Acrius was right. He'd prefer not to be but he was. A pair of eyes watched him harder than the other soldiers- no, a more apt term, would be analyzed. His very being was being watched. A chill run down his spine. Even during the messiest, most dangerous battlefields couldn't compare. It was more exhilaration than outright fear.

"[color=f49ac2][b]That was amazing Acrius! Could you teach me to do that?[/b][/color]" 

The boy's ear pricked at the scarily familiar voice. No way, it couldn't have been. His head craned towards the voice- it was Elisabeth. She seemed dressed up like those trainees. [i][color=#FF9900][b]Wait, was she there during the spar?[/b][/color][/i] Acrius thought, surprised at not being able to pick her apart from the crowd. [i][color=#FF9900][b]Think, Acrius, Think.[/b][/color][/i]

[color=#FF9900][b]"Uh you must be mistaken miss,"[/b][/color] Acrius said, trying and failing to change his voice, [color=#FF9900][b]"I'm Arthur Dayne- er Bain was it?"[/b][/color]

"[color=f49ac2][b]I decided I can't sit back and let these things attack our home! You inspired me to take action.[/b][/color]"

Acrius respected her resolve. To protect your own home- your own city is one's duty. Not many soldiers had resolve as strong as that. As such he couldn't really comment on her choice as it would besmirch her pride. He wondered, however, when did he inspire her to do such things. All he remembers earlier was beating up a rather weak goblin lord and Leonidas' reprimanding glare. Rather uneventful for someone like him.

"[color=f49ac2][b]I'm still new at this though so you'll protect me out there wont you?[/b][/color]"

Acrius wasn't sure if she was playing it up. Her grip on his arm was tighter than that soldier- Petyr, from earlier. How can she produce more force than that behemoth?! What could he teach her, really? He quickly poured over ways to escape that grip but couldn't. His mind flashed back to his quick discussion with Balthazar over city girls. Whilst telling him of his predicaments with city women the old man could only blankly stare at him; Acrius took it as silent agreement rather than blatant bewilderment on his part.

One of the main reasons he avoided the capital or bigger cities was honestly because of the women. Any other observer would be able to tell the obvious but Acrius couldn't. He simply thought they were more touchy-feely and stared openly at outsiders (in this case, Acrius thinks they have distrust of soldiers, merchants and strangers). Still, none were so blatantly close and quite as touchy-feely as Elisabeth. She was the most aggressive from what he could tell. Others atleast just gawked from far away or, at worst, gave him their handkerchiefs. Their reasoning, however, escaped him.

Acrius himself has also met women on the battlefield; their valour and skills were comparable to men. So he didn't understand what in the world was happening. Women were... what was the word Balthazar taught him? An Enigma, to say the least. [i][i][color=#FF9900][b]I can't understand women. I'd rather fight five Lancelots than deal with this.[/b][/color][/i][/i]

[color=#FF9900][b]"Err..."[/b][/color] Acrius started but paused, [color=#FF9900][b]"I'll try to keep an eye out in the battlefield, I guess?"[/b][/color]

Acrius could feel eyes on him once again. Seriously, who was it this time? It really did mimic his time in the capital. Even when prodding Balthazar he was assured there was no 'physical danger' in the capital. So why did he always feel eyes on him during his time in the capital? [i][i][color=#FF9900][b]Ughhh.[/b][/color][/i][/i] He groaned internally. The boy used his free hand to scratch his head. He wasn't used to this, he just wanted to mindlessly train for the hardships that may come tomorrow.

Elisabeth at this point would likely be confused at his silence as he ruminated in his own thoughts.

[color=#FF9900][b]"Isn't it time to sleep so we are better rested for tomorrows trials?"[/b][/color] Acrius finally coughed out, [color=#FF9900][b]"... else I can uhh- supervise, yes, supervise your swings right?"[/b][/color] The orange-eyed boy really didn't know what to do and offered the two alternatives his mind could come up with.

Though he didn't believe in any of the gods, this was the first and last time that he prayed; he actually hoped one would listen.