Dark Reincarnation: Nightshade

Chapter 40

                       Alice's POV

        "Good morning Alice. What a lovely day we're having isn't it?"

               "Why yes it is Mrs. Jean."

       "You'd like the usual I'd assume?"

                "You know me well, but I'd also like to add something special to my order, today it's Rose's tenth birthday today and I'd like to surprise her with a cake."

         "No problem at all sweetie, here's the usual, three fresh loaves of bread and two bags of grain. Come back by noon and I should have the cake ready, make sure to tell her I said happy birthday."

                   "Will do Mrs. Jean, thank you for everything. I'll see you at noon."

     With my stuff in hand and having already paid Mrs. Jean, I walked out of the bakery and down the street. I have one more stop to make before I head home.

     After walking for a few more minutes I turned into the local blacksmiths. As usual it was only lit by the forges fires and the blacksmith was busy hammering away at something. But when he saw me he quickly put down his tools, brushed himself off and walked up to me.

       "Perfect timing Alice, I just finished it about half an hour ago. Let me just go and grab it real quick."

                "Fast as usual Mr. Keel, I appreciate it."

      After walking through a door in the back, I didn't have to wait long until he came back in holding something wrapped in cloth. I placed the stuff I had gotten from the bakery into my spacial storage and grabbed it from him.

      Unwrapping it from the cloth the first thing I noticed was the scabbard. It was made out of some sort of animal skin and was a dark crimson color with a rose pattern intricately etched into it. Moving on to the blade, the handle was delicately designed to look as if it were a flower bud yet to bloom.

      Unsheathing it I saw that the blade was an unblemished silver with crimson thorny vines going up the center and had a crimson edge. Holding it you could feel a slight buzzing come off it from the enchantments I had him add to it. It was a katana and altogether it was absolutely beautiful.

        "Well? What do you think lass?"

                   "It's beautiful Mr. Keel. You've truly outdone yourself. I don't know how to thank you."

          "Now, now, anything for the little lady, everyone in this village has come to love little Rose. She's such a sweet and selfless young lass. Make sure to tell her I said happy birthday will you?"

                    "Absolutely, I'm heading home right after this. How much was it again?"

           "I can't charge too much when it comes to you two, just three gold will be fine."

                     "Here you are, have a wonderful day Mr. Keel."

      With a smile on my face I quickly walked out of his shop before he could notice I had handed him three platinum instead of gold. Something this amazing was worth the extra, he was just trying to be nice as usual.

       Nowadays everyone in this small little village has come to like us, for some reason more so Rose then me, but who can blame them that girl is adorable. It wasn't always like this though, when we first got here people were wary of us since we were both strangers and human.

       The reason being human was a cause for wary is because this village is in the Beast Kingdom of Renoea on the continent of Nefria. Although there is a few other humans here, the majority of the people in this village are beastkin.

        About four years ago I had ended up using almost every resource I had in order to get to this continent and make all trades of me and Rose disappear. That and find a place that all the races can actually coexist without any issues.

      Thankfully we were able to find this place and after around a year we were able to prove ourselves trustworthy and were accepted with open arms. The next three years after that were amazingly peaceful and happy. Rose has come to love it here and has actually made a few friends.

       There hasn't been any signs that anybody knew where we are and thankfully we haven't had any issues. I still keep my hairs up and senses alert just in case but that's probably just force of habit at this point.

       As I was lost in thought about the last few years I hadn't realized that I had already gotten to our house. Placing the sword in my spacial storage and taking out the stuff I had gotten from the bakery I opened the door and stepped inside.

          "Rose? You up yet?" I call down the hall as I walk into the kitchen and set down the stuff I was carrying. Walking into the living room and sitting on the sofa I pour myself some tea from the kettle on the coffee table. It wasn't long before my little sleepy head came out and sat next to me.

           "Happy birthday my love, did you sleep well?" I ask while pouring her a cup as well.

                  "Thanks mom, did I sleep in again?"

           "Yes, but it's your birthday so you get away with it this time."

                    "I have a surprise for you, close your eyes and hold out your hands."

      She smiled real big, quickly squeezed her eyes closed and thrust out her hands palms up. Reaching into my spacial storage and grabbing the katana, I unwrapped the cloth from around it and put it in her hands.

     As soon as she felt the weight of the sword her eyes snapped open and her jaw dropped. I couldn't help but laugh at her expression.

         "Mom...." She whispered, clearly in shock. "Does this mean what I think it does?.."

                "I did make you a promise little one, you're ten now and have grown up quite a bit. Not just physically but mentally, you're very mature and you go out of your way to help others. You've shown me that you're ready."

          "You're actually going to start training me!!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love you so much!!"  She squealed, jumping up and down. "When can we start?"

                  "We'll start tomorrow morning, for today, just enjoy yourself. We are celebrating your tenth birthday after all. Now go get yourself ready, it shouldn't be long until Cicilia and Jade show up."

     A few hours later me, Rose and her two friends were in the dining room enjoying Rose's birthday dinner. Getting up and grabbing the cake I went and got earlier, I ignited a flame at my fingertip and lit the candles. Putting the flame out, I then carried the cake into the dinning room and we all sang happy birthday.

     Using a small fir spell, I kept reigniting the candles Everytime she would try and blow them out. After a bit of getting frustrated Rose caught on to what I was doing and just gave me a weird look. Not able to hold it in any longer I started laughing but stopped messing with her and let her blow them out.

      She just rolled her eyes at me and started removing the candles with a big smile on her face.

         "Happy birthday Rose, I hope whatever wish you made comes true..."