I was still and unmoved, as if I wasn’t interested in what Oswald had said. Apparently, he didn't wait for my answer and said, “Come on!” He said and stood up.
The moment I rose to my feet, a faint smirk touched his lips, a knowing smirk that showed he knew I would take the bait.
At that, we stepped out into the rear courtyard, where the night air had settled into a cool hush.
The torches along the stone walls flickered lazily, casting restless shadows across the training grounds. Above us, the moon had climbed higher, pale and watchful, as if the heavens themselves wished to witness what storm brewed within me.
I rolled my shoulders once, loosening the tension coiled in my muscles, at the same time, Oswald removed his outer coat and tossed it aside.
“No holding back,” he said and I
