They make their way toward the living quarters, an area distinctly different from the infirmary's surroundings.
The buildings here tower several floors high, each with three sets of stairs leading to various entrances. Large windows dot the walls, and Eska notices a few people coming and going through multiple doors.
"Is that…is that a house…of houses?" Eska blurts out, her curiosity spilling over. Valen quickly suppresses a chuckle, turning his head away but Eska catches his amusement and frowns with a frustrated hum.
Without looking back, Valen says "It absolutely is a house of houses. These are the living quarters. Just like you said, they are smaller houses put together to save space."
Eska crosses her arms. Her frown deepens as she looks forward, away from Valen. "Well, I don't know what's so funny about it," she mutters, clearly displeased.
Valen stifles another laugh, but Eska ignores it. A slight smile breaking through her expression.
The street widens as they continue, revealing more of the clustered homes.
To one side, the 'houses of houses' line up neatly, each with a small garden out front. On the other side, an expansive training ground comes into view. The area is filled with weights, weapons, sparring areas, and a track encircling the space.
The training grounds are bustling with activity.
Groups of people work together. They practice maneuvers or sparring, lifting weights and practicing archery. Some are training on their own.
As the group approaches, a cluster of individuals taking a break notices them, their attention shifting curiously toward Eska and Valen.
They stop as a cluster of knights steps into their path, forcing an interaction.
Valen moves forward, positioning himself between Eska and the approaching group. "Can I help you?" he asks calmly, his tone neutral.
The man at the front of the group glances at Valen before his eyes land on Eska.
"That's the heretic, right?" he asks, barely acknowledging Valen as he moves to step around him.
Valen raises an arm, stopping the man in his tracks.
Their eyes meet in a tense exchange.
"I just want to meet her, Valen," the man says with a smirk, menace in his tone. "If she's going to work with us, I'd like to know who I'm working with." He looks directly at Eska. "Wouldn't you want the same thing?"
Eska narrows her eyes, sensing the hostility, but she steps forward and offers a calm smile. "I'm Eska," she says, extending her hand.
Valen lowers his arm but keeps a watchful eye on the interaction. The man takes Eska's hand, squeezing it hard enough to cause discomfort. "Kaz," he introduces himself, his grip tightening even further.
Eska's smile doesn't waver. "Nice to meet you, Kaz," she replies. "Are you a paladin, too?" she asks, tilting her head curiously.
Kaz looks down at his hand, surprised by her lack of reaction, before abruptly letting go. "No," he says, almost insulted by the suggestion. "I'm a knight under Valen, and these," he gestures to the group behind him, "are also knights under his command."
"Nice to meet you all!" Eska says cheerfully, waving to the group. None of them respond, their expressions cold and unfriendly.
Kaz smirks and turns back to Eska. "You know, we don't know what you can do. How about a friendly sparring match?" he suggests, his tone dripping with challenge.
Valen steps in. "Eska is recovering from her last hunt. Perhaps another time, Kaz," he says firmly.
Before Valen can say more, Eska turns to him with a confident smile. "If it's just friendly sparring, it should be fine, right?" she says brightly, and a shadow of unease creeps across Valen's face.
Kaz gives him a smirk then begins walking towards the training grounds.
Eska follows him as the group heads toward the sparring area, the growing crowd buzzing with interest.
Valen let's out a sigh, whispering at her. "I'll stop it if needed, but you better know what you are getting into."
Eska just shrugs without looking at him, hearing his frustrated sigh once more.
As they walk, Marina's voice murmurs in Eska's head. "Humans like Kaz are dangerous. Watch for hidden tactics, they often hide knives behind their backs."
Eska nods subtly, taking the warning to heart.
The sparring area is surrounded by curious onlookers.
Kaz grabs a wooden sword and shield from a rack. "Pick your weapon," he tells Eska.
She examines the options, but eventually shrugs. "I'll go without one. I'm not used to any of these," she says plainly.
Kaz laughs mockingly. "Suit yourself! Whatever makes you comfortable," he says, his sarcasm evident.
Eska sighs softly, her cheerful demeanor fading.
They take their positions at the center of the arena. Kaz smirks and glances at Valen. "Let Valen call the start—just to keep things fair," he says with a sly grin.
Valen lets out yet another frustrated sigh but raises his arm and shouts, "Ready!"
Kaz braces himself, sword poised, while Eska tilts her head in anticipation.
"Start!" Valen calls, and the crowd goes silent.
Kaz watches Eska, but she doesn't move. He taunts her. "What's wrong? Scared to throw the first punch?"
Eska narrows her eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be a hunter?" she asks, her tone calm but pointed.
"Of course I am!" Kaz snaps, annoyed by her question.
"So," Eska continues, "you'd attack a monster that's already spotted you and is on the defensive?"
Kaz falters, her words catching him off guard. "I—" he stammers, struggling to respond as the realization of her strategy dawns on him.
Kaz quickly shifts to the offensive. "Then I'll attack you!" he shouts, bolting forward with quick steps.
Eska sidesteps gracefully, moving toward the unguarded side of his shield.
As Kaz attempts to adjust his trajectory, she lightly taps his foot, sending him stumbling forward. He falls but recovers quickly, rolling to his feet and thrusting his sword outward to keep her at bay.
Before he can steady himself, Eska swiftly kicks the sword from his hand.
Kaz freezes, his wide eyes darting between her and the weapon on the ground. Eska leans forward slightly and whispers with a playful tone, "Don't you need that?"
Growling in frustration, Kaz quickly sprints toward the sword and snatches it up. Without thinking, he instinctively extends it again, but Eska kicks it out of his grasp once more.
His expression turns from confusion to anger as he looks between his empty hand and Eska, who shrugs with an air of amused bewilderment.
Fury overtaking him, Kaz charges with his shield, aiming to knock her off balance.
Eska steps aside effortlessly and hooks her foot behind his leg, tripping him just as she did before. This time, she keeps her foot in place, ensuring he doesn't recover as easily.
Kaz crashes to the ground, catching himself with his shield. He quickly twists to face her, but she's no longer in front of him.
A light clatter to his side draws his attention—Eska is calmly picking up his sword.
Kaz glances around, blushing as he catches the incredulous expressions of the crowd.
Valen hides a small smile. The onlookers stare in stunned disbelief at the spectacle unfolding before them.
A light tap on his shoulder snaps Kaz's attention back. He turns to see Eska crouched in front of him, one arm wrapped around her knees while the other casually extends the wooden sword, its tip resting lightly on his shoulder.
"Does this mean I win?" she asks softly, her tone genuinely curious, as if the outcome surprises even her.
Eska's bubbling smile grows as she tilts her head, the wooden sword still in her hand. "You know, Kaz, you're not bad, but you're…kind of predictable," she says with an honest smile.
"Every move you made felt like it came straight out of a routine—charge, defend, reset. It's like you were expecting me to follow the same script, but monsters don't do that, right?"
She leans back slightly, her golden eyes gleaming with genuine enthusiasm. "Maybe shake things up next time? Think less about what's supposed to happen and more about what could happen."
Eska's grin softens as she taps the wooden sword lightly against her palm. "Your charge was solid. The power behind it? Perfect—like, if you'd landed it, I'd probably still be picking myself up off the ground."
Eska extends her hand toward Kaz, offering to help him up as she stands tall. Kaz glances at it, but chooses to pull himself up without her aid.
"I guess you can fight," he mutters, a slight frown tugging at his lips.
Only once he's fully upright does he take her hand for a brief shake before letting go. Without another word, he turns and strides into the crowd, who immediately erupt into teasing jeers over his loss.
Eska walks back to Valen.
As they begin to leave, Valen suddenly halts, his expression hardening. Turning sharply, he raises his voice, startling Eska.
"Listen up!" he bellows, his voice cutting through the chatter and commanding attention.
The crowd freezes, eyes locking onto him as he continues. "Eska might be a heretic, but she's here under the Speaker's orders to prove herself. If you've got a problem with that—" he pauses briefly, his tone growing sharper—"take it up with the Speaker!"
The weight of his words settles over the group, silencing any lingering murmurs. "That is all. Carry on,"
Valen finishes with authority, turning back toward Eska. The crowd parts quietly as they resume their walk, the air heavy with unease but no further protests.
A voice calls out behind them, cutting through the murmur of the dispersing crowd. "That was quite the show, Eska."
Eska turns, spotting a woman with a black ponytail, her dark skin not unlike Eska's own. An expectant grin crosses her face as she watches them. "Wish I had permission to challenge you!"
She lets out a sharp laugh, her stance relaxed but eager, as if the thought alone excites her.
Valen exhales sharply, eyes landing on the woman. "Vanessa, I thought you'd be waiting at your place."
Vanessa narrows her brows, crossing her arms. "Valen, did you seriously expect me to just sit around when your training area is right beside the new place?"
She scoffs, shaking her head before jabbing a finger in his direction, her voice dripping with accusation. "I just couldn't wait to see your chapter in action!"
Eska's head tilts slightly as her gaze flickers between them, trying to gauge the familiarity in their exchange.
Her lips press together, brows pinching as she studies Vanessa's confident stance, the ease with which she throws accusations at Valen.
There's an energy to her, bold and direct, like someone who has known him long enough to speak without restraint. Eska's mouth opens as if to ask something, then closes. Her fingers twitch at her sides, a subtle tell of her internal debate.
Vanessa catches Eska's uncertain expression and steps closer, extending her hand without hesitation. "Vanessa."
Her voice carries no pretense, just straightforward honesty. The grin stays, but her expression softens, making it clear she means no harm.
There's a casual confidence in the way she holds herself, as if she's already decided they'll get along.
Eska grips Vanessa's hand firmly, her golden eyes studying the woman for a brief moment before Vanessa grins wider.
"You can call me Nass. Everyone but mister paladin here does," Vanessa says, rolling her eyes dramatically before, without warning, she pulls Eska in, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Eska stiffens for a split second at the sudden contact, her body unused to such casual familiarity, but Vanessa doesn't give her a chance to process it.
"Come on! Let's go!" she announces, already dragging Eska forward with a surprising amount of strength.