Taarsidath-an halsaam
@exemplaris
It is suggested one night before sleep claims them. The words are lost somewhere among tired jokes and half-hearted prods, but the intent is genuine all the same. It would be smart. She had insisted. To attempt sparring while things were still calm enough. Where they had the space and freedom to measure how the other fared.
The suggestion had been made a time ago, but there had been a delay until the execution. It was important to keep moving, to stay ahead of any threats, whatever they may be. They were often too tired after travelling and setting up camp to attempt it, and there was not enough time in the morning before they needed to move again.
Finally, an opportunity had come one morning when Maisie had announced they would be taking a pause to hunt and restock some food supplies. Everyone had been eager for a break, for some extra time to stretch out before cramming once more into the caravan, and groups had quickly gone off for various hobbies.
Mitama and Ferdinand had nothing pressing that required their attention at the time. So Mitama asked and Ferdinand agreed.
No audience watched this time as they found a spacious enough area for them to spar in proper. Mitama’s staff was a comfortable weight in hand as she stood across from Ferdinand, waiting patiently for him to prepare. It was necessary, for both of them. Mitama was still unexperienced in fighting, however well she had taken to it in the past, and Ferdinand needed to...adjust to his newfound limitations. It would not do for his to overreach and falter in battle due to unfamiliarity.
(He was not in full gear, but there was still something that prickled in the back of her mind at the thought of what he could wield, what he would wield against her. She trusted him, of course, without question, but no one enjoyed a knife to their throat and doubly so not one that was crafted to fell them specifically.)
“Do we fight to a specific goal?” She asked. Though she had not started any particular spell yet, magic drifted close by, an eager hum under her skin at the chance to flourish, create, exist. The air around her chilled slightly in anticipation. She hoped her smile was not too eager. “First to a hit, or a certain number of them? Or simply until exhaustion, or one of us submits?”

















