After the devastation of their village, Renn and Talia navigated the wreckage, their hearts heavy with uncertainty. Their world had crumbled, leaving only each other and a vow to protect one another. The news of their tragedy rippled through the neighboring lands, ultimately reaching Arlen, an old friend of Renn’s father, and his wife, Mira. he had heard of Uncle Arlen, his father’s partner in patrolling the marchlands when they served in the military.

Arlen, a grizzled veteran, and Mira, stern but fair, offered their home to Renn, showing compassion to a son who had lost everything. They didn’t have any kids no their own, so they had almost no issues harboring someone like Renn, but they weere not very enthusiastic about Talia. “We don’t know her. Besides… she’s a girl. It’s a burden, dear child.”

However, Renn insisted that he and Talia were inseparable. “If she’s not going, then I am not going too.” After a tense discussion, Arlen and Mira agreed to welcome both orphans into their home.

Settling into their new life, Renn and Talia embraced the rhythm of the household. Of course, it was different from the way things worked at Greensvale, but life was good enough. Arlen took Renn under his wing, nurturing his innate talent with a sword. They sparred in the yard, Arlen’s orders echoing as Renn refined his strikes and parries. His skills and resolve to protect those he loved strengthened each day. As for Talia, instead of working at a bakery, she found herself engaged more in the kitchen.

One day, Talia sat on a tree trunk, watching Renn spar with Arlen. “Arlen, could you teach me to fight as well?” she asked.

Arlen frowned at her request. “Talia, it’s not proper for a young woman to learn the art of fighting.”

“I just want to protect myself and others, like Renn does,” she responded, her voice tinged with sadness.

Overhearing the conversation, Mira interjected, “Talia, focus on your role in this household. Let Arlen handle Renn’s training.”

Talia nodded, hiding her disappointment. Despite her contentment in their new family, the spark of her dream still flickered.

One evening, as Renn and Talia lay in bed, Talia whispered, “Renn, do you think I could be a warrior, like you?”

Renn, curiosity in his eyes, asked, “Why, Talia? Aren’t you happy here?”

“I am,” she admitted, “But sometimes, I wish for more.”

Renn smiled warmly, his arm around her. “You are strong and brave, Talia. I believe you can become anything you desire.”

As sleep claimed them, their dreams rested gently on their hearts. They were thankful for the safety and warmth of their new family, but the embers of their aspirations still glowed, nurturing hope for a future where they could protect each other and pursue their dreams together.

***

Renn had lived with Arlen and Mira for a few months now, and every day, he trained diligently with Arlen. His sword skills improved rapidly. One afternoon, while practicing his swordsmanship alone in the nearby woods, he spotted something unusual from the corner of his eye. Talia, who thought she was well-hidden, was observing him intently from behind a tree.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Renn questioned, lowering his wooden practice sword.

Sheepishly, Talia stepped out from behind the tree. “I… I wanted to see how you train. I thought maybe I could learn something too.”

Renn smiled at her determination. “All right, Talia. I’ll teach you what I can. But we have to keep it a secret, okay?”

Talia’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Deal!”

And so, their secret training sessions began. Renn taught her the basics of swordplay, and she practiced alongside him. She quickly improved, her skills catching up to his. In the quiet seclusion of the woods, they found solace in their shared pursuit of strength.

One day, while they were practicing, several village boys led by a tall, burly youth named Goran, known for his cruel and bullying behavior, interrupted them. Goran sneered as he saw Renn and Talia training together.

“Well, well, what do we have here? The blacksmith’s boy and his little girlfriend, playing with swords,” Goran jeered, his friends cruelly laughing behind him.

Anger rose in Renn’s chest, and he clenched his fists. “Leave us alone, Goran,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Goran ignored Renn’s words and stepped closer to Talia, leering at her. “What’s the matter, girl? Can’t handle a real man?”

Before Renn could react, Goran reached out to grab Talia. At that moment, Renn’s instincts and training kicked in. He lunged at Goran, his wooden sword hitting the bully squarely in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Goran’s friends stared in shock at their fallen leader, their laughter dying in their throats.

Talia looked at Renn, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and admiration. “Thank you, Renn,” she whispered.

Renn’s chest swelled with pride, because all he wanted to do was protect the ones he loved using his skill of the sword, and he had done it now, for the first time. He may have been weak and unable to help his parents–and maybe it wouldn’t really have made a difference then–but now, he did it. And it did make a difference. 

The joy of victory didn’t last long. Arlen, following the sounds of the commotion, appeared at the edge of the clearing, his face stormy. “What is the meaning of this?” he thundered, his voice resonating through the woods like a maddened wraith. Mira followed him. It seemed like they were in search of the kids since it was late and they weren’t home.

Goran and his friends quickly got up and fled, leaving Renn and Talia to face Arlen’s anger.

“Talia, you have disobeyed me!” Arlen roared. “I told you that a woman’s place is in the kitchen, not in the training yard! You are grounded, effective immediately!”

As Mira led a defeated Talia away, Renn felt responsible for her punishment. That night, he went to her room to console her. “I’m so sorry, Talia,” he whispered, guilt cracking his voice. “This is all my fault.”

She shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “No, Renn, it’s not. They’re kind people, but they’re also misguided. They think they’re doing what’s best for us, but they don’t understand our dream–at least they don’t understand mine!”

Renn nodded. “You’re right. We’ll find a way to show them that we’re capable of more than they think.” He held her hands. “I promise, Talia. We’ll prove ourselves.”

Talia managed a small smile. “Thank you, Renn. I know we can do it, together.”

From that day on, Renn threw himself into his training with even more intensity and dedication. He was determined to become strong enough to protect Talia and to prove to Arlen and Mira that they were both capable of more than just their assigned roles.

As for Talia, although she was grounded, she continued to practice on her own, late at night when everyone was asleep. She refused to let her dreams of becoming a warrior be stifled by anyone.

Together, Renn and Talia continued to grow stronger, their bond deepening with each passing day. They knew that, one day, they would show the world what they were truly capable of, and that they could overcome any challenge that came their way.