The following morning Ead was up very early, excited to begin her lessons with Anzo. Consequently, she arrived at the clearing early. She'd brought her sword and wooden shield and wore the light armor that her father had given her. Fearing that her excitement would interfere with her concentration, she practiced the exercises her father had taught her to mentally prepare. It wasn't long until Anzo strode into the clearing. Ead stopped her exercise but he motioned for her to continue while he watched. After a few minutes, he stepped closer and spoke but of course she couldn't understand. Still, judging by his stance and the way he looked at her, Ead understood that her instruction from him was about to begin. She stood in front of him, ready to learn.

He lifted his sword and that's when she noted that he wasn't even wearing armor, just his cloak over his clothing. He must not consider her much of a threat, she thought. Still, she would do her best to show that she was ready for his instruction.

Tilting his head slightly, he waited and she realized he wanted her to make the first move so she lifted her own sword to strike at him. He easily thwarted her move and countered, the strength of his sword on hers shaking her entire body. It was then she truly understood how completely over matched she was. Still, she was determined.

They sparred for a few moments, each of his moves seemingly an effort to evaluate her skills more than an attempt at victory. Finally, he began to counter her moves in earnest, backing her across the clearing until she lost her footing, fell down the bank and into the river. Her entire body went under and when she came up, she could hear him laughing at the top of the river bank. It infuriated her and she climbed out of the water quickly, her sword still in hand. At least she hadn't let go of that!

Charging up the hill, she went straight for him. His laughter continued as he caught her by her shoulders and tossed her aside. She landed on the ground, now shivering. She wasn't certain if the shivering was because she was cold or because she was so angry. Still determined, she stood to charge at him again when he suddenly stopped laughing.

She looked up at his face and saw concern in his bright blue eyes and stopped short of him. Once again, she thought him beautiful. Quietly he walked to her, lowering his sword and unfastening his cloak as he did. When he reached her, he grabbed her armor and pulled it off and then went for her own clothing before she knew what he intended. Once he had her wet clothing off, he tossed everything to the ground and lifted his cloak from his shoulder. Turning to cover her with it, he stopped. His eyes widened in surprise and something erupted from him that she thought must be a curse of some kind. Then in a rapid motion, he covered her, careful not to touch her except to fasten the cloak under her chin. It was so long that it would drag the ground when she moved.

Anzo mumbled to himself, glancing warily at her frequently, as they walked back to her village. Well, he walked, taking long strides which meant that Ead was trotting to keep up. She considered asking him to slow down but sensing his annoyance with her, she decided to just keep moving. He carried her wet things along with both swords and her shield. Ead saw her mother emerge from their house just as she and Anzo reached it. Her mother looked up alarmed. "Ead, where have you been? Your father has returned and is asking for you." Then looking more closely at her daughter, she gasped. "What is that you are wearing and what happened to your clothes?"

Ead began to blush and opened her mouth to answer but Anzo spoke to her mother first. Of course, no one understood. Finally, he handed Ead's things to her and disappeared into the woods. Ead ran inside to find her father by the fire. He had been injured and she ran to him. "Father!"

"I'm alright, nothing too bad. Your sister has already looked at it. I'll be fine in a few days. But where have you been?"

"I… I was having a lesson from the leader of the strangers. His name is Arnporr but his people call him Anzo because it means giant. He's very brave, Father; and very strong. "

"And apparently a giant," her father said good naturedly. "But what do we know of these people? I'm told they cannot even speak with us because they are so different."

"They have a man with them who can speak for them… and for us to them. He… he's not one of us but his language is like ours, enough to be understood anyway."

"So Cathasach tells me. But why are you spending time with them? And why are you wearing that…. Cloak, is it?"

"They are fierce warriors, Father. I thought I could learn…"

Her father cut her off. "Learn! They are seasoned warriors, my child. You are in no way a match for their skill. You could be hurt just in the training."

"But I wasn't. I… I did fall in the river but… Anzo did nothing that would hurt me. When he saw that I was shivering from being wet and cold, he gave me his cloak to wear." She didn't think now would be a good time to explain the finer details of how she came to be wearing his cloak.

"He didn't hurt you this time. But we know nothing of these people, who they are or why they are here."

"They helped us when the men from the north raided. Saved us really. Without Anzo and his men we would all be dead."

"And for that I am truly glad. But you must be careful; we do not know them."

"Yes Father," Ead said. She could see that her father was tiring and did not wish to continue. "I'll help Mother prepare something for you to eat, Father. And then perhaps you should rest?"

"Yes, do help your mother. And I am tired."

Sorry, this one is a bit short. But I got it typed and everything, so I am feeling accomplished! Hopefully things are settling down a bit and I can update a bit more regularly.