Before dawn's first light could ignite the sky, Jinx and Cassy stood at the threshold of the medical bay.
Gravel, shattered bricks, and brittle leaves carpeted the ground. Several leaves trailed behind Jinx as she advanced.
Cassy gripped a chipped wooden sword scavenged from the equipment shed in the training yard.
At the medical bay forecourt, one wooden sword hurtled toward Jinx.
The sword's heft pulled Jinx down as she caught it in her healing left arm.
"Let's start with your stance," Cassy stated, stepping back. She held the sword with both hands, then raised it.
"That's not how it's done," she uttered, then laughed quietly. "Watch and learn."
She took the stance: feet apart, knees bent to evenly bear her weight. Pain ran through her injured arm, but she made no concession.
"Jinx," Cassy's face softened slightly. "Your arm."
Cassy loosened her stance and gestured with her hand, signaling for Jinx to pause.
