Collision

Part 8. Swords of Fire

Peter stood staring across a field one morning watching wheat sway in the breeze. The wind blew wildly promising a storm. Peter was about to leave when he saw Fira run past him, heading across the field laughing.

Suddenly at the end of the field he saw it ended in a cliff, that just dropped off into nowhere, into darkness. He tried to spring forwards to stop Fira, who was now nearing the edge nievely. He was stuck to the ground, trying to lift his feet which were somehow paralyzed.

A black panther came out of nowhere, bounding towards him. He turned, trying his best to get away but to no avail. He could not move. Suddenly he heared a scream, and looked across the feild just in time to see Fira disappear over the edge. The panther was now just feet away. It leaped.

Peter yelled and shot upwards out of the bed. Shaking, he wondered what the heck he dreamed that for. He sighed, realizing it was just a dream, and realizing that he was still alive, and he brushed his dark hair back, before getting up. He threw his clothes on and leaped out of the room, hoping to get out before Fira came in. He made it, and smiled to himself. As he headed for the main building Fira ran up to him.

"Ach, your up. " Fira laughed. "That's unusual.. "I've been here 3 weeks. I'm getting used to it. " Peter sighed. Even though he thought Fira was annoying, the dream kept popping back into his mind. Fira smirked and started to walk with Peter.

"You will start learning how to use a sword and other weapons today. " Fira announced, looking towards the mountain. "OK, " Peter said happily, dragging out the "O". Fira laughed and punched him in the stomach. "Ya need to learn that. " she said with a wink. Peter rolled his eyes, thinking of the dream. "I know. "

Shaking his hair back, Peter stepped inside the building. To his surprise, everyone was standing in the doorway, seeming to wait for him. They stared at Peter, and it scared him slightly. Fira was already inside, sternly looking at him. Let's hope she didn't try to.

Peter looked around quizzically. Finally, Fira's Father spoke up. "Young man," Peter cringed. What the heck had he gotten himself into this time? The chief (Fira's Father) stepped forwards with a sword, laying in a scabbard. He handed it to Peter. Peter held it and looked it it.

The scabbard was beautiful itself. It's gold edges swirled in beautiful designs. Bits of blue stones, encircled by the gold, lay perfectly spaced along the bottom. Slowly, Peter pulled out the sword. He gasped. The gold handle gleamed in the light, more blue stones flashing. Even across the blade, gold was swirled. It was the most beautiful sword Peter had ever seen, though he actually had never seen an actual sword before, much less held one.

Peter looked up. "Son, this sword now belongs to you. You will start training to use it today, and I expect you to take good care of it." The Chief said. Peter replied, "Your giving this to me? " His green eyes glowed with excitement. "Thanks so much! " The Chief smiled and turned towards the table, "Now son, come eat some breakfast. "

Fira pranced over to Peter. "That sword is beautiful! Mine isn't even nearly that gorgeous! You are lucky!" Peter smiled. "Don't think I am going to give it to you. " He laughed. Fira smirked. "Who says I want it? " "I just can tell. " Peter replied in his sneaky way.

That afternoon, in the field just east, and just outside of the village Peter stood looking out across the field, sword in hand. The men stood around him as they waited for his lesson. Fira stood next to Peter eagerly watching and waiting.

Peter looked down at his sword and admired it. Fira, jokingly nudged him causing him to cut his hand. Peter gasped and silently yelped in pain as blood seeped out. Fira chuckled and Peter glared at her. Turning back to the sword, he slid it back into the scabbard and sucked the blood off his finger. It hurt, but he wasn't going to scream like a girl. And besides, he was going to make Fira pay for that. Or at least, that's what he planned at the moment.

Just then the Chief walked over to Peter and said, "OK. Now today you will learn how to use this sword. It's not easy,  but as long as you are going to stay here,  you will need to be able to protect yourself." Peter nodded. Fira smirked. Peter looked so serious,  it was almost scary.

The two began to fight, though Fira could tell that her Father was going easy on Peter and going slow. Every now and then,  he would stop and correct how Peter was holding the sword,  and give instructions. Fira laughed so hard, for Peter had so much trouble just lifting the sword. "Come on Peter,  it's not a claymore! You aren't weak! " Fira would holler. Peter just ignored her.

Lifting the sword again he slashed it across the chief's blade. "Excellent son! " The Chief praised,  as he continued.  Peter smiled to himself.  This was way more fun than school at home. The clanking of metal continued for another hour,  and by the time the lesson was over,  Peter had scrapes and bruises all over him,  and bent over, he walked towards the tent, more exhausted than when he took a 500 problem exam.

Fira stood waiting, a wet cloth in hand. She tried her best not to laugh, but when Peter walked in saying that was the most fun he had ever had in his life, Fira dropped to the floor laughing her head off. "What? Just because I am hurt doesn't mean I didn't have fun. " Peter scoffed,  as he took the wet cloth out of Fira's hand to wipe the blood off his face.

"Ach your smearing it around ya idiot." Fira said as she got on her knees in front of Peter. "Let me help. " She grabbed the cloth out of his hands and tried to wipe his face off.  Peter sighed. "Did you have to go through this much work when you trained to sword fight?" "Of course. " Fira answered.  "If I didn't,  I would never have gotten good at it. She smiled at him as she put the rag down.  Now ya look better. Then she blushed. "What is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this? "She thought to herself as she stood up. "Well I had better go now. " She said as she  began to walk out the door. "OK. Peter replied. Goodnight. " "Goodnight ya idiot. " Fira replied with a laugh.