New Determination

Orryns POV:

"Thats it for the day," I announce, my voice carrying across the training grounds, which was now alive with the clatter of steel and the grunts of training warriors. In the early morning light, our makeshift training arena stood stark against the rising sun, the worn patches of grassy earth etched with the evidence of countless battles fought and lessons learned.

Nadya lifted herself from the dust-ridden ground, her face streaked with sweat and grime. Wisps of her hair, once tamed, had escaped her braid and now framed her face, fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. She was smeared with dirt, her clothes stained from rolling on the grassy terrain, and her body was heaving, catching her breath after the relentless onslaught. Yet, in her disheveled state, there was an undeniable allure, a raw, untouched beauty that was far more appealing than any meticulously groomed appearance could ever be.

Her resilience was captivating. Despite her apparent exhaustion, her eyes shimmered with unwavering determination. Her spirit, unyielding and fierce, was as clear as the day we first trained together. That morning, she had surprised me with her stubborn refusal to rest, despite having trained herself to exhaustion the previous night. From that moment, I knew Nadya was not an ordinary trainee; she was a fighter, a survivor.

Since then, I made it my mission to push her, to test her limits and break down her barriers. I saw a potential in her that she had yet to recognize, a budding warrior's spirit yearning to unfurl its wings. Each day, as she picked herself up, dusted herself off, and faced me again, I saw her grow, not just in skill, but in confidence.

Nadya was turning into the kind of warrior who wouldn't back down, the kind who would stand firm in the face of adversity, and the kind of ally I would want by my side in any battle. Seeing her standing there, unyielding and determined, filled me with a sense of pride and an inexplicable feeling that was becoming harder and harder to ignore.

From my viewpoint, I allowed my gaze to slide appreciatively over Nadya's form, taking in the sculpted curves of her body, hardened and toned from the months of intense training. Her silhouette stood against the backdrop of the rising sun, creating an image that was both formidable and breathtaking. There was an ethereal beauty to her, a fiery soul wrapped in a shell of raw physical strength and tenacity that was compelling to witness.

In the month since we began our private training sessions, Nadya had made a significant amount of progress, her improvement was not just noticeable, but remarkable. This incredible transformation had finally put an end to Nikon's relentless teasing. He often quipped that I was sticking to Nadya like a newborn fawn, seemingly unable to stand on my own.

Nikon, my second-in-command and closest comrade, was irked to take over the primary training responsibilities for the other warriors. A phenomenal fighter himself, he was, however, not as inclined to the pedagogical aspect of it. His disposition was more inclined towards the heat of the fight rather than the patience required to teach others. It took an open-ended favor, a dangerously flexible currency with someone like Nikon, to convince him to take on the role. The thought of what he might ask in return was enough to send a shiver of trepidation down my spine. But for now, my focus was on Nadya, her improvement, and my attempts to reconcile with her.

Nadya nodded at me in understanding, her small bow of respect preceding her departure. I watched as she walked away, the slow, rhythmic sway of her hips captivating my gaze. My heart seemed to sink a little further in my chest with each step she took away from me, my throat clogged with the words I wished to convey to her but never did. Despite our daily, close-knit training sessions, she maintained a distance outside of them. Every attempt I made to bridge that gap was met with a polite but firm wall.

"Look at that," Nikon's voice broke into my thoughts as he draped an arm around my shoulders, his gaze fixated on Nadya's retreating form. "That's a view worth fighting for."

"Shut up, Nikon," I grumbled, pushing his arm off and giving him a slight nudge with my elbow.

He just chuckled, undeterred. "I'm just saying, She's something else."

Feeling a flare of possessiveness and anger at his casual words, I walked away, leaving Nikon standing there. The very idea of anyone else laying a hand on Nadya was enough to ignite a deep rage in me that I didn't usually entertain.

"Hey, easy, I'm just joking around," Nikon called after me, quickly catching up. "But, you know, if you don't stake your claim, any one of these men would be more than happy to."

I ignored his insinuations, instead opting to change the subject. "Shouldn't you be teaching your batch right now?" I retorted, the edge in my voice evident.

The truth was, Nikon's words had hit home. I was well aware of the murmurs among the troops. Their speculation about our relationship, or lack thereof, and their interest in Nadya. It was only a matter of time before someone gathered the courage to approach her. The mere thought of that happening, and her possibly accepting, filled me with a sense of dread and nausea. It was a reality I was not ready to face.

"They're capable fighters, not children," Nikon retorted with a nonchalant shrug. "They can handle themselves without me for a while."

Incredulous, I came to a halt, turning to face him. "Have you really no qualms voicing such statements to your commander?"

Nikon snorted, shaking his head. "You're the one who abandoned his own command to chase after a woman."

"She's not just 'a woman'," I found myself replying as I resumed walking towards my tent. The words slipped out before I could stop them, their intensity causing Nikon to halt in his tracks. "She's not just anyone to me. I want her to be your future lady."

As the words left my mouth, they hung in the air between us, their implications slowly sinking in. Nikon stood there, his usually playful expression replaced by one of surprise. For a moment, we stood there in silence, the gravity of my statement hanging heavy between us.

"I knew you were interested in her, but I thought it to be but a fleeting infatuation, something that would wane with time," Nikon confessed, running his hands through his golden hair, his countenance clearly stunned. "If your aim is to court her, you are doing a terrible job, my friend."

I found myself mimicking Nadya's habitual eye-roll, a tell-tale sign of her annoyance, and carried on without responding.

"No, seriously," Nikon followed me, persisting in his tirade, "You're heading towards an astronomical disaster. You'd have a better shot at romancing a nun at this rate."

Despite my irritation at his audacity, a reluctant grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. Nikon had always been frank, a trait that was both infuriating and somehow endearing at the same time. His words, however unwelcome, were a clear indicator of his genuine concern. And he wasn't entirely wrong; my progress with Nadya was indeed glacial. If I hoped to change that, I had to seriously reconsider my approach.

"Well, what would you suggest I do then?" I finally caved, posing the question as I pushed aside the heavy canvas of my tent.

Stepping into my private quarters, the smell of fresh parchment and dried herbs immediately hit me. A large wooden desk strewn with maps of nearby territories and reports from my advisors occupied the central space. To one side was the bed we once shared, and a small area for personal belongings on the other. The tent, although designed for practicality, housed personal touches from my past, little tokens from various battles, trinkets from distant lands, each holding their own stories.

Yet, it felt distinctly incomplete. Empty, even.

Nadya's absence was keenly felt, like an echo that bounced around in the hollow expanse. The tent seemed ten times larger without her presence. Her laughter no longer filled the air, her intoxicating scent no longer lingered in the corners, her sparkling eyes no longer brightened the room. It was as if a vital piece was missing, leaving a void that nothing else could fill. Even though I was perpetually surrounded by my clansmen, their presence did nothing to diminish the palpable loneliness I experienced without her by my side.

My heart ached, yearning for her warmth, her wit, her ceaseless courage. I longed to have her back by my side, to hear her laugh, to see her eyes light up with determination or amusement. I yearned to feel her against me, her soft curves pressed into my hard lines, her heartbeat in sync with mine.

I was lost in thought, sinking into the desk chair, my eyes closed as I tried to visualize her, when Nikon's words broke my reverie.

"Simple, Orryn," Nikon's voice cut through the silence. "Stop trying to prove how strong you are, and show her how you feel."

With that, he left me alone with my thoughts, the entrance flap of the tent falling back into place with a soft thud. His advice, as frank and raw as it was, held truth. I had been so focused on maintaining a façade of strength and resilience, that I had neglected to show Nadya the man beneath the Lord, the man who yearned for her love.

As the silence settled back into my quarters, I made a vow. I would not let my fear dictate my actions any longer. I would show Nadya the real me, the one that was hopelessly, irredeemably in love with her.

And perhaps then, she would see me in a new light. A light that shone not on the formidable warrior or the commanding lord, but on a man who was simply, unreservedly, in love with her.

I wont let another day pass in regret. The dawn would herald a new approach, a new hope, and maybe, a new beginning for both Nadya and I.