Ayero had been staying with Nai’s family for nearly a week. She left to try and scrounge up work each morning but Nai’s mother, Nera always seemed to find her wherever she was in the city and drag her back to her house for dinner. At first the halfling was uncomfortable receiving this much hospitality from strangers without giving them anything in return, but Nera assured her that sparring with her son was more than enough. The woman seemed to take to the half-breed well, always dropping little hints and pushing her toward her son in hopes that the two would become closer, though neither seemed all that interested in each other outside of battle.
One day after dinner, she was approached by Nera’s husband, Gaad. He was a large man with a short, graying beard and a gentle disposition. He informed her that every year he and Nai went out into the desert to train their skills in battle as tradition, the arid desert adding an extra layer to their training with its harsh climate. He offered for Ayero to join them after seeing how well she fared against his son with her own blade. Later that night over tea, Nera explained how Gaad had always wanted a daughter in addition to their only son.
The next day, Gaad led his two younger companions into the desert as soon as evening fell upon them, insisting that it would be better to travel through the night and early morning rather than face the oppressive mid-day heat. By dawn the trio had reached a tiny oasis. Exhausted, they set up camp and slept through the morning.
Ayero was awoken by a large hand gently jostling her shoulder. ”Come now, it’s time to wake up. We didn’t trek all the way out here to sleep, now did we?” Gaad chuckled as he shook the woman once more, eliciting an irate groan from the sleepy red head as she struggled to rise. ”Already?” She props herself up on her hands and squints at the man, still partially asleep. ”Of course. We must make full use of these two weeks in the desert.” Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, the halfling nods and clambers up into a standing position and stretches. ”Right then. I’m ready.” She announces, patting the sword at her hip.
”Hm?” Gaad looks over his shoulder at her while rummaging around through a large canvas bag. ”Oh, I forgot to mention. You won’t be using your own weapon during this trip.” He chuckles deeply at the woman’s confused expression as he retrieves two sheathed swords from the bag. ”You’ll be using a special sword.” He hands one of the weapons to Ayero. As she takes it from him, the unexpected massive weight of the sword causes her arm to drop suddenly. Staring down at the weapon in disbelief, he head snaps up.
”What the hell is this?” She raises the blade without much struggle. Though it was heavy she was still able to handle its weight. Unsheathing the sword, it appeared relatively normal save for the small weights strapped thickly to the grip and guard she hadn’t noticed before. ”A training sword.” She lifts it up to examine, frowning. She had dealt with her fair share of training weapons that were weighted down, but this was by far the heaviest. ”Exactly. After training with this blade, you should be able to perform better you’re your talwar. It’ll be light as air.” The man affirms, scratching at his beard.
[587/1000]
One day after dinner, she was approached by Nera’s husband, Gaad. He was a large man with a short, graying beard and a gentle disposition. He informed her that every year he and Nai went out into the desert to train their skills in battle as tradition, the arid desert adding an extra layer to their training with its harsh climate. He offered for Ayero to join them after seeing how well she fared against his son with her own blade. Later that night over tea, Nera explained how Gaad had always wanted a daughter in addition to their only son.
The next day, Gaad led his two younger companions into the desert as soon as evening fell upon them, insisting that it would be better to travel through the night and early morning rather than face the oppressive mid-day heat. By dawn the trio had reached a tiny oasis. Exhausted, they set up camp and slept through the morning.
Ayero was awoken by a large hand gently jostling her shoulder. ”Come now, it’s time to wake up. We didn’t trek all the way out here to sleep, now did we?” Gaad chuckled as he shook the woman once more, eliciting an irate groan from the sleepy red head as she struggled to rise. ”Already?” She props herself up on her hands and squints at the man, still partially asleep. ”Of course. We must make full use of these two weeks in the desert.” Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, the halfling nods and clambers up into a standing position and stretches. ”Right then. I’m ready.” She announces, patting the sword at her hip.
”Hm?” Gaad looks over his shoulder at her while rummaging around through a large canvas bag. ”Oh, I forgot to mention. You won’t be using your own weapon during this trip.” He chuckles deeply at the woman’s confused expression as he retrieves two sheathed swords from the bag. ”You’ll be using a special sword.” He hands one of the weapons to Ayero. As she takes it from him, the unexpected massive weight of the sword causes her arm to drop suddenly. Staring down at the weapon in disbelief, he head snaps up.
”What the hell is this?” She raises the blade without much struggle. Though it was heavy she was still able to handle its weight. Unsheathing the sword, it appeared relatively normal save for the small weights strapped thickly to the grip and guard she hadn’t noticed before. ”A training sword.” She lifts it up to examine, frowning. She had dealt with her fair share of training weapons that were weighted down, but this was by far the heaviest. ”Exactly. After training with this blade, you should be able to perform better you’re your talwar. It’ll be light as air.” The man affirms, scratching at his beard.
[587/1000]