Mastery

In less than six hours me and Dread were moving full speed I had learned and mastered every technique and trick Dread had shown me it was the most violent dance I had ever seen. The sparks flew as each of us block and countered each others strikes flawlessly waiting for the other to make a mistake and sadly the one to make a mistake was me. She swung her blade toward my stomach I managed to duck the swing and saw my opening I had no room to swing so I reversed my grip on the blade so I could put in as much power as possible to a punch to her side as I swung my fist towards her she grabbed my fist yanked me up and landed an overhead punch on me winning her the bout.

"That was something I hadn't taught you yet creating a false opening and why'd you reverse your grip?" She asked

"It felt awkward trying to punch with the blade facing me."

"Fair enough but fair warning don't try to fight with your blade reversed it won't go well for you and you've already learned enough for me to say you're probably one of the best swordswoman in the empire but that's not good enough we go again this time be careful of traps and false openings."

"Ok."

Once again we started slow moving through the motions Dread showing me how she creates false openings and feinting attacks we continued slowly for a few minutes and the pace rapidly ramped up. as the pace quickened Mara and Theresa entered the room and sat on the side watching sparks flew and I learned to spot her traps and feints. Soon we were at full speed blocking and countering each swing once again it became a game of who would make the mistake. For the next ten minutes we sat there neither of us making progress she had feinted a swing to my head and I realized this was my chance I made it seem like I couldn't block it in time and she took the bait and overcommitted I ducked the blade watching some of my hair get cut away. Then with her out of position I stabbed at her throat stopping with the tip of my sword pointing up at her.

"We've been sparring and practicing for less than half a day and you've already mastered the sword weapon mastered in under a day that mark of knowledge is truly terrifying if you keep up at this pace you'll master everything else in under a year." Dread said Mara was staring daggers at me Theresa was clapping smiling.

"That was awesome Nyssa you're really fast it looked like you were dancing!" Theresa said

"Thank you I wanted to learn for awhile it feels good to finally get to learn." I responded

"Now Nyssa get setup again I'm going to show you why this sheath is the best one to have." Dread said excited I grabbed my sword and setup once again we started at full speed but my advantage didn't last long she swung her sword towards me and I went to block it then she let go of her blade immediately it slid back into the sheath and before I could correct myself her fist landed on my face. As soon as she hit me her blade slid back into her hand and I blocked her first two hits then she switched hands landing what would've been a lethal hit on my side we continued. She dropped her blade again anticipating her next move I went to dodge her fist but I was wrong her foot connected with my knee making me crumble on the spot not a second later her blade was at my throat.

"I want one of those sheaths." I said amazed at what just happened.

"I'll have one made for you once you're fully grown right now it wouldn't fit or be useful you're to small once you're fully grown you'll also be a better fighter you'll improve enormously physically and you'll have more reach once you're taller I'd say that's enough for today you've mastered one weapon the only thing you're lacking is experience your mother should be here in the morning."Dread said as she disappeared into the shadows.

"Mara do you know why she's always so glum I've never heard her tone change or seen her smile." I asked

"I do but that's not for me to tell if she wants to tell you she will just know I haven't seen her smile in well over a hundred thousand years."

"On a way more serious note Nyssa do you want your pillow back I've been using it for awhile now." Theresa said raising her hand.

"You stole my pillow?"

"Borrowed I borrowed it without asking."

"That is the definition of stealing."

"Yeah well good luck stealing it back." Theresa said running out of the room to where I guess she was sleeping.

"She's a handful but she's definitely not boring on that note I'm going to sleep too goodnightttt." Mara said leaving the room leaving only me in the training hall I sat in the room relaxing for a few minutes longer before leaving the room and heading upstairs to my room to sleep. As I fell asleep it felt as if my consciousness was pulled from my body and I was in a dream a very realistic dream the room was circular with magic circles that glowed a myriad of colors on the floor ten chains stretching from the walls. Looking toward the center of the room I could see a woman with white hair and almost as soon as I took a step towards her my consciousness felt as if it was falling again and I woke up and it was now morning. As I opened the door to my room still in my pajamas the door across the hall opened and out stepped Theresa walking like a zombie holding a pillow my pillow. Making as little noise as possible I rushed over to her and took the pillow from her hands which woke her up fully.

"Hey! I was using that!" Theresa exclaimed

"Sorry I'm borrowing it back it's my best pillow." I said attempting to retreat into my room. Theresa sprung at me and with her ridiculous strength ended up ripping the pillow in half she stared down at it in shock.

"My pillow!" Hearing all the noise Mara and mother came upstairs to investigate once they came upstairs Mara fell to the floor laughing and my mother just buried her face in her hands and began walking back downstairs Me and Theresa just sat there wide eyed staring at them.

"Mara you handle this please." Mother said

After Mara stopped laughing and stood up she responded.

"Yeah yeah I got this it's just hilarious watching two soldiers fight over a pillow it's pure entertainment ok you two I'm going to buy you both identical pillows now come downstairs eat and Theresa you're going to the training hall Nyssa you're going to the library chop chop let's go!" Mara said and with that the matter was settled me and Theresa laughed about the situation on the way to the dining room. Upon entering I could see the table set with my favorite omelets with onions peppers cheese and bacon Theresa ran to the table abd began wolfing down her food she was half done by the time I sat down. Mara broke the silence.

"So I have to know did Nyssa sneak into the room where Theresa was and try to take the pillow back or did Nyssa catch her with the pillow outside of the room and took it back which started pillow tug of war?" Mara asked smiling.

"Oh my Mara don't entertain this." Mother said with a sigh

"I'm going to entertain this it's great Mei you need to lighten up so which was it." Mara replied my mother hid her face but she couldn't hide the very slight grin she had.

"Well I stepped out of my room and she was walking out of her's half asleep holding it so snuck up and grabbed it." I said Theresa nodded her head in agreement before speaking.

"Then when she took it that woke me up and I sprung at her trying to get it back but she ripped it in half." Theresa said smiling.

"Uh no you and your crazy strength ripped in half." I responded

"You don't have any proof do you." Theresa replied smugly as if on queue Mara began laughing and my mother smiled which caused me and Theresa to smile and laugh as well and after breakfast we went to training me with magic her with martial arts.