My Traveling Teacher

It was already crowded. Avir Fortis was standing in his study, watching the training grounds from the window. The ever-curious soldiers aside, even some of the highly regarded nobles had come to watch the duel. They had sent their servants beforehand to secure the places with a good view on top of the courtyard walls and set up tables with some umbrellas around to avoid the afternoon sun. 

Avir Fortis was not from one of the noble families of the Kingdom, so he never understood the necessities of being one, even after he gained the title 'Lord'. Everything was like an event for them to gather and have a cup of something sweet. He never attended any of those gatherings, not that he was invited. His rise in the Kingdom always bothered most of the noble families. A 'lowborn' like him was not fit for the job, they always said. 

That was why he admired Lord Regory Vandenberg. Even though he was from one of the highly regarded noble families, he was a man of duty. He was weighing a person by their capabilities, not bloodline or acquaintanceship. 

When they first met in the training barracks at the southern front, Avir was surprised the see a noble in there with the common folk. Most of the nobles were sending their heirs to the military academy in the Capital or training them privately. But he was there, eating, training, and fighting alongside the common soldiers. That was how they got closer in time. He was one of the few people Avir could gladly mention as a friend. 

Now, in the situation they were in, Avir wanted to do anything he could to help an old friend. The duel was not a bad idea. He understood the intentions of his Highness; it was obvious that the Vandenberg family was getting framed. But once the rumors spread, it was hard to manage the public opinion. There was also the pride of the First Prince, of course. If that girl could prove herself on the field in front of all those people, it would give a reason to announce their innocence. 

They also caught the prisoner who escaped. He really was trying to escape from the West gate, just like that mysterious man said. He was being interrogated since early morning, but he had yet to talk. Avir was sure Lord Landa was behind all this. It was known that the Landa and Vandenberg families had been rivals for a long time. But he couldn't do anything when he left this morning, right after the prisoner got caught, due to the lack of evidence. 

His time would come, for sure, but today was not the day. Today, he needed to help his friend by dueling against his beloved daughter. That girl was an interesting one. She had the body and vigilance of a veteran soldier, and her movements, posture, and reactions supported this observation. On top of that, the Head Magician also confirmed that she had a high magic affinity. He watched her yesterday while she was training. She had some lacking spots, but her attacks were fierce. Avir Fortis was one of the few people who could take her on carefully enough, without worsening the situation even more. 

Some rumors had already started to spread. Because of his connection with her father, some were saying he could go easy on her. They were the ones that don't know anything about him. Such a thought never even crossed his mind. Neither he would do such a thing, nor Lord Vandenberg would ask, or even expect it. 

He looked at the sun; it was almost time. He still had a little more to make a last check of the remaining reports before heading to the courtyard. 

*** 

He was beautiful. Elise was holding her little brother in her arms. He was so little and looked so fragile that she had to focus on not making any unnecessary movements. Everyone always said she had her mother's face and skin, but her height, straight hair, and dark eyes were all passed from her father. But her brother, Laren, was an exact copy of her mother. 

His jewel-like green eyes and golden hair emphasized their mother's southern roots. He was a treasure to behold and had single-handedly driven away her piling tension. But it was time to give him back to the maid waiting for her because her mother, Kalena Vandenberg, was sitting in front of her, still looking like she had things to say. 

"A duel with Avir Fortis?!" They were in the guest room where her father was staying. The layout was similar to her room, but it was way bigger. Her mother had arrived not long ago and was resting here after the long journey. "Can you not stay out of trouble even for a moment? You keep bringing shame to our family." 

She was exactly like she remembered. They didn't see each other for almost one and a half years, and she had already started complaining about her actions. If it were not for her father and little brother, she would rather not talk to her this much. 

"Kalena!" Her father tried to interfere, but it was not necessary. 

"It is okay, Father." She put her hand on his shoulder. "You know I am used to it." 

Her father looked at her for a moment. It was a look full of sadness and despair. He knew their relationship had always been like this, but just like now, he never knew what to do about it. In their household, women were raised by other women, and the men were raised by other men. It had been like that since the beginning. So, he had to leave Elise in her mother's care and judgment. That was why her unusual behaviors, like training with her father and the household guards, were never approved. Her father tried what he could, but it was not his place to get between a mother and daughter. This was the main reason why Elise escaped. 

"Look at you!" Her mother continued, "What are you even wearing?" Elise had her gambeson and leather leggings on to be ready to wear her armor quickly. The very clothes her mother despised seeing on her the most. They also let her carry her sword around since the duel was about to happen in an hour or so, so it was hanging at the side of her waist. "Are you playing knight now?" 

Elise kept her silence, but her mother was not intending to stop soon. 

"You are about to duel the most famous warrior in the Kingdom. What are you expecting to happen? You are just going to bring more humiliation to our family. Stop this nonsense before it is too late. No one will blame you for backing off against Avir Fortis." 

Her beautiful face had warped from the various emotions she was experiencing through her speech. Elise and her mother looked at each other in silence for a moment. Her father's heavy breathing was filling the room. It was obvious that he was trying to hold himself back from the argument. Her mother's maid had cowered with tension at the back; it was the common response from the maids; they usually backed down and tried not to interfere much. Mostly, it was to avoid the Lady's anger. One of the many reasons Elise hated most of their housemaids. 

Elise decided to break the silence. "You don't have to worry anymore, Mother. You won't be seeing me after today." 

Seeing her mother's confused face was the most amusing thing Elise had seen for some time. She batted her eyelashes and asked. "What do you mean by that, young lady?" 

"I mean exactly what I said. After I clear my name, I intend to leave this..." She stopped for a moment to think what to say instead of Realm, it would be hard to explain. "...place. This is the reason I came back: to leave officially, without any heartbreak." 

Her mother's eyes widened, and she looked at her husband for a reaction, but quickly realized that he already knew. "How did you permit something like that?" She said furiously. "She just came back, and you let her go already?" 

While her mother was waiting for an explanation from her husband, he took a deep breath and took a moment to think before talking. Elise knew that if someone talked to her mother without thinking, the situation could end up really bad. Her father knew this better than anyone. 

"Kalena, even though it is hard to admit, she is not a child anymore. We cannot just detain her. If her wish is to travel to faraway lands, so be it." 

Elise tried to stay as emotionless as possible while her mother's face warped between different emotions. After a short moment, she settled with a cold, angry look toward Elise. 

"I tolerated your rebellious tantrums for years. Since you are a grown woman now, if you leave, there will be no home for you to return to." 

The very look that once gave her shivers, she could now answer that look right into the eye. Because she had already set her mind. 

"Kalena, enough!" 

"No, Father. I was going to bring this up too." 

"What do you mean, Elise?" Asked her father. She had not talked about this with him. 

"After this duel, I will forfeit my rights as the heir of House Vandenberg." 

"What are y..." 

Elise didn't let her father interrupt her. "Since there is another heir now, I have no intention of becoming the head of the Family. I don't even know when I will come back, if I ever come back." 

Her parents looked at her with wide-open eyes. It must have been a huge surprise for both of them. When they got themselves together, it would be hard to reason with them, so she took her chance. 

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a duel to fight." 

She quickly left the room before they could reply. It was almost time for the duel. Her armor was ready at the armory next to the training grounds where the duel would take place. It didn't take her much time to get into her half-plate armor. Before she could even realize it, she was walking under the afternoon sun, toward the shining figure across the courtyard.