When the Nightingale Sings

Part 7

Your feet were carrying you on a mission, and if the rains through the night hadn't matted down the dirt on the road, you surely would have been kicking up dust in your wake. Danny had still been asleep when you awoke, and you dressed quickly, dawning your cloak and heading through the tavern. Your guilt and shame had swirled into dreams of the criminals in the wood, the helpless and scared feelings that overcame you and propelled you through the dark early morning.

The forge was empty, and you felt a slight tug of guilt as you realized it was early, and Sam may be asleep. Yet it didn't stop you from knocking on his door, using all your might. Thumps and shuffling could be heard from behind the door until the sound of sliding metal greeted you and the door opened. Sam squinted at you, barely awake, a grimace on his face. He was shirtless, still pulling his trousers up over his hips. Blinking a few times, he realized it was you in front of him, and looked around for Danny.

"I came alone," you informed him as you raised the hood of your cloak to see him better. Sam's eyes darted to you questioningly. "You make weapons, can you also teach how to wield them?" Sam crossed his arms over his chest, leaning in the doorway.

"I could," he replied, stoic. He studied you closely, trying to figure out exactly what you wanted. "What would a princess need to wield a sword for?"

"A woman would need to wield a sword for protection." you replied, rolling your shoulders back. "If I'm to be royalty it will mean I am also to be a target. I've already been scared for my life twice. Once I was lucky and the second time Danny was there to save me. I would like to learn as much as I can in the time I have here to make sure I never feel like that again." Sam appraised you for a few moments before pushing off the frame of his door.

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

"I came straight here after I awoke." you informed him with a shake of your head. Sam pushed his door farther open and stepped back.

"You'll need to eat if we're to train." you entered Sam's cottage, embracing the warmth as you stepped in from the chilly morning air. He shut the door behind you, gesturing towards the table. Lowering the hood of your cloak completely, you took a seat at the small square. Sam finished dressing, then moved to the fire, beginning to prepare the meal. As he moved about his home, you watched, studying the man in the quiet. His movements were different from Danny's. Danny moved with purpose, heavy and propelling himself forward. Sam moved with confidence, his steps deliberate and graceful.

It wasn't long before a plate of eggs and bacon was sat in front of you, Sam placing himself across the table with his own. A loaf of crusty, warmed bread was in the middle, and he cut himself a slice. Quietly, you thanked him for the food and began eating, your eyes to your plate as Sam's were on you. It was his turn to study, it seemed.

"Tell me," Sam finally broke the silence, chewing on a piece of bacon. Your eyes rose from the table to his. "Tell me about how you came upon Daniel and his cottage."

"Danny told you already," your forehead wrinkled in confusion. The corner of Sam's mouth twitched into a smile before he spoke again.

"He did, but I would like to hear it from you," he replied. "And what happened to make you wake a man up to teach you how to properly use a sword." swallowing roughly, you nodded. You gave your story, finding it all spilling out in the presence of Sam. His warm brown eyes never wavered as he listened, taking in the details of your journey Danny had left out. Once you finished, Sam took a few moments, thinking over his next words.

Standing, he walked from the table and over to his workbench, picking up a long dagger and admiring it as he stepped towards you.

"You did not choose much of what this journey has brought you." he mused, testing the weight of the sword in his palm. "Am I correct in stating that you're now asking to learn this in case there are fewer choices in the future?" Your silence was all the answer he needed. "And will Daniel be privy to these training sessions?"