Basic Shortsword Training(Brenna)

[Brenna Maris]

Spring of Era XIII Post Fractum Early Brightening of Thera, Second cycle of Optia.

More than once, Brenna had sat in her little room staring at her newly bought and still to be used weapons wondering if she'd ever learn how to use them as well as her Father instead of having them hang at her side looking pretty.

There was a district in the city which dedicated itself to the training of just about anything from weaponry to, trade skills and skills for those who wished to dabble in the arcane. The Temple of Aslan.

After asking a few people and getting different directions each time by hearing 'I have a shortcut that'll get ye there quick like!', Brenna finally found herself standing in front of the visitor's center where one would sign up. Her eyes bounced around to the goings on about her, and studied the external layout of the buildings and courtyard. It was big to say the least except the visitor's center which was a small, simply built structure.

"That'll be 300 crowns, miss." Exclaimed the clerk sitting behind the half-door. "You'll need to fill out this application then head over there." The woman named Claire explained and waited patiently for the paperwork to be completed.

Brenna removed the 300 crowns and lay the marks on the counter. Her crowns were becoming less and less. But, as her parents used to say 'Can't take it with ya when you pass from this world'.

"Thank you miss. And good luck to ye. We have the best trainers in the area. Just listen to what they say and above all be patient.."


Walking a little way, Brenna entered the center and was approached by a burly male human with thinning black hair yet a full beard. He eyed the scabbard shortsword on one side, the dirk on the other and saying nothing only shook his head. For a long silent moment, he studied the young woman. Walking around her like a breeder looking at a horse about to be purchased. Needless to say, Brenna felt a little uneasy.

"Name's Goran. You must be Brenna Maris. Saw you on the list." The trainer stopped in front of her and placed his meaty, gloved fists on his hips. He eyed her for a long moment at saying her surname name, not quite sure where he'd heard it before. Having been knocked in the head in battles more than he cared for, his memory wasn't as sharp as it used to be. Though, he knew the name somewhere.
"Yer here to learn the basics of your shortsword there on your belt. I'm here to teach ye. And I think I can do something with ye so ye can at least hold, stand and use it properly to defend and not cut yer leg off in the process."

Brenna smiled. "I can manage that I think Master Goran. I'm just not very good at blocking and attack strokes."

Goran 'hrumphed at the girl's remark and fought not to outright laugh. A wide toothy grin appeared instead. "That be parrying and thrusting, miss. But, no matter I'll teach ye those basic maneuvers too. All else will come later. Come, let's get ye started. We have a lot to do." He said motioning with his gloved hand for her to follow.

The sound of metal ringing on metal resounded down the cooridors and in Brenna's ears as they walked. Eventually they entered an open room. It was busy with others practicing with their weapon against stuffed dummies and their trainers.

"Tell me, Brenna. What exactly do you wish to accomplish with your training?" Goran asked as he walked up to a long rack of different bladed weapons. All used, and all sporting nicks and dents from hard use and unskilled hands.

Brenna thought a moment to her Father. How graceful he was when he used his blade. Never faultering in his moves. "I want to eventually train to expert, but basic is all I have the crowns for to start."

"I see." Goran said. She wasn't the first to make such a statement. He took a shortsword from the rack and eyed its lines for warp and too much curve from overuse. Happy with it he turned to face his student. "Here, you'll be usin this blade. Hang yer belt on the hook as there's no sense in ruining a good blade when yer starting out." He handed the training blade to Brenna satisfied with the match. "Good. Let's begin.."

[Brenna Maris]

"Firstly, lass yer going to learn how to care for yer weapon. And I don't mean by washin off the mud and blood and whatever else gets stickin to it." Goran folded his muscular arms over his broad chest and paced the floor while talking.
"The blade whether it be steel, dwarven steel, elven steel or iron it all needs carin for." Goran stopped in front of Brenna who listened intently, rubbing his black beard with one hand. "After one battle damage will occur. The slightest nick or dent could bring on rust. Left alone, it will consume your blade and render it brittle and useless."

Goran then placed a hand inside one of his belt pouches and brought out an item an held it up moving it this way and that. "This is a whetstone. Even if you know what one is, I'm goin to tell ye anyway." He said narrowing his ice blue eyes at the lass when she began to open her mouth with some arrogant comment. He cleared his throat and continued. "The whetstone is what takes the nicks out of the blade and resharpens it. But, the larger dents and cracks need to be repaired by a smithy. I'll show ye how to properly use this here stone."

Goran drew his own sword and held it in one arm and placed the stone on the edge of the blade and began slowly moving it in a circular motion.
"A circular motion is how you move it along the blade. Never straight up and down along the blade. The pressure is firm but gentle. Too hard and you'll cause more damage than you started with. This is done with all edged weapons."

Brenna shifted her weight to her other foot, her thumbs hooked in a resting position in the front of her belt. She had to admit, this part her Father never got to and she listened carefully.

"As you can see, I've got scratches on the surface now. No big thing. The next procedure of oiling and rubbing takes care of them. Now, you try using the whetstone, Brenna."

Taking the stone in one hand and holding the blade given her in the other like Goran had, Brenna began caressing the scarred blade. She started at the top and moved along its length concentrating on the nicked edges.

"A little more pressure lass, that light won't get ye anywhere. That's better. Now, don't rub the stone directly along the edge. That'll dull it fer sure."

Brenna pressed a little harder with the stone and right away saw a difference when more scratches appeared. She smiled at her accomplishment and looked at Goran who gave a nod but that was all. "Not bad but practice makes perfect. You can keep the stone Brenna. We have plenty."

"Now, when ye use oil which ye should do at least once a day and right after whenever your weapon's been in the wet weather. Scabbards are good to an extent, but water still gets down in them. All I will tell you is you only need a light layer of the oil. In a circular motion again, you use a soft cloth or piece of soft leather. Nothing rough like burlap or canvas or you'll be addin to the scratches and causin grooves."

Goran paused and took in a hearty breath. "We'll move on to the next lesson after a drink of water." He went over to a shelf and took a couple water flasks from it. He handed one to Brenna who took a couple swigs before handing it back.

"Now we'll be movin on to proper stance."

[Brenna Maris]

"I will show you one more lesson before we end this brightening of training. I don't want to overwhelm you." Goran grinned toothily and once again drew his personal sword from its scabbard, the point lowered to the floor.
"Show me how you stand with your weapon, lass...WRONG!" The sudden bellow startled not only Brenna who almost dropped her sword, but those within earshot on the training floor.

"I take it you haven't had much in the way of your first battle. Or if you had you'd be dead already. Standing like that and you'll find yourself thrown off balance to your backside by your own doing more than from your opponent...to put it so you understand what consequences it will bring."

Bringing up his own blade, Goran took up his position. "As you can see, I'm not directly face to face with you. My right foot is directly in front of me and my other foot is behind slightly. My body is facing more to the side as well, giving less of a target than if I face you front to front. Never give your opponent a large area to strike at. As you can see, my knees are slightly bent as well for better balance, which is important. Take notice and you will see most weapon stances are offset."
He brought up his shortsword. "The sword is brought up about midwaist at an angle, not straight out in front. And you don't want to lock your elbows or you obviously won't be able to do much. Now get yourself into the proper stance and we'll continue."

Watching herself make sure she did things correctly, Brenna came to the stance nearly identical to that of Goran's, except for the fact she was left handed and did everything in the opposite. Seeing a simple nod of approval from Goran told her she did right.

Goran studied his ambitious student. His mind going over how next to go about his session. "Not bad lass. I can see you have determination in your eyes and the setting of your jaw." He finally said then continued the lesson.
"Now, there is another reason for the way you put yourself to your opponent. The front leg and foot allows for you to lean into a thrust or slashing motion. The rear leg allows you to lean back to parry or block an attack without losing your balance." Again, he raised his blade and took up the stance. "Now, I want to see what you have learned so far and what you already know. Come at me like you mean it. I can see you are from Paxia. A city that couldn't defend itself against barbaric Orcs!"

Brenna arched a brow in confusion at the unexpected verbal attack. She felt her hands tighten around the hilt of her sword and catch herself from stepping forward. An inkling of anger welled inside.

Goran nodded with a gleam in his eye as he clanked his sword against his wary student's weapon teasingly. "Aye, bet yer Father screamed like a pig he did..."

That did it as Goran expected and he readied himself for the attack that would never follow through. That sensitive nerve was hit and Brenna cried out, her face twisting with rage as she launched herself at her opponent. With her sword raised and coming down in a left to right slashing motion in what she figured would cut Goran in half, she found herself on her stomach with her sword skittering across the floor. Goran had effortlessly deflected the useless blow and as an insult to injury smacked her solidly on her arse on the way down.
She turned on her side, face reddened, and glared hatefully at him. How could he say such things? Standing up at his laughter, Brenna went over and picked up her weapon, twirling it around in her now sore wrist breathing heavily. Not sure what hurt worse, her wrist or her backside.
"Do you get enjoyment from insulting your students?" Brenna spat.

Goran smiled at the seething woman before him, ignoring her question. She was a firey one. "That is one tactic your opponent might try on you. And, as you can see it worked. Emotions should never get in the way of sound thinking when in combat. Something I can't actually teach, but what my student's have to learn how to control on their own. You will need to work on whatever anger you have built inside you, lass."
Some would say his methods were unorthodox, but they worked.

He went over to Brenna and took her sword and put it back on the rack. Then he grabbed one of the flasks of water and handed it to her. "Here, the lessons from here on in will make you thirsty. Drink slowly but deeply or you will be exhausted quickly."

While his student drank down the cool liquid, Goran continued to study her. As he did with all his wards from brightening one to the time they left his training hall feeling a little bit more confident about themselves and able to protect themselves so they live a little bit longer.

"One thinks it's the hand that controls the action of the blade, but it's that and the wrist. One wants to hold the blade firmly but not stiffly. The wrist allows for fluid motion of a parry and glancing blow if your strike isn't true. Or as you saw, your opponent will render you defensless altogether. If you hold your blade too strongly, your wrist can be shattered by the force of their blade striking yours. Even if you roll away from the attack. Now go to your home and put ice on your hand. It will lessen the bruising and swelling that may come. Tommorrow's lesson will be on how to parry and thrust."

[Brenna Maris]

The next day Brenna found herself rising slower than usual and sore. Mostly on her backside where the flat of Goran's sword found its mark.
She winced as her body protested the unwanted movement, but eventually she dressed and made her way back to the training hall. In the main entryway she showed her privileged pass to the guards which stated she was staying off-site during her training.

After a few wrong turns, Brenna found the hall she was in, but no Goran. After inquiring, she was told he was in the next room.
When she walked in, she angled her head at the odd piece of equipment Goran was standing over. It was a training dummy.

"Ah! Brenna. I'm glad ye returned, lass. I had a feeling right off ye weren't the type to pout and give up." Goran said turning with a wide grin when he saw her walk up. "Come! This is going to be yer next lesson for the first part of the brightening." He added then saw she brought her own sword again. He gave a nod towards it. "That ye won't be needin that for a good while. Just set it over there against the wall and take one of the others. That's a good lass."
He then pointed at the floor. "Stand there and I'll be explaining what yer about to do."

Brenna stepped confidently to where Goran indicated and waited for further instruction. She was determined not to end up on the floor as much this brightening. The sword she held didn't feel right, but what could she expect from weapons that were used by so many people.

"As you can see there are two swords on on each side. I will be operating the dummy. I'll start ye out slow, lass don't fret." Goran stepped up behind the canvas and wooden dummy and grabbed the long handle. He started to turn it first to the left then back to the right. "As ye can see the swords and yes they are quite dull in case ye be wondering about that too. But, don't be thinking ye won't be sporting a good bruising for your errors." His tone was laced with sterness.
"Now the one is high the other is lower as ye can see. The lesson is to increase yer defensive abilities and also yer reflexes and coordination. When I see your improving, I'll add another set of blades to make it four."
A gleam seemed to appear in Goran's eye as he grinned at the unsure expression Brenna produced.
"Now, let us begin!"

[Brenna Maris]

Slowly at first Goran began to swing the dummy back and forth to get his student used to the concept.
"That's it lass. Remember not to lock ye wrists or you will surely break them and let yer body flow with yer thrusts."

Brenna was becoming frustrated with herself. More than once she lost her balance trying to ward off the incoming attacks. Her mark way off of the read circle in the center of the dummy. Sweat dripped from her brow and trickled down her face. Sweat marks appeared down her back.
Another half dozen times to her disgust Brenna ended up on the floor adding to the bruises that were already being felt.

Goran stepped from around the back of the dummy and lent a huge hand to help her to her feet.

"Brenna! You are making the same mistake again and again. And that is because you keep dropping your shoulder when you go in for the lunge." Goran walked over and put his hands firmly on her shoulders to straighten them. "Straight, that is how you need to keep your shoulders. When you drop it, you throw off your aim considerably, as well as your balance. Which is why that last hit almost landed you on the floor again. Now, once more and concentrate!" He said firmly.

Eventually, her movements were becoming more fluid, her posture less ridgid. Not perfect, but better. He added two more swords to slots on the dummy and the training became more intense in speed and erraticness. After another candlemark, Goran could see Brenna was becoming tired. Not that she didn't do her best not to show it and protested stopping.

"Alright, lass." Goran said with a low sympathetic chuckle. "I think we will call it a brightening. You get any more marks on your body, and the Overseers of the Hall will be thinking I am beating you!" He took the training sword from Brenna.
"Now, go and get some food and rest. Tomorrow we will go to the next phase and you will be using yer own weapon." This piece of news always brightened the faces and morale of his students. And Brenna was no different as her eyes suddenly brightened despite her state of wanting to fall over.

At the order of Goran, one of the young pages walked Brenna back to her room at the Unkler's place.
The shadows cast by the sconces hanging about the halls indicated dusk was about.

Seeing her bed was like seeing a best friend not seen in many Eras.

[Brenna Maris]

"Brenna you are nearly complete in your training. You have improved significantly in the last few weeks. Now, let us move on to the next lesson. Your opponent will be myself."
Goran motioned for her to walk over and she did so drawing her own sword which felt so much better in her hand.

Brenna would quickly learn that a living opponent wasn't as easily predictable as the dummy even with a trainer moving it around.

"Alright, you can use both hands for a bit, then I want you to use only your sword hand...and don't look at me that way, lass. It's a matter of strengthening those muscles and you will be wielding that weapon like you won't even know it's there."

Goran took up his stance and Brenna followed suit and to his amusement with only one hand. He grinned and gave a nod at her. She showed promise indeed.


Goran began with a level slash, but instead made a feint and came in from above making like to crush her skull with a single blow.

Brenna kept her eyes on his and foreseeing the feint brought her blade above her head holding it horizontally. She winced and steadied herself as she waited for the harsh impact. It came. Her arm ached from the resistance she put up. By the Gods she wanted to use her other hand. Yet, she kept her eyes glued on Taurus'. He grinned a toothy grin and backed off, but not before giving her a good push in the side.

"Very good, Brenna." Was all Goran said before starting another attack. "But, you dropped your shoulder again. Hence the reason I countered your lack of balance and sent you down." He said with reprimand in his tone. This next move was a powerful lunge to her middle.

Brenna deflected the lunge sending his sword downward, but instead of him backing off for another try, she found his blade coming back up in an arcing slash of which she recognized and met with her own weapon by bending her arm close to her chest. She leaned all her weight into the motion , clenching her teeth. Her head rising only up just past his chest. Without delay she pushed off and swung her blade first to the left, right then in a half-arc clockwise and one last thrust. Breathing heavily, she smiled at the result.

Goran was taken by surprise at the swiftness of Brenna's last move, figuring her to end the first attack altogether to gather her breath. He found her sword point at his throat. Honoring the win, he moved his arms out to the side, then brought his sword to his chest in salute and smiled as the rememberance of where he recognized her surname came to mind and realized why she wore the ring around her neck.
"Your Father taught you well, lass. A great man he was. It was only a matter of refining that which you already knew, and bringing out what you didn't."

Goran went over and picking up a rag dabbed the sweat from his face and beard, then took a long drag from the water flask. The other he threw to Brenna who drank just as deeply.
"Too bad this isn't a good ale what say you lass?" He said with a laugh.

"Aye, an ale would go good right about now. Brenna replied with a smile and wink.

Goran set down his flask and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Then motioned for her to return to where they were.

"Now,you're going to learn the proper way of a lunge. It sounds simple enough, but there are a few necessary steps to it. The lunge, also called the thrust by some, is done like this." Goran held his sword and after taking up his stance thrust out his sword arm towards Brenna. Stopping of course a good foot away from her chest.

"As you saw, I bent my foward knee enough to allow for the needed leverage as I leaned foward into the lunge. Thrusting my sword straight out at you. All in one fluid motion is what you're aiming for. And you may have noticed that I used my knee to push my weight into the lunge for added force. Go ahead and show me the lunge." Goran watched the girl proceed, studying her every move carefully.

Brenna nodded and began. She was finding that the use of two hands was limited with the proper use of the short sword. It didn't really bother her as she didn't want to be hampered from using two.
She bent her knee as Goran showed her. Her left arm moving in a quick motion out in front of her. But not very smoothly resulting in her leg bending first then her swordarm following, which caused her teacher to halt her training. She frowned but listened to his words.

"It isn't a matter of doing one step then the other after, but all in one move. Let me show you again."
Goran proceeded to demonstrate. He stopped and smiled. "See? Now try again and keep trying until I say to stop. And remember lass. Don't grip the sword too tightly. Think of it as being a part of your arm. Like you're pointing at something."

Brenna took in a breath and started again keeping in mind his words. As she bent her knee, she did nearly the same thing as before, only the timing was a little better. Brenna shook her head now seeing her error and tried again.
Ten more times she repeated the action and each time she more relaxed. And she found herself following through much better.

Goran held up his gloved hand. "Very good, lass. Consider this something else I want you to practice everyday. Though, experience will be the overall teacher as you go through your brightenings. Now, the next lesson will be defense or blocking. The result being the turning of your opponent's blade."

[Brenna Maris]

"Now, I want you to take up the standard stance as before. I want you to lunge at me as I taught you and I'll show you a simple blocking move."

Brenna took her stance and when she felt ready, followed each step for the lunge. Her blade struck out towards the large man's middle like a viper to its victim. It would've been a direct hit had Goran not come up from underneath and swept her gleaming blade off to the side, causing her wrist and arm to turn in order to catch her balance. She nearly lost her grip on her sword but held onto it. All the while her spirited blue eyes remained on her instructor.

"I'm glad to see you're keeping your eyes on your opponent no matter the situation. That is a common error and usually always fatal one made by even the best of swordsmen. I guess I can leave that off the list of needs to train you in." Goran said with an approving nod and smile. "Now, back to what I was teaching you. As you came at me with the lunge, I simply brought my blade upward and brushed it to the side. That was one type of defense. Attack me again in a different way and I'll show you the parry."

Goran did with an over the head, downward slashing strike. Her blade was quickly stopped midway through her swing as Goran made contact with it holding it horizontal to hers. The attack was stopped immediately as Brenna saw there was no other recourse but to push off and start anew.

"That is a parry." Goran stepped back after giving her the nod to stop. "Your strength is deceiveable, lass. That can be an advantage to remember. The parry is to stop a rather strong attack. And if done properly, an offensive attack on your part can follow. Speed is important in that case." He paused to let his words sink in then continued. "Now I'm going to come at you. Ready? Begin."

Goran started slowly in his attack for the purpose of training.
In a circular motion, he swung his blade from low to high. Completing the swing across as if to cleave Brenna's torso in half.

Brenna kept her eyes on Goran the best she could, fighting the urge to follow his swing. But, she was able to see its path and before its edge came too close to her side, she sidestepped and twisted her body. Bringing her blade in between both their bodies and intercepting the blow inches from her belt with an audible *clank* that resounded through the training hall.
With her back leg positioned like a brace behind her, she steadied herself. With the nod to halt from Goran, Brenna resumed her stance. Beads of sweat trickled down her brow and neck under her braid.
Her breath was labored with the exhilarating workout.

"Not bad, lass. Let's try some more ways."

[Brenna Maris]

With swordpoint resting on the floor and his arms on the hilt in a resting position, Goran let Brenna and himself, not being as young as he once was, gather her breath for the next round.

"As I may or may not have mentioned earlier on, you'll see many different tecniques being used by others. And combinations of them all at some point. You'll eventually come up with your own as you go. Keeping some of what you've seen, leaving others. Eventually becoming a master of your own sword if this is something you wish to accomplish."
He drew up his sword and twirled the handle in his hand, spinning the blade round and round before grabbing it in a firm hold again.
"Let's practice some more before we end the brightening. I want you to combine some thrusts with slashing moves. Begin."

Brenna left off her stance with a starting thrust that was tossed away by Goran. Lowering her blade off to the left side, she swung upward from belt to throat but was again intercepted. Refusing to be discouraged, her next set of moves consisted of a level blow first from the left, blocked, then from the right. Again blocked. Unfortunately, she hesitated in thought of what to attack with next.

Goran mentally sighed at her error then took the opportunity by furthering his block causing her to turn just enough, stepping back a step and returning with a deadly thrust to her side she was unable to defend against. Of course his point didn't pierce her at all, but did result in an off-guard expression on Brenna.
"Hesitating is something you don't want to do as you can see. Don't give too much thought about the sequence of attacks you want to use. Your opponent won't always let you do what you planned. If you see an opening, take it! If there's any doubt in your mind that you'll complete an attack, reverse your posture to the defensive. Even if you make a strike, and it isn't a good one, you may find yourself worse off then your foe. That goes the same for the opposite. If you're in the defensive, and find the tables suddenly turned because your foe made an error, press the offensive and strike quickly before he realizes his mistake and recovers. Now, at the ready!"

[Brenna Maris]

Brenna wiped away the beading sweat from her brow with the back of her shirted arm. With a nod, she repeated the steps for another go at honing her sword skills.
She found these steps being done much quicker and smoother each time. And each time, less thought was put into them.
Goran gave a nod for her to begin. Brenna rotated her sword in a semi-circle from right to left, bringing it in an upward slicing motion as if to split open his gullet. Though, her attack was blocked. Quickly she stepped back a couple paces then swiftly brought her sword down from above. But, this was a feint and she went down on one knee, reversed her strike and lunged forward with a blow to Goran's stomach.
Goran had fallen for the feint not expecting such a maneuver from her and responded with the strike with an audible grunt and chuckle.

"Good! Good! See? One acquires their own styling as they go. Mastering the basics is as I mentioned is the most important." Goran said as he lowered his own blade. "You are becoming quicker in your setup. Although, you're still a little jerky and hesitant in what to do next as far as counter moves. No worries, that will come with time."
He sheathed his sword and walked over to a bucket of water, the flasks now empty, picked up the ladle and took a long drink from it. The liquid streaming down his chin. He handed it over to Brenna who accepted it thankfully.

"The rest of the day I want you to continue practicing your lunges and circular strikes from left to right and vice versa to get a more smooth and graceful motion in your balance. After a bit combine the two steps." Goran instructed.

Brenna finished her drink of water and went back to her training for the rest of the brightening.

[Brenna Maris]

By the time late brightening came around, the shadows appearing like dancing spectres on the walls from the lit sconces, Brenna's muscles throughout her body were crying for her to stop the punishment.
Sweat streamed down her face, her hair now quite wet as well from the continuous training she had endured. Her heart was beating more quickly as her breathing was heavier.
Before readying for another 'battle' with her opponent, another trainee, Brenna wiped back her wet hair from her face with a bare arm, her sleeves having been rolled up.

"Enough! You have done quite well this brightening, lass. Put away yer sword and grab some water already." Goran's voice roared from across the room and ended in a rumbling chuckle figuring he should end the session before she beat the poor lad into the stone flooring. Brenna just wanted to keep going until she dropped.
He dismissed the young lad with a silent nod. He was more than happy that this session was over as he rubbed his very sore backside as he limped off to clean up.
Goran turned his eyes to his other student and could only smile. He waited until Brenna finished slugging down her third ladel full of water before addressing her.
"One last lesson you should learn, lass. And that is know when the fight is over. Whether that be when yer opponent has become helpless, which then makes you the aggressor, or when you can hardly hold yer weapon steady and you are are finding yourself hard to keep balanced. You demonstrated perfectly those two factors just now."

Brenna set the ladel in the bucket and took in a deep breath to ease the flow of adrenaline that was pusling throughout her body. She quirked an eyebrow at him and managed a weary smirk while pushing a curly strand of wetened hair behind her one ear looking downward then back up. "Aye, I see your point, Master Goran. I guess I need to work on that."

Goran crossed his arms over his barreled chest and admired his student with pride. "Yer going to be alright, lass. Keep yer wits about ye and that temper in check and you will hold yer own sure enough." He paused for his words to sink in, then a broad, toothy grin appeared across his weathered face. "Consider yerself completed in the training of shortsword, lass. Well done!"

Brenna stared dumbfounded at Goran not sure she had heard him right. She straightened her posture and smiled. "Thank you, Master Goran. I will be back for further training, be sure of that!" She stated with determination in her voice.

Goran laughed out loud. "Oh ho! Work on what you have learned this training, lass before you take on too much...and remember that when you run into danger. If it is too much for you, there is no shame in running. Or you will be dead surely."

He left and came back with a rolled up piece of parchment that was tied off with a strand of leather and handed it to her. "Your certificate of graduation, lass."

Brenna took it as a lump was felt in her throat. It was only the basic of training one could accomplish, but she had made it through. She did indeed have the blood of her Father running through her.

[Grim]

Approved.

-Grim