(Sorry for the late reply. Had my own bout of writer’s block. I may have already said this elsewhere, but I forget lol…)
(Also sorry this is so short/skimpy)
“Ah well. An idea for later times perhaps,”he casually replied, chuckling.
He smiled at her, moving to walk beside her. Though, her words intrigued him.
“Keep me safe? Be it not the duty of the man to protect the woman?”he said with a light smile.
(I guess we've both been struggling with writing 😅)
“Maybe.” Meg shrugged with a slight smirk, not completely turning down the offer but still not sure now was the best time.
She turned on her heel, raising a brow at the question. “I hope you're being facetious. Because I can assure you, I’m more than capable of holding my own in a fight.” she pointed out confidently.
(Lol yeah…)
Nwalan chuckled, but said nothing else about his offer.
He paused when she turned, eyeing her curiously. Clearly he was in a place with a wildly different view on propriety. Or, alternatively, Meg’s youth had been spent in a place of no honor. Why else would she have reacted so to his words?
“I was being serious, yet I meant no disrespect. I also am quite aware that you are more formidable than you seem. Still, ‘tis the gentleman’s way to guard a female, even when she be a better warrior than he. Besides, it always be amusing in such circumstances, because any threat has no idea what they are about to face,”he replied with a gentle smile.
“Ok.” Meg nodded at the explanation, taking a breath. “I guess that island of yours is more… traditional that way. But it's still a relief to know that you weren't being rude. I've just heard comments before, growing up, about how girls can’t or shouldn't fight… need to be protected because they can't protect themselves…” she tried not to get upset at those memories. “My dad taught me how to defend myself before he… after that I took classes for two reasons. One because it felt right and I believed it was what he wanted.” she admitted with an awkward smile. “I knew you were “old world”, I just didn't expect you to be that much of a gentleman.”
Nwalan nodded, confirming that his homeland was indeed a very traditional place. He then rose an eyebrow in surprise at her next comment, scoffing at the thought that people would refuse to allow women to fight.
“To leave a woman unable to defend herself be… The sheer idiocy of that! One might as well commit their species to extinction by doing that!”Nwalan burst, shaking his head incredulously.
“I am glad your father defied the fools that believe a woman should be defenseless. And, your decision to continue training honors him,”he replied.
A chuckle escaped him at her last statement.
“It be how I was raised. Honor be paramount. Tearion believed in true honor, and defied all of his kin and nation to prove their corruption of it. After all, be it honor for an entire nation to torment someone, especially a female, for simply being… different? I think not,”he said.
Meg had to admit she was surprised by his outburst but nodded. “I agree. It’s a stupid old way of thinking. That only a “man” is able to fight or defend… anyone. It’s not as common anymore, fortunately, except in some idiots with a superiority complex.” she admitted, hoping to assure him. Though she blushed at how he shared her opinion of why she should continue to train. “Thank you.”
“That is… very admirable. He must have been a virtuous person.” she smiled. “I think my father would have liked Tearion. And… I probably would too.”
“Indeed. It be wasted potential. Hm… Good. Though, I see I shall be keeping my eye out for any ‘superior-minded’ folks that need a good lesson in humility and rationality,”he commented, half joking with the last bit.
He smiled softly at her thanks and nodded.
“You are welcome,”he cooed.
“In his own way, he was. Tearion had many flaws, and was often harsh, yet devotion was his greatest virtue. It was his sister, Agatha, that he had protected. And, I believe he would have liked you as well, due to your training alongside the similarities you have with Agatha. He also would have respected your father, at the very least,”Nwalan replied.