Normalcy
#31 of Dragon Hunter Saga
I sit back and start eating what Timothy brought me, which was some eggs, locally made sausage, and some greens with my favorite flat breads. The flat bread makes it easy to eat this, especially since I did have breakfast entertainment. Timothy had put some extra bread on my plate for Cheshire to 'steal' from me.
Ecthelon had walked over to where an assortment of weapons were and picked up a large claymore like sword I had not seen before. When he did that Shadow looked thoughtful a moment, and walked over to look through the array of weapons and picked up a common long sword that appeared to weigh more than his normal katana. Ecthelon nods his head, "yeah. Using your katana against this would be a bad idea; as if I hit it just right no matter how well made would shatter it."
Shadow nods his head in agreement and they both walk into the ring, Cheshire starts eating the extra bread from my plate. "From what I have heard Ecthelon doesn't often get a chance to spar with someone even close to his abilities. Seeing as how we really don't know how well trained Shadow is, this could be very interesting of a fight." They bow to one another and Ecthelon indicated with his sword and says, "well you should go first; or we might be here hours waiting for the other to take the first swing."
Shadow nods his head in agreement and goes for an upper cut which Ecthelon blocks with his sword as if it were a staff not a sword. He also starts fighting with it as if it were a staff, holding it in the middle of the blade and one hand on the hilt. Timothy winces, "I looked that blade over this morning Hunter Gwen. It's made from some kind of sharpened crystal, and it's extremely sharp; I don't know how he's holding it that way bare handed."
Rassaes stands next to me with Gilorndir and comments on what Timothy says, "'er now boy. tha's because that thar sword is made from a living crystal, it's an elf specialty. Only their greatest warriors can use those weapons, and after the warrior dies another has to destroy the weapon." Ecthelon starts taking swings at Shadow, who parries them. Gilorndir picks up the conversation, "these crystals require that you go and speak to them before you can have a weapon of their make. From what I understand of the process, the fighter; and only a fighter can do this. Must convince the crystals they are worthy of using them in battle, then if they agree the crystals find out the fighting style of the warrior in question and 'arrange' themselves in an appropriate shape." Shadow has pulled out a dagger now to help him parry blows from Ecthelon's sword. Rassaes gives Timothy a look, "now dinnae you try and use that thar toothpick lad. If the blade dinnae like ye it'll hurt ye for touchin it." Timothy nods his head, and I see the two warriors stop a moment. Ecthelon speaks, "alright; you held up well to my main weapon. I'm impressed, so lets switch to something that is less dangerous for me to spar with."
Ecthelon and Shadow both exit the ring and go back to the weapons area, to look over the available weapons. They both look at each other and then pick up a pair of daggers each. Cheshire chuckles and says, "well it looks like they are very serious now. Using the same type of weapon, I think they even made a point to make sure they were made from the same metal too."
Rassaes nods his head and we all watch them reenter the ring. They both crouch low as if they are going to spring up, which they do at the same time. Blocking each other's weapons as they came down, and they jump back. They do this a few more times and the assembled guardsmen look bored, one of them shouts. "Come on why not just throw one of those damned knives?"
Both men then stop, and at the same time they turn to look at the offending guardsmen; who was an older woman. The rest of the guards quickly stepped away from her, the men look at each other and nod slightly. Then they both perfectly in unison throw their right dagger at the guard woman. They both flew past her head so closely that I bet a hair couldn't have fit between them. The woman pales then and says, "you can't do that to me I'm a citizen."
My head hits the table in front of me, {well Gwen dear I guess a few of our people need a few more lessons in how to not behave. Especially around two very skilled warriors.} I mentally agree with Cheshire, and I hear Tammy's voice, "what was that -recruit-?" I groan internally, {this was a recruit}? I pity the poor sap, their life is about to get more uncomfortable.
I pick my head up and see Tammy standing in the entry way for the Hunter compound, her hands were on her hips and she looked very unhappy with this older woman. She marches over and nods to the two inside the ring stopping in front of the woman. "So -recruit-, I allowed you to join; because you told me you had experience in fighting. So why did you think you needed to give pointers to the Arms Master and to Hunter Gwen's personal body guard?" The woman's face pales even more, "that's who they are? I thought it was just some random guard people?" Tammy waves her hand around indicating the area, "and does this look like the guard training salle and ring? This is the Hunter's compound, and those two are the reason the rest are placing bets on the outcome." She turns to the rest of the guards, "better collect your money they aren't going to continue the fight now."
She was right as the two had already put their remaining daggers away and were both standing against the railing waiting on Tammy to finish her dressing down. Tammy notices them and nods her head, "the rest of you back to work and you recruit; will be getting some personal training from the Arms Master this morning." Before the woman could utter a complaint Tammy left and the rest of the guards followed her. The woman then tried to make herself look smaller, and Ecthelon smiles.
Shadow points at the daggers they threw and the takes one of his fingers and spins it in a circle. Ecthelon nods his head, "excellent idea Shadow. You can start by putting those daggers away then run around the compound till one of us tells you to stop." Ecthelon then walks over towards us as Shadow waits for the woman to comply before doing the same.
Ecthelon sits in one of the chairs, "well so much for sparring Shadow. I guess next time we should do so inside and lock the door, just to prevent a repeat. So Hunter Gwen, what did you think of my blade?" I incline my head in Ecthelon's direction, "it's very beautiful looking. Though I think I will stick to my dragon weapons. Speaking of which," I turn my head towards Rassaes. He holds up his hands, "I ain dun with them thar blades as yet Hunter. Who ever did them the first time dinnae do a good job makin them. Another week tops Hunter I swear,"
Gilorndir slaps the blacksmith on the back, "he's just taking a while due to him wanting them to look good. I have it on good authority he has sent the weapons to Miresgalsell's workshop, and that she is personally working on them." I raise my eyebrow and Rassaes waves his hands, "I promise ye. The only colors I told her to use is greens and grays, Granite was a good 'un; he needs remembering." I nod my head standing up, "well I do need to at least go and check on how Samantha is enjoying her new accommodations." Ecthelon's eye get dark for a moment then he nods his head slowly, "just remember to come back here then. We need to work on your fighting skills and." He looks at the children, "I'd prefer that be done when the children are elsewhere."
I nod my head agreeing, it wouldn't be good to appear weak to those I was protecting directly. I head out of the compound and towards the farms on the west side of the city where I was also sure Alberich was this morning.
When I step into the farm area, I could see I was right. Alberich was hitched up to a wagon and was pulling a load of cut hay, not looking pleased. {Not enjoying your morning}? I could hear a snort in my head, {I understand why Lord Iron wants me to do this. It doesn't mean I have to like doing it}. I shake my head, {maybe you are missing the point of the exercise then}. I hear an older voice cut in, {the Hunter is right boy. The point isn't to show you how hard we work, it's to get you to understand that a good day's work can be rewarding. No matter the work it is, the day you can see that is the day you can court the filly.} I saw Alberich hang his head after getting admonished by the elder, I direct my mind toward Lord Iron. {So where is your guest at}?
I see Lord Iron come into view from behind one of the out buildings tossing his head, so I walk over. There I see Samantha with an evil look on her face slowly weeding one of the vegetable patches. Lord Iron stands next to me, "she spent the early part of the morning complaining loudly about not having a hot bath. So I informed her politely that she had two choices, get working or I kick her." He indicated with his head, "as you can see she chose to work. Weeding is one of the better options for her while in chains, though due to her complaints. I am going to have her help the whole herd bathe later, it should be quite the show." I see the woman turn red, and I comment; "just because their bodies aren't humanoid. Does not mean they do not have the desire to be clean, a unicorn does not posses hands therefore someone has to bathe them to get fully clean." She gave me a furious look but kept working.
I shake my head as I turn and walk towards where I know they housed her the previous night, there was a guard standing nearby. "Morning Ma'am Hunter, the prisoner didn't try to escape last night; though good thing none of the children are around she swore like a sailor Ma'am." I nod my head looking into the room, it was one of the 'stalls' used by the unicorns that lived out here. No door on the front, and it was what they call a 'loose box'. These are horse stalls that are larger and in a normal barn you didn't have to tie up the horse and it could move about on it's own. They had swept the floor up so no more straw was on it and had placed a bed and a table with a chair inside the space. I notice there was a sealed letter on the table, the guard speaks. "Someone came by with that for her this morning, they didn't look happy but were trying to hide it." I nod my head wondering who would have sent it to her, but not touching it. The woman was allowed some privacy. Before leaving I turn tot he guard, "make sure if she causes trouble that when you inform the captains I also get informed as well. I have a feeling this woman isn't done causing trouble." The guard nods his head and I head back into the city.
Before heading back to the Hunter compound I swing by Hekkogar's workshop, this time of the day she is there and a hireling is running the inn. "Mornin' Hunter," the dwarf calls out as I enter her workshop. She was over a large kettle stirring something inside it, "what canne I do for ye this mornin'?" I chuckle, "what you don't think that I might be making a social call?" She shakes her head, "no as in ye'd be doin that in the evenin." I chuckle again, she was right I would 'visit' with her in the evening if I just wanted to stop by. So I got to the point, "with Ecthelon working with Flower. Better than I though he would by the way. I think it might be time to let her spend part of her time working with you. Maybe for now two mornings a week, as she still needs to attend school."
The dwarf nods her head sniffing her mixture and adds a bowl full of something to it, "alright Hunter. She's a good gal, and if'n you think she's gonna be alright we can start her a workin." The dwarf then ignores my presence knowing I was done talking with her and I just watched her a few minutes. It was good to watch someone working on a task they loved, which is what Sir Iron was trying to teach Alberich.
Alberich thinks farm work is a waste of his energy, and Sir iron knows that the young filly Alberich likes won't quit her chosen job. Alberich might take offense at that so he wants the younger male to understand the importance of the work to her. That might take him a while, but I am sure he will get to that point.
I turn to leave and the dwarf comments, "got a strawberry cordial over by that door that's been brewing for the last year Hunter. Ye take yerself a couple bottles, and don't give non to that silly elf boy." I find the bottles she told me about and I pick up two from the back of the shelf so as to keep the shelves even looking.
I then head back to the compound, knowing that I would be subject to the Arms Master when I walk back inside the gate. I just hope he can recall that just because I'm not my brother that I'm not worthless as a Hunter.