Aria no longer reached for a staff.
It started on a cold morning when Nyssa tossed her the usual wooden pole and Aria let it clatter to the ground. "I don't want it."
Nyssa blinked. "You want a sword instead?"
"I want nothing. Just my hands."
"That's a terrible idea. You'll get hurt."
"Then I'll learn."
Nyssa stared at her for a moment, then shrugged. "Your funeral."
They circled each other on the frost covered ground. Nyssa lunged first, her move was quick, a strike aimed at Aria's shoulder. Aria sidestepped. Her body moved before her mind could catch up. She ducked under Nyssa's follow up swing and came up behind her, her palm stopping just short of Nyssa's ribs.
"Dead," Aria said.
Nyssa turned, her eyes wide. "How did you…"
"I've been watching. Everyone relies on their weapons
