Peace In Desperation's Hour

Chapter 7

The next few weeks were a struggle for me. Rikuto wouldn't let me start training until I could properly walk. It took me about five days before I was able to not feel any pain in my burn injury, and I was able to walk around without any problem. Rostella had told me that it would take about eight days, which shocked her when I had gotten up earlier to work on my therapy by getting everything set up for breakfast, and with practicing standing up and sitting down.

When I was able to walk, Rikuto told me that I had to choose a sword for training. Since everybody started before me, there weren't very many options. Lora used a Shamshir Scimitar, because she claimed it was the only one that she could pick up easiest. Rostella and Princess Saphra both skilled with Cutlasses, Zack used a Claymore, Sage used a Royal Celtic blade, which was what the Ophanian army used. Rikuto would switch between a Longsword and Broadsword, and sometimes he would dual wield them. Aaron wielded a Spadroon, because he prefers to fight from a distance. The only options for me where a simple blade and a Rapier. I decided on using the rapier, so I could move more easily.

Since I was behind on training, I was pushed to extreme limits for an entire day. My leg would hurt, but I pushed it aside so I wouldn't be pushed back for therapy again. The first few days were basics for slicing, defending, and stabbing. Rikuto was surprised at how fast I was progressing, but I felt as if I wasn't accomplishing anything.

Today was the end of about the third week since I've been welcome into this group. Turns out that Rikuto's father was a blacksmith, and this rundown place was a hideout for emergencies. Well, you have to give them credit for hiding this place so well. Rikuto told us that he had taken some of his father's swords during the invasion and hid them here, but he didn't expect to be part of a group.

We had just finished dinner, and I was currently laying on my bed. I was holding my sheathed rapier up and looking at its intricate detail. The blade, itself, was forged from high carbon steel; it was really light for me to pick up, considering how thin the blade is. The handle, guard/knuckle guard were made of silver; the crossbar, Turks head, and pommel were normal steel. The sheath was polished oak wood, with a simple, steel design wrapped around it.

I began to think about how I was stuck with a sword as beautiful as this one. I thought the others would want to wield it instead. Besides, I didn't get first picks on my desired weapon.

I heard someone knock on the door, and I look over and see Aaron smiling and leaning against the doorway. Aaron and I have gotten really close and became good friends. "Hey." He said.

"Hi. Something wrong?" I asked, sitting up from my laying position.

"Just wondering what you are doing in here alone." He said.

"Well, there's nothing for me to do. So I just came in here." I said, looking back at my sword.

"If you needed something to do, you could've asked." He said. "I was about to head out for hunting. Wanna come tag along?" he asked.

I looked at him as if he was joking. I was okay with animals dying, especially with them being hunted. But, I had to live the fact that I was eating what we have been meat from what Aaron had collected from hunting. "I understand if you don't want you to, but can I tell you a secret? I'm not actually going out to hunt. I just want to get some fresh air. What d'ya think? Care to come along?"

Now I wasn't really sure if he was telling me the truth or if he was lying, just so I could see him hunt innocent creatures. "You sure you want me to come along?" I asked. "How do I know you aren't lying to me?"

"Well, we're friends right? You can trust me. I can never lie to a friend." He said, smiling.

Now I am convinced that he is up to something. "Okay, I'll go. But no tricks, okay?" I tell him, standing up from my bed.