It was through a crack in the door that she first saw him fight. He was sitting at first, tightening something to his wrists, then he stood, rolled his shoulders and faced his opponent. It was that female Assassin, the one that had snapped at her the other day, that faced him. She stood tall, then made little jumps on the spot to warm up, before bending into a defensive position, fists up and rocking on the balls of her feet.
She moved first. One fist went for his head but her opposite foot was already kicking out at his side before her fist retracted. Ambrose recognised this feint and blocked. She snapped her foot back but he was too quick and snatched it from the air, tugging it with one sharp movement sent her stumbling. She didn't have enough time to recover before Ambrose struck her back with his elbow and kicked her feet from beneath her. She landed on the floor with a cry.
"Julia, you are too predictable." He said, dusting his shoulders before helping up the winded girl. "And too slow. We have talked about this."
"I know, I'm sorry, sir." She wheezed, standing, clutching her belly.
"I bet you are." Ambrose gave a smile and his eyes flickered to the crack in the door. "Genovefa, come in."
The young girl squeaked and tried to retreat into the shadows, but he already knew she was there. How long had he known? She took a breath and opened the door. Ambrose smiled that gentle smile of his that attempted to soften his features, while Julia sneered over her pain.
"Care to try?" He offered.
Genovefa shook her head.
"How much do you know of fighting?" He asked.
"Not much." She said quietly, still holding the broom tight. "My father and my brother played with me, fighting with wooden swords, but it was only playing, it wasn't real."
He nodded and went to a cupboard. When he opened the doors, Genovefa gasped. A vast array of weapons decorated the interior; axes, knives, swords, anything that she could possibly think of was there. Ambrose turned, closing the doors, having retrieved two wooden swords.
"Care to try now?"
Gently, he swapped the broom for the sword and set it to one side as he encouraged her into a fighting stance.
"She should be cleaning, not fighting." Julia snapped.
"She is not just a cleaner, she is a young girl that can take any path she chooses. You of all people should know that, Julia."
"Yes, sir." She growled and remained quiet, folding her arms in protest.
He tapped her blade and she hit it back before sending it for his chest. He let her have that one.
"Good." He smiled. "Quick reflexes."
Genovefa found herself grinning. Not something she'd done in a while.
"Again."
He hit her sword and she hit back but before she lunged, he struck back and almost casually jabbed her stomach. But he didn't quite reach. Genovefa skipped back and flicked her blade around his, as if to confuse him as to where she would aim. With that disengage, she lunged at his unprotected side, a side that he didn't think she'd pick up on.
He barked a laugh of surprise as it made contact.
"Well done! That was clever."
"It's a basic move, everyone knows it, she's not that clever." Julia sniffed.
"Well so far she's doing better than you. Would you like to wait outside?"
"No, sir, I'm sorry, sir."
"Thank you." Ambrose turned back to Genovefa. "You're a talented young lady. Did your father and brother teach you that?"
"Yes, well, sort of." She shrugged. "I could never do it. Not until now."
"So it was sort of... Instinctive?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I think so, sir."
He smiled again.
"Excellent. I'd like you to continue with this training."
"What?!" Julia gasped, her arms falling to her side as her eyes widened and she stepped forward.
"Julia, please." Ambrose raised a hand. "If I require your opinion I will ask for it."
Her cheeks reddened and her mouth pinched into a distasteful expression but she held her tongue. Her fists balled into fists but remained by her side.
"Sir?" Genovefa gripped her wooden sword, still confused at the passing events.
"I believe you have the makings of a fine fighter. Please report here tomorrow at the same time."
"Really, sir?"
Ambrose gave that gentle smile again.
"Yes. I've seen it thousands of times. In no time at all, you will be an excellent Assassin."
"An Assassin?!" Genovefa breathed.
"'Thousands of times?'" Julia piped up.
"Yes, Julia, thousands. You doubt me?"
"No, sir." Although it was clear that she did.
"Sir, if you don't mind me asking," Genovefa said quietly as Ambrose knelt to her height, "how many girls like me have you trained?"
"Many. And all were like you, Genovefa."
"How much alike?"
"In more ways than you can imagine."
He smiled but it wasn't so much a gentle smile. It was... Mournful. There was pain behind it. And so, Genovefa smiled back and nodded out of respect before leaving, thanking him for the opportunity. Soon, she would learn of the truth. But not for many years to come.