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To Train A Dragon Rider (Distain2003 & darkangel76)

Liana let Thanos help her into the cabin and up the stairs. He gently helped her onto her bed and silently excused himself, shutting her door quietly behind him. She heaved a sigh of relief. She was ecstatic at the idea of going to sleep. Her head and body ached; she was beyond exhausted. Day would come all too soon and she very much needed the rest in order to do the things she’d been told she’d be doing the next day.

Sitting on the bed, Liana pulled off her boots and let them just drop onto the floor with a soft thud. She didn’t care where they fell. She then slipped off her pants, followed by her tunic until she was only in an undershirt of sorts. Shimmying her body toward the head of the bed, she pushed the covers down and then pulled them back up. The sheets felt cool at first, but soon warmed up. The air in her room was a bit chilly, but it was a nice contrast from how it felt under the blankets.

Liana laid herself down, her head resting comfortably against her pillow. She stared at the ceiling for several long minutes. Her mind wandered over the events of the day, the ups and the downs. It had been a total whirlwind, both physically as well as emotionally. She had to admit that she felt somewhat confused. She knew what her purpose was, like it or not. But her emotions and feelings felt raw, as raw as the wounds on her wrists. She looked at her wrists just then, all bandaged up and stinging less than they had earlier that day.

Gently, Liana gave each of her wrists a squeeze. The events leading up to those wounds were ones she’d never forget. Strangely, the worst part of the memory for her was not the anger Thanos had unleashed on her. It was the disappointment she saw ever so briefly in his dark eyes before his wrath was let free to do what it pleased to her. It made no sense to her how one minute she could hate and fear the man and then the next want to make him proud, could feel such admiration. It was perplexing, almost disturbing.

Sighing contentedly and snuggling under the blankets, Liana shifted onto her side and stared at the fire burning in the fireplace. The dancing flames were entrancing and soon she let her eyes close. Within minutes after that, she found sleep.
 
Thanos was soon in bed but it was not a peaceful night sleep by any means. Long ago he had developed his prayer as a way to ease his mind over the crimes of his past. Tonight he had neglected to make amends to those who had fallen under his blade. Friend and foe alike haunted his dreams he tossed and turned violently in his bed as he did near constant battle with the dead and men who's blood stained his soul. What his father had told him so many years ago proving itself true again as it had so many times.

The old man flew in to spare him from the fray with his haunted past and landing him on the cliff above where his father and grandfather where entombed. Standing there the old man looked at him placing his hand on his sons chest and began speaking in a booming tone. "Remember son the souls of the men you kill will be with you until the day you die, you must find a way to guard yourself from them or you will wind up taking your own life in madness. " With that his father pushed him from the cliff sending him falling to his death on the rocks hundreds of feet below.

Moments before Thanos's body struck the ground he sat bolt up right in bed and looked around terrified. "No!" He blurted out as his body fought the dream trying to pull him back in. Standing he made his way staggering to the dresser ripping out a pair of pants and a shirt her quickly got dressed. He needed to go outside to work to prepare for the day or he would never get his mind off those events. Once outside he stretched quickly and began his run around the lake, his sword on his hip and his arms draped over the shaft of a short spear. A technique he developed long ago to force his lower body and lungs to work harder on his runs. It only took him a half hour to make the 5 mile trip around the lake leaving him panting outside the front door trying to catch his breath.
 
Liana was startled awake when she heard a male voice shout out in the darkness. Her eyes shot open and she looked all around her room. Everything was dark, though the fire in the fireplace burned dimly. Slowly, she sat up, her muscles still very sore. She rubbed her thighs and then her arms, trying to alleviate some of the ache she felt lingering within them. Taking a deep breath, she swung her legs around to the side of the bed and stood up. Her legs were very steady now, despite the pain she still felt radiating through them. She walked over to her fireplace and added a few pieces of wood. She then picked up the poker and shifted things within the fire to help make things burn better, brighter, warmer. As she made her way back to her bed, she heard a shuffling noise on the other side of her door.

Standing still, listening, Liana tried to make out what noises she was hearing. Finally, she heard the stairs creaking. Thanos was up. But why? Shrugging it off, she continued walking back to her bed. Suddenly she heard the door downstairs open and close. She moved to her window and saw him head toward the lake and begin to jog.

‘Curious,’ Liana thought to herself.

Biting her lip, Liana grabbed her pants, which had been strewn on the floor earlier and slipped them back on. Quietly, she made her way toward the stairs and descended them, each one creaking as she stepped on them. Once downstairs, she shivered. She was only wearing her pants and an undershirt, her feet were bare and her tunic was still somewhere on her floor upstairs. The air was cold, so she added more wood to the fire burning in the fireplace. Then, she turned to where the food was kept and began to see what sorts of things were available.

Liana found some apples, bread and cheese. So, she cut the apples into slices and laid them on a plate, along with some slices of cheese and hunks of bread. She figured that Thanos would probably be hungry after taking yet another jog around the lake. Though she was sure his earlier jog with her barely affected him since her pace had been so slow. When everything was prepared on the plate. She set it on the table near the couches. She then went to where the ale was kept and poured a small glass, along with a glass of water. She brought both cups over to the table and set them next to the plate.

Smiling, Liana left everything out for Thanos for when he returned from his jog. Slowly, she crept up the creaking stairs, wondering when exactly he’d be back.
 
Once he had caught his breath he went around back taking a deep breath relaxing a bit he took up the ax and began scoring the large wood chunks. Placing a inch deep X in each piece so she would have something to aim at when she split the wood later. Finally with all the preparations for the day that could be made had been he walked inside only a few minuets behind her as she escaped up the stairs. He froze in the door seeing the plate of food on the table with no one in sight he turned and twisted looking for her.

Taking a deep breath he finally slipped into the room and moved to the couch checking each piece of food with his nose before taking it into his mouth. He ate and drank heartily as he had not had much food yesterday and had not had a meal prepared for him in years. His mind wondered randomly over the dream he had that night and the fact the young woman had woken up early. He knew she must have heard him scream out and was trying to prepare a story as to why he called out so early in the morning.

His mind then wandered over why she would have came down to make breakfast and then not stayed to eat. He took a deep breath finally shaking all the thoughts from his mind and closing his eyes as he nibbled at his food and sipped his drink. Soon he stood and made his way up stairs gently wrapping on her door telling her it was time to wake up. "Time to start the day princess. " He said firmly turning to walk away he had already forgotten her name as he never cared to listen when he was told it.
 
Liana had just gotten back into bed when she heard Thanos knock on her door. She heard his muffled voice telling her it was time to get started with things. Heaving a sigh, she pushed the covers off once more and redressed herself. She looked at her face in the mirror and winced. She looked absolutely frightful. Her face was dirty, her hair messy and the clothes were absolutely ghastly. Scowling, she headed toward her door and began to head down the staircase.

The stairs creaked as Liana went down them, which only made her smile and shake her head. Once down stairs, she saw Thanos sitting on one of the couches waiting for her. She gave him a smile and went to where the food was stored and began to prepare a plate for herself. She skipped pouring herself some ale and just poured herself some water instead.

Liana carried her plate and cup over to the table and sat down across from Thanos. She began to nibble on her food in silence, not wanting to ask him why he’d gotten up so early for a jog. She’d heard him shout out, but didn’t want to pry. She figured he’d tell her if he wished for her to know. One thing she’d been able to learn about him was that he did things his own way and only told her what he felt was necessary. After all, she had to ask him his name since he didn’t offer it out right away.

“Did you sleep well?” Liana asked, breaking the silence that hung between Thanos and herself. “I, for one, feel much better this morning. Still sore…” her voice trailed a bit. “And I think my wrists are better too.” She gave him a smile before going back to nibbling on her food and then taking a sip of her water.
 
His face was drawn and solum as he sat there his mind again flooding with the images of the dream watching himself kill his friends over and over. Blinking his eyes he looked at her and forced a polite look on his face as she asked him how he slept the one question he did not want today. "I woke, so i can't say i slept to poorly. " He said softly moving to stand slowly as she grew closer to finishing her meal. Moving to the door and stepping out side waiting for her to meet him he would have to take her to town to get more clothing soon or she would have nothing to wear soon.

Once she came outside he took her arm gently and sat her on the ground carefully. "You need to do these every day it will keep your body from getting injured threw activity. " Carefully he began manipulating her body stretching every single muscle in her body, save the ones that he could not gain access to politely. Several points he had moved her body into a rather awkward and in some cases rather suggestive positions. His face seemed to ignore the fact that at a few points during their stretching they appeared to be having sex.

Once complete he took her hands and gently tugged her to her feet before turning and leading her over to the side of the house with the large stacks of wood. Each log setting on its end a large X pointing to the sky marking where she was to strike the wood. Take the ax from one of the logs he placed it in her hands and silently while standing in front of her he showed her how to grip the ax and swing it to maximize the force imparted into the head. He spoke as little as possible not really sure how to teach someone the things he did so naturally. "You will have to teach your self to aim but you want to hit the lines i drew as perfectly as possible and the wood will literally fall apart. " Moving out of the way standing next to her watching the motions to come.
 
Liana felt her cheeks redden as Thanos manipulated her body, showing her how to best stretch and move her muscles to help loosen them and prepare them for the sorts of things she’d be doing from now on. She could feel the heat emanating from his body, their bodies so close to one another, some of the positions rather suggestive, provocative.

Finally, Thanos handed Liana the axe and explained to how to best hold and use the object to complete the task he had prepared for her. She nodded in understanding, her jaw set, fully determined to do a better job than she had the previous day.

Standing over the wood marked with ‘Xs’, Liana brought the axe back over her shoulder and swung. She underestimated how much force she’d need and the vibrations sent back through her as the axe’s blade made contact with the wood made her teeth rattle and eventually fall backward. Slightly dazed, she stood back up and tried again. She swung a bit harder, her aim only slightly off. Again the vibrations made her fall backwards.

Liana refused to look at Thanos. She didn’t want to chance him seeing that she was frustrated already… only two swings into trying. Again, she pulled the axe back over her shoulder, but she paused a moment and tilted her head. Take a deep breath, she repositioned the axe over her shoulder, but rather than making an overhead strike, she made a slightly sideways arc. She was able to put more momentum into her swing and she managed to make the blade connect with the wood. Her aim still wasn’t the best and she’d have to take at least another swing before the axe made it completely through the wood, but at least she didn’t fall down, she didn’t feel like her head was going to fall off.

Gritting her teeth, Liana tried to free the axe from the deep gash it made in the wood. It was hard and took her several minutes to do. But eventually, she was able to bring the axe back over her shoulder again. Again, she swung it at her sideways arc. Crack! The wood was cut cleanly in half. She couldn’t help but smile. Her form and execution of the task hadn’t been perfect. But at least she could see herself eventually being able to do it, though she knew she’d be sore all over again. And she knew her hands were going to be blistered by the end of the day.

Liana put the axe down and dragged over the next piece of wood marked with an ‘X’. She picked the axe back up and brought it over her shoulder before readying herself to swing it once more.
 
Thanos stood silently watching her, silently laughing as her first two blows brought her to the ground. He knew how much it hurt to not have the blade bite into the hard wood having done split more then his share of frozen timber. As she split the logs one by one he stood them back up and positioned them for her to quarter them. After nearly 3 hours they had split every log into four neat pieces though some where better then others. Taking the heavy ax from her hands he smiled and pointed to the lake not far away.

"Go wash your hands in the water the cool water will help keep them from calosing and blistering. " He said softly part of him not wanting the young womans body to harden as his had still thinking she was to well suited for something lease rugged then combat. He began piling the wood having meant for this to be her job he decided that he would give her the day to relax a bit.

Smiling he walked over to her once she was at the waters edge knowing that as a woman she would be more prone to being attacked on the ground. Walking up behind her he placed his foot firmly on her butt and shoved her heavily sending her face first a few feet out into the water. "Come now get up I think its time i teach you how to defend yourself. " He smirked hoping that the chill bath was enough to anger her into fighting him. He did not for one moment think about the quality of her clothing and the fact he was shoving a woman into frigged waters.
 
Liana plunged into the cold, inky waters of the lake. The shock of the water’s temperature made her lose her breath, causing her to choke and sputter as she raised her head above the water’s surface. Blinking she turned to look at Thanos. He appeared to be pleased with himself for successfully sneaking up on her and pushing her into the water like that. She glared at him, trying to understand why he did that.

Cheeks red, Liana pushed her dark hair away from her face and began making her way toward the shore. Her clothes, now sopping wet, felt heavy, making it difficult to move. They clung tightly to her body now, almost appearing to be a second layer of skin. They no longer made her appear shapeless or androgynous, her feminine form more than apparent.

Shivering and angry, Liana walked up to Thanos. She looked up at him, desperately wanting to wipe that pleased smirk off of his face. It burned her that he was so much larger and stronger than she was, giving him the advantage all around. But, at that moment, she suddenly found that she just didn’t care. She was mad at him. She thought she’d done rather well earlier and this is what happens as a result?

“You bastard!” Liana shouted as she thumped Thanos on the chest. He didn’t even seem remotely affected by her tiny outburst. In fact, to her, he seemed more amused or annoyed than anything. But that only made her angrier. Again she thumped him and then kicked him in the leg. “Don’t ever do that again!”
 
Smirking as she came up to him and punched him several times and then kicked him firmly in the shin. He would need to teach her how to fight as those where not at all poignant blows. His hand went to her throat and he twisted the pair to the ground moving to rest on top of her he held his hand their. Straddling her waist his free hand gripping hers and pinning it above her head into the dirt. Allowing her to struggle for a few moments he held the grip not enough to choke her just enough to show her he was still in control.

"Reach up and grip the elbow on my left arm make me think your going to try to free your other hand. Then drive your elbow into my right arm at the elbow. When your blow drives my hand from your neck grip the back of mine and pull me down driving your forehead into my nose as hard as you can. " He said calmly trying to teach her how to defend such a precarious position one that a female soldier may easily find herself in. One that was not so lovingly called a rape choke by the soldiers who used it in fights at the barracks.

When she made the move his hand left her wrist quickly gripping her hair to keep her from driving her nose into his face. A move which would have ruined him for weeks as hes broken nose and cheeks healed. Quickly he moved to stand before releasing her hair and moving away from the waters edge ready for her to move in and attack again. "Always watch your enemies hands you never know when they may be going for a blade. Missing that movement could get you killed in an instant. And if they ever are not watching yours go for a blade of your own and end the fight quickly stabbing them here... or here." He said his hand showing his chest where his heart was and the throat where she would be able to instantly end any struggle.
 
Liana just stared at Thanos, her clothes sticking to her body, water dripping from her hair. She was beyond furious. ‘Just what is he trying to get at?’ she asked herself, her cheeks turning even redder than they already were. Apparently the world was more cruel than she’d thought. Then again, this was a war they were preparing her for. She had no idea what sorts of things occurred on the battlefield. And from what he’d just put her through, it was clear that morals and sanity were not commonly practiced.

“Chest or throat?” Liana stated more than asked. “I’ll do my best to remember that!”

Still angry, Liana lunged at Thanos again, hoping to take him slightly off guard. She tried to reach for his own throat, similar to what he’d just done to her. But it was larger than her small hand could grip. Frowning when she realized her actions still had little impact, she moved so that her other hand could punch him in the stomach. At this point, she just wanted to make him wobble a little bit. Even that would give her some small sense of satisfaction. Again, her actions did very little. In her frustration, she tripped over her own feet and fell to the ground.

Liana looked up at Thanos and scowled. Crawling on the ground, she grabbed at his lower legs and ankles, hoping that somehow that would take him off balance. She was beyond frustrated now. Now it had become her mission to make him falter, even just a little bit.
 
He smiled as she attacked him not to mock her or to imply she was weak or foolish but because he was proud she was lashing out at him. As she scrambled against his legs he looked down at her needing to teach her a lesion about leaving her self exposed he reached down. Hooking his arms around her neck and under her left arm he locked her in a firm choke cutting the blood off to her brain quickly. The moment she began to go limp he released her the blood rushing back to her brain waking her up quickly bringing her quickly back to life.

"Stop making blind attacks you keep leaving your self open. If your going to attack do so in a way that it is immpossible for them to hit you back. Leaving yourself open will get you killed you need to watch for their weak areas and strike them there. " He said softly helping her to her feet he under stood that she wanted to take him down and decided to show her yet another way to fight him off.

His hand griped her wist and quickly twisted her arm behind her in a loose arm bar again not trying to hurt her. His hand began fumbling at her belt mocking what a man might be trying to do from that position as his groin was pressed directly into her bottom from this position. "When they are focusing on what they are trying to do throw an elbow high, aim over their head. Then hook their neck and plant both feet on the side where you gripped them and twist the other way. You will pull their head down under your body and throw them over you landing on top. "

He allowed her to catch him and throw him over her body neglecting to mention as he had not thought of it that his move drove his face directly into her breast. "Once he is on the ground drive either your elbow or you knee directly into the bump on their neck try to press that bump out the back of their neck. " His hand releasing her back and pushing her away to prevent her from crushing his throat in anger. "Remember. " He said standing up quickly and moving over to her removing his sword scabbard and all.

"When you have disabled him. Don't make him suffer. " Gripping her hair he ran the sheathed blade over her neck showing her the motion. Then stepping away he pressed the tip at the round of her breast pressing directly over her heart. For the first time noticing her chest since they had met his eyes struggling to look away as her clothing clung to the firm form. The cold air and water having an effect that was not helping him look away.

Turning he placed his sword back on his hip and walked away. " Go inside and warm up. Put on some fresh clothing you can barrow some of mine if need be. " Turning he walked around back of the house trying to clear the thoughts from his mind that her slightly exposed form had given him.
 
Liana laid there on the cold, hard ground, Thanos’ sheathed sword pointed at her breasts. Her breathing came hard and quick as she laid there, shivering, motionless, her eyes fixed on his face. Suddenly, he turned away from her and began walking back toward the cabin as he readjusted his sword back on his hip.

“Go inside and warm up. Put on some fresh clothing you can borrow some of mine if need be,” Thanos said to her as he walked away, not turning once to look back at her.

Liana blinked several times before she finally sat up and moved to stand. Somehow she could still feel where Thanos had touched her, could still feel his eyes on her. Shaking her head, she slowly walked back toward the cabin. She noticed that Thanos did not go inside. Instead, he remained outside and went around to the back of the cabin. She tilted her head and arched an eyebrow. ‘Odd,’ she thought to herself as she went to the front door and pushed it open.

Compared to the outside, the inside of the cabin felt very warm and comfortable. Liana trudged up the creaky staircase to her bedroom. She rummaged through the dresser to see if there were any fresh clothes she could use. But there was nothing. The only clothes she had were the ones Thanos had given her back at the castle when he’d picked her up on his fearsome black dragon. Frowning, she heaved a small sigh and peeked out her door.

Thanos had said she could borrow some of his clothes if she needed to. And she definitely needed to. Biting down on her lip, she moved across the hallway and pushed open his bedroom door. On one of the walls she saw a display of rings. It was rather curious and she wondered what it meant. Not wanting to pry too much, she headed to his dresser and opened up a drawer. She found a shirt and some shorts she could borrow. They were very large, but they’d be suitable enough and she could adjust them slightly to fit her smaller form a bit better.

Quickly, Liana scurried back to her bedroom and changed. It was difficult stripping herself of the wet clothes. They gripped her skin as she peeled them off. Once out of her wet clothes, totally naked in her room, she laid them out next to the fire so that they could dry faster than if she’d laid them elsewhere. She then picked up Thanos’ clothes and dressed herself, using a rope-like belt to adjust the waist of the shorts to fit her better.

Dressed in Thanos’ clothes, Liana headed down the creaky stairs. She was still a bit chilled from earlier, but being inside and changed, she felt much better. As she made her way down the stairs, she longed to sit near the fire so she could warm herself further.
 
Nathan sat out back perched on a split piece of wood his mind clouded it had been a strange day. First a vile nights sleep causing him to loose hours of sleep and send him into a downward spiral of destruction. Then add to that his sudden realization that the dragon rider he was training was not just a woman but an absolutely beautiful woman. He focused trying to drive the fact from his mind he could not afford to think of her like that it would hinder her training. It would cause him to look at her differently if he did not stop thinking like this and that could cause issues.

After several long minuets he was able to refocus himself and stand no longer thinking of her as a woman he stood and moved to the front of the cottage. Moving inside he went to closet he searched for and found an old dagger he had used when he was young fighting as a youth. Taking the old blade and its sheath he moved to the seating area with a wet stone and began honing the blade. He remained quiet focusing on his task of placing the razors edge on the old blade again.

After nearly an hour he brought the blade up to his cheek pulling his skin taught he drug it down his cheek removing the stubble instantly. Smiling he began shaving in his seat cleaning the stubble from his skin carefully using only his fingers to guide the blade. His eyes closed as he worked intently barely breathing as the blade moved against his skin knowing the blade could easily open his throat if he slipped.
 
Once nearly downstairs, Liana saw Thanos sitting down and shaving with the blade of a dagger. She couldn’t help but stare as he dragged the blade across his skin. Licking her lips, she couldn’t blink; she was almost transfixed. She took one more step, causing the stair to creak. Instantly, she woke from whatever hypnotic spell had consumed her. Blinking, she gave him a nod and headed over toward the fire where she sat down.

Liana sat by the fire on top of a small rug. She hugged her knees to her chest and held her hands out closer to the flames. The warmth it emanated felt wonderful against her still slightly chilled skin. After a while, she began to feel much better, more relaxed, warmer. She then got up and went over to where the food was stored. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Thanos finish up shaving.

Rummaging through things a bit, Liana found a box of tea leaves, so she set some water to boil to make some tea. Back at the castle, she would drink tea to help ease her mind, calm her nerves. For some reason, her sparring match, if one could even call it that, with Thanos, had left her quite rattled.

Confusion filled Liana. So many strange emotions coursed through her. It was difficult to discern which ones were which and what exactly they meant. She feared and hated the warrior-trainer; she admired the man. She even found him beautiful. Her skin suddenly felt hot, her cheeks flushing pink, as she admitted that to herself. But she couldn’t deny it. As much as she wanted to hit him, for him to falter just once, she also wanted to look into those dark eyes of his and see something more within them, perhaps glimpse his soul. She could easily recall the way his hands had felt on her body when he’d touched her. Sure, he hadn’t meant anything by it, in fact, she was certain he didn’t see her as anything except a burden. But for some reason that just didn’t matter. She felt what she did regardless, as confusing and unnerving as it was.

Suddenly, the water began to boil. So, Liana removed it from the heat and made herself some tea. She took her cup of the steaming hot liquid back over by one of the couches, the one across from Thanos. She set the cup down on the table so that it could cool off a little, not to mention steep, and she set herself down. She curled up into one of its corners and stared at the flames dancing within the fireplace. She was completely entranced by them as the minutes went by, the silence between him and her deafening, maddening. Sipping on her tea, she continued to stare at the fire, lost in thought, wondering what Thanos had planned for them next, wondering which of them would break the silence.
 
Once Thanos had finished shaving he whipped the blade clean and stood slowly slipping the knife back into its sheath. Hooking it on his belt at his lower back he turned and began to walk up stairs grumbling he began to peal his shirt off. Even as he was still clearly in her line of sight of the young woman his mind was lost on his own doings. His shirt was covered in stubble as was his chest and it began to itch. He had not completely turned when when his shirt crested his stomach and ribs.

Every single line and detail was clearly visible in the fire light, years of training had left him with an amazing body though it was pot marked by scars. A large knife wound sat directly between two of his abdominal muscles though it was clear the wound was decades old. He turned as his head vanished into the shirt making his way towards the stairs to get a clean shirt.

As he ascended the stairs he removed his shirt completely it was as though he had forgotten the young woman was even there as he moved so freely undressing. His upper torso had at least a dozen large scars all over an inch in diameter it and the curve of the scars looked as though they where part of the same device. As if some large spiked wheel ran over his back one narrowly missing his spine on either side.If she would have been able to see the front the wound would have been clear matching scars on the front pointed to only one option. Adding in the many small burn scars on between the line of wounds and his head there was no doubt.

Thanos had been nearly consumed by a dragon.

He vanished up the stairs slowly his hand wiping the small hairs from his chest as he made his way to his room completely lost. It was as though his mind had shut down and trapped him in his own world not for a moment thinking that he should not have removed his clothing in front of the young woman down stairs.
 
Liana’s eyes snapped over to Thanos as he suddenly stood up, grumbling. He began walking toward the stairs. As he did, he pulled on his shirt, pulling it up and eventually over his head. She stopped breathing for a moment as his bared skin came into her view. His muscles were well defined. But they were marred by several scars. She was sure each one told a story, a story that only added to the depth of the man she certain was hidden behind that black soul he liked to show her constantly.

Liana knew when Thanos had reached the top of the stairs as the creaking stopped. She then heard a door open and some shuffling noises. She wondered what he was doing, though more than likely she figured he was getting himself a new shirt to wear. She heaved a sigh. She missed the more feminine clothes she used to wear back in the castle. She didn’t miss all of the layers and complications that came with her royal gowns. But she did long to wear something resembling a dress, something that made her feel like herself once again.

Tears welled in Liana’s eyes for a moment, though she held them back and made them recede. She missed being a girl, being allowed to do the things she loved doing on a regular basis. Like singing and picking flowers. Such things might have seemed silly to most, especially to dragon riders fighting for Azur, especially to Thanos. But she didn’t care. She was who she was. And no amount of training would change what she was on the inside of her being.

Liana reached for her tea and took another sip. The way the tea tasted on her tongue, the way it coated her throat, reminded her of what her life had once been like. When she’d been allowed to be female, to be herself. Setting her tea back down she stood up and walked over to the fireplace. She stared at the flames for several moments before reaching for more wood to add to it.
 
Several minuets later Thanos came down pulling his shirt down only a few brief moments his stomach was visible as he came down the stairs. Smelling the tea made him pause and shake his head taking a deep breath and blinking his eyes he was shaken from the world he was in. "Stand up." He said softly walking over to her waiting for her to stand once she had done so his fingers curled around the waist of her pants. His hand pulled firmly pulling her pants a bit over an inch and a half away from her skin.

If he was looking he could easily see deeply down her form though his eyes where locked on hers despite the large amount of exposed flesh. His free hand removed the dagger and its sheath from his pants and turned it hooking it on her pants positioning it in such a way that it would not be noticed or inhibit movement. His hand gently opened and pressed the dagger against her skin his before pulling away allowing her pants to once again mask her body. Then pulling on her shirt gently he hid the blade in the folds of her clothing so she could still easily remove it but none would know it was there.

"That blade is never to leave your side. If you change clothing hide it again and keep it where you can access it easily and it wont be seen. When you sleep keep it under your pillow, when your nude keep it with in reach. " He said firmly looking into her eyes his mind wondering hoping she would be able to hear the gravity in his voice. His hand moved to her face his fingers curling behind her neck his thumb on her cheek bone. "We are going into town tomorrow to gather supplies. Be careful not all men mean you well and many would jump at the chance to make a princess dragon rider a notch on their bed post. " He said firmly before patting her cheek and turning to go to his room, with in moments he was up the stairs in his room setting in the chair trying to clear his mind.
 
Liana couldn’t breathe as Thanos armed her with the blade. The way his dark eyes fixed to her blue, how his hands nearly touched her exposed flesh, allowing her to feel their heat, but not their contact. It was as if time had suddenly stopped and the only people left in existence were the two of them. Once she was armed, he rubbed his thumb against her cheek. She could feel them start to burn as they darkened from pale to pink to red, though he didn’t seem to notice or care. Strangely, she suddenly found herself leaning into his hand so it could mold around her head and neck.

“We are going into town tomorrow to gather supplies. Be careful not all men mean you well and many would jump at the chance to make a princess dragon rider a notch on their bedpost,” Thanos spoke again, interrupting the hypnotic trance his eyes seemed to be holding over Liana.

Blinking a few times, Liana nodded. Thanos’ words had indeed registered, though she’d been totally lost in his eyes as he’d spoken. Perhaps that was why he’d been so cruel to her earlier with the sparring? Maybe underneath that cold exterior a small shred of him actually cared about what happened to his apprentice. After all, if she turned out to be a failure, it was a reflection on him, his methods. The responsibility for such an outcome wouldn’t rest solely upon her shoulders, but his as well.

At that, Thanos gave Liana’s cheek a pat and he walked away, heading up the creaky stairs to his bedroom. The moment he left her sight, she let out a long exhale followed by several short gasps, as if something was terribly wrong with her breathing. She placed a hand over her chest as it heaved, her lungs gulping for air. Looking over at the stairs, she tilted her head. She felt more confused now than ever and it was eating away at her insides.

With a shaky breath, Liana headed for the stairs and slowly climbed them. Once at the top of them, she walked over to Thanos’ door. She touched it with the palm of her hand and leaned against it a bit.

Without opening it, she spoke softly, “I’m far from a dragon rider, Thanos. And now, I’m no longer a princess either. I’m just… Liana. Nothing more.” Closing her eyes for a long moment, she let out a small sigh and then headed into her own bedroom. She walked toward the window and peered outside it. She could see the lake and the pile of wood she’d cut earlier that day.

Turning from the window, Liana went over by the fireplace and checked to see how dry her clothes had become. They were nearly dry now thanks to the warmth of the fire. She added some more wood and stoked the flames higher. They were so warm compared to the air in the room. Standing fully upright, she glanced back at her window once more. The sky had a pretty orange and purple glow to it. The day was slowly starting to fade. So, headed back down the creaky stairs wondering what she could make for dinner for the both of them.
 
Thanos had no more then sat down when the woman spoke threw his door his head turning to face her. He moved slowly shifting to the door about to open it he did nothing lowering his head he then moved to the wall and knelt down. Again he began his silent prayer to no one as he spoke over the rings of the men who knew him best. Each ring was given the same amount of time each was given the same respect as each made him feel alive again. Each made him feel more human more like any other then anyone else.

It was nearly an hour before he returned from his room feeling the burden of their souls having been lifted from him again. He was excited and happy that he could finally focus on what he was doing again and not feel the weight of so many men on him. He stood and moved to the door going down stairs slowly grumbling at the squeaky stair as he moved past it and down to the kitchen where he could smell the food being prepared.

"You will always be a Princess, once your a Dragon rider you will always be a Dragon rider. No mater what is done it never changes what or who you are you need to understand that. " He said firmly his eyes falling on her as she cooked trying to get her focus on what was happening not what she was loosing. It was not easy he knew this was hard for her she was loosing so much to gain so little he could not understand why she did this.
 
Liana stopped what she was doing the moment Thanos started speaking to her. Her hands rested on the counter top and she slowly turned her head to face him. She didn’t understand how he could see things so cut and dryly. She didn’t feel like a princess any longer even though she was still the only heir to the throne of Azur. She felt like she’d let her people down somewhat. She chose to put her life at risk in the war, not that she chose for her name to be picked, but that was what happened and now she had to deal with the repercussions. And now being at risk, though her intent was to try to make a statement that she was like her people, their equals, she now saw the dangers her father had tried to keep away from her. And what he’d been trying to prevent by sheltering her the way he had. If she failed at becoming a dragon rider, she showed weakness. If she succeeded and then died in battle, she left Azur with no one to rule. It was a damnable situation as she saw it. And the idea of her becoming a dragon rider, well, it was still difficult to swallow, even for her, even with her determination to prove something to herself, to Thanos, to Azur.

Looking into Thanos’ dark eyes, Liana gave him a silent nod. She hoped that she’d be able to see things the way he did eventually. Right now, it seemed impossible. All she could do was try her best whenever he set a task before her. She did want to succeed, but she was sad to be leaving so much of herself behind in order to do so.

Liana turned back to what she was doing and finished preparing dinner. She’d cooked up some more of the meat, along with some vegetables and potatoes. She brought the food over to the table, followed by plates and silverware. Then, she grabbed a glass and poured some ale into it, bringing it over to where Thanos would be seated. She then fixed herself a glass of water and brought that to the table.

Looking over at Thanos, Liana sat herself down and began preparing her plate. As she daintily placed food upon it, she spoke. “If you’d like some apples for dessert, I’ll cut some up after dinner.” She paused a moment. “It’s always nice to have something sweet after a meal. Somehow, you always feel less hungry afterwards.” She gave him a small smile and picked up her fork and began to eat.
 
"I would recomend it for you we need to go for another run around the lake. Your going to have to do that every day until you can make it at a full run. " He said softly taking his first bite of the food allowing himself to eat more slowly then he normally did. Letting out a soft sigh as his empty stomach had its taste of the food and it now began to grow and get hungry. Thankfully it was soon quenched by the food she had made for them glad to give the pair something to eat as Thanos was going to skip eating tonight.

Once he was done he stood placing his plates in the sink and began the water boiling to clean up after the mean. Once that was complete he set to work doing the dishes, it was his house rule the person who cooks can't clean. He remained quiet as he did so trying to relax after such a stressful day it was not going to be easy. He glanced over his shoulder and looked at the her as she ate wondering if she could keep her head in a fight. To keep your calm when all around you are losing theirs is quite the challenge.

Once finished with his dishes he hopped up on the counter and waited for her's having grown quite adept at doing dishes quickly in the military. When you have a bad attitude you get kitchen duty more often then not and it teaches you to do your work quite well. He smiled wondering how she would act when she finally realized that even as a training rider she still officially out ranked him. It was a sad joke that skill meant nothing if you where a complete ass to your bosses.
 
Liana finished eating and brought her plate and silverware over to Thanos. When he’d taken them from her, she went to cut up some apples. Though Thanos hadn’t said he’d wanted any, she cut up enough for him as well and then brought them over to the table. Again she sat down and began nibbling on the fruit.

The apples tasted so very good. Liana had always been fond of fruit, so she was glad to have some around while she had to be away from everything familiar. She saw it as a little luxury, one she’d relish during her time at the remote cabin.

“I’m sure I’ll do better on my jog this time,” Liana said softly, before taking another bite of apple. After swallowing it down, she added, “I’m not as sore as yesterday. And I think I’m in a better frame of mind.” She gave Thanos a smile.

After a few more minutes, Liana finished up what apples she wanted. She left the remaining ones for Thanos if he so chose to eat some.

“Am I to stretch before the jog?” Liana asked, her cheeks reddening a little as she recalled the stretches Thanos had had her do the night before. She looked down at the floor just then and began to head toward the door. Slowly, she put her hand to the knob and twisted.
 
Thanos quickly washed her dishes and drained the sink finishing just as she was about to leave for the jog. He took a single slice of the apples and followed her outside stretching his legs a bit before the run he looked at her. "It would most likely be for the best. If you need a hand just let me know they can be hard to do alone when you are not used to them. " He said again not once thinking about the sexual nature of the stretches so used to doing them with men.

He glanced at her as he began doing the same stretches by him self not getting as good of a stretch but he would never ask for help. Standing out of boredom he turned and pulled a small dagger from the back of his belt right in the small of his back. Turning he began throwing it and a swift powerful motion, each hit sinking the tip of the blade over an inch into the solid wood. He was only about 20 feet from the wood each time he threw but the blade was moving so fast it made the sound nearly the moment it left his hand.

This would be another thing he needed to show her as being able to throw a blade could save your life in the sky when you can not quite reach your enemy. Turning to glance at her as he pulled his knife from the wood and made his way back to the throwing location. He let out a soft sigh it was going to be quite the transformational to see her as a soldier in a few short months.
 
Liana began to do some stretches as Thanos joined her outside, telling her that she ought to do them and that he’d help her if she needed it. Cheeks red, she tried her best to mimic how he did the stretches he’d shown her the night before. It felt awkward, but she wanted to try and see if she could do them herself. As she did them, she could easily tell that having assistance helped tremendously, allowing for a deeper stretch. But still, she wanted to see if she could do them without help. At least this time anyway.

As Liana finished up her stretches, she watched Thanos throw and retrieve his dagger. She wondered if this was his way of telling her what he had planned for the next day. Regardless, it appeared to be rather difficult. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to handle a blade the way he did, let alone throw it in such a manner. He did it with such graceful fluidity, something she felt certain she did not possess at all.

“Am I to learn this…” Liana’s voice trailed and she gestured toward the dagger sticking out of the wood. She shook her head in disbelief. “I doubt I’ll ever be able to do that.” She paused a moment and added, “But I’ll try.” And she would. Not for herself though, but for Azur, for Thanos. She couldn’t and wouldn’t let them down. Not if she could help it.

At that, Liana took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She gave Thanos a nod letting him know that she was ready to jog around the lake. Again, she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep up with him. But, she did hope to do better than the night before. At least this time she felt better rested, plus she wasn’t nearly as sore. With determination, she head toward the lake and began to jog lightly around the inky, black waters. She tried to pace her breathing as well as her footfalls as she jogged, hoping that somehow she’d make it to the end of the 5 mile jog without collapsing, making Thanos proud of her small achievement.
 
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