(Had a bit of trouble with this one tonight. Dest and Lance both tonight. I figured might be good with a friend’s plot coming up soon.)

“Are you insane? No!” Lance scowled at what he was hearing. “I didn’t teach this all to you just for you to go and get yourself killed. You are not making everything that was done to keep you safe, worth nothing.”

“It was not worth nothing. You know it as well as I do. But I am doing this. You can’t stop me, Lance.” Destiney crossed her arms over her chest as they spoke outside in the yard at her house.

The thunk of a sword biting into wood. Poor striking dummy taking the brunt of the knight’s anger at his cousin’s words. He could understand full well why she would want to do this. That wasn’t the part he disagreed with.

What bothered him most was that they were keeping things from the Company she worked with. All because the ties the leader and one member held. That part did not make any sense to him. If she was willing to work with them. Put her trust in them. Then how could she keep this part from them? Clearly this was something they were going to clash over.

“You are talking of walking into enemy territory. Possibly getting hurt or worse. Have you even told your boyfriend about this? My guess is you haven’t. Halone have mercy… Destiney think about this.”

“I have thought about. Ever since the night Yuti told me what they found out. I am not letting Ikara remain in enemy hands. She’s like a sister to me, Lance!”

A soft huff before Destiney paced away from her cousin. Hand coming to rest on the hilt of her blade. Feeling for the magic she’d been training with. Reminding herself of every lesson both her brother and cousin had been giving her. Teaching her to fight. To be able to protect those she cared about. Rather then always being the one needing protection. It didn’t make her a skilled fighter by any standard. Yet it helped. Every bit helped more then where she was a year ago. Barely able to fight. This time would be different. This time she wouldn’t hesitate.

After all she had a reason to come home to. Always. She promised Syluss she would always come home to him.

Turning to face her stubborn cousin. Knowing he was just trying to protect her because he cared about her. Because it was part of who he was as a knight. As family. Setting her feet and preparing herself for the battle of getting him to give on this. “I will prove to you that I am ready for this. I will not falter. Not this time.”

Hand drawing that blade. Giving Lance a look a determination. For Ikara she would do this. Had to do this.