The yard was cleared, and every man and woman in training was padded up in sparring armor and handed a wooden sword dyed with red. And although a wooden sword in the hands of a master could do serious damage, the field was filled with novices and there were white mages on hand to tend any injuries.

The exercise was simple: don't get killed - meaning, slashed hard enough for the dye to sink in - in the free-for-all.

One arm across his chest, Kain was staring at the ground. Cecil elbowed him in the ribs, prompting Kain to look up; it wasn't the instructor that had caught his gaze, but a flit of pink silk ahead of the crowd. Both of them watched as Rosa's light and dainty steps carried her to the instructor's podium.

"...last one standing wins," their instructor finished speaking. The man glanced down to the girl who tugged his sleeve, and for an inaudible sentence or two Rosa held ear. Smiling wryly, he added, "And earns the Lady's favor."

Across the yard, several of the trainees clearly perked up.

Kain stared, raising an incredulous eyebrow. "What... does she think she's doing?"

"Giving us incentive," Cecil glanced around the yard, weight shifting from one foot to the other. "I think."

Rosa had no problem finding them in the crowd. Catching Cecil's eye, she winked.

"On my mark...!"

The pair of them shifted as the rest of their peers braced themselves. They were in the thick of it, and that didn't bode well for either of them.

"Cecil, how far would you trust me?"

"What? Are you joking?" Kain didn't answer, and Cecil sighed harshly. "To the moons and back. Why?"

"Good. Stay at my back, and we're sure to win this."

We.

Cecil nodded.

"I've got your back."

"As I've got yours."

"Fight!" echoed across the yard.

It was a crush, all around them. Many 'fell' within the first few seconds, and many more didn't last to claim any kind of victory worth celebrating. With Kain at his back, and Cecil watching Kain's in turn, they managed to hold back the tide until there were only a handful of combatants left in the challenge.

Then fewer.

Then none, as Kain spun, sword swinging in a backhand grip to slash across the chest of the last who tried to catch Cecil's unguarded shield-arm. It left a bright red stain across the boy's armor.

Silence fell across the yard, and between them as they were left facing one another. Smirking, Kain grabbed for Cecil's hand and raised it - and his own - high in victory. Cecil breathed out a long sigh, before he grinned himself.

"That's cheating," one voice - a mage's son, now seeking the path of the sword for himself - called out.

There was a rumble of agreement, but their instructor shook his head. "Did I say you couldn't make alliances, lad?"

Neither Kain nor Cecil paid as much attention to the lecture that followed, as Rosa jumped down from the podium and ran toward them, stepping between the rest of the some-day warriors - some of whom remained on the ground, others who were in the process of finding their feet again.

The would-be mage didn't say a word, but pulled the scarf from her hair as she reached them. Raising herself up on her toes, she pressed a soft kiss to Cecil's cheek. With a quick pivot, she turned to grant Kain the same, though he didn't smile half as wide.

Beaming at them, she flitted away towards the gate, and they watched her go.

"Highwind! Harvey!" The instructor's voice brought them back down to earth. "Lessons concluded for the day. The rest of you sorry lot..."

Kain caught his eye, and Cecil looked down at the silk scarf tangled in his fingers. Grinning, Cecil shoved it into Kain's hands, leaning over to kiss him, too; blinking, Kain scoffed and gave him a shove.

Cecil darted off to follow Rosa.

Kain rubbed his cheek, and dashed to catch up.