Warrior Training System

Sharing a tent with Brigid while the cultists set up camp for the night, Cassian had already sprawled across the bedroll like he owned the entire place—boots half-kicked off, shirt discarded somewhere on the floor. Brigid parked herself in the corner with a book balanced on her knee, doing her absolute best to pretend he didn’t exist.
Cassian glanced over. "You know, you always read the same way—like the book owes you money."
Brigid didn’t look up. "Maybe it does. It certainly costs me peace whenever you’re around."
Cassian snorted. "Rude. I bring joy, excitement, meaningful conversation—"
"You bring noise," she corrected.
"Well," he said, inching closer, "noise
charm."
She finally looked at him. "You’re mistaking ’annoyance’ for charm again."
Cassian just grinned and slid an arm around her waist, tugging her a bit closer. "Anyway... since we’re parting ways tomorrow—"
Brigid cut him off immediately, eyes narrowing. "If the next words out of your mouth are ’let’s have sex,’ I swear to every god watching—"
Cassian laughed, shaking his head. "Why would I
it? If I want it, We’ll just do it."
She groaned and shoved his face away with the book.
He let her, still smirking, then leaned his head back against the tent pole. "Relax. Wasn’t gonna ask that. Actually wanted something useful from that big brain of yours."
"Oh wonderful," she muttered. "My favorite kind of request... the ones that come right before you do something idiotic."
Cassian ignored that. "You know anything about your sides spies in the Karmen Earldom? Or anyone who might be keeping tabs on the cult there? Could help me out a lot."
Brigid closed her book slowly, giving him a sideways look—the kind that said she was balancing irritation, curiosity, and the barest hint of fondness she’d never admit to.
"...You could’ve started with the normal conversation
trying to squeeze intel out of me," she said.
Cassian shrugged. "I did. You insulted me three times during it, which means we’re bonding. Perfect setup."
She let out a long, tired sigh opening her book again, which only made Cassian lean in and ask again, "So? You know anything or not?"
Brigid didn’t even glance up from her book. "Why? Those slaves of yours didn’t tell you anything?"
Cassian snorted and shot her a sideways look. "Please. They’re barely above grunt level—same as me. You really think they’re sitting on Crown Secrets?"
Brigid finally lowered the book just enough to glare at him over the rim, eyes flat like she’d already regretted acknowledging his existence.
"I’m basically your slave too," she said. "Just... slightly less stupid."
Cassian cracked a grin. "Touching. Really. Warms the heart."
She shrugged. "I’m practical."
Cassian snorted. "You talk like you aren’t smarter than half the idiots I beat."
"I
smarter." She didn’t even blink. "Just not the one with access to secret plots and underground whispers."A pause. A slow smirk."Honestly, you’d have better luck asking my grandmother."
Cassian’s smile twitched—he could already see where she was steering this."You’re still salty about that..."
"Please," Brigid said, not even glancing up from her book. "I’m just saying—since you’re in bed with her, you might as well ask
A small, amused curve touched her lips, but there was something dangerous behind it."Cardinal Analisa Morgnster... big-shot of the cult and all that."
The way she said it made it sound less like a title and more like a taunt aimed straight at Analisa.
"Cut the teasing and just say it—do you know or not?" Cassian muttered, irritation creeping in.Brigid only looked more amused, lips twitching as she turned another page. "I know a little," she said lightly.
Cassian blinked. "really?"She nodded, still smiling. "But don’t expect me to hand it over for free."
He frowned, offended in all the ways he’d never admit. "Hey, I put my freedom on the line fighting for those slaves because of you. You could at least throw me a favor in return..."
Brigid jerked her head up, eyes wide, cheeks heating with fury. "You did it because you wanted to shove it up my ass, not because I begged you," she snapped. Then she jabbed a finger at him. "And the
time I did you a favor, I walked in on you screwing my grandma in the holy chamber. So no—no more favors."
Cassian huffed, annoyed, but finally asked, "Fine... what do you want?"
Brigid’s smile widened, practically lighting up her whole face. She set the book carefully on her thighs and said, "Well... how about letting me chop off your limbs a few times?"
Cassian froze for a moment, staring at her like she’d just asked for candy instead of body parts. But her excitement was so real, so
, that he couldn’t help but suppress a grin. Controlling his expression, he finally nodded. "Fine... how many times?"
"Ten!" Brigid practically bounced in excitement, as if he’d just handed her a mountain of candy.
"Three," Cassian said firmly, shaking his head. "And only the arms. That’s it. No exceptions."
Her grin faltered for a split second, like a kid whose candy just rolled under the couch. "But... you can
," she whined, a tiny pout forming on her lips. "Ten times... pleeeease?"
Cassian shook his head again, exaggeratedly this time, letting out a long sigh. "It’s not a game, Brigid. Growing a full limb takes time. I can’t go around limbless for days just so you can have... fun."
"I’ll only do one at a time!" she insisted, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Five times, at least... arms and legs!" Her eyes were wide, pleading, as if he was the only person who could grant this bizarre wish.
Cassian groaned, rubbing his face with one hand. "...Five times. Arms only."
Brigid blinked, hesitated, then nodded like she’d won a battle she hadn’t been sure she could fight. "Okay... just arms, five times. I can deal with that."
Cassian let out another dramatic sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Good. Now... tell me. Who are the spies?"