I forgot to post this chapter before going to the Equine Affaire o.o' Whoops… That aside, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I did writing it~! lol
Around afternoon I arrived at yet another rundown building with a sign reading 'Blacksmith' and the Undertaker who said he had "connections." Knocking four times on the door at different intervals it opened only a crack, an eye appearing quickly.
"My friend here was looking for some special steel."
"Ah, how exciting!" The door flung open and I looked on in surprise. There stood a man with blonde slick hair, a beard, and green eyes radiating with happiness; a cheery fellow. "I thought you would never come back, nevermind with a fine lady!" He had a sly grin on his face.
The man allowed us inside and sat us down by the forge.
"What is it you want precisely?" He leaned in looking interested.
The Undertaker shifted his gaze to mine and I pulled a dagger from it's sheathe under my coat, handing it to the man.
"Tell him whatever you want." The Undertaker said calmly inspecting his surroundings.
Surprised by the notion of getting a new dagger I hesitated.
"Can I draw it?..." I asked.
"Of course." Smith (what I decided to name the man because of the lack of introduction) searched through a pile of junk for a quill, ink, and paper. Having been successful after a few moments, he walked back over with them in hand, placing them down on the small table in front of me.
I dipped the quill in the well and stroked it across the paper with inspiration. Entranced in creating my work of art it was done before I had known it. I passed him the paper, extending my hand, and sat back while he studied it.
"Amazing little details." He complimented tracing the paper with a finger as though it had already been crafted. I bashfully thanked him not being used to being complimented as he placed it down. I had drawn the dagger longer than my original one with a serrated edge.
"We'll need a pair of those. How long will it take to smith them?" The Undertaker asked.
In thought Smith answered, "For you, about two weeks. Will this be my payment to you?"
He nodded beside me and rose from his seat saying his farewells. I waved to Smith and followed him out the door.
"What do we do now?" I asked.
He didn't take much time to reply, "We wait."
Back came the dread of being stuck with him, not only that, but for two weeks.
"I usually clean up plenty of bodies and the like, but I think you should get some combat training."
"Hm?" I cocked my head up at him with confusion and he snickered softly before becoming stern.
"The path you have chosen isn't one that is simple. You're searching for who you are and who you are now is something abnormal. Something that demons, reapers, and angels alike will try to figure out, even if it means harming you."
His words struck hard into my mind, they were serious, truthful, and sincere. Neglecting my stubborn ways I crossed my arms.
"What type of combat training?.."
Of course that was a bad question because as soon as I found my way into the back room of the mortuary he took a long wood stick from his jacket and swung it at me. I ducked and naturally backed away from him as fast as possible.
"Just testing your reflexes~." He chortled, back to his old self.
I wiped the accumulating dust from my clothes.
"That's not it, is it?" Yet another bad question.
"Certainly not~!" He waved his arms dramatically before placing one on the wall. The secret door opened with a click. "Time to train."
Oh goody… I thought delving into the horribly dark tunnel having a feeling this would happen a lot.
I had never noticed how tall and wide the room was until he went around lighting more candles. With each candle lit it got more vast and less cramped than before, revealing portraits of people whom I didn't know. I looked at them with interest examining a particular one that portrayed a lady with neat, crimson hair, ruby eyes, and a matching dress to bring it all together.
"Why do you have all of these portraits?" I asked keeping my eye on that one.
"It's just a collection of sorts. Portraits nobody wanted."
"Do you know who she is then?" I pointed a finger at the lady in red. He only shrugged without an answer, tossing his hat aside and equipping the wood staff .(let's just call it that…)
"First I want to see how well you can manage to block my attacks." He slowly walked closer and I unsheathed my daggers, one dagger pointing up, one pointing down. The Undertaker took note of this, I could see it in his eyes and the smile the glided across his face. He came at me fast and started out with an easily blocked move straight on. I crossed my blades and held my stance but I could feel my foot slipping. Before I knew it I was on my back with the staff pointed at me like a sword.
"It isn't your blocking that's a problem, it's your stance." I grabbed the staff and he pulled me up so I could stand. "Use that stance again."
I got back into my position and he used the staff to push my legs out a bit further, prodding the back of my knee, and bending my back forward. He then stood in front of me.
"When holding your ground you need to be sturdy. The first time you tried you were too loose and you couldn't balance. Remember how strong this stance feels and use it."
Without warning he lashed out at me and I reacted with a quick block, holding my stance this time. We repeated this several more times with him trying different angles but with luck finally on my side I stood strong.
"Not bad but there's more to do than just blocking. Next is attacking." He now stood in a defensive stance. "Don't hold back or hesitate." I didn't.
I charged at him swiftly and slashed my blades through the air, but each time they only landed a blow on the staff, none landed anywhere near him. After numerous times of trying my hardest he struck my shoulder out of the blue which shot pain down my arm.
"Watch for counter attacks and read my movements."
This went on for what I could only say must have been hours. With failures and success, but today was mostly failure. I know I have a lot to learn and I don't actually mind staying now. Learning to fight is interesting…
~{One week later…}~
It's been a week since our agreement and also since I started training. I had already started getting sick of the same old cookies and the small spaces had finally got to me. I need to get out… I thought staring blankly from the coffin I was sitting on. I started to reminisce about Rainor, I hadn't seen the raven in forever.
"Not looking so well there." The Undertaker noted casually, surfacing me from my thoughts. It hadn't taken me long to dismiss his creepy vibes after settling in and he seemed to tone it down ever since.
"I would like to go outside. I feel like if I go out there the sun might kill me though."
He chortled at my joke even though I had said it plainly.
"You can go wherever you like just promise to come for training in time."
"I promise." Looking over at him I smiled slyly. "Got any money I could borrow?" He walked over and placed a couple of shillings in my proffered hand.
"Thank you." I bolted up from my seat and dashed for the door, opening it and absorbing the light that hit me. I heard the sound of songbirds on the roof of the surrounding buildings and I took in a deep breath of air. Air that didn't smell like corpses for once. With bounds of energy I dashed forward to where I planned to go. To the candy store; just like a little kid again.
If you appreciate my writing please leave a review with suggestions that are reasonable and I may just take it into account if I can. I will even mention your name in the start of the chapter! Also, I thank whoever has followed and favorited my story! Auf wiedersehen~!