#sirknightwing

I've found your new shadow, Bruce had told him. Come down to the training field if you're interested.

And so Dick finds himself leaning against a parapet with arms crossed, overlooking the range to see just what had Bruce so interested. It doesn't take long for him to understand; every opponent the candidate faced was brought down efficiently, almost expertly. He moved with a fluidity uncommon in knights, seemingly always in motion.

When Dick hears footsteps behind him, he doesn't have to turn to see who approached him. "You're sure about this one?"

"I am."

"You were sure about the last one, too," Dick reminds Bruce with a titled smile.

Bruce glares. Dick stifles a chuckle and returns his gaze to the field. "What about hand-to-hand combat?" he asks. "Proficiency with a sword is but one thing, after all."

"More than proficient," Bruce answers. "You'll be surprised."

"Knives?"

"Also skilled."

"Archery?"

Here Bruce allows himself a small smile. "Perhaps a match for even Captain Harper."

Dick hmsin surprise. "High praise from you."

"Not undeserved, I assure you."

The candidate drives the hilt of his sword into the nose of his opponent, sending him to the ground. Even from their elevated position, Dick can hear Captain Roy Harper call out: "Enough! Your trial is over. Please step out of the ring and await further instruction."

The figure steps away and disappears into the crowd of knights and other candidates. Roy looks up to where Dick and Bruce are standing. Bruce must send some sort of signal, because Roy nods in answer before turning back to the crowd to dismiss them.

He holds back the one Bruce chose, however, exchanging a few words before they went their separate ways.

"Come," Bruce says, beginning to walk in the direction of the main hall. "She's to meet us now."

Dick begins to follow, but stops when he registers just what Bruce said.

"A girl, Bruce?" Dick asks. 

Bruce pauses, looking back. "It won't be a problem, will it?"

Dick shook his head. "No, but…" he trails off. He begins to walk again, until he's next to Bruce; the two of them walk together. "I have to say I'm surprised."

Bruce arches his brows. "You think she isn't capable?"

"I never said that," Dick responds. "Your word is all the assurance I need. You don't issue praise so easily."

"She's rough around the edges, I must say," Bruce responds. "But she has more skill than many I've seen."

"So why not someone more experienced?" Dick asks. "Skill is one thing, but you're the one always reminding me that wisdom is something that comes with age."

Bruce doesn't answer at first. "So far you've managed to show me that 'wisdom' doesn't do much when it comes to keeping you out of trouble. I'm trying something new."

Dick isn't sure how to respond to that. He moves on. "Where did you even find her?"

"She presented herself," Bruce answers. "Same as the rest."

"What do we know about her?"

"Very little, outside of her skill, though I've had an eye on her for some time" Bruce answers. "Those that went against her tell me that there's a look in her eye they haven't seen before—she's here for a reason that goes beyond coin and board. Harper told me that she keeps to herself."

"Being one of the only women in the trials, I can hardly blame her," Dick says.

Bruce nods. By this point, they're standing outside the door that leads into the main hall. "She's driven, that much is certain; the question now is whether or not it will keep her focused, or if it will lead her astray."