"Do you want me to go slow?" he asked.
She gritted her teeth, determination sweeping her bones. "No."
Every sweep towards her made her stumble. She could see the strikes but couldn't react fast enough. She pushed herself anyway, defending every swipe he came at her with. Holding that broken arm up and tightening her thighs with her steps.
"Did you give them your name when you were there?" he asked as he paused a moment to circle.
"I gave them another name."
"Can't wait to hear the name you gave yourself," he bantered, giving her an upwards nod to set up. "Don't tell me. I want to guess it—“
Nyssa crouched, ready for him. He came at her just as fast, and she knocked his stick in front of her face.
"Did you use Nyssa or Nysi?"
She shook her head and blocked him again. "Neither."
"Full name?" he asked.
"Not my full name—“ he lunged forward, and she dipped low to dodge him. Her balance wavered, and she staggered off her feet. Cursing the sky, she had to remind herself to breathe. Her body betrayed her mind. These were moves she knew how to do, but she knew she would have to build herself to get there again.
Nadir simply held out his hand, but she shook her head. "I've got it," she insisted. He nodded and took a few steps back, going to set up again as she pushed to her feet.
"Did you use any part of your name or something different?"
"Part of my name," she replied. The fabric of her dress was wet, and she grunted at the heaviness of it. "Can I use your knife?" she asked.
"Planning on murdering me?"
A huff emitted from her lungs at his playful tone. "No," she almost laughed. "I want to cut this dress so I can move," she told him. "Especially if I can have new ones made."
He nodded and pulled it from the strap around his calf, handing it to her hilt first. She grabbed the fabric and ripped it. Air swept around her limbs when she stepped out of the wet wool.
"Just remember I've been starving for two months," she grumbled. "These legs are not what they used to be."
And it hurt her heart to say it.
"Nys, do you think I care what your body looks like?" he asked in a low tone.
"Considering what it looked like before all this, maybe," she muttered, heat rising on her chest. "I remember how you once stared at the body I had—“
"I don't care about what your body looks like," he interjected. "I care that you're here and you're safe. You'realive, Nyssa. You put yourself on the inside of our enemy's camp because you wanted to save people who didn't even love you," he interjected. "You had plenty of opportunities to leave that place, and you were even going to sell yourself to Savigndor for possible peace. I should be on my knees before you."
"I ruined everything I had worked for in two months," she cut in. "Two months and years of hard work was squandered."
"I didn't realize you still put so much emphasis of your worth on your outwards appearance," he said, and she could hear the twinge in his voice.
"Hard not to," she managed.
"Nyssa, your mother isn't here," he reminded her. "It's just you and me."
"And these failing legs don't bother you?" she almost snapped.
Nadir looked like he would smile, and he shook his head. "I firmly believe those legs could still kick down any fruiting tree in my forest."
Her lips quirked, unable to refuse the smile threatening her at his banter, and she sighed out the frustration of her darkened thoughts. He gave her an upwards nod, and she set her feet again.
It was her turn to lunge first. He blocked her and swiped for her legs. She jumped back. This time her legs stayed a little more steady than before. Her arms waved out to balance her, and Nadir looked like he would grab her hand, but he didn't.
