Marked: Part 2; The Wronged

Chapter 76

"You're tired today." Amilia said, looking over to her. Unora was leaning on her staff. Soon enough she fell over and instantly woke up. "Maybe you should sleep." Amilia said, looking at her.

"Nonsense, you have only been here twenty minutes, we still have half a day's curriculum to go o- to go-" She fell asleep again. This time Amilia walked over to her and punched her in the gut. "What the-" She coughed. "How dare you-"

"You are tired. You go to bed, we train tomorrow."

"Ah ha ha ha," Unora laughed. "Oh no, you're not getting away with that little missy. I'll go to sleep and you'll think up a plan to be rid of me, while- jokes on you, I'm not going to sleep!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." Amilia grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall. "Whatever you're doing, it won't work." Amilia pulled her into a room and then shoved her down onto a bed. "I am not- not- uh." With that Unora fell asleep and Amilia grabbed her father's staff and put it in the corner of the room. Then she walked out of the room and out of her lair. She walked around a bit and noticed that there was a light on at Oglm's blacksmith shop. She went over to his window and tried to peek over the counter. Then she looked to her phone, it was almost ten o'clock, which meant Oglm was easily starting his work day. She went around the back and made her way into his shop. She could hear a faint sparking noise, but it wasn't close by any means. She grabbed her apron, which for some reason Oglm decided to keep. She didn't come around often anymore, she was too busy with all that was going on to even think about fulfilling her apprenticeship. Between the hours with Unora and the countless nights she spent with her parents at the castle, doing princess things. And then there was Jasvinder and her friends, not to account for school that took most of her days, leading her to a life that led late into the night. After she tied her apron on she grabbed the specific gloves she was required to wear, grabbing goggles and earmuffs as she went. She finally found Oglm, he was putting finishing touches onto the blade of a sword, sharpening it as sharp as he could.

"Is that for someone in the reserve?" She asked him coming up behind him. He stopped the wheel quick and took off his special goggles to look at her.

"Oh, Amilia!" He said excited. He set down the sword on the counter and gave her a hug. "So nice to see you! It's been so long since I've seen you in that attire, are you here to finish your apprenticeship?"

"I suppose I should, shouldn't I."

"Come, come." He said, motioning her on. She came over to him and he moved her so that she was in front of him. He walked off to the side and grabbed the sword, handing it carefully to Amilia. "Careful, now, it's sharp." He put his hand onto her's and then started the wheel back up. The wheel itself wasn't loud, it was the metal on stone that made the noise. "You see the pedal down there?"

"Yeah."

"That is how the wheel spins, it's kind of like a sewing machine, as long as you pump, it goes. Now, all you want to do is lightly tap the sword onto the stone, take your time in sharpening it. Even if it takes you hours, or even days, it will be a perfect and clean job." He moved her hands closer to the wheel until he felt the metal barely grace the surface of the stone. Which, of course, made sparks fly. After several hours, they finally were finished with the sword. By making finally engravings onto the hilt, to give it its special flare. Oglm set the sword onto a rack which was labeled with a Catonan letter, G. The racks were sorted out by last name, so that it was easier to locate someone's item when they came to pick it up. Amilia saw Oglm sending off a bird with a piece of paper attached to it, he was letting his customer know that their sword was done and ready for pickup. He leaned over his counter as he watched the bird fly. Amilia took off her apron, her goggles, gloves, etc. Then she came up beside Oglm and looked out the counter window with him. They stood there a second together, admiring the atmosphere that was the Market. "So why are you here?" He said to her. She looked to him. "What are you doing here in my shop, tell me, do you need something?"

"N- no, of course not."

"Are you sure?" He said, turning around to lean on his counter. "You seem to come around only when you need something, you're so busy nowadays." He paused. "I guess you just don't need me anymore." Amilia looked at Oglm and then to her arm.

"It's true, things have changed. I've become exceedingly more busy. And I can control my powers better." She paused and turned around just like Oglm had. "I will always make time for you. Besides, I am your apprentice, I mide as well do my duty and see it through." Oglm didn't say anything and most definitely didn't look at her. "Look, I know it's hard, and I, I can't possibly explain things to you- but I'll always be here, waiting and listen to you," She looked to him, "Dad." She moved over to the side and still Oglm didn't move. She put her hand on his shoulder. "I know it's not ideal, and things have never gone your way, but I will always be here, always watching, and listening and loving you." She tried to make eye contact with him, but he still wouldn't budge. She pushed his hair back and kissed him on the forehead. "I'll see you later, dad." As soon as Amilia walked away he looked up. He blushed all around and was even crying a little.

"Dad." He said. "She called me dad."