Training Yard
A short work I wrote in a few hours, taking place about one year before Rhae became an adventurer.
“Hey, wake up kiddo.” was the first thing Rhae heard as she felt a pommel tap her side.
“Gah!” Rhae jolted upright, her eyes darting around the shadow-covered room. Outside her window, the time could barely be considered dawn. She squinted at the figure standing above her. The man adjusted his helmet, bent down, and offered his hand.
“Come on, what was that for?” Rhae groaned as she took his hand, “I bet the whole town’s asleep, Dad.”
“That makes it the perfect time to train. Follow me downstairs.” Rhae brushed her hair out of her eyes and felt for her wooden sword from under the bed. “Ah ah, I moved it,” Her dad called as he stepped out. “If you want to join the guard, you have to be ready to fight at any time.”
Rhae got dressed and quietly headed downstairs, making sure not to wake her mother. Her father was standing over the table, gently setting down two plates. “I made us some eggs and bacon.” Rhae hungrily gazed at her plate, then back to her father. then reached for her sword. She got into her stance, the wood blade scraping against the scabbard as she pulled it out.
“No, no, kiddo. Not this time.” Rhae tilted her head. “Last time I made you fight for breakfast your mom wouldn’t let me hear the end of it. Let’s eat first, then head outside.”
“I think that’s the first thing I’ve liked about this morning,” Rhae snorted.
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Rhae’s body was covered in bruises, and she was getting frustrated. She could hold her own against his attacks just fine, but every time she tried to land a hit, he just casually countered.
“Now, Show me how you thrust.” Rhae charged at her father, who deflected and swatted at Rhae’s fingers around the hilt. “Gah, that stings…” Rhae seethed as she dropped the sword and flailed her hand. Her father dropped his sword. “Good, but you pull your sword back before you thrust. Your opponent can see that and ready a counter. You also-”
“I know, I know. I get too angry and lose focus.” Her father nodded. Rhae wiped the sweat from her brow and sat down, wiping her hands onto her pants. The sun creeped over the rooftops, spilling light into the street. Far off in town two bells rang. People would soon be waking up and getting ready to start their days.
“Okay, that's enough for today.” Her father stepped forward, placing his hand on her shoulder. “You’re making great progress, really. I think with a few more lessons you’d be ready to apply to the city guard! Maybe you’d get assigned to my unit!” He tilted his head back and laughed.
“Daaad…” Rhae blushed, “goddess, that would be too embarrassing…”
“On my way back from work I’ll pick up your cake from the bakery. We can celebrate the big 19 then, okay? Happy birthday, kiddo."
Author's Notes
Whew, I think that's the first piece of fiction I've written in half a year. If you made it this far, I hope you liked it!