Hundred and eighty-one

"Watch out!" Thalia yelled.

Arabella swirled just in time to deflect the large boulder hurled towards her. She narrowed her eyes, glaring at Sandro, who smirked and shrugged before turning to Thalia, her sparring partner.

They had received yet another letter hinting at the impending war from Paolo, and they were preparing by training. Although Arabella believed training alone wasn't sufficient, it was better than nothing.

Sandro was also training, aggressively beating anyone who dared spar with him. Arabella knew he was stronger, and those who sparred with him were foolish. Yet, she wished he could be kinder. However, she doubted he cared.

Approaching her with hands in his pockets, Sandro brushed his longer hair, now reaching almost to his shoulder into a ponytail.

"What, Sandro?" Thalia asked.

"I'm not here for you," Sandro replied.

"I don't want to speak to you," Arabella mumbled, but Sandro wasn't taking no for an answer. He stood between her and Thalia, disrupting their activities