Fallen From Grace

Part 3

The day they had gotten the news of her father was one of the worst days of her life. The day had started like every other, with Emilia sneaking out to wait for Bash just to avoid her step mother's disapproving eyes and her sister's snide remarks. It had been an uneasy truce since they had seen her with him. In truth she was invisible to them, and that she could live with. She rounded the corner and made her way to the big weeping willow that was their usual meeting place. She loved that tree and would always find time to climb high in its branches. Today, however that would have to wait for Bash was already there. It didn't matter how early she was, he always beat her there. It was irritating to her that he always managed to keep one step ahead. But there he was every morning with his careless hair; lop sided grin and cheeky response.

"Good morning princess. Did you sleep well?" He asked her.

"How is it that you beat me here each morning?" This earned her a chuckle as he pulled away from the tree and approached her.

"It is my job to anticipate the needs of a princess."

"Now stop, we both know I am no princess." He then grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the path way ignoring her statement like he always did and like always she signed and let it go.

"Now come on. We have lots to do today with your lesson and I have a surprise for you." He had started to teach her how to best use a sword and she had picked it up rather well and quickly. Sebastian however still wouldn't let her use the real thing. Still too dangerous he had said so practice swords it was.

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

"You will just have to wait and see." He had that sparkle of mischief in his eyes and her worry must have shown because he started to laugh. "Don't worry so much. You will love it, I promise."

It was well after the noon day meal before he told her. They made there way down to the village and walked to the black smiths shop. Emilia had never been inside before but had been by there a lot. She and Bash made frequent trips to the village and knew just about everyone there. He was well liked and everyone seemed happy to see him including the blacksmith Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a tall man and only a few years older than Bash the two of them has become fast friends. Jeremiah had taken over for his father when he had died due to the plague that had hit hard about two years before. He now took care of a heart broken mother and four younger siblings not an easy task for a man of his age yet he always had a smile. Today his smile seemed even bigger as he watched the two friends approach. He raised his hand in a greeting.

"Hello Sebastian, Miss Emilia. How are you on this fine afternoon?" He always had a way of making her smile.

"Bash says he has a surprise for me but he won't tell me what." She felt very much like a child at that point. This also earned her a laugh from both of her friends which only made her smile more.

"She really doesn't have patience does she?" Jeremiah said to Bash who suddenly put his arm around her shoulder.

"Not really but that is why I keep her around. She keeps me on my toes."

"Hey now I thought you kept me around because of my stimulating conversation skills." This earned her hair being ruffled and being pulled in the direction of the shop.

"You're stimulating alright, a stimulating pain in the neck." He added with a laugh as they continued inside. "I want to show you something first." He said as he led her to the back of the barn. There a mother cat with about five kittens lay curled up in the hay. Bash knew her attachment to kittens and smiled down at her as she immediately sat next to them picking up a little black one. It immediately responded to her touch and started to purr as she stroked its glossy fur. Sebastian took this opportunity to retrieve what they had come for and sat down next to Emilia with a long package which had been wrapped in a colorful piece of fabric. She barely had registered that he was there until she felt his hand on her arm. She pulled her head up away from the kitten. She noticed what he was holding and looked at him questionably.