(Third Person POV)
"Nice form." Visenya said to Astorias, "Good, keep it up."
Astorias was holding her wooden pole in front of her as she was in a stance, her face covered in sweat, as Visenya stood next to her with her arms crossed.
She thrust the pole forwards in a swift manner, her movements fluid and concentrated. Visenya tapped her legs with a wooden sword, adjusting her stance.
"Don't falter." She said in a strict and commanding tone, "Maintain your stance."
"Yes." Astorias said as she kept going, trying not to break her stance, pivoting to the left as she swung the pole forwards, "I will do my best."
"I am more of a swordsman, but I have seen enough people using polearms to know that you're doing well." Visenya said, "You need to adjust to your own strengths. Your positioning, your footwork, your timing. It all comes down to focus and composure."
Astorias nodded and swung her pole forwards. Her form was adequate as Visenya nodded in approval.
"Good." the former queen said, "Keep it up."
Then, for several minutes, they kept this up. Astorias was circling around the yard, keeping up her practices as Visenya watched. The young girl was sweating, but didn't care, she was completely focused on what she was doing.
Astorias swung the pole down swiftly as she controlled her breathing, "Ahh...."
"Good job." Visenya said as she stepped forward, "You can take a break."
"I can still go." Astorias wiped sweat from her forehead, "I promise!"
Visenya smiled slightly, "I like your enthusiasm." She said, "But breaks are always encouraged."
From a distance, Riktor watched while leaning against the wall. His eyes darted between Astorias and Visenya, a serious look on his face. He saw as the two of them were conversing with each other, hearing Astorias laugh as Visenya formed a smile on her face.
"What are we doing?" Mya suddenly peeked out from behind
"Hm?" Riktor straightened up, "Mother...."
Mya stepped besides him, "What is it you are doing?" She asked, "Stalking your sister's training?"
"If you can call it that." He said with a scoff, "Do you truly think she'd be a warrior?"
"You don't?" Mya asked her, "Why? Because she's a girl?"
Riktor frowned, "I don't mean it like that." He said seriously, "She's hotheaded and impatient. It takes patience and composure to be a skilled warrior."
"She'll be fine." Mya patted her shoulder, "Are you scared? She could catch up to you."
Riktor scoffed again, "Oh please." He said, "Like I am letting that little brat ever get to my level. I don't plan on faltering."
"Hm....." Mya said, "You can hide it all you want, but I can see it in your eyes."
"What?" Riktor asked her
"You feel pride." She said softly, "In your sister."
"Tch..." Riktor turned around and walked away, "Yea, right."
Mya was left there, standing alone as Riktor left.
"Mama!" Astorias called out
Mya turned to see Astorias walking up to her with Visenya following behind, "Hello, dear." She said, "What are you up to?"
She saw that she was wearing pants and a shirt, unusual for her since she mostly wore dresses. Mya noticed that there was dirt and grime all over her clothes and even on her face. She immediately deduced that it was because of her hard work and training.
"I am training." Astorias said, "I am going to get better."
"That is nice." Mya smiled before looking at Visenya, "Is she doing well?"
"She is.....what you call a prodigy." Visenya nodded, "I am not well-versed in polearm fighting, which is what she wants to use."
"A polearm?" Mya bent down to pat her head, "Do you want me to ask your Father to craft you something special? Just for you?"
Astorias's eyes lit up, "Yes!"
Mya kissed her forehead, "For you, anything." She said as she straightened up, "I will tell him."
"Lady Mya." Visenya spoke up, "Would you mind telling your son to stop stalking us when we're training? It is getting distracting."
"Forgive him." Mya said, "He is merely curious. He tends to be cold and distant sometimes, like his father."
"That Riktor...." Astorias frowned, "Thinking so highly of himself!"
"Calm yourself, my pupil." Visenya told her, "A warrior must remain calm."
Astorias nodded, "Yes."
Mya chuckled, "If your father could see you at this moment, he would be so proud."
"Where is he?" Astorias asked her
"He is in the sub-basement. Working. Don't disrupt him, dear." She told her, "It is very important."
"I understand." Astorias nodded, "Should we continue, Master?"
Visenya nodded with a slight smile, "As you wish."
*******************
[A Week Later]
After deciding to take a break, Visenya decided to spend some time in her and Maegor's cabin. Maegor was called to duty by Drakken, telling him to deal with an issue in the Stepstones. He told his mother that he would return in several days but those days turned into an entire week.
She felt alone, but at the same time, she was at ease with the solitude. Some nights, she would remember the days with her siblings, whom she missed.
Her memory of Rhaenys was fond, and while her memory of Aegon was fond as well, she could not help but feel a pit in her stomach when she thought of him. It was as if it hurt so much to think of the man she loved.
Aegon, back then, had shown a clear preference for Rhaenys. And while he loved Visenya dearly, he spent less time with her than he did with Rhaenys.
For whatever reason, Visenya could not shake that from her mind.
Currently, she was walking through the woods, taking in the sounds and scent of nature.
"Hm....." She said as she stopped and looked around her, "This place....is peaceful."
As she said this, she heard a loud noise in the distance, which alarmed her. She immediately walked over to the source of the noise, cautiously as she drew her dagger.
As she snuck through some bushes, she came across a small clearing where she saw a familiar figure standing in the middle.
"L-Lord Riktor?" She whispered
Riktor was standing in the middle of the clearing, shirtless as he held his greatsword with one hand. He had his free hand extended as he used his Telekinesis to throw some large stones at himself.
In a swift motion, Riktor cut the stones with his greatsword, leaving nothing but precisely cut pieces to drop on the ground.
This surprised Visenya, who covered her mouth to mask her gasp.
She had never witnessed such abilities before and was taken aback. She knew that Riktor was the demigod son of Drakken, but she didn't know what his power was. She was merely witnessing a small glimpse of it.
Riktor planted his greatsword on the ground as he cracked his neck, sweat rolling down his face as he composed his breathing.
It appeared he had been doing this for a while.
Visenya noticed that his body was well-toned for someone his age, fully realizing that he was quite tall and powerful.
"Interesting. So young and so strong." She whispered, "What a specimen. Is this his Father's blood's doing? Or is this just a rare occasion...."
Riktor glanced to the side, noticing that Visenya was stalking him. He had felt her presence the whole time, but didn't react to it.
"Hm." He said before pulling his sword out and walking towards the log where his shirt was
He picked his stuff up and walked away, leaving Visenya alone.
"Did he notice me?" Visenya asked herself quietly,
"Maybe he did."