“Ouch!” I hissed as Mama carefully cradled my cheeks, her concerned face very very close.
“He hurt you?”
“I mean, in training… And he was a jerk, but-”
“I’ll talk to him.” Mama hissed rising up but to my surprise she stopped as El’Tela was there, and both women looked at each other for a moment.
“He was being a fool, my apologies.”
“It’s… His fault, not your own.”
“So I hear. She’s an excellent healer, after a rest she’ll be fine.” El’Tela explained and Mama frowned, her lips pursing for a moment but she nodded.
“I know, Dorah picked up the healing spell and has been using it ever since. She’s… Rambunctious. It’s not the first time I’ve caught her wincing from heal pain.”
“Indeed, that doesn’t surprise me after what I saw today.” Those ancient eyes looked at me again. “You go too far.”
“No… If I want to see the world, I’ll need way harder training than this.” I decided, then winced, ow. My cheek hurts.
“No more hard training at all. You’re only a decade!” Mama snapped, and looked at El’Tela. “Why did you put a stop to this?”
The Magistrix looked at me, seemingly ignoring my mother for a long time. “She isn't wrong. If she wants to go out into the world, it’s dangerous. She had the will to see it through, so I allowed her… Even if I agree it’s too much.” That last part was definitely pointed towards me.
“That is not an excuse!” Mama hissed, and reached out to just straight up pick me up, hauling me up even as I hissed a bit until she was holding me, and then she stalked out of the large home.
She was quiet all the way back, just stomping along the quiet road.
“Sorry. I made you worry.”
“I’m not angry at your Dorah. You’re just a-you are very young. And you had no idea what was going to happen. You can’t expect to understand when training is too much, that is meant to be your elders job.”
“I think… I think I surprised him.”
“Oh?” Mama asked, but she wasn’t really looking at me as we walked into the house.
“He tried to end it almost right away. But I healed my face where the sword hit me, and demanded he continue.”
“Of course you did.” Mama whispered as she climbed up stairs.
“He was surprised, and… So he kept going, and then El'Tela came out, and she made him actually start teaching? At least from then on he started actually talking and showed me when I was holding the sword wrong and stuff…”
“That's not an excuse for him to act that way.” Mama said and then placed me gently on my bed. “I’m not going to let this continue.”
“Mama… Please?” I said, instead of trying to argue with her right away. She slowly took a seat beside me on the bed, and started sort of putting me under the covers.
“Dorah, this is too much.”
“Is it?” I said, and realized how truthful I was. “I’m fine… I mean, I’m ouchie, but I’ll be fine tomorrow, and I learned a lot. Like a lot lot. So much!”
“It’s not worth seeing you hurt.”
“Then I just won’t get hurt.” I told her, reaching up flexing my arm which wasn’t a good idea, cause oooh noodly arm. Instead I just sent her my most confident look. “It wasn’t fun, but… I want to try again. At least until I smack a sword into his face.”
Mama snorted, but she fluffed my pillow a bit behind my head, and gently touched a finger along my brow. It still hurt a bit, but it was also comforting.
“Why don’t we just practice your archery a bit instead. We can do it every day.”
“I need to learn how to use a sword though… But I’m always up for more time with you.” Even if I didn’t want to be an archer.
The unspoken words were there, Mama noticed it and she sighed.
“My daughter, obsessed with swords, you could be a ranger. Go out with me, we can explore the woods, there are plenty of things to see, you don’t need to travel so far. To go beyond where it’s safe.”
I didn’t say anything, just looking at her, until she looked away.
“I’ll talk with him, and maybe you can continue training.”
“Thanks Mama.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Go to sleep, you’ll recover from the Heal Pain sooner.”
“Mhmm.”
I closed my eyes and honestly I was fairly tired despite it being still just the afternoon.
“I agreed to train her, not show off in front of an audience.”
“Then perhaps you should have acted more responsible with the duty.” Mama said bluntly as she crossed her legs and sat back against the chair on the porch. El’Tela, right beside her just smiled half amused as he looked over both women and seemed to exhale annoyed.
“Pick it up.” He said then, turning back to me, and I nodded, but stalled.
That wasn’t the same training sword. It was the same design. A hard iron rod more than a blade, and well made and wrapped hilts, but it was fit much closer to someone my size.
I glanced at him, and he said nothing as I took the blade from where it was resting and this time I could actually hold it in one hand.
Not that I was going to do that, as he stepped in and dropped a blow, and I needed both arms just to stop it from smashing into me.
So we were back to this? Very well! I was more mobile now, faster, and with a sword properly sized, even if it was still heavy I was able to react.
He tested me, prodding at weak points I hadn’t even registered. He allowed me to swing at him, parrying and controlling me entirely until I was tired and then poking a hole through my defense, and into my kidney.
Ow.
It was better today, and he wasn’t just aggressively smashing me.
Not that he didn’t.
“Ow.” I hissed as he’d casually just kicked my foot out right from under me as I’d swung at him and sent me rolling in the grass. I hissed a bit and looked at my elbow. Bit of blood. It’s fine. Save the mana and healing for more serious injuries.
“Dorah!” Mama was there though already half way across the distance between us but I held up a hand at her.
“I’m fine!” I assured her as I rose up and once more matched my stupid Grand Uncles Stance. Ready to continue. I watched Mama out of the corner of my eye slow and stop and then back up. Slowly at first, but she ended up leaning against the porch and watching as I moved in again.
[Swords Lv 6 50/60]
[Swords Lv 6 52/60]
[Swords Lv 6 59/60]
[Swords Lv 7 1/70]
[Swords Lv 7 5/70]
The numbers slowly flowed as we swung, and despite needing to stop and rest from time to time, Holy Light, some awesome lemonade and some small snacks that El’Telahad put out for both of us.
I looked up at my Grand Uncle as I chewed the sandwich she had made, he swallowed his own, barely any sweat on his brow, but there was some. This was still exercise, even if it was light.
He looked down at me, and I nodded. My breath was already evening out, and I was ready for more.
“Ready for more?” I asked, and he just looked me over.
“Very well.”
“Oh! We should do shields sometime too. I plan on using a shield in the future.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep! Shields are great! And you never know when you might need one when you’re out in the wilds!”
“Hmm. If you are capable I will consider it.” He said, but that wasn’t a yes. Oh well.
I limbered up, grabbed my practice sword and prepared myself, and he did the same. Then we continued.
Swinging swords, and whispered words. He spoke at least. Always critiquing, sometimes harshly.
“Your foot is out of place. You will lose it.”
“Raise your elbow, what are you a troll? Unable to stand properly?”
“You flail like a human swinging a hoe. Control your movements, and stop dipping.”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
I would have grown more annoyed, if the comments didn’t also tend to come with alerts for more sword levels.
It didn’t matter what he said, or how bad I was now. Because with every point, I was getting better, and when I got good enough, I could finally smack him in the face!
Unfortunately no matter what I wanted, I slowly grew tired, until I simply couldn’t continue anymore. Even with healing my body just said no.
Something to keep in mind. Exhaustion was still a factor.
“I see you are done.”
“I… think… So.” I managed out between gasps and he ignored me already walking away. Perfect time for a sneak attack, but I think I’d rather just breathe for now.
“Dorah?”
“Mama?” I said in between slow gasps for air.
“You okay? Are you hurt?”
“Just… Tired.” I informed her, and then threw her a weak thumbs up to prove it.
“She healed herself well.” El’Tela, said having stood up and walked over, passing Zo’Talana and giving him a nod as she did. “She’ll only need some rest, and she’ll be fine. Maybe another day before she’ll need a proper rest.”
“I think she’ll take that rest day now. Tomorrow, no training.”
“Aww.” I really wanted to hit level 10! I was sooo close!
“Rest, you are pushing yourself hard, and I don’t want you to get sick.” Mama ordered, and I nodded.
Soon I was carried piggy-back all the way back home, which was nice.
This felt better than yesterday's training, I could definitely do this.
“I don’t think I can do this!” I shrieked as I ran away.
“You wished to fight with shields.”
“Yeah! Me too!”
“Before you use a shield you will learn to face them.” Zo’Talana said and continued to chase me around the yard.
Fighting his stupid tower shield was impossible. All I could do was swing my sword into his stupid shield and make it ding a bit but then he just slammed it into my face or and ran me over ‘stabbing’ me a few times with his sword for good measure.
Getting almost stabbed by a super sharp sword over and over was scary!
“Stop running.”
“Well tell me what to do then!” I argued back, I didn’t want to gun bonked in the face with a massive metal slab right now!
“Hold your feet!” He ordered, and I slid to a stop, and turned. Good. Prepare yourself, the shield is the distraction, it is not the target, you do not attack the shield.” He continued and I prepared myself.
“If I strike with the shield, I am no longer blocked, slip in. If I hold the shield, then slip around.” His voice was harsh, and then he was on me, and I did. He moved to slam the shield forward again and I did what I could trying to slip to the side and push my blade in, but I only got half slammed by the shield and then knocked into the dust.
“Again.”
“Ow.”
“You are not hurt, I’ve seen you take worse and get up, now again.”
“Right.” I grumbled, rising up and preparing myself. I got up and as he struck, I did as well my blade, hit only the edge of his shield which he shifted slightly as he moved in and a moment later I was smacked up side the head by the flat of his blade.
He just cut my head off.
But as I stumbled back it was something else that had me distracted.
[Swords Lv 10 1/100]
[Apprentice Swords has been learned!]
[Apprentice Swords: Parry Skill unlocked!]
I breathed in and out, as Zo’Talana circled me ready to bash me in again, but I was just struggling to comprehend what just happened as I felt myself adjusting slightly.
Instinct taking over I shifted and when Zo’Talana moved in, I once more moved away from his shield, his sword coming down to smack me, and brought my sword up, and just as he tried to whack me upside the head, my training blade was there, dragging the sword away just a tiny amount, and I swung.
He was open! Sword missed, and shield in the wrong spot and-
“Ow.”
“Hmm.” I heard as I opened my eyes and spit out some of the grass.
“What happened?”
“You believed you had succeeded in bypassing my defenses, I smacked you for it.”
“Yeah, I feel that.” He’d adjusted and hit me with the shield? I think?
“I had you off balance.”
“You did no such thing.”
“How’d you bring the shield around? Was it your shield?”
“It was. Despite being large and seemingly heavy, I’ve spent more time with this shield in my hand than you have spent breathing.”
“Right… Right.” I rubbed at my head, okay that hurt, but I don’t think he really bludgeoned me that hard, it was mostly the surprise that sent me tumbling. I rose up and adjusted my blade in the ready stance.
“Hmph.”
And we went again.
[Swords Lv 10 23/100]
-[Parry Lv 2 5/20]
Huh, that was something new.
Parry hung down under Swords, connected to it, in a way I hadn’t seen any skill do yet. But… At least it was there, leveling up. I’d constantly tried to parry Zo’Talana’s stupid sword as he used his shield, with not a huge amount of success.
But I was doing it. Leveling up was happening.
I’d even gained an extra strength point, putting me up to 13! Considering strength was one of the stats I hadn’t earned any extra stats for, that was useful.
“Dorah?”
“Yes Mama!” I called out. We hadn’t trained until collapse today, so I was back home, mostly just relaxing in my room trying to stop my achey limbs from annoying me.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah? Why?” I called back, and then even got up with a light groan to stick my head out the door. Mama was at the staircase looking at me quietly for a moment. “What?”
“You’re quiet.”
“So?”
“Dorah, you’re never quiet unless you're sleeping. It’s always something, odd magic, or noises… You okay?”
“I’m just relaxing! I can be quiet!”
“Okay dear.”
I puffed up at her, how rude! I could be quiet! I read books and stuff! Sure I tended to like moving around since it was important to keep training, but that was so mean!
Mama went back down the stairs checking on me, like I was about to explode or something! I’d only exploded like… Once!
I went back into my room, and decided to pull out my journal, cause I could too be quiet!
Tapping the pages I looked it over, my last quests had been just normal things, no new spells since the ice cubes or anything, but that was okay. But each signature marking a complete quest was… Satisfying.
I was tired, my body hurt, but with healing magic it was just achey, rather than what muscle pain could really feel like, but as I stared at the pages of my journal, at all the little quests I’d taken?
It was worth it. Every bump, bruise, scratch, cut, or broken bone would be worth it. Because this was an adventure, not just walking through a park, which is what the Eversong Woods felt like. A safe managed park.
But I’d go out to see the world, and there would be danger, but I’d get strong enough to do something good. I’d help people, and defeat bad people, and see amazing things, and do amazing things.
“Heehee!” I grabbed a pencil, or at least the next best thing, and started sketching.
I was no great artist, but, even I could doodle an image of me in plate armor bashing my amazing super cool sword into Zo’Talana’s face over and over.
I’d definitely get my hit in.
“So I have to take a break.”
“So that’s where you’ve been! You missed classes.”
“Yeah well, this was more important, and it’s only a temporary thing, so I need to do it as much as I can.” I said pouting a bit. I was at school, hanging out with Kimi during break, instead of sword fighting and it was way more lame.
“Well I’m glad you’re back.” She offered, and I looked up. “The others aren’t as fun, they don’t want to play games with me.”
“Want to play a game Kimi?”
“Yes!” She said cheerfully, laughing at my offer, and I nodded, even if I wanted to focus on my training that didn’t mean that was all there was.
“Come on, let’s start with tag, and then we can do something else.” I said then grinned and poked her side, where she is ticklish so she spasmed out and then I could run away.
“Heeeheheee Hey! That’s cheating!” She yelled after me.
“What is this?”
“My shield! Since you won’t give me one.” I said, holding up my makeshift shield. The piece of wood that I’d gotten some straps and clothes and made into my first shield had eventually fallen apart, this one was a bit better with some rabbit hide helping to hold it all together.
“You are jesting.”
“Nope! Shield time.” I said holding it out as ready for battle.
Zo’Talana looked at me as if I was some disgusting little creature, which you know. Fair.
Little kids could be pretty gross, but none of that was making with the shield training.
“You are-That is-” He started and stopped and I actually had to stop as… I think I short circuited him? “No.”
“Yes!” I argued back and he unfortunately didn’t just repeat himself so we could go around in a circle for a bit.
“You are acting like a fool. I will not play this game.”
“It’s not a game. Sure a real shield would be better, but what if I’m out in the wilderness and I lose my shield, and all I have is some wood and straps and stuff?”
“This is nonsense. Go home for the day if this is how you take my training.”
“No.” I repeated back to him this time. “You have to train me, and so I’m here, and I think you just didn’t want to teach me how to use a shield cause it’s not part of the deal, so I’ll just bring my own and do it myself.”
“Hmph. I wondered how long it would take for you to realize I have no intention to teach you the shield.”
“See! So now you have to.”
“I do not. Nor will I. This is-”
“Ah dear. That’s not going to do you much good. Use this.” El’Tela called out interrupting us both, as I looked up, she’d wandered into the house and came out with a round shield, one that was a real shield, and it even matched the training swords in looks. Like they were part of a set.
“I will not teach her the shield!” Zo’Talana snapped and then went silent as El’Tela walked forward until they were nearly looking at each other.
“Is that so?” She asked, so blandly, that it was definitely a threat.
“It is. She is not of my blood. I am stuck to the letter of the deal, and no more. Not even you can simply alter my deal. Nor should you.”
“You are correct. I simply expected you to act like the man I expected of you. A talented child stands before you, one you were hired to train, and you spurn what is expected. A great man, wasn’t it?”
He flinched back like he’d been slapped.
Daaaamn. El’Tela just hit him with a crit for sure.
I just didn’t know what she meant.
“I am. An Elite Spellbreaker. I’ve stood beside the King himself. I’ve trained cadres of Spellbreakers, because of my talents. I am unmatched with a blade, and my voice is heard in the very Palace itself! I am a great man!”
“Would your Grandfather think the same?”
The words were silent, but Zo’Talana went still, and he looked half way to pure rage, like he wanted to punch her, or worse.
“That-”
“Was unkind of me.” She agreed, and I slowly felt my own tension ease as he stomped away, seemingly taking a moment to regain himself.
Then he came back, El’Tela hadn’t moved and he took the shield from her, and tossed it, it went spinning and landed in front of me, in the grass.
“Take that trash off, and get ready girl. I will not be insulted by that rubbish.”
“Yeah okay.” I agreed quietly, because things were still awkward.
Taking a moment to switch out the shield I strapped it in. My knowledge at least good enough to do that properly, but as I looked inside.
The faded cuts in the back of the wood stood out, almost like a child cutting words into the back of the shield.
Zo’Talana. This was his shield.
I raised it, and he came at me in a rush, smashing his shield into mine and sending me flying back as he did a new trick, kicking the bottom of his shield which sent it into me and lifting me off my feet.
Ow.