>>6196412But Eva’s luck runs out then - before the Ice Storm fades, Senna rises above the snowy wall, Winged Boots no longer suppressed. From there the fight largely breaks down along those lines. Another round of summons, this time a flock of giant eagles, doesn’t do any more to inhibit the warriors than the crocodiles did, and while Eva’s eagle form remains much faster than the manoeuvring speed of their Winged Boots, the training yard is too small for her to effectively capitalise on it, and she needs to come into arrow range to make most spell attacks. In short order the weight of arrow-fire slays her eagle form, and victory goes to the warriors…
Or it would have, were it not for the appearance of a newcomer at the last possible moment. Just as Eva loses her form and falls, a white streak flashes like a comet out of the pale blue sky to strike Soren, impacting with such force as to drag him all the way to the ground in a tangle of mud and feathers.
You can only smile at the sight. You were wondering where that bird had gone. You knew he must have come through with the rest of you, Eva would have been torn apart if he hadn't, but Linus is an independent soul; you've only met the giant owl a handful of times, as he usually comes when battle is given and spends the rest of his time away.
Eva rushes from where she falls to greet him, pausing only just long enough to heal her true body’s knife wounds and broken leg. Linus, for his part, standing calmly on top of a prone Soren, seems every bit as happy to see her, hooting and flapping as she throws her arms around him. Part of the way, at least; a fully-grown Giant Owl stands as tall as Soren at the hip, and even with his Ring of Reducing keeping him more reasonably-sized Linus is still well larger than his mistress.
Soren and Senna seem to decide that they’re satisfied with a draw at that point, and all the combatants bow and depart the yard, including Linus, who becomes an object of instant fascination among the locals near you.
“Well fought,” you say to the returning warriors. “I am surprised at your coordination with how short a time you’ve known one another.”
“A man fights as he trains,” Soren replies.
“And that’s all we do,” Senna adds, not bothering to hide her exasperation. “Train, train, train. I’m used to it, though.”
“It seems to have paid off. Count yourselves lucky - mages can’t practise anywhere near as much as warriors.”
While there are still some jeers to you and Anya entering the field, after the aerial mêlée they just witnessed, anticipation predominates. You would be astonished if nearly Winterfell’s entire population isn’t in attendance, so packed are the edges of the field. That includes both of Lord Stark's daughters, you notice.
You and your sister face off to spar, as tens of thousands of times before. “A proper fight,” Anya says. “Don’t you go easy on me.”
"I wouldn't dare."
