The large wooden sword sailed in an angry arc only to be stopped as another sword broke its trajectory. Noelle breathed heavily and blew a stray hair out of her face. Her body glistened with sweat and her muscles quaked as she stared down at her opponent. Her opponent held steady and her face showed no signs of yielding although a drop of sweat rolled down her forehead.

"You are getting better," Noelle's sparring partner said. Noelle's face brightened, "but you are forgetting to harmonize your mind." The older woman whipped her left leg across the back of the younger's causing her to collapse. Noelle hit the bare dirt with a grunt and dropped her sword. The elder sprang up and held the wood sword to the Noelle's neck. After a moment, the elder smiled and offered her hand to her young student. Across the clearing, a professor and her apprentice stood watching the pair.

"Professor," the apprentice asked, "why are we here?"

The professor looked at her pupil with a small smile. "You'll see soon Darsha."

Darsha rolled her eyes. She hated it when her teacher hid things from her. Most of the time her reasons were valid, but Sarah also liked to play games with Darsha. The pair refocused their attention as the other women approached them. Darsha inclined her head toward the elder woman in respect.

"My lady."

The woman reciprocated Darsha's gesture, "Hello Darsha, are you ready?"

Confused, Darsha glanced toward her professor. Sarah chuckled, "Suprise, we're sparring today."

"Oh, you could have told me." Darsha said as she peered around the clearing looking for her usual sparring partner, "Where is James?"

The elder woman smiled, "You will be sparring with me today."

Sarah's apprentice gulped nervously.

The cool dusk descended on the towering trees of the forest. Dozens of lights shone from within each tree house casting a cozy glow on the surrounding foilage. James stood at the window peering into the glowing city. His eyes scanned the familiar bridges and buildings looking for his wife as she had yet to return home. She was late as it was considering what they had planned for tonight.

He broke his vigil as he heard footsteps on the porch. Ten-year-old Savannah sat reading a book in her favorite chair oblivious to the sounds James' ears picked up.

"Savannah, could you answer the door?" James asked as a loud knock reverberated off the door making Savannah jump.

"Sure thing Dad." Sarah replied enthusiastically again marveling how her father could hear things a normal Keeper couldn't hear. The door creaked open on weathered hinges, and Savannah let out a squeal at the sight of two of her favorite people, "Aunt Savi! Aunt Hope!"

"Hey, how's our girl?" Savi ruffled Savannah's hair and smiled broadly. Annoyed, Savannah batted Savi's hand away and straightened her hair. Behind Savi, Hope smirked at her friend's antics.

"What are you guys doing here?" Savannah asked.

Alarmed, Hope looked at James, "You haven't told her?"

James sighed and shook his head no as a guilty expression crossed his face.

"Jackie and I have been busy with the thing."

Confused, Savannah confronted her father, "Tell me what?"

"Do you remember our promise to tell you our story when you were old enough?"

Savannah's face lit up, "You mean-"

"Exactly darling," a woman commented from the doorway, "it's legend night."

"Mom!" Savannah greeted the woman with a hug. James also greeted her with a kiss and a concerned whisper.

"A little late Jackie." Jackie grimaced.

"Couldn't be helped."

"Hey Savannah, lets go get some snacks" Hope said leaning down to the ten-year-old as she watched her parents with interest. Savannah's eyes lit up at the promise of sweets. She ran in the kitchen with a chuckling Hope behind her. Savi glanced at Jackie and James and gave them a nod sensing their need to talk alone.

"What happened?" James asked sitting on the couch across from Savannah's chair. Jackie heaved a sigh and sank down next to her husband.

"I was being tailed after my session with Sarah's apprentice. Adenaline sensed them and we went the long way to shake them off our trail."

"You really shouldn't have dismissed your guards." James said with concern.

"I know but-"

"We're ready!" Savi exclaimed appearing with Savannah loaded down with snacks. Hope followed carrying plates. Jackie rolled her eyes.

"This is all silly. We don't have to be doing this just to hear one of the legends."

James scoffed, "Jackie, don't you remember your legend night?"

"Well yes, but I was young and naive and-" James cut her off.

"The kids only get to hear about them every ten years, and our legend night is special."

"Why is ours so special?" Savannah asked shoving chips into her mouth.

"Please don't talk with your mouth full darling," Jackie admonished, "Our legend night is special because the legend everyone will hear tonight is mine."

"Oh," Savannah's expression fell slightly, "but I've already heard your Mom."

"Yes, but I have only told you snippets. Tonight, you are going to hear the whole story." Jackie said with a nervous twinge in her mind.

"After tonight, you'll begin the first step of coming of age Savannah," Hope interjected, "plus, you get to hear the story from your own parents instead of a council member." Savannah nodded in understanding and pressed into her chair giving her mother her full attention. Jackie cleared her throat nervously and tapped her left leg.

"I will start from the very beginning."

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This story has been rated mature to be safe.