>>6031187Astoria stands up from her chair and starts to pace back and forth on the creaking floor, as she moves her hands in the air, drawing invisible figures. She looks like she's following instructions you cannot hear.
"This question is actually two questions, and each answer is actually two answers," she starts, taking short steps on the floor, reaching out in the air and then down below. You notice how her body bends with the utmost ease, as if she were made of wax. You train every day, but she has a self-control over her movement that borders on the supernatural... you doubt even Salicera can move with such grace.
"The first question is why were you sent on this mission, and why was I sent on this mission with you? To which I partly answered already." She pauses, holding up her palms and slowly curling her fingers, then releasing them. "And the answer is both how and why. How did you find yourself here tonight? Because your manipolo was chosen. Because there are two people who are of special interest to the higher spheres of Madua. And you can only know the value of steel by its strength, and its strength by trying to bend it."
Your heart picks up pace.
"Did Master ask to--"
"Your Master may enjoy a lofty position," she interrupts you, "but he is but one voice in the choir. Nay, it was someone else. By their request, you were chosen for this mission, together with another."
You don't even have to think about it.
"Salicera."
"And now I suppose you want to know the why." The Blessed Blind smiles, opening her palms again. Two golden flames appear on her hands, slowly rising to float above her, casting sweet, wavering light inside the carriage. Once more, it smells like summer. "That is something you have to answer by yourself, child. I do not fancy knowing Ansàrra better than Her own heart. But we all have a way to listen to Her if we dare to open our ears."
You nod, feeling your heart beating faster. They have chosen you. And Salicera. They have put you to the same level as Salicera Fors, the skirmisher genius of the age.
Your cheeks grow warmer as you remind yourself that losing to pride is truly a fall.
"So... so! This more testing than training."
A test. Your first test beyond Master's guidance. Perhaps this will shorten the time required before they let you take the Trial of Fire.
"It is both, Argia Candente," she murmurs, folding her arms on her chest. "And so far your performance has been most remarkable."
[cont.]
there's a remarkably low amount of illustrations that are about a pale girl with grey hair and blue eyes in armor and that are not porn 