head to one side. She sighed and touched her cheek as she said. “Oh dear. I will send someone to clean that up, Dame. Let me help you back. Oh, and don't forget your water.” She smiled sweetly, like an angel. Ayla in her delirium could swear she sensed an Aura about her, as well.

Ayla paused, the looked back at the training grounds. “But, who's- Where'd he go?”

“Come, Dame.” The maid insisted, fastening her blanket a little more snugly.

Ayla blushed and easily relented. `She is treating me like a drunk person. But she is very nice.` She grabbed enough water to carry and allowed herself to be lead back to her room like a child. She put the bucket down, plopped down, ladled half the bucket's worth of water into her mouth before laying back down and passing out instantly. The whole event might as well have been a fever dream because at whatever point she woke up after that, still in her haze the water was filled and the spilled water was cleaned.

[Days Later]

Ayla fixed her uniform, making sure everything was straight.. As she was getting better throughout the week she was aware of the fact that Miller was continuously visiting her and helping her out while she could not get up or think straight. However, the only thing on her mind before the beginning of her shift was how much of a burden she had been.

“Barely one day on the job and I get sick? They wouldn't be wrong for hating me. There probably had to be a replacement while I was gone and Miller must have been affected, too. I was so much trouble.” She placed her face in her hand and shook her head.
“I'm annoyed at myself. I'm going to have to be on my best behavior from now on.” She decided, attaching her breastplate and collecting her helm. She remembered the lessons. Stay warm. Avoid cold.

As she left her bunk Miller was waiting with her horse. Samson was also there, already mounted near the soldiers. Ayla bit the inside of her lip nervously.
“Miller I-”

“Relax. We've been waiting for you.” He said in a far more easy-going way than she expected.

“Not that. I'm naturally going to have to pay you back.” She announced.

“I already told you. You got better so we're even.”

She had nothing to say as she took the reigns. Except. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” He nodded gratefully to her. He seemed to genuinely just be happy to see she was okay.

They approached the group. Everything was quiet and a bit awkward, as she expected. “Ah, welcome back.” Samson greeted.

“Thank you. I apologize for being a burden.” She hung her head.

Samson smirked. “I'd tell you to `chill` but... You might actually do it.”

Ayla looked up, her jaw dropping. The man was holding back laughter. The soldiers couldn't help it and all began laughing. Hadley chimed in.
“Is- Is it true? Did you really take a COLD SHOWER at night in CASTEZIN!?” He held his stomach, seemed to get cramps from laughing. Ayla looked at them in amazement.

`None of them are... Mad? If they're mad they aren't showing it.`

Miller rested a hand on her shoulder. “Forgot to mention, you're gonna have to be patient living this one down. You're... A bit of `character` around the manor with what you did.”

Ayla gripped her hair, pulling it a bit out of the band binding her ponytail. “Ev- Everyone knows!?” She looked to Miller in shock, a look of horror crossing her.
“Did you tell everyone?” She felt close to tearing up. Her face was bright red.

“I'm not the culprit. Apparently there was a maid that spread it around somehow.”

Ayla completed her shift as if she were a ghost. Though she was not the best with social interactions and had a strong defense against any type of judgment due to sheer cluelessness, embarrassment was very real and very easy to understand. As it was growing dark they were on their way to the Wintergreen, Ayla whispered to Miller.
“How long is this going to last? They've been making jokes all day...”

He looked mildly worried, but also an equal measure amused.  “I think you're probably going to need to let all the jokes make their way around the Knights and soldiers for a while so... Just a couple weeks. “ He saw her expression and tried to comfort her.
“Truthfully, when I was first starting out I had to use the bathroom and didn't wanna say that I had to stop for that reason because I thought it would hold up the patrol. Well, I held it in right up until we reached town. Before I could hit the outhouse I mucked all in my armor. That lived with me for just a couple weeks. Not too bad.”

Ayla stared at him sympathetically. “That sounds bad...”

“Point is, we learn from our mistakes and even the ridicule helps. Now I always think before I'm gonna do something. 'Would this make everyone laugh at me?' And if it would, I'll try to convince Samson to do it instead.”

“Hey...” Samson grumbled.
“Stop whispering up there.”

“Sorry!” Miller smiled back at him and gave a short wave. He leaned in to whisper to Ayla again.
“That guy's got one, too. When his wife came to visit him one time during training their baby puked and it got to his collar and all down the inside of his uniform. Rast wouldn't let him go change until we were done. Oh and don't get me started on all those guys marching back there...”

Ayla laughed. She was feeling a bit more relaxed to hear all that. `I guess everyone can make embarrassing mistakes. He's saying I shouldn't feel too bad.`

They arrived at the Tavern. Ayla preempted Miller and dismounted her horse. “I'll tie off the horses!” She said instantly.

Miller cocked his head to one side. “Fine, fine. Go ahead. It's just around the side of the building.” Miller dismounted and handed his reigns off, as did Samson.

“Thanks.” The man said before following Miller and the soldiers inside.

Ayla smiled. It was the least she could do, and it felt a little good to do anything at all. She guided the horses around the side of the building and found the place to tie them off. As she was about to walk back she noticed someone skulking around her and reached for her sword instinctively. Before she could draw, Hans left his hiding spot with his hands up.
“Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you, Dame.”

She relaxed, letting out a little huff. “It's no issue, Hans. Did you need something?”

He seemed a bit taken aback by her formality. The man remained at the same distance, moving his hands together in front of his lap nervously.
“I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're better.” He pulled the symbol she gave him out of his tunic, it was still wrapped around his neck. It looked polished when she viewed it again for the first time in a week.
“If you need this back to ward of sickness I understand.”

“Oh. That's not necessary. Me getting sick was due to a mistake and God rarely helps rectify those without good reason. It wont stop you from getting sick either, so I hope you stay healthy.”

“Thank you for saying that.” His expression brightened. She could see that his pale skin and hair were almost reflective in the moonlight. He could be mistaken for a specter.

“Of course. And please send notice to me if you ever see anything strange around you.”

“I promise I will.” He stuffed the symbol back under his tunic, next to his heart.
“I have to get back. I can already hear people getting rowdy!” Before she could say anything else Hans retreated around the corner into the Tavern shouting.
“Coming! I said I'm coming!”

Ayla felt satisfied. `Maybe I've already changed the future.` She was about to make her way in but before she could take even one step she felt another presence, this time behind her.
“What now?” She turned. Surprisingly, she saw a feminine figure, about her height within a robe. They wore a hood that covered their eyes and a bandanna that covered their mouth suspiciously. Before the woman could say or do anything Ayla forwardly asked.
“What are you doing with that mask on so late at night?”

“I am a criminal.” She happily volunteered. When the figure spoke, Ayla could tell that it was the voice of an older woman. She could not see the face, but she guessed that the woman was not old enough to be a grandmother, but an elder, certainly.

Ayla sighted. “I understand. Present your hands. I'll take you in.”

The women held up her hands in a stopping motion. “I... I wasn't expecting you to take that seriously.” She sounded caught off-guard.
“It was a joke.”

Ayla made a face at the woman; Annoyance and weariness. “Do not joke about that type of thing to a Knight. I would've really taken you to the jail.”

“I can see that.”

Ayla stared at the woman curiously. She closed the distance steadily until the two were standing face to face. “Is there something you needed?”

“Aura of the Moon.” She sounded as if she were smiling as she spoke. Ayla could tell despite the mask. It was such a strange thing to say that she allowed the woman to reach up to her face without flinching.

“What?”

The woman touched Ayla's cheek gently. If her actions were even mildly threatening they would have been stopped, but Ayla felt strangeness, not danger.
“Your eyes. They are called Aura of the Moon. Silver. Wolves both fear and revere them for similar reasons.”

Ayla narrowed her eyes at the strange woman. “Is that so...”

“It is so. What is your name?”

“Ayla.”

The woman chuckled lightly, as if realizing something. “The name means the same. Your eyes and your name... They are not such without purpose. It seems someone cared for you... Or wished to curse you. Which is it?”

Ayla furrowed her brow and took a step back. “Ask my Mother... I don't know which. They weren't easy things to have in this Empire...” She admitted.

“Indeed.” The woman looked up. Ayla felt stunned to see the woman's silver eyes reflecting the moonlight and shining like a halo similar to hers. Ayla covered her mouth, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable and confused. Something felt familiar and alien about the woman all at the same time. Her body reacted instinctively by tensing.

“What are you-”

“Dame Ayla! Hey? You didn't try to take a shower, did you?” Grayson shouted before walking around the corner.

Her face became red. “NO!” She turned to regard him.
“I was talking to this suspicious woman.”

Grayson stopped and looked around. “What woman? Are you still feeling symptoms? Miller would be pissed.”

“N-no. Don't say that.” Ayla stepped around the side of the building, opening her sense to the highest degree she could. Even doing so, she could not make out the woman being anywhere close.
“Dammit. That's dangerous.” She commented out loud.

“What's dangerous?” Grayson walked up beside her, helping her look for whatever it is.

“Nothing.” She waved her hand at him.
“Just- Let's just go inside. Is Miller already drunk.”

“No. He only gets drunk when he's anxious about something.”

“I see.” She exhaled a little through her nose, remembering that night when she was speaking to Hans for the first time.
“What's up with him?” She asked.

Grayson eyed her in disbelief. “You really don't know?”

“No?”

“Hah. Well, figure it out with him. I don't wanna get involved.”

“Why? I am asking about why he is very touchy concerning my getting sick and not telling him.” It was worthy of anger, certainly, but to Miller it seemed personal.

“Oh!” He covered his mouth with his fist, his cheeks flushing.
“That's what you were asking.”

“What did you think I was asking about, Grayson?”

“Nothing. Haha... Nothing. Anyway.” He glanced away, avoiding her gaze.
“Ask Samson. I'm pretty sure we all feel the same about protecting our own, but Miller especially. Since I'm not a Knight I still don't wanna get involved and say something I shouldn't. Sorry.”

“I understand, Grayson. I respect that.” She patted him on the shoulder.

He looked up at her as if she was an Angel. “Dame! That's so considerate. I was worried you were gonna grill me.”

“If I did that would you tell me?” She narrowed her eyes at the man.

He coughed. “G-gotta get back in! It's cold!” He ran back around the corner.

Ayla smirked, letting out a little laugh once he was gone. `These are fun people... I didn't have this in my previous life.` She walked back in to join in on the drinking and socializing.

Ayla walked inside through the busy pub floor and sat down at the table that they had taken up all to themselves. She set herself down next to Samson. As soon as she sat down Hans placed a mug in front of her without her even needing to ask.
“Wait, who pays for all this?”

“Your turn.” Ayla leaned back as she noticed the whole table was grinning at her like jackals. Samson explained.

“Don't mean to spring it on you, if you can't pay just say so. It's not a set-in-stone rule but we decided between us in this group that the Knights should foot the bill since we're more well-off.”

She was surprised and a bit touched by the altruism. “No, that's a good system. I'll happily pay. I have lots of money.” She reached behind her cloak to pull out her purse and check.

`I do have some with me just in case. I think it's enough...` She eyed the number of empty mugs and tried to count in her head, getting a bit distracted.

“Sorry. I misjudged since you mentioned you were a commoner.” Samson bowed his head in apology.

“No problem... Since I was a Commoner I did work throughout my stay at the Academy to pay the tuition and bills but I actually ended up with a bit of a surplus.”

Hadley faltered. “You had a rough go of it, huh? What kind of job did you have to do while you were also training to be a Knight?”

She exhaled with relief. `I have enough on me right now even if everyone has two more rounds.` Ayla barely looked up to answer the question.
“I was doubling as a bodyguard for the Crown Prince, so the pay was fine and it also counted as training.” She put her purse away.
“Where do I pay once we leave? The bar?” She looked up fully  to see everyone was staring at her without drinking. She took a second to think, then realized.

`Oh. I just said that, huh?`

Samson leaned forward to look her in the eye. “You were buddy buddy with the Crown Prince?” He seemed intrigued.

Miller chimed in. “Jeeze, Dame, what are you doing here if you could've stayed with the crown prince? Probably would've been able to score  a title and some land if you joined up with him.”

Ayla blushed. She did not want to come up with an explanation. There were multiple reasons, none of which she wanted to say outright.
“It's a private reason. I think I want to keep it that way.”

“Oh! Something I wanted to ask.” Miller brought up.

“Yeah?” Ayla looked over.
“So long as it isn't related to the Crown Prince.”

“You joined as a Personal Knight without taking the test to become a Castezin Knight. What kind of scores do you get to be able to walk in like that?”

Ayla continued to look down into her drink. “I don't know if I should say.” As she was staring into the booze she remembered something and lifted her head.
“Oh, can I ask a question, Samson.”

“Yeah, go ahead.” He smiled and prepared himself like it was a game.

“Why does Miller care so much about all of us?”

“Uh...” Samson was speechless.

Miller offered awkwardly, waving his hand in front of her. “You know I'm sitting right next to you...”

“Grayson told me to ask Samson.”

Grayson cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted from across the table. “I thought it was implied that if you're gonna ask Samson about Miller, Miller shouldn't be around!”

“Pfft... Haha.” Miller shuddered while trying to hold back the majority of his laughter..
“You can answer, Samson. I don't mind.”

The Knight bent in. “It's not some grand tale or anything. Just a bit sad. When Miller was just starting he was with another unit. They had another Knight that joined around the same time and he was from around where we lived, so they hit it off. The thing is... The Kid didn't ever talk about anything. If he was having trouble he wouldn't say anything. If he was wounded he wouldn't say anything. Well... Expedition comes around and I guess the Kid misjudged what we were doing so his clothes underneath weren't fit for the weather. But... He didn't say anything to anyone.” Samson slowed his way of speaking near the end and grew a bit quiet.
“So... Fragile as people are, even as a Knight when he was late to get up Miller went to wake him and he was dead in his tent. Fell asleep freezing because he was too embarrassed to talk. Never woke up.”

Ayla felt troubled. She looked to Miller. `This happened to me. I remember waking up during the Castezin campaign in my time. But it wasn't one body it was several. All kids I was raising up in my Order. That felt awful.` Ayla patted him,
“Miller I'm sorry.”

He scratched his cheek. “Rast said it wasn't on me... Said it wasn't my fault in the least but I had already decided I never wanted something like that to happen to the people around me again.” He took a deep, steadying breath before adding in a joking tone.
“So, that's why I'll occasionally ask all the guys if I can look to make sure they're wearing the right underwear.”

“It's true!” Tallow claimed while mockingly guarding his chest and groin. The other soldiers laughed but the laughing was drowned out in Ayla's head by her thoughts racing.

`Miller has been dealing with guilt. Not everyone gets second chances like me, I don't think. Most people only get one life, like Miller, and he's already doing what he can to making things right with the life he has. He's easy going but he's actually a really strong guy. But that's the guy who's life I took in my previous life. I killed a man in cold blood who cared to the point of fretting about his people.` She shook her head.

`The thing I can do right now is try not to disappoint Miller. He seems like a good compass to follow.` Along those lines Ayla offered.
“Me too.”

“What?” Samson asked while Miller was finishing his drink

“Miller, you can look to check that I'm wearing the right kind whenever, too.” She said earnestly. The man looked at her with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. He held his mouth tightly to avoid spitting what was in his mouth. She noticed everyone was looking at her again. Samson pulled her mug away from her.

“You're cut off, Dame.”

“I didn't even drinking any...” She mumbled.

Miller laboriously swallowed the last of what was in his mouth and gasped for air. “You trying to kill me!?” He shouted in jest.

“No.” Ayla furrowed her brow.

“Ugh.” Miller avoided looking at her as he spoke.
“Dame, so long as you talk to me and tell me when you got something or don't got something or when something's wrong, we're fine. I really don't want Rast to hear weird rumors about me asking you to see your underwear.”

“Oh!” It finally hit her. The implication.
“Sorry.”

“Was it mostly physically tests at that Academy?” Grayson questioned to move the subject along.

“Ye- yeah?” Ayla nodded.

“Ah.” Grayson and Mayson smiled and nodded.
“That was lucky...”

As the night wound down Samson preempted Miller and offered. “Me and Dame are gonna put all the horses away. Miller you can go up right away.”

“You seriously trying to take my job, Ryan?” Miller narrowed his eyes on Samson, but dismounted and stumbled towards the bunkhouse. He had picked up drinking later in the night.

Samson smirked, grabbing two reigns. Ayla took her own and walked with him. “Hope you don't think we're picking on you. I guess they decided we were gonna rib you a bit over... Well, you got a very unique way about you.”

She laughed. “Don't worry. I think if everyday was exactly like today until I retire I would call my time as a Knight here the happiest point in my life. It's fun... So I don't mind too much if you guys make fun of me.”

Samson's weary face brightened, then the true meaning behind those words darkened his expression. “The happiest in your life? Today?”

Ayla stared up at the sky with all the stars shining, and the moon close to being full. “Waking up. Running the same route with the same people. Making conversation and making jokes. I'm not good at them but listening to you all make them is fun, even when they're about me. Then ending the night at the Tavern and even carrying Miller home sometimes. I don't want things to change from that. I'd like them to stay exactly like that.” Her smile faded as she noticed the state the moon was in.

`But they have to change. I know they will.`

“Thanks for letting me know, Dame.” His eyes had an odd shape about them as he looked at her. It was sympathy and something else.
“Anything else, feel free to let either of us know. Miller would be happy.”

“You can just call me Ayla if you want.”

“Alright. Thanks for telling me all that, Ayla. I dunno what you went through for it to be these ugly faces greeting you every morning as your ideal day... But I'm flattered. I know everyone in the squad likes you. I know Miller likes you. You're a good kid, is what I'm saying.”

Ayla nodded. She liked hearing it, but she was not sure if she could agree with him just yet. “Thanks.”

“Ah... Also, it's a bad time since you were talking about wanting every day to be the same but our squad is rotated into training tomorrow. It's prep for the full moon in a week. Every month it's a huge operation to keep the territory under control, just in case there's an outbreak.”

Ayla touched her bottom lip as she considered the actions that were being taken. “That's... That's a great idea. This is excellent!”

“Yeah?” Samson was amused by her reaction.
“So remember, report to the training grounds tomorrow brighter and earlier than usual. Rast runs the training.”

“Understood.”

Chapter 8

“Good work tonight. Get some rest.” The owner of the Wintergreen was a bulky old man with graying hair that was typically tied back by a rag and a ragged, graying beard. He wore a soaked apron from wiping his hands so often and was typically only seen through the window into the kitchen, though the kitchen rarely served as one during the night and mainly he would simply draw from the prepared kegs beneath the counter. He kindly dropped ten silver coins into Hans's cupped hands. The waiter stuffed the coins into his apron pocket.

“Thanks boss.” Hans's hands were wrinkled from cleaning every table and washing every mug and his whole body was tired and sore from ferrying endless amounts of ale back and forth, but the pay was the best in the city for a man like him. He offered a loose wave and turned around, heading for the exit.

`Living is covered, so if I work a few more good days I'll probably be able to buy something for the Dame before the full moon.`

Hans walked a block in the darkened town and he would have a block to go before he reached his home. Castezin at night was truly quiet. Very few stayed up and nobody stayed out. None except those who worked far past when most would reasonably go to bed. There were no pests in Castazin. None in the streets or alleyways, so it was unusual for him to hear a sound. He looked and saw pale silver eyes illuminated in the dark, staring at him.

“Is that...” He stepped into the alley.
“Dame?” He cupped his mouth and shouted just a bit louder.
“Dame!” She turned, rounding a corner.

`What's she doing out here? I swear I saw her leave.`

He began walking, but stopped when he realized how enveloped in darkness he was between the buildings. No moonlight, no lamps, just blackness. And come to think of it, those eyes that he saw were the only things illuminated, nothing else. He gripped his chest over his heart and cowered a little, stepping back without turning around.
“D-Dame?” After he said that Hans felt a blunt pain on the back of his head, then nothing.

He awoke in a windowless room. There were no decorations and there was only one door. It was flanked by two men with masks covering the lower halves of their faces. They stared down at him harshly. As Hans realized he was tied up he whimpered and squirmed back against the wall to get as far away from them as he could. However, he knew he could not get away. The truth is, he was cornered.
“Please just take my money. There's no reason for this, right? I never caused any trouble.” As they refused to speak and just continued to stare he added.
“I-I'm not a vampire. I don't have vampire blood, it's just a- a thing I was born with. Even the temple confirmed!” He had no idea what it could be other than money, or his unusual ailment.

After a minute of the uncomfortableness, as tears had already begun to fill his eyes, the door opened and both men looked at once. A woman stepped through with her hand still on the handle. She was speaking to someone as she walked in.
“Thank you, dear Captain.” Whether he wanted to or not, Hans caught a glimpse of a large man in the same robes and mask as the others standing with his arms crossed. The woman looked into the room and gently shut the door behind her. The woman had the eyes that he recognized in Ayla; they were strikingly similar. She took small steps towards him and began to pull her mask down.

Hans shut his eyes tightly and shook his head. “No... Please no.”

“What's wrong?” The woman asked in a concerned tone. He could feel her hand on his face. She thumbed his tears away.

“You're showing me your face.”

“What ever could be wrong with that? It is a nice face. Never heard any complaints.”

Tears continued to squeeze through his tightly shut eyelids. He was nearly to the point of sobbing, as well. “It- It means I'm not gonna get to leave here.”

“Clever... But then you seeing me has no bearing on that if I was willing to show you my face. I did not reveal myself by accident so a peek does not change a thing..” Hans reluctantly opened his eyes. The woman was startlingly beautiful with fair skin and smooth black hair peeking out from her hood. Her face, stunning as it was, showed age. Faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and mouth. Still, it were her eyes that were mesmerizing, over everything else.

“Who were you calling for?” She asked while withdrawing a mortar and pestle from within her robes before setting it down between him and her.

“Was it Dame... Ayla, by chance?”

“How would you know that? Do you know Dame Ayla?” Hans asked, using all his inner strength to stop from blubbering.

“I saw her earlier this night. Sweet girl. Wonderful eyes. What is she to you?”

“I don't know.” Hans admitted, looking down at the mortar and pestle.
“What do you want?”

“I am actually quite a cook, and I would like someone's opinion on a recipe I have been working on.”

“Is that a joke?” Hans uttered, shaking.

“The ingredients, Brothers.” The woman held out both hands. The picture of a goddess that held the scale. The two men each presented an item. The man on her right places a large white fang in her hand while the one on her left presented what looked like a black claw. Both were massive.

“Haron, are we really going to toy with him this much?” The man that presented the tooth complained.

“Yes.” She said simply, dropping the two reagents into the stone bowl. She lifted the pestle and slammed it down until they were reduced to little shards inside. Each time, Hans flinched and tried to look away. Then, as she truly began, the sound of a tooth and a claw in little bits being ground against a mortar was truly agonizing. Even the men at her side seemed perturbed.

“You do not know.” She repeated, finally responding to the answer he gave a while ago.

“I just thought you were her.”

“Interesting.” He flinched again as she pulled a dagger from her robe and brought it close to him. It nearly licked at his neck. It was close enough.

“Why me!” He shut his eyes tight again, pushing himself as flat against the wall as he could, but the coldness of the dagger never touched him. He heard from soldiers that the pain of being stabbed could feel like having ice pressed up against your skin. The numbness from the shock meant that Hans had a thought that he had already been stabbed without knowing.

“Because you are afraid. More than most, you are afraid.”

“Why does that matter?”

“The theory goes that some personality carries over. While some would prefer viciousness, I would like to see what a truly fearful being could do when coupled with the raw instinct.” She pulled the dagger back and cut into her own hand without hesitation, dripping blood into the bowl before mixing it some more.
“The issue is that people die far more often than those who are infected and turned successfully. A flightier beast will do the job of spreading the curse more effectively. It will want to balance it's desire to attack and flee.”

“Haron you're talking to much.” The man who had not spoken yet said.

“It's the right amount.” She argued back with a bright smile. The man clicked his tongue. She lifted the bowl.
“What do you think?”

“We are not Shaman. How would we-”

Haron rolled her silver eyes. “I was asking dear Hans if he thought it was enough.”

“What would he know?” The other man asked humorlessly.

Haron's reduced to a coy smirk as she looked down into the soup. She stirred it. “He knew Dame Ayla. As if it were fate. This man was predestined to be here at this time to try my delicious soup... He is someone that knows that girl. So what does mean, my Patron?” She stared up at the ceiling, sighing when she received no answer, or possibly an unsatisfying answer no one heard.

Hans worked up the courage to say. “Dame Ayla is not a part of this in any way. Please don't seek her out.”

“Will you drink this?” She asked forwardly. Hans shook his head.
“Please?”

“I-I don't want to.”

“Ah...” Haron threw her hands up.
“I guess we have to go home, Brothers.”

The man to her right gritted his teeth. “Haron...”

She pursed her lips, tilting her head side to side. “Oh, right. I meant to say, hold him down. Keep his mouth pried open. As soon as she said the word, the man on the left drew a knife and pushed it to Hans's cheek without cutting him.

“Open it, or I'll open it with this.” The man said.

Hans submissively held his mouth open as soon as he was warned with that gruesome threat. “You're going to want to hold him, Other Brother.”

“Right...” The other brother placed some of his weight on Hans to keep him pinned.

“Easy... Small gulps. I'll pour slowly.” She promised in a kind tone as she tilted the bowl to allow the contents to pour into his mouth. He gulped and he immediately regretted it. His whole body convulsed from pain as his throat felt as though it was lit on fire. Then the feeling poured into his stomach and made him imagine a hole was burning through his insides. He was not allowed to move. His mouth was pried as he tried to close it regardless of the threats. The whole mixture gradually siphoned down his throat. He screamed silently into the air as the rest continued to pour in.
“Good boy. Let him go now if you want to remain on the right side of his wrath.” She advised, watching him closely.
“Spread the 'paint' for good measure.” She reached for a vial of brownish liquid and poured it over her robes.

The men did the same, gagging. “Is there seriously no better way?”

Without removing her eyes from hans she said. “You could join him instead.”

The man paused. “Not yet.”

Hans bent forward, fully sobbing and choking and convulsing without any restraint. “It hurts! Please...” He begged.  It was the worst pain he had felt in his life, but for some reason he could not lose consciousness.
“Please... Ayla...” He whimpered.

Haron stroked his white hair as he squirmed and suffered on the ground, but there was no change. “Something's wrong.” The men observed.

“We should see signs immediately. Instead he's just laying there complaining.”

As the two men bickered, Haron pulled Hans's head into her lap. He was facing up, eyes unfocused and twitching. She ran her hand down the front of his shirt and gripped the ring of silver. She pulled it out and inspected it discreetly. Even in his pain Hans saw her find it and stared at her pleading for her to not take it. His hand wrapped around hers which held the ring, but his grip was weak. She mouthed the words of the inscription to him while making comforting gestures over his body. After she was done she moved it back to it's hiding place. Haron smiled down at him as he gave her a questioning stare. She lifted a finger to her lips in a shushing motion and leaned down to whisper to him.

“Seems you are meant to have it. Come what may. You are very blessed, I promise.” She bent down and kissed his forehead.

“Haron, what are you doing? We have to figure out another plan. Get rid of-”

“Relax, Brothers.” She advised.
“Sometimes, a change is required to wait until the full moon to take effect. Less then a weeks worth of nights are left from tonight before we reach it.”

“Haron...” The other man exhaled wearily.

“I promise that something will happen on the night of the full moon. I promise.” She was staring into Hans's eyes as she said that, though the Brothers took it as well and seemed placated.


Chapter 9

Ayla inhaled sharply as she awoke. She felt tired. “Another nightmare. I keep reliving my future. All of that is continuously dredged up. Is it because of guilt?” She slid out of bed and began her morning routine. It was the day of training. While they were at the Manor, another squad was going to be sent to patrol for the day and then the next day she, Samson and Miller were to be rotated back onto patrol while the other squad trains.

`All of this is done the week before the full moon.` She admired the idea behind it. The full moon was always a time when Humans had to be most on guard against monsters. It was a night when those suffering from Lycanthropy would awaken for the first time.

Ayla made her way to the training grounds. `I wonder if they'll make use of the dummy. I want a turn, as well.`

“Dame, come with me.” A Knight she had not seen before waved her over before she reached the grounds. She offered her salute to be polite, and bowed her head.

“Yes?”

When he saw her show politeness he offered it in return. “The Captain wants to assess you before the training.”

“Ah. I haven't met you yet.” She said, asking indirectly for an introduction.

`I also didn't see him at the Manor in my past life... The elite Knights were apparently guarding the town, so he could be one of them.`

“Eldrich, and I already know your name, Dame Ayla.”

“A please to meet you, Sir Eldrich.” Looking at him, Eldrich was a man of average height and build with long blonde hair and and brown eyes. The man had a calm way about him. But not calm like Samson. As someone that felt the same way, Ayla thought she could peg him as someone that lives inside his own head. He lead her to Rast. He was speaking with the Duke in the shaded observation area. She had come early, so Knights were still assembling and soldiers would be having their own collective training outside the manor.

Ayla saw the Duke and saluted while lowering her head. “Your Grace.” The Duke waved his hand to release her. She relaxed the salute completely, turned to face Rast, then offered another full salute.
“Knight-Captain.”

“At ease, Dame.” Rast stared at her while rubbing his beard. He had a beard that was short and graying. His hair, which was short, only grayed along the sides, as if it was slowly freezing from the beard up..

“Judging by your actions when I first saw you I assumed you'd be loose with the order of things, but your discipline is top notch.”

“Thank you.”

“Show me your stances.”

Ayla stepped back to make room and pointed away from Rast and the Duke. Eldrich was on the other side of her. She moved into her first position by turning her body to make it as slim as possible while pointing her sword in line with her feet, which were spread apart. Her front foot was planted firmly, but the heel on her back was lifted slightly to prepare to pivot. The her left arm was curled at her side.

“Good. Next.” Rast ordered.

She brought her left hand forward and spread her grip out on the pommel of her sword. She closed her stance a little in the way she was standing and adopted different guarding positions with both hands. She went through a few attacking motions, then switched again.

“That's good enough for the basics. Is there anything else?” Rast asked rather forwardly.

Ayla felt put on the spot. “Sir?” She could see the Duke was smiling at her from the background.

“Is there anything else you want to share?”

“Could you be more specific? I apologize.”

The Duke covered his mouth as if to stifle a laugh as he spoke. “If you were for example... To get within an arms length of Sir Eldrich while still attacking aggressively and defending. Is that the type of thing they teach at the Academy? Is that a suitable technique for hunting monsters, Dame?”

She felt warm all of a sudden, like she was about to break a sweat. It was not something that was taught. In reality, it was a technique used for assassination. It was the best way, for a skilled Knight to kill another skilled Knight quickly. It was a type of movement she used to reach nineteen on the dummy.
“I... What?”

“Who are you here to kill? Or... Are there multiple people?” The Duke asked.

Her heart beat rapidly. She felt like she was within a spotlight in a black void, and the only ones there were her and Duke Castezin. Her mouth moved automatically.
“I'm not here to kill anyone, I promise.” her voice shook. Without being able to restrain her voice she added thoughtlessly.
“Please forgive me! I'm sorry, Your Grace.”

“You aren't here to kill anyone, but you're sorry? What do you have to be sorry about?”

“I swear I just want to help you. With all my heart..”

“Can a monster like you really earnestly help anyone?”

“I promise I'm trying!” She argued. It was a jarring sensation. She was still sweating, but she was staring at the wall as if practicing her stances in front of them. She looked at Rast, then the Duke fearfully. They were simply staring at her as they had been before.

`That... Did not happen? Am I anxious? Is it like a standing nightmare of being found out? It's-` He exhaled, relaxing.

`Probably nothing. I will just try and forget it happened.`

“Alright. Next.” Rast removed the glove on his left hand and extended it towards her. She removed her own on the right and took it. She could guess what he was doing was, in short, a full assessment. The purpose of grabbing another Knight like this would be to assess the Energy one possesses. Energy was produced by Soma proportionately to how much it is developed. While Soma itself improved the parts of the body that it was expanded along, the energy produced by Soma could be expended for bursts of power, speed, or other amazing feats. Ayla's Soma was underdeveloped aside from her primary path and she instead decided to focus on her Aura heart. In her past neither were developed to their fullest.

`He's a Named Knight. Even if I hid it, he would probably know soon from observing.` She released her energy. Rast seemed to feel it and gave a short nod.
“That's pretty developed for only a graduate. And Nerve Alignment, as well. Who gave you the idea to go for such a crazy method?”

Ayla smiled. “My teacher before the Academy did. She said that of all the methods of expanding Soma throughout the body, it was the one that could make someone unbeatable. But... That it also had a chance to kill or cripple me. So, it seemed obvious because I thought I would do it without being killed or crippled.”

“Gahaha!” He laughed.
“You decided? That sounds familiar. What are you working on now?”

“Expanding some from my nerves into my muscles so that my body can keep up without needing to use too much Energy.”

“That's a good choice, but you've already developed your senses, correct?” Rast questioned.

“It was the quickest thing after Nerve Alignment.” Unlike Heart and Bone, Nerve Alignment began specifically in the brain. It was powerful, but notorious for providing benefits that could only be used by a developed body, but the proximity to other senses from the start meant that Soma could easily be expanded into those spaces naturally.

“Of course. If you are going that route there would be no reason not to.” He seemed to be thinking out loud. Rast released her hand.
“Now release your Aura.”

Ayla felt faintly uncomfortable to be seen through so easily. She placed her hand over her Aura heart. It was in a typical position within her chest, next to her real heart. To release it in such a way without any direction or shape, the Aura would create resistance out around the user. The expulsion of Aura outward was the most rudimentary use and the amount of force exerted at what distance from the body was the standard measure for the level one had attained in it. For a Knight, developing Aura was obvious, as it did not interfere with Soma. Unlike a mage, a Knight developed a single use 'organ' that would be able to perform the most basic functions Aura such as manipulation, expulsion and eventually Shape, the highest form for the single-use form of Aura that Knights developed.

“There's no point training you.” Rast concluded.

“Pardon?” Ayla looked to him with a  concerned expression.

“You would just be showing off. Like Sir Eldrich you'll look over the other Knights in their practice and offer pointers.

“Should I focus on helping those that I know and others around them?”

“You should.” Rast nodded.
“Go on.” As she and Sir Eldrich left together to go attend to the training grounds on the other side of the observation area, Rast looked to the Duke.
“Any thoughts, Your Grace?”

“I haven't finished my assessment yet. I saw her using the dummy.”

“The one you bought for entertainment?” Rast chuckled.
“Everyone stays away from that thing because at the level you asked it to be tuned it's impossible.”

“Well... She hit nineteen targets.” The explained while watching her go.
“Could you do that?”

Rast bristled at the question. “That thing isn't made for me. I'll never get into a spot where I have to run around an opponent like a rabbit.” He remembered who he was talking to and corrected himself.
“No offense meant, your Grace.”

On the training ground Ayla found the spot where Samson and Miller were positioned. They noticed her walk up, but then stand on the side-lines watching.
“Ayla, what're you waiting for?” Miller asked.

“Oh, apparently I'm an instructor today.”

Miller looked shocked. Samson just nodded his head, looking straight ahead. “I guess graduates are something else.”

Ayla looked at them. The way they were standing and the way they moved and swung their swords. “Just do what you usually do. That goes for the rest of you, as well.” She found one of the other Knights within her view and kicked at his heel to adjust his stance. He jumped.

“H-hey...” He grumbled.

“You're tall. You can't just look at the distance between other peoples feet. You need a wider stance to support your body. Other than that, you are very good. Good use of your reach.” It was a little thing, easy to miss, and his stance width was probably only off by a few inches.

“Oh, thanks.”

She continued walking between the ranks as the Knights practiced swings. The idea was to simply swing while practicing basic stances. She eyed another Knight next to her and stopped his sword.
“Swinging fast isn't the point. Swing slow and make each swing perfect. It also helps the muscles you use more than waving around like that.” The Knight corrected and began swinging slowly. Ayla nodded. She stood around for a few minutes, staring at Miller's back once she had nothing else to look for. She walked up next to him and watched him more closely.
“Have you considered a battle-sword?”

“Your hand is creeping over the guard of that long-sword.”

“It's a habit, sorry.”

“No need. It seems like you want to have a wider grip. It makes sense and probably helps you with power, but you should use a bigger weapon that can take advantage of that. Trust your instinct.” She glanced towards the weapon racks.
“One moment. Continue.” She made her way over and pulled a huge sword from the rack. It was long with a blade that was almost as long as a spear. The handle had plenty of room, but on top of that there was blade beyond the guard where a second guard was forged from the blade itself in case even more control was needed. She brought the weapon over and handed it to Miller.
“Try this, Miller.”

“Okay.” He took it, placing one hand near the bottom of the pommel and his other near the guard. He seemed surprised.

Ayla paid mind and tapped the knight in front to make more room. “Go for it.” She stood back and observed him.

`It isn't an obvious choice to go for a different weapon from what you are trained with. Most Knight will never use anything other than their Long-sword, regardless of what would work best for their frame. Miller was using a Battle-sword in my time, so he figured it out eventually. If I show him early it may kickstart his growth.

Miller breathed, raised the sword above his head and used his wide grip to great effect. The sword cut down and sent out a burst of air around him like a wing when he stopped it abruptly at the end of the swing. He then moved his grip up and began making natural motions with a bit more control over the tip of the long sword.

Ayla nodded approvingly. `This is not exactly a training session, it's more like a warm-up session. These men are all Knights, already. There isn't going to be much for them to improve on in a setting like that. The only place to improve a great amount after this stage is the battlefield. Or-'

“What about me, Dame?” Samson asked.

Ayla turned and observed him. “Everything you're doing is right. I have no complaints.”

“Damn... Is that so?” He exhaled, sounding a bit disappointed, but he still did not falter in his continuous repetition.

She sensed a hint of the frustration he showed. `I think I understand the gist of what he's feeling. He's six years ahead of Miller, I think I heard him say. His father is a Knight, so he has extremely solid fundamentals. If he just stays like this his whole life, he will be a valuable asset, but he wont be a force that can turn the tide of a battle. There are people like this in every army. Cogs that exist to fill in the gaps. People like that are needed, but Samson and Miller are in the squad that I am in. I want to do what I can for them.` She tried to probe him a bit.
“What do you want to do?”

“I just-”

Ayla interrupted. “Actually, talk to me later tonight, both of you.” Ayla looked around at the Knights.

`Improvement isn't necessary here. These people are personal Knights hired to guard a territory. Knights who are constantly improving are... Not normal, and it's very typical to hit a wall and fall into the position Samson is in. Adding to that, there are no battles to be fought around this time, the only pop up throughout the next decade. So all of the Knights here are capable, but not exceptional. If things stay like this and Caelin attacks as he did in my time, with the Masters and Named Knights he has, it will just be another slaughter.`

Training progressed with the Knights performing exercises the entire day. As the sun was going down many maids and workers were walking in and out of the area in a line.
“What's going on?” Ayla asked.

Miller grinned. “At the end of training each month they heat up enough water for everyone to take a hot bath. There's Basins set up and they've probably already been filled so everyone is gonna separate into their groups and bathe together.”

“Oh, alright.” Ayla began walking in the same direction as everyone.

Samson pulled on her arm. “You... Aren't actually planning to, are you? In front of...” His face was red. It was the first time she had seen him like that. Miller also seemed shocked.

Ayla turned around. “I suppose... Not. I was fine with it, but I understand it'll make you both uncomfortable.”

Miller swallowed hard. “S-sorry, Ayla. It's just a little... Hard for us, you understand?”

“I understand.” She began walking away. A familiar maid approached her. Bluish black hair and the practical footwear. Without her sickness-induced delirium Ayla recognized her to be the head maid of the manor answering directly to the Duke.

“Dame, as you are a woman, a private bath has been prepared in the Manor, as per his Grace's instructions.”

“Are there any other Knights that are women under his Grace?”

The maid shook her head. “There are none.”

“I guess this makes sense...” She scratched her chin lightly.

The maid's eye twitched a little. “Were you... Planning to bathe with the men?”

Her cheeks flushed. “N... No.”

“I see... Come with me.” The Maid lead Ayla into a servant entrance at the side of the manor.
“This will be much more satisfying than cold water from the well.” It was a tone so flat that Ayla could not detect if she was being teased.

“I guess everyone knows about that.”

“I was also there at that time.”

“Oh!” Ayla remembered the towel and the maid.
“That was you? Why did you bring me a towel?”

“For future reference, his Graces office overlooks the training grounds.”

Ayla gasped. “He-”

“His Grace called me after observing Dame walking into the drain rooms with a bucket straight from the well, along with tools for washing.” The maid said professionally. They arrived in the room that held the basin. It had been prepared with hot water and there were even some petals and scents thrown into the water.

“Oh wow...”

“There is no Lady in this manor so when the maids have a chance to prepare something for a woman they get excited. If it is too much for you, let me know and I will have the water replaced.”

“Give them my honest thanks.” Ayla asked casually. The maid bowed and left her, shutting the door. She removed her clothes, folding them on a seat by the basin. She felt the water once she was nude and found it to be about perfect. A little hot, but she liked that, because it meant that it would cool to a reasonable temperature as she soaked. She slipped in slowly, feeling her muscles relaxing as soon as she was submerged.

`I had baths like these whenever I wanted in my old life. This is nice, but I don't feel like I miss it. I just did that stuff because I could. Having this at the end of a month feels more like a reward. I like it.` She dunked under fully then slowly floated back up and scrubbed her hair.

`I would like for Miller and Samson to develop an Aura heart. For a Knight that hits a wall, switching gears is the easiest way to get stronger. Soma is limited by the physical body, so everyone has a natural wall that they hit. Aura can be expanded almost without limit. But someone needs to teach you to do it. The benefit of the Academy was that everyone who wanted to was taught the steps to establish their Aura. I can teach them both if it's just doing that, but I have a feeling about Samson that I can't shake. He is very smart and stable. He recognizes his limits but does not show angst or frustration, meaning he has control and confidence. I think he could develop as an Aura-Knight, but that requires teaching from someone other than myself. As soon as he develops his heart outside of his mind, he can not develop as an Aurar anymore, so it's a difficult choice to make.`

She exhales into the air, closing her eyes to relax further. `Miller is another matter. I have a feeling he actually has not hit his upper limit in Soma. But, has he been training beyond his current state? In my past life he was still so weak. Hm.` She stared up at the ceiling for a bit.

“This is probably good enough.” She got up and began to towel off. She finished drying her body and moved on to her hair.

`I wish there were more female Knights. Bathing with others is probably fun.` She thought while slipping back into her clothes.

As she left, a few maids were loitering outside. One girl had bright orange hair tied into a pony-tail while the other had short, wavy brown hair. They were standing around awkwardly, quite obviously wanting to talk, but not wanting to be the ones to engage. Ayla stopped and looked at them.
“Hello.”

“Ah!” One of them tried to act surprised to be noticed, even though they were being quite obvious.

The other approached cautiously. “D-Dame?”

“Yes. Hello.”

“Was the bath to your liking? We ran it for you.”

“I told the head maid to thank those who drew it. Now I'll thank you personally.” She bowed and smiled politely.

`I never know what to do in these situations. It always works to act formal, though.` When she lifted her head the two ladies faces were flush, as if they had met someone they fancied.

The maid that tried to act surprised perked up. “Is- Is it difficult being a Knight as a woman?”

“Not at all and I feel very welcome thanks to the people here, including you two.” She was speaking completely straight. The atmosphere was the best she had experienced in two lives. The two girls seemed floored by the comment, and extremely pleased.

“What hours do you work?” The woman probed.

“I tend to leave early morning and arrive after dark.” Cluelessly she added.
“If you are interested, I will typically end up at the Wintergreen after sundown and be there until late.”

They gasped. “Dame, are you inviting us?”

“If... You want. I believe it is a public location.”

One maid suddenly grabbed the other. “Sorry, Dame! We're taking up too much of your time. Have a good night.” She bowed. The other bowed and they both scurried off.

“Is my hair still wet...” She wondered out loud, running a hand through it.
“No. Good.” She left through the door she came in and waited outside the training grounds for Miller and Samson. Within the area that held the basins she heard laughing a talked.

`Just like I thought. It sounds like fun over there. Too bad I'm a woman. It's so hard to make friends. I wonder if I'll be able to make more aside from the guys?` She exhaled lightly.

Ayla waited about twenty more minutes. Finally, Samson and Miller emerged in looser clothing. She approached them.
“You both look refreshed.”

“It's a great time.” Miller described with a wide smile.
“Did you enjoy yours?”

Samson honed in on what she was actually waiting for. “What did you wanna talk to us about after training?”

“Come with me, you two.” She lead them to a private enough corner of the grounds. Once they were alone and away from anyone passing by she asked.
“Do either of you want to become stronger?”

“Yes.” Samson said immediately.

“I wouldn't say no.” Miller held a non-committal tone.

Ayla felt like she understood. `Miller has ability but not reason to go further than he has already reached, since he is strong enough. Samson wants to get strong but has no ability to without a teacher.` She went into explaining roughly what she had already thought through to them, and the troubles she's facing. Once she was done she put it over to them for their input. Samson was again the first to speak.

“You... You think I could be an Aura-Knight?”

“Correct. The issue is I don't have the connections to get a teacher here. Nor the resources.” She scratched her head.
“I'm sorry...”

Samson lets out a small chuckle. “Ayla... I'm a landowner and I've been a Knight for years, and I'm descended from a Knight. I can order a decent teacher. Is that all?”

She blinked. Ayla did not know why it did not occur to her. “You need to be certified to be capable of accepting the burden that an Aurar possesses. For that, any member of the Sol Faith that is recognized by the Temple will do.”

Samson nodded, thinking out loud. “I'll ask the Father in the manor chapel myself, then.”

“Good.” Ayla nodded to him before acknowledging Miller. The man was standing by patiently, enjoying the conversation.
“Miller...”

“You're saying I can get strong, too?”

“No.”

“But you said-”

“Without a definite drive to get stronger you might as well be at a wall. Did you naturally become as you are now, or did you put in a great amount of effort to be here?”

“It was effort.” Miller becomes somewhat uncomfortable as the conversation becomes more revealing.

“I'm guessing you stopped at some point after you passed the test because there was no longer any incentive?”

“How do you know me this well? Can you read my mind?” He whined.

Ayla smiled gently. “Miller. You're a good man and you have good instincts. You're a better Knight than all the Knights I knew... Before. That's based solely on your attitude.” He perked up.
“But improving requires a conscious effort to improve. I.. Am also trying to improve with all my effort. I can't answer whether or not you should be trying to reach your potential but I can tell you that you could be strong, Miller. Really strong.”

The man straightened up his posture. “Could I even beat you?”

“No.” Ayla stated frankly, waving a hand at him dismissively.

“What? Aren't you being-”

“It's not about you. I made my strength in such a way that I wont lose to any Knight one-on-one unless the difference is overwhelming. I can even hunt werewolves one-on-one if I need to. My Soma is developed to make sure I never get caught or hit.”

Miller felt determined all of a sudden. “So if I train enough and I catch you-”

“I'm telling you it's good to have goals but it's impossible.”

“Well. Put it like this. What if I catch you?”

“I'll grant you a wish, or something of equivalent value.”

Miller pumped his fist. “I suddenly wanna get stronger!”

“This guy is so predictable.” Samson held his head.

Ayla felt out of the loop. `What's he thinking? At least he's motivated, now. I can help him along if he wants to improve.` She turned to leave.
“We'll give it a shot, training after our patrol for a while.” She walked off.

“Hey Ryan?”

“Yeah, Zach?”

“Did you hear her say I got a better personality than any Knight that she's ever met?” Miller asked happily.

“Doesn't that just mean she's known a lot of scumbags?” Samson jabbed Miller in the shoulder.
“I'm going to bed.”