shadow0015: Yeah, I found the song on some mp3 site but they don't have an audio clip for it and I don't trust sites without audio clips. ;-) Thanks for the lyrics. :) (I got 'The Hybrid Theory' two days ago. I'm so happy:D) I thought it was rather funny in an ironic way that Nathyrra got the shit kicked out of her when she was previously walking around and killing everyone she battled. I won't spoil my plans for Nackor, but he is indeed, more than he appears. And Ilivarra knows this, even if Nathyrra doesn't.

naradrith: Yes, but Nat was getting a bit smug. That's why I had Ilivarra beat the crap out of her. :D

Chapter Five

"Left! Right! Thrust! Dodge! Swing! Block!" Ilivarra shouted.

Nathyrra obeyed and worked quickly to make her daggers move in rhythm to the commands.

"Faster, Alurl Faen! If you are not quick then you will never survive today's test!" Though she would never admit it, Ilivarra was proud. Nathyrra had improved greatly in the six months they had spent together. Ili had learned that Nathyrra was quick with her blades as well as her mind, two of the most important parts of being an assassin. Nathyrra was meant for greatness, that much was obvious. She reminds me of myself many years ago. Ambitious, cunning, quick, and…angry. With a lust for revenge. Ilivarra pulled herself out of her thoughts. Now is not the time to be dwelling on that.

"You may stop now, Alurl Faen. We have done all that we can to prepare you for your test."

"No we haven't. Let us continue." Nathyrra replied and brought up her blades.

Ilivarra mentally smiled. Determined. Stubborn as a mule, in fact.

Forty-five more minutes passed. Ilivarra shook her head. "You must stop, Alurl Faen. You are clearly exhausted and you have met my standards for today."

"I'm fine." Nathyrra said stubbornly.

"I said stop and I mean it, al'vur." Ili snapped.

Nathyrra scowled but held her tongue.

"Now then, go to your 'room' and rest. The test begins at dawn and this afternoon's classes have been canceled today for preparation. I suggest you make good use of your time. "

XXXXX

A few hours later, Nathyrra was making use of her time. She sat in the center of her room, occasionally bouncing a ball of magical light against the wall to entertain herself. Mostly, she was daydreaming. Her mind drifted over memories, both recent and ancient.

Nathyrra slowly opened her eyes. She ached all over and felt slightly stupefied. It was the morning after Ilivarra had used her as a battering ram. The old bitch is going to be my death, Nathyrra thought pessimistically.

Right on time, Ilivarra entered the room. "Wake up, Al'vur! We have to training to complete!" She exclaimed.

Aching too much to argue, Nathyrra started to stand up, wincing as her wounds stung.

"Hurry up! You must be quick even when pained." Ilivarra barked.

Nathyrra gritted her teeth and stood up. She was immediately hit full force with a metal helmet. She rubbed her throbbing head. "What was that for?" She roared indignantly.

"That's what you get for being lazy. I don't care how much pain you're in, get up! And work on reflexes! What if that had been a poison dart?"

Nathyrra blinked. Poison…

"That's right Alurl Faen, you could have been killed with poison. Just as Seelamin was. Do you want that?"

"No."

"Let's get started then. Your training begins now." She tossed Nathyrra a sponge and gestured to the pile of armor sitting on the floor. She then pointed at a bucket of cleaning substance. "Wax on. Wax off."

"What?" Nathyrra asked in disbelief.

"Clean the armor. I want to be able to see my reflection in the metal by the time I get back. And no magic either." Ilivarra turned to leave.

"What does this-"

"DO IT OR I'LL STICK NEEDLES IN YOUR AZURE EYES!" Ilivarra screamed.

"Yes, ma'am." Nathyrra said meekly and started cleaning the armor.

Nathyrra pulled herself away from that memory. I still have no idea what the point of that was. Nathyrra idly began twisting her ring around her finger. She wore a sad frown as she looked at the item. Seelamin. How I wish you were here now…

XXXXX

Ilivarra peered out the window at Nathyrra. What the hell is she doing? Nathyrra sat in the center of her room. She had scarcely moved even once in the past several hours. If she's on drugs, I'll beat her again. Then I will make her clean armor. And sweep the floors. Hmmm…the ceiling needs to be repainted now that I think of it.

Ili turned her attention back to the file she was reading. At the top, the words 'Nackor Blackhammer' were printed in bold. Ilivarra scanned through the rest of the text. Several years have passed since I last encountered him. No doubt he has deeply improved since then. She glanced at Nathyrra. Will my student be a match for him? And if she is, what is the price of excellence? Ilivarra finally allowed herself to drift into her forbidden thoughts. Memories she kept locked in her mind for so long.

Arrow Maker: Short chapter, I know. Next chapter; the test.