Chapter 350: Familiar Paths, Unfamiliar Ground

Chapter 349: Familiar Paths, Unfamiliar Ground

Brynhild turned fully toward Sophia, her movements careful but far less restrained than they had been days ago. There was color in her face now, strength returning to her limbs in a way that couldn’t be faked.

"I’m healing fast," Brynhild said, a small but satisfied smile tugging at her lips. "Really fast. Lysander told me that I’ll be back on my feet within a few weeks."

Sophia smiled in relief. "That’s good to hear."

"It is," Brynhild agreed, then sighed dramatically. "But it feels so far away. I’m tired of being rooted in this house. Every step comes with a warning. Every breath comes with caution. Rest, Brynhild. Take it easy, Brynhild. Don’t overdo it, Brynhild. I love Lysander, but I get tired of seeing his face most of the time."

"I can hear you," Lysander said from the bedroom.

The moment he spoke, both Sophia and Brynhild heard Raina make a small sound, like she was waking up. The house went suddenly quiet, everyone bracing themselves in case it happened—but thankfully, the sound was all they heard.

Brynhild released a sigh. "Thank the goddess for Lysander. I don’t know what I would have done without him when it comes to Raina."

Sophia chuckled. "Even if you dislike seeing his face every day?"

Brynhild laughed. "I mean, I’ll still see his face even after I get better. It’s a nice face, after all. But I’m just tired of being stuck in this house. I can’t strain myself or do anything too draining, or else I set myself up for another round of being attached to the bed."

Sophia chuckled softly. "You taking it easy is for your own benefit." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I know," Brynhild said quickly, lifting her hands in surrender. "I know that. I understand it logically. Doesn’t mean I don’t hate it."

Sophia laughed under her breath.

Brynhild leaned back against the chair, staring toward the hearth, the burning wood casting shadows across her face.

"I miss movement," she continued.

"You carried Raina," Sophia pointed out.

Brynhild scoffed. "That’s not what I mean, and I know you know it."

Then, more softly, she spoke again. "I miss the burn in my muscles when I fight or spar with someone. I miss shifting without being in pain. I’d give a lot just to run—really run—in my wolf form. Or get into a proper fight." She glanced in Sophia’s direction with a grin. "Preferably one where I’m not ordered to stop after three minutes. I’d like it if it were one where there’s blood involved, and maybe the head of a Trihydra or something."

Sophia shook her head, amusement warming her chest. "And that’s exactly why Lysander is making sure you stay put until you’re properly healed. You haven’t even healed fully, and you’re already talking about fighting a Trihydra."

"That makes sense," Brynhild said, "but it doesn’t change the fact that I still want to do it."

They shared a quiet laugh, the sound low and careful so it wouldn’t carry down the hallway.

After a moment, Brynhild sobered, her gaze softening as she turned back to Sophia. "What about you?" she asked gently. "How are things? With... everything."

Sophia hesitated for only a fraction of a second before answering. "Things are good," she said.

Brynhild remained silent, and Sophia knew she was patiently waiting for more.

Sophia exhaled and added, "I’m preparing for the placement test."

Brynhild nodded slowly. "I heard."

Sophia glanced at her. "News travels fast."

"This pack thrives on gossip," Brynhild said dryly. "But that aside—are you prepared?"

Sophia considered the question, turning it over in her mind. "I’m not sure," she admitted. "I think... only time will tell."

Brynhild tilted her head, brows lifting. "That’s not what I expected you to say."

Sophia frowned slightly. "Why not?"

"I know you’ve been training with Orion," Brynhild said. "Extensively. So when you say time will tell, it sounds like you’re doubting all that work."

Sophia shook her head. "It’s not that. Training helps—of course it does. But there’s a difference between training and actually putting what you’ve learned into practice."

Brynhild’s expression shifted, understanding settling in. "That’s true."

Sophia leaned back in her chair. "Sparring is controlled. Even when it’s intense, there are limits. You know when it will start. You know when it will end. And most of the time, you know the person you’re facing."

Brynhild nodded. "Which makes a world of difference."

"Exactly," Sophia said. "There’s a rhythm to it. A pattern. And once you spar with someone long enough, you start to recognize it."

Brynhild’s gaze sharpened slightly. "Their tells."

Sophia smiled faintly. "Their tells. The way their shoulders shift before they strike. The hesitation before a feint. You learn how they move. You learn what they favor. And eventually, you learn how to counter them almost without thinking."

"And that familiarity can become a crutch," Brynhild said quietly.

Sophia nodded slowly. "Yes."

Brynhild continued, her tone thoughtful. "It’s one thing to spar. It’s another thing entirely to remember what you’ve learned when you’re faced with real danger. When fear hits. When instinct takes over."

Sophia nodded again. "That’s what I’m worried about."

Brynhild leaned forward slightly. "Even during sparring, you get used to the person in front of you. You adjust to their habits. You know what they’ll try before they even try it." She paused. "But that’s exactly why you shouldn’t limit yourself to sparring with just one person."

Sophia’s fingers curled lightly against the arm of the chair.

"You should learn from others," Brynhild went on. "Different fighting styles. Different strengths. Different weaknesses. The more variety you face, the less likely you are to freeze when something unexpected happens."

Sophia let out a quiet breath, her gaze dropping to the floor.

Brynhild watched her closely now. "Orion is a powerful fighter," she said carefully. "But he’s still just one kind of opponent."

Sophia nodded. "I know that. And I’m also training with some others too."

"Nia and the rest?" Brynhild asked.

"Yes," Sophia said.

"You know," Brynhild continued, "I’m glad that even with the obvious opposition from some people in the pack, you’re making friends—people who treat you like a sibling."

Sophia smiled. "Honestly, me too."

The house descended into quiet, broken only by the soft movements of Lysander from the bedroom next door.

Brynhild tilted her head at Sophia, brows furrowing slightly. "Something is bothering you, right?"