"Death is forever waiting. Around every corner. At every battle. It whispers in your ear, and promises sweet rest and pleasant dreams. And finally, when that day comes, and it will come, when death says that your time is up. Just hope that you have people to miss you." -Cole Saxes

- Day 80-

"You know, with how hard you're swinging that sword, a man would start to think you want to hurt him." Ducking out of the way of a swing that overextended my son far too much, rising up while slamming my knee into his stomach, he fell onto the floor hacking from the force of the blow. "You put far too much force into every attack, you have to manage your strength so that you don't overextend your blows, whoever your fighting would have to be pretty shit not to take advantage of the openings."

The boy grunted as he stood up. He seemed to be determined to remain as silent as possible, "You know, refusing to speak to the man who agreed to help train you could be rude."

"Like you know anything."

"I happen to know a lot about that."

Edric glared at me for that little bit of snark, this caused a very overdramatic roll of the eyes. "I'm so scared, the boy who couldn't land a single hit in a spar is upset, my knees are practically shaking."

"Fuck you old man."

"Even by human standards I'm young." The boy growled at me as I stared blankly,

"Why do you even have this strong of a dislike for me?" He grumbled something under his breath, "What?"

"Why should I forgive you?" A raised eyebrow, "You left and I didn't get to meet you until a month or two ago, yet I'm supposed to just accept you're my father, move on like nothing happened?"

"I meant, why do you blame me? It's not like I knew your mother was pregnant."

"So that's makes it alright to just sleep with her and leave?"

"We both knew, it's not like either of us wanted to stay anyways." Edric shifted uncomfortably from his position, I shook my head as I sat down next to him, "Look Edric, neither of us were expecting you. But I'm man enough to know that I should have been there. And I want you to know, I am sorry. I hope if nothing else you believe that."

A sigh flew out of his lips as he sat next to me, his form slumping a little bit. "You know, I always thought it'd take something dramatic to make me forgive you... Yet here I am..."

"Sometimes we don't need anything dramatic to happen in order to forgive. Sometimes all we need is to hear the words I'm sorry and we'll be ready to move on."

Edric shook his head, "Is it really that easy?"

"No," I snorted with a smile, "sometimes the wound is too painful, or has been left alone for too long. But... Making the effort is never a bad idea."

"Sounds like you're talking from experience."

I let out a sigh before standing back up, "Maybe I am... Head on home Edric, training's over for today."

It took a moment for Edric to leave but I waved off his concern, I had an image to uphold after all. It was only a little after he left before a new voice spoke from behind me, "When did you get so wise Derin?"

"I've been around the block once or twice Sabrina." Turning around to see the mother of my child, "You pick up a thing or two when you live as amazingly as I have." A coy grin overcame my features.

"Yeah sure, amazingly. Let's go with that." We didn't say anything at first, the silence was not comfortable, but it wasn't awkward either.

"To think, I had a son for years that I never knew about. Uhg, Cole would be furious with me if he heard." Sabrina turned to me, her mouth opening, "Don't." I cut her off before she could speak. "Cole made his choice, and so did I... We were on opposite sides of a war, no point in complicating it."

Sabrina opened and closed her mouth a few times, words that could be said dying on her tongue. "I understand.," she finally relented with a sullen shake of the head. "If nothing else, I'm sorry for your loss."

"... It was war, and this is just what happens during war."

- DAY 83-

"You know, I always wanted to learn how to use magic." I mused out loud to my red headed companion. She stared warily, and I didn't blame her but after all the favors she asked of me, it's not like she could say no to teaching me something right?

"That's... interesting, I'm sure there are plenty of magicians who would be willing to teach the, human racial leader." The teasing tone she took on at the end was enough to make me cross my arms with a light pout.

"I mean I'm sure I can find someone else... But I was thinking, 'Isn't there a human who has been asking for a lot of favors lately, and done nothing to pay them back?' And then I came to the conclusion that you would in fact be the best person to ask."

"How about, anyone else. I don't have the time to take on a student considering I'll barely make the deadline as-" She froze mid-sentence, sweat suddenly appearing on her forehead as I gave a chuckle.

"Oh? So, you'd make the deadline without my assistance? I wonder why someone asked for another two weeks, could she be using her master's resources on a different project but be unwilling to ask him."

She stared at me.

I stared at her.

She continued to stare.

I gave a wink.

She growled, "Fine, I'll help you get the basics down, but after that you're on your own, got it?"

Two fingers shot up and rested on my forehead, a large grin on my face," You got it master!" A very obvious roll of the eyes from Triss. However, her eyes gained a deadly gleam as she stared directly into mine.

"Listen very closely Derin. I will teach you the basics of magic, but if I hear about you using what I've taught you to lord over people, or anything like that. I promise I will use everything in my arsenal to kill you. Got it?"

I swallowed nervously, throat suddenly dry as the raw killing intent coming off of Triss caused me to suddenly register just who I was talking to. From what she's told me Triss was powerful enough to rule over her own kingdom if she wanted to. Instead she was in Ironwood, serving as the student of an alchemist, but even with the humility she usually carried herself with it did not take me long to remember that a fight between us would be incredibly difficult to survive, let alone win. Shaking off the worry, I nodded my head resolutely, a serious look on my face. Magic was powerful, someone misusing it could leave lasting consequences.

"I understand, and if I ever did misuse your teachings, I understand the consequence of doing so."

"Good, then we shall start in an hour, go home and leave anything unnecessary behind. Meet me at my job when it's time." a small smirk came over her features, "Don't be late Derin. After all I'd hate to punish you on the first day."

"And risk you coming up with an excuse to not teach me magic? As if."

A/N Cut that's a wrap. Alright now short updates i know, they suck. But better than no updates I think.

Also, if you want to come and complain at me I made a twitter! It's called Biting Social Commentary and you can reach me BitingSocial so come on down and complain or just say hi! TTFN ta ta for now.