[Training] part of the moving whole

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

As Deimos had surmised, Alys had no one in particular that she could call up to create a mental image of, no one who could inspire that kind of loathing and hatred. Indeed, if she were asked to name her imaginary foe, she would have had a great deal of trouble. Perhaps a poacher, greedy and cruel, would deserve such a fate. A murderer, a rapist - but Alys knew of none, and so her effigy would remain faceless as she flung her last dagger at its heart.

She was proud of her final strike, grinning with delight as her dagger sank deep, precisely where she had aimed it. It was probably a fluke, she knew that - it would take a great deal more practice to become consistent with such a shot - but it was the start of something new all the same, a new tool in her arsenal and an improved ability to defend herself and others. "How did you learn all this?" she asked in wonder as Deimos's dagger struck true. "Is there any weapon you can't handle?"

Alys