[Training] don't you know i'm not afraid to shed a little blood

and i'm still waiting for a life that never was

Not terrible, Deimos said, and Alys huffed in response. She had gone into this knowing that she had improvements to be made, so the man's attempt to get a rise out of her was studiously ignored. It was a new ability, this self-control, the lack of the need to defend herself. She wasn't sure when she had changed, or if she really had - maybe it was just with Deimos, who had offered her assistance time and again, ever since the first day they met. Why should she take offense when he was offering her advice?

Instead, Alys focused on copying Deimos's instructions. She spread her feet further apart, tightened her core, and tucked in her hips. "Like this?" she asked, concentrating on her position as she drew a new arrow, holding it in place to allow Deimos the chance to correct her.

Alys