"Battle Tested"

The clan had been celebrating for hours, their cheers and laughter echoing through the valley as they rested and reveled in the spoils of their successful raid. Kael had spent the evening swapping stories with the clan members, his exploits exaggerated and embellished for the entertainment of all. As the night wore on, the clan began to wind down, settling in for a well-deserved rest. But their peace was short-lived. A loud shout pierced the night air, followed by the sound of clashing steel and the thunder of hooves. Kael's head snapped up, his eyes scanning the darkness for signs of danger. And then he saw them - a rival clan, their faces twisted with malice as they charged towards the unsuspecting clan. Kael leapt to his feet, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. But as he looked around at the chaos unfolding before him, he remembered the magic the mage had taught him. He took a deep breath, focusing his mana as he prepared to defend himself and his clan. The battle was intense, the rival clan fierce and well-trained. But Kael held his own, his magic proving to be a game-changer on the battlefield. He wielded his spells with precision, taking down enemy after enemy with a flick of his wrist. As the fight raged on, Kael caught sight of a familiar figure - the mage, her eyes flashing with a fierce inner light as she fought off a group of attackers. Kael's heart swelled with gratitude as he made his way towards her, his magic swirling around him like a shield. "Mage!" he shouted, his voice carrying above the din of battle. "Get out of here! I'll cover you!" The mage's eyes locked onto Kael's, a spark of recognition igniting within them. For a moment, she hesitated, her sword flashing in the moonlight as she took down another attacker. And then she nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Go!" Kael shouted, his magic surging as he created a barrier between the mage and their enemies. "I'll get you out of here!" The mage didn't need to be told twice. She turned and ran, Kael's magic clearing a path for her as she fled into the darkness. Kael followed close behind, his spells lighting the way as they made their escape. As they emerged from the valley, the mage turned to Kael, her eyes shining with a mixture of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Kael," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I owe you one." Kael smiled, his chest heaving with exertion. "You don't owe me anything," he said. "But I'm glad I could help. You're safe now. You can go wherever you want." The mage's gaze lingered on his face, a small smile playing on her lips. And then she nodded, her shoulders squaring as she set off into the unknown. Kael watched her go, a sense of pride and satisfaction swelling within him. He had come a long way since he first met the mage, and he knew that he owed it all to her.