"You've improved."
Atheline let out a long breath before laughing quietly.
"I thought I almost had you."
"You tried, you almost made me move. You should be proud of yourself."
He blinked.
"...Isn't that the same thing?"
"No."
She stepped back.
"When I begin using my feet instead of only my hands..." She looked directly into his eyes. "...then you've truly cornered me."
He couldn't help smiling.
"I'll remember that."
"I expect you to."
Lilith sheathed the training dagger.
"You've begun thinking several moves ahead."
"I've been trying to."
"It shows, keep that up."
She walked slowly across the snow-covered field, studying the frozen patches, the scorched marks left by his flames, and the stone pillars still protruding from the ground.
"Your greatest improvement isn't your strength."
He followed beside her.
"What is it?"
"You no longer fight your opponent."
He frowned slightly.
"I don't?"
"No." She looked around the battlefield. "You fight the battlefield itself."
