Hudson sat near the fireplace at the library, watching the flames dance around him, "Ay, it's times like these that I enjoy the most."

He watched as the flames flickered away, blending together to become one. 'It looks like they are dancing.' He thought. As he continued to watch the flames dances, blending with each other he couldn't help but think back…

'Oh, how I miss the days you and I dance together. The feeling of you and I becoming one. Oh, how I miss it so.'

Suddenly, he heard a voice calling out to him.

"Hudson!"

He quickly shook off those thoughts as the voice call out to him again.

"Hudson, are you here?"

Hudson, of course, recognize the voice, "Yes, Goliath I'm here."

Sure, enough he spotted Goliath as well as Elisa walking toward his direction.

"I'm glad you are here my friend. I thought you might have gone on patrol."

"Ay, I was but the young lads and lass were kind enough to let me stay behind tonight. Guessing they don't want an old man to slow them down."

"Oh, come on Hudson you're stronger than you look." Elisa said.

Hudson gave her a smile, "Ay, thank you lass. So, what can I do for ye?"

"Well, Elisa and I were talking, and she mentioned how much she would like to learn how to swordfight. I figured that maybe you can teach her."

Hudson was throw off by the question, "You want me to do what?"

"Teach Elisa the art of sword fighting. You taught the other gargoyles how to and Elisa is already a skilled fighter, learning how to sword fight should be easy for her." Elisa blush when he complimented her.

"Ay, I'm not sure. Most of the gargoyles I taught we much older than Elisa. Not to mention it was during dangerous times. But, then again I taught you and the trio in an earlier age and there was some peace during that time."

Elisa finally spoke, "Hudson."

"Yes, lass."

"I would be honored if you can teach me how to fight. To be honest we don't know what will happen in the future and I want to be prepare for whatever come our way. I don't want to be a burden I want to fight. I want to be there by your guys side when that time comes. You guys are my family and I want to protect you just as you guys protect me."

It was that statement that made Hudson's decision easier, "Alright, lass if this is what you feel I will teach you everything I know."

"Thank you."

"Now, we just need a place to practice." Goliath said.

"I can help you with that?" They turn towards the voice and saw Xanatos standing a few feet away.

"Xanatos, what are you doing here?" Elisa said glaring at the man.

"Well, this is the library and it so happens I came here to pick a book to read to my son. I just happen to overhear the conversation and I think I can help."

"Really?" Elisa wasn't sure about his help.

"Yes, I still need to repay you for everything you've done for my family. I think this is a great way to start."

Elisa was about to say something, but Goliath beat her to it, "We would appreciate that, thank you."

"Great, now if you follow me, I'll show you to the studio." Xanatos led Hudson, Elisa and Goliath out the library towards the far part of the castle.

"I've never been at this part of the castle before." Elisa said.

"Neither have I." Goliath said.

"That's because it's new." Xanatos said, "I added some extra room when I move the castle here from Scotland. I kept it hidden for special occasions." They reached the room that Xanatos mentioned.

"Interesting and what kind of special occasion were you going to use for this room." Elisa ask suspiciously.

"Nothing." He said as he opened the door, "This is just my workout room." He then enters the room.

"Oh." Elisa was surprised to say the least. They all enter the room and sure enough it was workout area equip with everything a fit nut would want in a workout.

"I see you spared no expense." Elisa said.

"Of course. I am a billionaire. Besides this room as a few surprises." Xanatos walk up to a panel that was display at the far side of the room. He enters a code and suddenly a small projector appear above them. He enters another code and what appear to them next surprise the three.

"It's Xanatos." Goliath said.

"And holding a sword." Elisa said.

"Yes, but I can see through him." Hudson said.

"That's because it's a hologram. Elisa can use this to practice. There are various levels for this, so Elisa can practice all she wants."

"And it gives me a chance to kick Xanatos butt." Elisa smile at that. Goliath and Hudson look at her.

Elisa just shrugged, "What."

"Anyhow, you may use this to hearts' content. I have swords for you to practice over on that far wall. Now, if you excuse me my son's waiting for me. Have fun." With that Xanatos left the three alone. Hudson walk to the wall and grab a sword for Elisa.

"Alright, now lass the art of sword fighting is something you need to be familiar with. The art of being a knight, is to be completely dedicated to a person and a cause."

Hudson walk up to Elisa and hand her the sword, "This is something you must become, Elisa. Brave, selfless and loyal, a true swordfighter. Now, then we first begin with a bow. First to me, the teacher."

Elisa bow to Hudson, and vice versa.

"And now again to Goliath."

"Why, does she have to bow to me?" Goliath asked.

"She is your protector and you are her liege. The person she will service and protect the most."

"Makes sense to me." Elisa said as she bows to Goliath, "My liege."

Goliath bow in return, "My loyal knight." Elisa giggled when he said that.

"I hope you are taking this seriously, Elisa." Hudson said.

"Yes, Hudson."

"Right, now let's use the Xanatos hologram to practice."

Suddenly, the hologram activated, "Level 0 beginner set. Do you wish to engage in combat?"

Elisa took a stand, "I'm ready." But Goliath protective instincts kicked in. He quickly places a protective arm in front of Elisa.

Elisa was confused by his action, "Um…Goliath."

Goliath realize what he did, "Oh, I'm…sorry, very sorry. Reflex."

"Lad, why don't you sit over there by the bench. You can watch us from there."

Goliath was recluse to go, "Alright."

"Oh, hold on." Elisa handed her violin to him, "Do you mind holding this. I don't want it to get ruined."

"Sure, and you just be careful. I'll be over there, watching." He took the violin and slowly walk over to the bench.

"Now, then lass everything begins with a stance and remember one thing; you do it for him, and you will do it again. You do it for her, that is to say you do it for him."

Elisa understood and glance at Goliath, 'I do it for him.'

Hudson guide her towards the hologram, "Keep your stance wide, and keep your body lower. As your moving balance is the key."

"Right." She did everything he told her to do.

"Now, right foot forward, left foot back." Elisa moves through the motion.

"Great, now go even faster." She did as she was told but kept on looking behind her as she moved backwards.

"Elisa, as your moving backwards keep your eyes on me."

"Right."

"Let's practice again and I want you to repeat what I've told you. It will help you a lot."

"Got it." Elisa refocused her mind and began her movement, "Keep my stance wide, keep my body lowered."

"Good."

The hologram began to charge at her, "As I'm moving forward-" Elisa lost her balance as she and the hologram clash.

"Concentrate, Elisa you want Goliath to live don't you."

"Right, sorry."

"Ok do it again."

"Right." Elisa started over moving more swiftly then before.

"Good, Elisa very good. Remember to put your whole body to it." Hudson said.

"Got it." Elisa put more motion to it her fighting, even dodging the attacks.

"Elisa, you can move a bit faster."

Goliath watched as Hudson started to put more pressure on Elisa. Although Elisa didn't mind any of it. 'She's catching on really fast. Faster than I thought. So, why am I second guessing myself about all this.' Goliath couldn't understand why he was second guessing he decision on letting Elisa learn to swordfight. His thoughts were interrupted when Elisa fell to the ground.

"Elisa!" Goliath's instincts kick in and ran to her.

"Are you alright?"

"Ouch! Yeah, I'm fine." Elisa said as she rubbed her lower back to ease the pain. Goliath gently help her up to her feet.

"Maybe that's enough for today." Goliath said

"Yeah, beside I still have to give Angela the violin.

"Ye have some natural talent, lass." Hudson said.

"Really!"

"Yes, with more practice, you could be a master in no time. How about we continue this lesson next week."

Elisa glee with delight, "Great! I'll come by next week, same time. Come on, Goliath let's go." Elisa took his talon and led him out of the room to find Angela. Hudson couldn't help but chuckled.

'Aye, Elisa is so much like me. So much energy and drive to learn. She will be a fine young sword man indeed.' Hudson grab the sword and started coming up with exercise for next week's lesson.