The Next Gen

How His Life Changed

“Shrrink” the throwing knife sang as it hit its mark. I grunted in approval. It was a good throw, but it could have been better, she needs to improve her hold on the knife but there isn't much else that she needs to change.

I started walking back to my house when I heard someone calling my name. “LUKE!” someone shouted. “Luke, slow down. Why do you have to walk so fast?” My friend James said when he caught up to me. “Well, you need to get fitter,” I say in all seriousness. He snorted we both know he spends way too much time reading and teaching the younger kids stuff, they need to know before they reach the age of 13 and must pick something to apprentice.

“What do you want,” I said unnecessarily harshly. I could be kinder, but kindness was lost to me the day my parents died. One can’t survive by being kind, to survive you must be as harsh and brutal as nature herself.

James didn’t even blink at my tone of voice long ago used to it. “I needed your help to teach the older kids the basics of fighting to help decide what they want to apprentice,” He told me. I thought about it for a second. I don’t like kids there annoying and ask way too many questions for my taste, but I do need more hunters and fighters. It would be better for everyone if they knew just the basics.

“Fine.” I agreed reluctantly. James sighed pleased. “On one condition,” I added. Now he looked nervous. “You make sure your kids don’t ask stupid questions.  You and I both know how much I hate kids and their questions.” I conditioned.

Luke thought about it for a moment. "Okay," he agreed. "I am going to regret this aren't I?" I asked James. "Most definitely." He told me. I sighed.

* * *

The axe sang as it hit the bull's-eye of the dummy. It has been three weeks since I agreed to teach those wretched kids. To put it plainly it's been pure torture. Sometimes I think that James is just playing an appalling joke on me then I remember that I signed up for this. All these repellent children don't know a thing about fighting.

Well, all of them except a little girl who they all call Azura. She's pretty good for a 12-year-old. I think that if she were to apprentice fighting or hunting, I would teach her myself.

I've only trained 2 other people Tam and my sister Lihn. Tam is now my second in command and Lihn just wasn't interested in fighting said and I quote, "We already have one fighting obsessed family member we don't need another." Whatever that means. Her loss. She would have been a great warrior. She also would have gotten more perks than her veterinary job gets her. Though she does enjoy it and make a difference in the community.

I threw 2 more axes that each hit the bull's-eye as per usual before moving onto the bow. Tam has agreed to take today's lesson for me because we both know that if I were to teach one more drill I would have exploded.

I was about to shoot another arrow but at that moment someone ran into the training yard and if it weren't for my fast reflexes someone would have died or been seriously injured.

That’s all it took I exploded. I look in the direction of the person who dared to cross into the training yard and feel alarm and the tiniest bit guilty for my explosion. Which is unusual as I have not felt guilt in years. The culprit is non-other than...the little girl who I was thinking of a few minutes’ prior. Azura, little Azura of all the people in the village it had to be her.

She looked nervous but not scared. I'll give it to her she has guts. It may be the reason she gets killed but not on my watch. The sudden wave of fierce protectiveness that washed over me surprised me. I've only ever felt that type of emotion for Lihn.

I've decided Azura is going to be my apprentice whether she likes it or not. She needs to be able to defend and fight for herself, so I don’t have to feel such emotions again. I sent her on her way without any repercussions. Well, if you don't count a stern warning as a repercussion.  As soon as she left, I packed up my things to go and talk to the chief.
* * *

The chief has been agreed, Azura is to be my apprentice following her parent’s approval. I'm on my way to speak with her parents to ask their permission and have them ask Azura what she thinks.

I knock on the door and wait for someone to answer. The door opens and standing there in a pair of brown pants and a lime green top with her hair braided in a French braid is Azura. When she sees me her expression changes to one of shock and worry. I wonder what it is that she would be worried about then I remember what happened earlier this morning.

"I'm here to speak with your parents," I tell her. Now she looks scared. "Interesting," I thought. Don't worry it's nothing you have to be nervous about," I soothe. She didn't look convinced. "Who is it," someone shouted from inside. "Ummm, it's Commander Luke," She replied. There was some scuffling inside before a burly man with a bushy moustache appeared at the door. Sir, I'm here to talk to you about the future of your daughter.

It was those words that changed the lives of Luke and Azura for the better.

It’s agreed starting tomorrow Azura is going to spend 3 hours after school to train. When she reaches the age of thirteen her training will lengthen to between 6 to 9 hours a day.

* * *

3 years later -Lihn's perspective.

Luke has changed. I don’t recognize my brother anymore. He used to be harsh and hard-hearted but now he's different. He's kind and tolerates children or at least he tries more with them.
The only person I can really thank for the change in my brother is Azura. I've tried for years hoping that he would soften and to express laughter and purpose. Azura has managed to gradually do that over the past three years.
Even Tam agrees Luke is a better person because of Azura. We all owe her greatly for her deed.
Azura has grown into a beautiful young woman who is greatly skilled in the art of combat I'd even go as far as saying she'll be better than Luke. Though don't tell him I said that.

The End