Sly little minx...

When Kiril wakes, he immediately realizes something is wrong. But what?

Oh, he isn't in his bedroll. He's in the secret room, he realizes. Reaching for Spring, he then knows what caused him to wake. She isn't here.

Rising, hurriedly dressing in his leggings, boots, buckling his sword belt on, ignoring his shirt, blanket and lantern for now, he exits the room.

Not seeing her in their sleeping area, he tries to think where she might be.

He sees no signs of struggle in the area, nor does he notice Blaze.

Perhaps she is at the washing area? No, not there, and no sign she has been there this morning.

Morning, huh! this is a good hour and a half earlier than his usual rising, and he is by far the earliest riser of any of the monastery's inhabitants by a large margin.

Perhaps a run? He leaves the building, and finally sees tracks, A small foot, delicate steps, yes, he has found her tracks, and they are very recent.

No sign of anyone else with her, or following her. Okay, then she is out here of her own volition. Good! He most likely won't have to kill anyone then.

He sees a guard. "Spring out there?" he asks.

"Aye, ‘bout a quarter turn past she went out, she did," the guard then grins, "I think she's a'waitin fer ye. She's out thar whar ya always be doin yer sword drills, she be." Then he winks.

Kiril just grins, then mutters, "Oh, what a sly minx!" Then to the guard, “Othic, thanks for keeping an eye on for me."

The guard, Othic replies, "Oiy, keepin’ an eye on that one sure ain't a chore, now is it. Besides which, I be seein’ ya praticin, I ‘ave, and you just be a'keepin that thar blade of yurs pointin’ aways from me, be if ya don't be a'mindin. I figures if I keep an eye on the wee lassie fer ya, ye be doin’ that thar li’l thing."

“Othic," he replies with a heartfelt grin, "that is absolutely the most I've ever heard you say at one time. And I promise to keep my sword pointed away from you. I love her you know, so you have my gratitude."

"Aye laddie, a blind man could be a'seein how ya felt. And she's a likely lass, she be. I'm a'thinkin that the two of ye will be makin’ a powerful, strong couple, i'm a'thinkin. Ya done goood lad, as did she in agreein’ to ya."

“I haven't asked her yet, Othic. I thought we should perhaps we should survive the cleansing first," Kiril says.

Otihc grins at him and replies, "Might not hav put it into words laddie, but the question, its been asked, and answered, its plain to these ol eyes, it’s been."

Kiril beams at that, waves at him, and as he turns to head out to find Spring, he says to Othic. "Thank you again. Now I have a beautiful woman waiting on me, and that's something way to good to pass up. So enough talking with you, you old reprobate!" And he moves away.

Meanwhile, behind him, Othic chuckles, and continues his watch of the surrounding area.

Kiril moves stealthily to his usual training area. He wants to see how keen Spring's senses are, as this too, is a good skill to train in. So, moving silently, blending from shadow to shadow, he makes his way. Soon, he becomes aware of a presence. It's her. Circling around behind her, he is able to move to within a few paces of her back. He stands motionless and still.

About two minutes pass when he hears, "You’re standing behind me aren't you?" Springs says in a perfectly normal conversational tone of voice.

"Yes kitten, I am" he says, the humor he feels leaking out in his tone.

"And this is a foundation for future training. Being aware of your surroundings, but not today's. And my Love, very clever of you, getting up first. Now turn around please."

When she does, he steps forward, putting a hand on each of her hips, lifting her up into the air, then bringing her back down to pull her close to kiss.

Laughing softly, as sound carries way too well out here, he tells her, "That was my showing that I concede your victory in my challenge to you. By the way, Good Morning, and, I love you!"

Spring giggles, and says, "Well I need to win more often then, if this is my prize!"

“See that you do," he warns with a smile. "See that you do, as your forfeit is ghastly indeed!" he teases. "But, now, let’s get started.”

He has her follow his example as he warms up, then starts basic lunges, strikes and blocks. He sees that she is having some problems keeping her focus, so he stops her, deciding that some training in meditation would be helpful.

After she had copied his seated position, he says to her, "I will now try and teach you some simple meditation exercises. This will help you to ignore distractions, even fatigue and pain from injuries as you improve. It will be useful, I believe when your casting spells in the middle of the bedlam and chaos of battle also, not just for melee."

"Now I want you to try and blank out of your mind of everything but my voice." He continues talking softly to her for awhile, then he changes his instructions. "Good, you’re doing good. Now push my voice, so it seems to come from far away, as if from the wind.” His voice continues and then he says, “Now hear your heart, the beat of it, ignore everything else.”

Now Spring feels her body being shaken. Her attention snaps back, and she sees Kiril kneeling in front of her, gently shaking her, with a warm smile lighting up his face.

“Spring, melamin, you are a natural. Look in the sky."

She does. The sun is rising. What? It should be at least another three hours.

At the bewildered look on her face, Kiril chuckles, and says, "Mela, you've been in a trance for a long time. I was going to do more tumbling, but this is, for many, a very difficult skill to understand and gain. Now we can work on your ability to enter into this state at will, and to retain a conscious state of mind for your task at hand, while blanking out that which distracts. It took me several weeks to do what you just did. I am very excited at this progress of yours."

“But, it is now time to go back and get breakfast. Again, well done!"

He helps her stand, but before heading back to the monastery. he reaches out for her hand. Clasping it, he looks deeply into her eyes. Kiril says to her, "Spring, Gi melin! And I want you to be prepared. When we finish clearing this city, I will have a question to ask you. I would ask now but for two reasons, I want to have us survive the trials still ahead of us in these damnable ruins, and, while I am certain of my feelings, I want you to have more time to examine your own. I hope you already know what I am to ask. I am going to ask you to marry me. And if you decide to say no, I will still love you, and will protect you with every bit of skill at my disposal.

And then he gathers her in to his arms, kissing the top of her head.

o0o