The next morning's training was plagued with mishaps, minor though they were. Tiene's mind, apart from her still fuming at Dar'Khan, was thinking about her brothers returning from Ghostlands. The battle against the trolls had taken longer than she thought it might, and she had missed Duthan and Lor'themar so much. She couldn't wait to see them.

The night before, she'd painstakingly planned what she was making for dinner: roasted strider, rich gravy, caramelised onions, parsnips and sweet potato slices. She had gone over the ingredients about a dozen times or more. This was important. She desperately wanted to do something special for them, especially as the last meal they all shared was bought in by Lor'themar. And so, she prepped a lot of it before coming to the guildhall.

At training, she was annoyed with her mistakes, but she knew they were fixable. After another bout of naming various attacks and duelling, as it were, with the target dummies under Zelanis' supervision, they stopped for a break.

She sat near the doorway and quietly munched on a goldenbark apple while burying her nose in one of her books. She didn't notice someone coming over until they sat down beside her with an audible "oof!" when they hit the floor. She turned to see Camnath. He looked a little awkward, so she offered him an apple.

He accepted with a smile. "Thank you," he said and took a bite. Tiene went back to reading her book while she heard him crunching away on the fruit. She waited. And waited. She guessed he was back to continue their conversation from the day before, but she would continue to wait until he broached the subject.

"What are you reading?" he asked eventually.

"Poisons and their Properties. I borrowed it from Darlia." She showed him the book.

He nodded, then commented, "We are not ready for the use of poisons, though." 

"I know, but it's good to understand them in advance." She smiled and waited for him to say something else. He seemed to be more interested in his apple again. She sighed quietly.

"About yesterday..." he said suddenly.

"Yes?" she responded, hopeful.

He fidgeted a little and looked around as if checking no-one else was in earshot. "That man. The one who came over when we were talking."

"Dar'Khan. What about him?"

He took a deep breath before continuing. "Is he - your - your..." He took another bite of the apple and looked across the hall.

Munch, munch, crunch, crunch.

Unless Tiene was gravely mistaken, she suspected that he was trying to find out if she and Dar'Khan were courting. Camnath looked painfully embarrassed and seemed somewhat unsure how to broach the subject. 

Tiene was not prepared to make a fool of herself, however, and blurt things out. She wanted to be sure what he was inquiring about. "My what?" she coaxed quietly.

Camnath met her eyes briefly, then stared at the space on the floor between his feet. "Your suitor. Is he courting you?"

Tiene smiled inwardly. Patience learned. "No, he is not," she replied. Then, for good measure added, "Nor will he ever be." 

Camnath looked up, this time maintaining eye contact. "Good! I mean... yeah. Okay." He managed a nervous smile.

Inexperienced she was, but Tiene also surmised that Camnath was in the same boat. Innocent. Pure. Though it would be unusual for a boy his age, or so she had been led to believe. Perhaps she should try to make him feel a little more comfortable. That, in turn, might make the unexpected kaleidoscope of butterflies in her stomach quieten, too. "Yesterday, you asked about the magic I use for stealthing. Was there something specific you needed to know?"

"Well..." He inched a little closer, encouraged by her question. " ... I wondered if you would perhaps consider ..."

"Tiene!" A voice from the street called out to her.

She spun, looking around the pillar she was leaning against. Duthan and Lor'themar were standing outside, waving at her. Delighted, Tiene jumped up and took a step towards them. Suddenly, she halted. She looked back at Camnath.

His face wore the same expression it had the day before when Dar'Khan had interrupted them. Dark. Disgruntled. Disappointed. "It's my brothers, Duthan and Lor'themar," she explained. "Come and meet them. They've just returned from Ghostlands where they were fighting the trolls."

The young man's face brightened instantly. He stood up, dusted down his clothes, and walked with her.

As she reached the two Rangers, Tiene ran into Duthan's arms. He twirled her around twice, then put her down, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Baby sister!" He smiled. "In training, no less." His eyes looked over the ebony-haired elf who had accompanied her while she hugged Lor'themar welcome.

"Yes," she replied to Duthan, catching his scrutiny of Camnath. "And this is a fellow student. Camnath," she said, inviting the young elf closer. "This is Duthan, my brother, and Lor'themar, my - hmm - adopted brother, you could say."

The Rangers said hello and shook hands with the young elf. Without Tiene noticing, a glance passed between them; a small grin on Lor'themar's face.

"So," Duthan started, looking at Camnath while hooking his thumbs on his belt. "You two been training together long?"

Camnath cleared his throat before answering. "A few weeks now." 

"I see," Duthan said, the corners of his mouth betraying a small smirk. "And how is Tiene coming along?"

"She is terrific!" Camnath enthused.

"Uh-huh."

A pained silence.

Tiene cottoned on. Her brother's were assessing Camnath by craftily asking him what he thought of her - in training. Sure! "I'm right here, Duthan, in case you have somehow gone blind."

Lor'themar stifled a laugh. "Come, Duthan. Leave them be. They have their training to attend." He pulled Duthan away. "See you at dinner, Tiene."

The fair-haired Ranger relented from grilling Camnath. He would save his teasing of his little sister back home. "Ok, you two run along now. Nice to meet you, Camnath." He waved.

"Likewise," Camnath replied and nodded a farewell to both the Rangers. He waited until Tiene led the way back to the guildhall, then followed behind her.

"And I will talk with you, back home, Tiene," Duthan called after her.

She spun around, scowling at him before breaking into a smile. She was too happy to see her brother's safe return to remain annoyed at his teasing. 

"Hmm -" Duthan turned to Lor'themar as they strolled away. "So which one, then? Dar'Khan or Camnath?"

Lor'themar burst out laughing. "No competition! Most definitely Camnath," he replied.

They started towards the Rangers' lodge, laughing as they went.

In the Students of Shadow guildhall, Tiene and Camnath were about to continue with their training on the dummies when Zelanis approached them. They stood expectantly in front of their trainer, awaiting their next scenario.

"It's about time you two had a duel," he said, watching their faces. They were excited. "Yes, I thought now would be a good time to start, as I have heard you will be leaving us soon, Tiene, to study with the Crimson Blades."

Tiene was beaming. "Yes, we received news yesterday."

Camnath's face fell, but he forced a smile when he saw Tiene looking at him questioningly. "Congratulations," he said. His voice did not convey the sentiment.

"Thank you." She sensed he was not altogether happy.

"Okay, you two go and get prepared; I will be through shortly."

The combat ring was in a concealed room off to the right of Zelanis' training area, and the two students passed through the doorway, not entirely sure what to expect. The room was lit only by a centre light which was dimmed, no doubt to enable shadows for trainees learning to enhance their stealthing abilities. Yet more training dummies were lined on both the left and right of the central ring, looking distinctly menacing in the dim light.

The students' footfalls echoed. Another test for a rogue's light-footedness, probably, Tiene considered.

As she made her way to the right, so Camnath moved to the left. She stared at his back wondering if he resented her training with the Crimson Blades. Time to try and lighten his mood. Using her warlock-influenced stealth ability, she snuck up behind him. "Are you annoyed about my news?" she asked.

Camnath jumped; he hadn't heard nor seen her approaching. Proof her technique was good. She materialised in front of him. 

He lowered his gaze as if needing courage to say the words he wanted to say. Finally, he looked up. "It does not displease me, no. I am truly happy for you; it will be a great honour to train with the Blades. It's just..."

"Yes?" she coaxed him to continue.

"I feel I was just getting to know you, Tiene."

Her butterflies suddenly swarmed.

"But now you will be leaving for Lordaeron, and I won't be able to learn how you stealth with magic."

The butterflies dropped to the ground, in one massive, unmoving clump. At first, Camnath's words had made her feel special, giddy, hopeful. But then it became apparent it was just her ability he liked.  No point sulking, she decided. "Well," she said, trying to conceal her disappointment. "I have a month before I go, Camnath.  Apart from showing everyone the stealth skill here, would you also like me to show you privately?"

He laughed a little, and his eyes lit up. "That's what I have been trying to ask you, but each time I've tried, people kept interrupting."

"Oh!" She forced a small laugh, still trying to ease the sting from realising his interest was merely professional. "Sure. Just tell me when you want to start." She turned and made her way back to the other side of the room.

Zelanis entered the room and called them to join him in the centre. He concealled something behind his back. "Right then, Camnath and Tiene. You have both been consistent in your scores, making good progress, so I thought you should try your skills... with these." Then revealed what he was hiding.  Foam daggers. He watched with mild amusement at the look of stunned disbelief cross their faces.

Tiene looked up at their trainer, her eyes conveying her typical fiestiness. "We haven't even reached a level to start with wooden ones? What are we meant to do with these? Tickle each other to death?" she asked, holding up the foam toy.

Zelanis almost guffawed, but managed to keep a straight face. "You are not here to kill each other, Tiene, by any means. Period. It is only to test the skills you've learned so far, against a living, moving target. Now, to gauge how you fare in this exercise, you will dab the tip of the daggers in these..."

He moved off to the side of the room, then returned carrying two buckets of vegetable dye - one red, one blue. He handed the red to Tiene and the blue to Camnath and told them to place their pots at the edges of the ring and make ready for combat.

He smirked as he saw Tiene shaking her head in disbelief. Camnath, on the other hand, looked ready to take on the world. The boy was seriously competitive.

"Now, Tiene, I know you can use stealth by magic, but Camnath hasn't learned that yet, so I would ask you to refrain from using that ability, as he will be at a disadvantage. Stick to  traditional moves."

Tiene looked at her opponent. She could tell he was taking this seriously and would go all out to win. She didn'tt doubt she could beat him, but she also thought of an argument to put to her trainer. "If we were in real combat, we would not show such considerations to an enemy, though, would we?"

Zelanis flexed an eyebrow. The girl had a valid point. Still... "True. But for today's exercise, my decision stands. And Camnath is not your enemy, so go easy - both of you." Zelanis eyed them before turning away abruptly. He desperately had to stop himself from dissolving into laughter at the very disgruntled Tiene. She was indeed a contentious student, but all the trainers loved her.

She huffed. "Fair enough."

"Okay, then..." Now composed, Zelanis faced his students. "Remember what you've learned: the best areas to achieve the maximum bleed. I will give you a scenario, and you must strike the best area for the desired effect. Now, coat your daggers and start the duel on the count of three." 

He watched, with arms crossed, as his students went to their tins of dye. "Don't worry. It washes off easily," he assured them. Another grunt from Miss Firefury. 

The two student rogues moved to the centre of the ring, their daggers dripping in red and blue dye.

"Are you ready?" They both nodded. "Okay. You must slow your opponent; where is one of the best places to strike? Three... two...one, go!"

Camnath instantly rolled forward to mark Tiene, but she flipped over his body. As she passed, she quickly scored his Achilles heel, calling out her target area.

Camnath had missed his target, so he spun around and just managed to mark her hamstring before she shifted out of reach. He too called out his point of impact. His face showed slight annoyance at having missed the first time.

Zelanis inspected their marks. "Well done both of you. That was a good move by the way, Tiene." He handed them both a damp cloth so they could wipe off the paint.

"Right, ready?" their trainer called again. They stood poised. "You must strike your opponent, so they lose consciousness. Three...two...one, go!"

The students crouched. Not prepared to miss this time, Camnath waited until Tiene moved first. She did, but only to bluff him into moving forward. As he did, she ducked under his arm, brought her dagger up and drew a red mark across his throat.

In the same instant, Camnath whirled in front of her, painting her throat blue. They called together. "Jugular!" Their eyes met, and a mutual exchange of respect passed between them.

"Excellent!" Zelanis congratulated both.

They used the damp cloths once more. Camnath dabbed an area on Tiene's throat she had missed again. 

She felt her face flush. 

He smiled.

Their instructor seemed delighted with their progress. "Right. Scenario number three. You need to inflict massive blood loss. Three...two...one, go!"

Camnath was quick to move, lashing out with his right hand for her solar plexus shouting "Aorta" while Tiene marked him in the right armpit and called "Brachial."

Zelanis applauded both, but commended Camnath. His choice was the better of the two. 

Another few moments of cloth-dabbing. They were not as effective on clothing, but they dulled the colours at least.

"Okay, one more." Zelanis allowed his students to replenish their daggers with dye before he gave the final test. "Right. Instant death, and a word of warning: even with foam daggers, the areas you may go for can still receive an injury. Three...two...one, go."

Once more, Camnath used his shadow-step to move behind Tiene. He put his free arm around her collar bones, about to mark her temple, but she grabbed his arm and dislodging his balance, with a kick to his right foot, she heaved him overhead where she grabbed his ponytail and scored the back of his neck before he hit the deck. "Brainstem!" 

Her fellow student spun round, utter astonishment on his face. The corners of her mouth twitched, and she pointed to her temple for him to mark her. He did, although there was little point. "Temple," he said almost in a whisper.

Their trainer came to stand next to them with freshly dampened cloths. Tiene motioned for Camnath to turn round. He did as she bade, and she lifted his ponytail to clean the paint from his neck. "Sorry. It's in your hair as well." 

He turned to face her, then gently wiped away his blue mark on her temple. "I'm afraid I have done the same, Tiene," he smiled softly.

Zelanis stood silently for a moment while they finished wiping away the paint.

"Well," he said, genuinely pleased by both students' prowess but noticeably impressed by Tiene's last manoeuvre. "You' re both undeniably talented and have come a long way in a relatively short period. Well done both of you. And Tiene, that was one slick move."

"Thank you," she said.

The lessons were over for the day, and Camnath asked if he could walk Tiene home. She agreed.

For part of the way, they walked in silence, awkward. Then Camnath eased it by congratulating her fighting technique. "I admit, though, I thought I would win hands down," he said, a little smirk playing on his mouth.

"I know you did," she replied. They looked at each other and chuckled. "I thought I'd beat you, too. But we ended up equal."

"Yes. We did. Apart from stealth."

"Your shadow-step technique is impressive. Perhaps you could help me with mine when I show you how to stealth?" She halted. They'd reached her home.

"I'd like that," he replied, smiling as he glanced towards the house. 

Curtains twitched. 

He turned back to Tiene. "I guess this is home then?"

"Yes. Thank you for walking me."

"It was my pleasure."

A moment of fresh awkwardness surrounded them again. Tiene bounced on her toes, and Camnath shifted from one foot to the other. "Well, good day, Tiene." He took a step back.

"Bye, Camnath. See you tomorrow."

"Yes. Tomorrow." And then he was walking away.

Inside, Inaris, Duthan and Lor'themar were standing at the side of the window watching, laughing between themselves.

"Go on, turn round and look at her," Inaris was willing the ebony-haired elf. He had aired a bet with Duthan.

"I don't think he will," Duthan said. "He seems quite shy."

"Yes, he will," Lor'themar and Inaris said simultaneously.

"Whose side are you on?" Duthan asked his friend.

"Tiene's," Lor'themar answered with a soft smile.

They waited. The young elf was almost at the steps which led back down into Farstriders' Square. The brothers quickly checked where Tiene was standing. Just under the canopy at the front door. Clearly waiting. Wondering. They turned their attention back to the steps.

Camnath turned and waved.

"There you go! Told you!" Inaris said happily, clapping his hands in delight. "You owe me gold, brother. Pay up!"

Duthan grudgingly handed over the money.

Oblivious to her observers, Tiene waved back at Camnath. Her tummy butterflies swarming by the millions once again.

Thank you for reading!!!

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