Druids of Miminar

Chapter 5

A scant light enters my room, signifying the day to come. I get up, tired, with restless sleep. Ravaged by my thoughts from yesterday's fight, and my dad's continued unwillingness to share anything about my mother.

Without changing, I walk out into the dusk of morning and wander through the woods. Avoiding puddles, scat, and spots of mud, I wend through and come upon a small stream.

Standing on the edge, I strip off my clothes and without a second thought I jump into the cold water. I grab onto a rock, keeping me in place, and embrace the cold water burrowing into me and placating my burning thoughts. Even though winter was last month, the cold water is one of its last gifts.

Once again my mind teeters on those thoughts. Finally I know who my dad is and what he does, why he's come home on so many nights bloodied and bruised. I wish it didn't take this long, but finally I know. Though how long will it take to learn secrets about my mom? Then I'm interrupted as something brushes past my leg. I whip my head around to look at the assailant, only to laugh when I realize what it is: A fish. I laugh again as dozens of fish swim past me with scales in dazzling blues, greens, and yellows all blending together forming their own rainbows.

After a few moments I pull myself out and sprawl across a rock in the early morning sun. Once I've dried off, and starting to feel hungry, I put my clothes back on and head back to the cottage.

Upon returning, I open the door step in, start turning right I hear my dad grunt. Startled, I turn to him standing in the kitchen in his armor.

"Good morning, where were you?"

"I was at the stream."

"Remember yesterday when I said that I am going to teach you how to fight?"

I nod. "Yes."

"I also said I'm going to start today. So are you ready?"

Completely still, I hold my dad's eyes in almost disbelief. "Are you serious?"

He nods. "From now till dusk."

"Then yes, I am ready."

His lips crack a small smile. "First, clean up your room and then don your armor."

I feel a smile of my own creeping. "Alright!" I then race up the stairs, and quickly push clothes under my bed and into the closet. Then I race equipping my armor. It takes me a few times to get some of the knots right, after the forth or fifth time I tie it half decently feeling it somewhat tight I get back down stairs. The moment I reach the base of the steps dad clears his throat. "Try cleaning your room again, this time properly."

"Why? What does this have to do with training?"

"A lot. Cleaning your room every morning sets your mind for the rest of the day. Either begins in attention to detail and order, or begins in mindlessness towards details. So get back to your room and do it again, right this time. Okay?"

For a second I think about it.

"Go quick, we're loosing daylight." He says with an impatient tone.

Now I run back up the stairs and take time pulling the clothes from under my bed, and in the closet and spend time putting it in a wooden bin. Then, I start making my bed, then sweeping my room. Finally, after what seems like forever, I come down stairs to see my dad nodding with approval. "Good. Now, before we start, I'll show you how to tie up your armor. Grab a chair." He says gesturing at my poorly done knots.

I sit on one of the chairs and Dad and I take off our armor. Dad puts his back on slowly, and showing me how to tie them. Piece by piece, watching dad do his, and trying to mimic him, it begins to kick in that Dad is taking this serious, and I'm going to learn how to fight. Soon as I fit on my chest piece I stand up with a grin.