A Plan Revealed

[00:00:00] The Thieves Guild, By Jake Care, Episode 92, Revealed. Maila appeared to only have bruised ribs although her shoulder was a mess. She had trouble lifting even light things above her shoulder even two weeks later. Sitting at the dining table

[00:00:36] Maila lifted a fork with her arm while Dahlah had her back to her while cutting some greens in the kitchen. It didn't hurt, but she couldn't lift the knife above her shoulder. Knowing

[00:00:49] that it meant that she was most likely permanently injured, Maila tossed the knife to the table with a clatter and covered her eyes with her right hand. A moment later, she felt Dahlah

[00:01:01] take her hand and squeeze it. Dahlah said, Love and concern in her voice which only made Maila's tears fall in greater quantities. My arm can't even cover my tears. Maila said, sniffing and wiping her eyes, trying to restore the strength she liked to project even to Dahlah, sitting

[00:01:26] down Dahlah rubbed Maila's damaged shoulder. I have something to show you. Maila looked up at her, but Dahlah looked serious and not sympathetic. Hold up your right hand. Maila hesitantly held up her hand without warning Dahlah swung a punch at Maila, aiming directly

[00:01:47] for her hand. The fist struck Maila's hand with a slap and moved it back a few inches, but Maila withstood the punch easily. You stopped an attack, now I have been rendered helpless and you

[00:02:00] are holding a horse with your left hand, pull me to my feet. Dahlah slid out of the chair to the floor. Dahlah, this is point, save me. Maila reached down with her right hand and easily pulled

[00:02:13] Dahlah to her feet. Dahlah was bigger than Maila and had built back her muscles during their time in the cabin. In fact, Maila was slightly shocked. They had been naked together, but Maila

[00:02:27] had not realized how strong Dahlah was. She could feel it in her arm as she clenched Dahlah's hand, pulling her up. Still, as solid as Dahlah was, Maila lifted her off the floor. I know what you're doing. Dahlah ignored her and without letting go of Maila's hand,

[00:02:48] pulled her to a standing position. Follow me. She said, tugging on Maila's hand, Maila followed as Dahlah led her out the back of the cabin. She led Maila to a single tree that stood in the clearing. It was not part of the magical

[00:03:04] forest that surrounded the cabin. And Dahlah had carved a rough target in the side of the bark. She used it as target practice for the kitchen knives that Maila had been grinding into perfectly

[00:03:17] weighted throwing knives for her. Letting go of Maila's hand, Dahlah marched over to the tree, pulled out a knife and strode back to Maila. Throw it. Cleansing her jaw Maila replied, I'm not a master at throwing knives. That is your thing. Besides, you know I can't.

[00:03:38] Maila rubbed her wounded shoulder. By the gods Maila, you are not stupid, you are not weak. Why do you look at your problems without the mind you used as a thief? Dahlah shoved her hand against Maila's right arm.

[00:03:52] Throw it. Maila lifted her arm, attempting to do an overhand throw, the type that had both power and accuracy. She couldn't lift the knife above her shoulder and turned to Dahlah. Crossing her arms, Dahlah looked angry as she emphatically said.

[00:04:09] Throw it. Maila looked at the tree and half-heartedly tossed the knife at it from a side angle. It missed the tree entirely. Dahlah marched over, picked up the knife, walked back and handed it to Maila.

[00:04:25] Very good. Throw it again. After starting with what were half-heartedly throws to make Dahlah happy, Maila's attitude changed when she hit the target and the knife stuck in the tree. With real joy she leaped up and shouted, I hit the dancing.

[00:04:42] Dahlah ran over and hugged her. From that point on, Maila experimented with different angles and grips. The grip was easy. It wasn't much different than the grip she used when she hurled

[00:04:55] the knife overhanded. But the angle turned out to be interesting. She could toss the knife with the most force directly from the side, but she could throw it with the most accuracy from a true

[00:05:08] underhanded angle. She had no illusions. She was not very good at tossing knives, but she had learned the lesson. She was able to effectively toss a knife. The only angle closed to her

[00:05:22] was overhanded. Keep going. After hitting the tree three times in a row, Maila turned and looked at Dahlah. I could kiss you. Dahlah smiled. Then you should. After a long kiss, Maila handed the knives to Dahlah. You turn.

[00:05:43] With frightening force and deadly accuracy, Dahlah hit the center of the target three times, the knives touching each other while embedded in the tree. It's my thing. Dahlah said with a smirk. Several weeks later, Maila looked at Dahlah as she was rolling dough on a wooden board,

[00:06:03] covered in flour. They had both silently been training without admitting why. Maila had no sword, but practiced with an axe that was left behind to chop wood. Dahlah would awaken and wander out and watch as Maila swung the axe around, practicing attacks

[00:06:22] of various angles and parries with the handle. Dahlah had also spent hours every day building her strength. She was a true warrior and Maila realized that after their ordeal in the mountain, and Dahlah's desire to recover with Maila afterward, that Maila had badly underestimated

[00:06:42] Dahlah's willpower and abilities. It embarrassed her. She had told Dahlah in the cell when they met, that Dahlah had to have been better than the men to be a female guard, and it was true, but Maila

[00:06:56] had forgotten or dismissed it, yet it was clear. Dahlah was formidable. And there she was, day after day, muscles rippling as she lifted heavy logs and tossed them across the lawn. In between she would toss countless knives at the tree. Maila couldn't remember seeing a single

[00:07:19] knife miss the tree, and nearly all clicked against each other as they embedded in the center. The entire time she did it without any words to Maila of her intent. She just trained.

[00:07:32] Maila did the same, but it was clear what her goal was to destroy the guardian that stood down the lane. As to Dahlah, Maila felt that she was training to help or to become strong enough to save

[00:07:46] Maila if things went poorly. So, she was surprised as she walked over to help Dahlah cook, and her partner put the rolling pin down and said, So I'm confident we can defeat any foe together, but I fear I know not how to battle an invisible opponent.

[00:08:04] The comment surprised Maila, and filled her with emotion, Dahlah wants to escape with me. I think I love you. Maila said, looking Dahlah in the eyes. Sure, we share a bed and clean the dishes together. We prepare food and take walks together,

[00:08:21] but it isn't until I discuss battling an invisible guardian that you love me. Dahlah said the words in a teasing manner and with a smile, they had never said that they loved each other, but they had recently come to say,

[00:08:34] I think I love you whenever one did something kind to the other. I didn't say I love you. Maila replied with a wicked smile. Oh yes, I guess I have to kill the invisible guardian to earn that. It wouldn't hurt.

[00:08:50] In reply Dahlah picked up some flower and tossed it at Maila. Maila instinctively lifted her hand, and as the flower flew, it left a trail through the dusty flower in the shape of Maila's hand. Dahlah's hand covered her mouth, and she said,

[00:09:08] By the gods, what is it? Are you okay? Dahlah lowered her hand, uncovering a huge smile.