Date: Yithi 8th, 1590 - Before The Long Stillness
I pushed off the ground, my knees burning as Pa swung towards me again.
I backed up quickly and grabbed my wooden sword, bringing it up in time to block him.
“Good,” He stepped back. He moved his own wooden sword to his left side.
I grinned. “Thanks.”
I walked to the stone bench where Amiranthia sat. Her face looked pale, eyes wide.
“I have to do that?” she asked.
“Don’t worry, he won’t go as hard on you,” I told her.
I sat down. “You can do it. I know it seems scary, but you'll learn the basics. Just focus on your breathing and footwork.”
“I don’t think I’ll be as good as you,” Amiranthia said.
“You don’t have to be; I have been training since I could hold a sword.” I rolled my shoulders. “This isn’t new to me.”
She nodded, stood, and walked toward Pa as if marching toward her doom.
Pa would start with the basics; he wouldn't expect her to spar just yet.
I watched as Pa showed her the starting stance.
Low and steady—the ideal fighting stance.
She wobbled slightly, but something in her seemed to still.
Amiranthia got this look in her eyes, a look like she wasn’t going to break.
I watched as Pa continued to correct her stance. My gaze drifted from Amiranthia’s training to the tree line.
Just at the edge, a face.
Someone was standing in the treeline.
I blinked, nobody came to that treeline. Not unless they were expected.
I focused my stare and narrowed my eyes. Nobody had been.
But that didn’t mean no one was.
My heart thudded hard. I looked back at Amiranthia and my Pa; they were so focused on training.
But I had to tell my Pa.
I walked over, keeping an eye on the treeline.