The Forgotten Kingdom

Chapter 6

Carina knew one thing. She hated the howling cliffs. They were difficult to navigate and many of the platforms had become unstable, crumbling under her weight, leaving her to fall, she was currently sitting on a ledge, hugging her knees, half wishing she had wings, half wishing there was an easier way of reaching her goal. She didn't dare travel Greenpath, as there were several notes to there being large lakes and pools of highly corrosive acid. She shuddered at the thought of falling while trying to navigate those pools. She would have come here for nothing. Burned to nothing in an acid pit. 

She put the acid out of her mind for now, instead leaning on the wall to catch her breath. There were a lot of spikes that were a problem. she had just had a fun time, jumping and avoiding them, finding it strange that she hadn't encountered anything hostile yet. She looked at the journal. A Vengefly, or a Crawlid at least. She frowned. Maybe it was a good thing. She had no real idea how to use her nail, and the thought of her making a mistake that got herself hurt just made her shiver. 

She stood and took a breath, She had a few more ledges to one that looked significantly more sturdy. She began to climb, something she was glad she was good at. She reached the ledge above and blinked, there was a tunnel in that looked like it led to a house. Cautious, she walked down the tunnel, hand resting on her nail, ready to draw it as she knocked on the old door. There was no answer. She entered quietly, looking around. There was a large bench in the front, a hallway leading down to another door, that was open, she could see what looked like a figure, tall and thickly built, not someone she would want to face in any kind of battle. 

The figure looked up, standing, making her step back. "It's alright. Come in, please. I haven't had a visitor in a long time. Come in." The voice was high, and rough sounding. Like they had spent a lot of time shouting. She walked further in, entering the large room, Staring at all the broken masks and bodies obviously kept as trophies, a large collection of nails against the back wall. She looked at the bug in front of him. He was actually shorter than she assumed, mostly muscle, wearing a headband that matched the faded red of his carapace, wearing a frayed grey cloak. 

"No need to be alarmed, I will not hurt you. I am Mato, one of the Legendary Nailmasters. Who are you young one?" She blinked, staring at the large older bug. Cornifer had told her of three brothers in Hallownest, the nailmasters. Mato, Oro, and Sheo. But... Shouldn't he be older? She frowned, looking at him. "I'm Carina... You're really a nailmaster?" Mato nods with a chuckle. "I am indeed! It seems you are one who bears a nail as well? Perhaps I could teach you one of my favorite skills?" 

Carina felt herself blush. "O-oh... Well... You see... I was given the nail as a gift for an unexpected journey... I never learned how to actually use it, and still havent used it at all since getting it... I'm embarrassed to say it's mostly just for show right now..." Mato nods, listening to her, thinking. "I see. And I understand. Perhaps you would allow me to teach you a few basic skills? I have managed to remove most of the creatures that roam these cliffs, but it does get more dangerous. I would not be able to sleep well thinking of you out there with no skill." He looked at her.

Carina stared at him, in slight shock. He wanted to teach her? She couldn't say no. She wanted to learn, but there had been no one back home who would teach her without her mother's consent. Or knowledge. And her mother would have never said yes to her learning how to use a nail. "Y-Yes! Please! I always wanted to learn! But my mother would always shoot me down when I asked! I've been terrified of running into someone or something hostile, and not knowing what to do!" Mato grinned excitedly, drawing his nail. 

"Then let us begin at once Carina!"

                                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carinas lungs burned. Her arms and legs ached, and her vision swam from exhaustion, but she couldn't give in. "Perhaps that is enough for today. What say you my student?" Her body answered for her and she collapsed, face down on the floor of Nailmaster Mato's home. He chuckled softly, picking her up gently and setting her on her feet. "Ah. I may have put too much on you. I'm sorry. I must admit I did the same when I first began training. But a good nights rest and a hearty meal had me on my feet the next day to continue. My teacher was hard, and unforgiving of mistakes, but he knew when it was time to end a training session. I hope that you will learn as much from me as I learned from him." 

Carina forced herself not to fall again, leaning on her knees, catching her breath before speaking. "That was fun actually. But I think you're right. I can't feel my arms and I'm ready to pass out." Mato chuckled softly, patting her shoulder. "You can set your things over there Carina, I have a spare room where you can sleep for the night. And you can help me make a meal tomorrow." Carina grinned. She enjoyed cooking. When she did it with someone she liked. Her mother was always demanding of her when she helped cook. 

He smiled. "I see you like that idea. Come on." He led her to a small room with a cot, nodded to her, and left, closing the door behind him. She sat on the cot and groaned as her legs finally got to rest, slowly lying back, closing her eyes, and falling asleep before she could think about it.