Of Master and Apprentice (Book 3)

Chapter 9

The humans spent the afternoon piling up the demon carcasses onto a ship and letting it sail out to the open sea without anyone on board. Miranda then set it aflame to burn the demons into ashes with the ship serving as their funeral pyre. The cadavers of the humans were buried and the city gathered round for a short funeral.

Luna had her lunch and changed her clothes, realizing that she had been wearing the same thing ever since she left home. She spent some time helping out in the local bakery earning her a few coins before heading out to meet Miranda on the docks as she had promised.

Miranda had been waiting for her at the docks sitting cross-legged, facing out to the open sea. Her image along with the warm colour of the evening sunset and the calming sound of the waves were somewhat therapeutic.

"I'm here," Luna said, alerting Miranda to her presence.

Miranda grabbed something before rising to her feet. She turned around and Luna saw a pair of wooden swords. She threw one of it to Luna and she caught it perfectly by the handle.

"Ever used one of these?" Miranda asked.

"No," Luna answered. "I've never used any weapon in my entire life. Only recently after embarking on this journey did I use a rifle and a revolver."

Miranda spun the sword around, playing with her wrist. "So you're familiar with using firearms? Well, I suppose adding close combat to your set of skills wouldn't hurt too much."

Luna shuddered at the mention of close combat. "Wait, does that mean I'll have to get into close proximity to the demons I'm fighting?"

Miranda nodded. A gesture that needed no words spoken.

"I'm... good with just using a revolver."

"No matter how good you are with it, you can't carry all the ammunition in the world," Miranda said. "A clever shooter would always carry a knife shall the need ever arises." Miranda pointed the sword at her. "Now show me your stance."

"The thing is, I'm scared of demons," Luna finally confessed.

Miranda sighed and closed her eyes. "No matter how scared you are of demons, those demons are not going to be scared of you." She hacked her sword at Luna's free arm.

"Ouw!"

"You may hesitate, but those demons won't," Miranda added before striking her again. "Are you willing to fight? Or will you cower at the sight of your enemy?"

Luna's confusion prevented her from answering. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before raising her sword.

"That's it," Miranda complemented.

Throughout the evening, Miranda taught her the basics of swordsmanship. She would go slowly so that Luna would have enough time to either parry or block her attacks and find the right opportunity to strike.

When the sun had completely sunk below the horizon, Miranda brought her to the inn and while they were having dinner, she told her stories of how she was trained in magic. First by the demons, then by the angels.

"You think you can teach me how to do that?" Luna asked eagerly.

"Why don't we finish off with your swordsmanship first?" Miranda answered. She knew her apprentice's fear and if she taught her how to use magic first, she wouldn't want to pick up the sword.

The both of them finished their meal and headed up to their shared room. Along her journey, she's always been spending the night with Janus that she missed spending the night with another girl like how she used back in Europa's orphanage. Again, the thought of the girls came back to haunt her? Were they alright? What if the demons killed them? And the news of the humans up north getting conscripted to help the angels was too much for her.

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So what do you all think of this chapter? Did you enjoy it? I hope you do. Anyways, don't forget to leave a vote and comment your opinion. I would love to hear from you.

I dedicate this chapter to 13sleeper who happens to be my judge in an award in entering. Hope you're doing well and I sure wish you enjoy my story.

-Zyrofern