Memory in the End

Chapter 18: Training

Michael was still resting. He had begun to stir in his sleep, but that was good. It meant he was really alright. Owyne continued to keep watch over him. We left the campsite, but didn't go too far before settling down again. With Michael in this condition, there wasn't much we could do. Meanwhile, I thought over the events of last night. I swore that I would become stronger, but how should I start? Should I ask one of the Five to help me? Even if Michael were awake, I have a feeling he'd be against it...Owyne is already taking care of him and gathering food for us, there's no way I can cause him anymore trouble. Aru might be alright, he did teach those kids how to shoot a bow and arrow. But I feel as if he might not take the training seriously and just joke around. And Henry was definitely out of the question.

I cast a sly glance over at Ivan. Because of the situation with Michael, I haven't interacted much with him. Our longest conversation was when we invited him to join us. Other than that, he mostly kept to himself. Not even the other members could keep an exchange going with him. Perhaps I can use this chance to get to talk to him more. His weapon was a spear, so I'm sure he could train me in melee fighting.

Right now he was sitting underneath a tree, quietly dozing off. I carefully approached and tapped his shoulder. He woke up with a start, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Oh, sorry Ivan," I said apologetically.

"It's alright," he responded while stretching. Good, he was talking to me. He looked at me, "Did you need something?".

"Yeah," I glanced around us to make sure the others wouldn't be listening. If any of them heard me asking this, they would definitely make a fuss in some form or another. "I know you just joined us, so I hate to ask this of you so soon. But you're the only one I can turn to for help," my eyes hardened with determination, "Please, will you help me improve my fighting?".

He was silent for a long time, just staring at me. For a moment I thought he'd refuse. But then he stood up and took up his spear, which had been lying next to him, "Yeah, alright.". He began walking away, and I could only stare at him in slight surprise. He stopped and then looked back at me, "Come on, let's start now.".

I nodded and followed after him. We went a little bit away from the campsite to a spot where the trees weren't as dense. It wasn't too far away, but far enough so that the training could be kept a secret. Ivan turned around, his beige cape flying over his shoulders, and gripped his spear, holding it readily in front of him.

"Fight me," he said.

"What?".

"I'll gauge what you need to improve on," he explained calmly, "Don't worry about hurting me.".

I drew my sword and steadied it, nodding. Here I go. With a yell, I charge forward and position myself to bring my sword down on his side. Ivan steps to the side, and with a quick twist of his arm he brings his spear within an inch of my stomach. His blade is larger than most normal spears, and it's curved and molded with a flame-shaped space at the base of the blade. If this were a real battle, that would have been the end of me. We start again, and Ivan matches my attacks using the handle of his spear. After deflecting one of my swings, he spins around and jabs his spear forward. The tip stops before my throat. This same pattern happens again and again, until I'm panting heavily and almost completely exhausted. Out of all of our spars, I was only close to winning against him twice. Of course I knew I wouldn't be able to match one of the Five, but still, the amount of times that Ivan could have "killed" me were overwhelming.

We stop for the day. The sun is beginning to set, over the tops of the trees. The sky turns a light pink with a bed of gold underneath it. I fall onto my knees and drop my sword to the ground, taking deep breaths. Sweat drips down from my forehead, and my hair clings to my neck. None of our battles thus far have tired me this extent. Not even practicing against the knights back at the castle was this difficult. And Ivan was only observing my current abilities, we haven't even started the actual training yet.