Moonlight spilled through the forest canopy, weaving silver threads across the mossy ground as Aldra followed the narrow trail to the clearing where Kiryu waited. The night air was still, heavy with the scent of pine and distant rain, the quiet broken only by the soft murmur of the river nearby.
She found him standing near the glade’s edge, the faint glow of a lantern at his feet illuminating a small, wrapped parcel and a familiar, reassuring smile.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” he said, his voice low but warm.
Aldra returned his smile, her hand brushing the swell of her belly—a subtle reminder of why she moved more carefully these days. Kiryu had written her only a few nights before, his message simple and sincere: a gift, a lesson, and a wish to help her maintain her edge as a Gunbreaker, to strengthen the foundations of her paladin training even as she approached her third month.
He lifted the parcel, revealing a beautifully crafted modification to her gunblade—sleeker, balanced, forged with thought and precision. His eyes carried no challenge, only concern.
“You’ve always been stronger than most,” he said quietly, “but strength fades if left to rest too long. I thought… maybe we could keep your reflexes sharp, just a little.”
Aldra’s expression softened, touched by his intent but resolute in her response. She reached out, placing her hand gently over his.
“Kiryu… I made a vow,” she said softly. “Blue’s orders were clear. My duty now is to rest—to protect this life growing within me. It’s not forever, just for now.”
Unseen in the shadowed boughs beyond the clearing, Blue watched. Her sharp eyes followed every movement, her patience a taut string ready to snap. She trusted Aldra’s resolve, but Kiryu’s persistence—and his worry—tested the calm she fought to maintain.
Kiryu hesitated, torn between respect and his protective nature. “I understand,” he said after a pause, though the words carried weight. “But what if something happens? You can’t always—”
He never finished.
Blue moved like lightning through the darkness, her presence a blur of command and fury held in check. Before Kiryu could react, her hand gripped his shoulder with precise force, turning his momentum against him. In an instant, he found himself thrown backward, landing high in the tree with a resounding thud, but not damaging the tree.
The forest went silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Blue stood between them now, her stance relaxed but unmistakably protective. Her eyes met Kiryu’s, not with anger—but warning.
“You’ve made your point,” she said evenly. “Now stand down. She doesn’t need your lessons tonight—she needs peace.”
Kiryu rubbed the back of his neck, wincing more from embarrassment than pain. “Still as gentle as ever, Blue.”
A faint smirk tugged at her lips. “You’re lucky I like you.”
The tension eased, and with a long exhale, Blue turned to Aldra. Her tone softened, losing its edge as she reached out and took her student gently by the collar, steering her toward the path home.
“Come on,” she murmured. “You’ve done enough walking for one night.”
Aldra glanced back over her shoulder, offering Kiryu a small, apologetic smile before allowing herself to be guided away. She knew Blue’s temper came not from anger, but from care—the fierce protectiveness of a mentor who had carried her through battles far harsher than this.
As they disappeared into the moonlit trail, the forest returned to quiet, the faint echo of Blue’s steady steps and Aldra’s softer ones fading together into the night.
In the stillness that followed, Kiryu smiled faintly to himself. Though his pride smarted, his heart was at ease. Aldra was in good hands—strong, stubborn, and fiercely loved.
~Motherly Paladin: Part III: End of Her Training~
Chapter 14: A Mentor's Protection
swaldra3.carrd.co
featuring: the lovely teacher: @roninkiryu.bsky.social and Blue, who is not on bsky but the other site!
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(Images keep each part of the story in the alt text)
