ML has all rights just a few dreams in her world

Chapter Six

Holt presses for more; can you tell us why your family left?

In a dead voice I start. The grandson of the empire killed my uncle his wife and my three year old cousin. Grandfather could have let his son's death go. He walked the way of the knife. My aunt and their daughter was another matter. He came in the middle of the night and told my mother, his daughter to head for the border. There is a reason he is called Walking Death. The Empire knew grandpa was going to come after that Tawagoto-No-Sakuhin.

Del might not know what she said but he recognized the tone. What do those words mean?

My cheeks color but I still look at them defiantly, PIECE OF SHIT. Neither can hold my eyes and look away. He was under guard with all his three wives and four children. Grandfather told my father and mother that there were thirty guards. We heard in Iftle that there is a 50,000 gold marks reward for grandpa's head. They called him the reaping wind after that night. Thirty-eight died that night. Needless to say not many looked to collect on the bounty but the few that did ended up eyeless he would leave them alive but they would never seek him again. The Empire made some noise but he was glade we had left. If another drop of blood fell from any of my family he would be a dead man.

Holt and Del looked stunned. Are you able to tell us the rest?

I look at Holt with dead eyes. He came at dawn. Mom told me to hide in the root cellar. There was a magic wall keeping us from running he had a magic shield around his body. Nothing could touch him no force could move him. I watched as he killed all my family. One at a time he started. First with grandfather, he held him off the ground when gradfather asked who he was he laugh, call me Pitch for your soul will not exist after I feast.

I felt Val sending me all the love he had just to get me through this. We didn't talk we didn't need to.

They screamed, he liked to cause pain, at the end light was ripped out of grappa's body then he just let the husk fall to the ground. He went from oldest to youngest. Mom begged for her children's life's. If there is one thing I can be thankful for is that my parents went before any of my brothers no parent should out live a child. He played with us for hours. I remember being in the cellar he knew I was down there. The click of his boots as they step down the stairs I will never forget that sound now. I hid in the potato bin all you could see was my eyes.

Silly girl, he laughs like he was having the best time of his life. Something grabs my right arm and I feel it snap. It drags me out and shakes me. Then he blinks and both my legs breaks I passed out the next thing I knew I opened my eyes and saw Del riding toward me. I look at Del, the rest you know. I look them both in the eyes. I hate you for making me remember this. Whatever has kept me going leaves next thing I know I am waking up looking at Patty in that horrible white room.

Letting out a groin, not again, crap; how long have I been here?

She puts her hand on my head. Two days dear. Holt wants to know when you wake up.

I don't want to see him or Del!

Will you talk to Kyle or Sharece?

As long as they don't ask about the farm or before I'm not ready to talk about it again. Kyle comes in almost right away as if he was standing right outside the door. In his hand are the three knifes wrapped in their sheaves. Wordlessly he puts them in my hands.

Pokes at my shield just like he always does first when we work, I can't help it a smile brakes out as I knock on his door I hear have you been practicing?

I have been working so hard I thought I would take a two day nap!

Everything looks ok nice and tight you really have some of the best shields I have ever seen.

I feel another voice in a different spot in my head. RA your awake! Do you feel better are you ok? Dad was talking to me or should I say at me. He didn't like me power sharing to get you through that. It was a little bewildering hearing two voices at the same time and Val was running off questions without waiting for an answer.

Easy love Kyle is talking to me to do me a favor and lessen too I'm not 100% yet.

Ok Ra we can talk after he leaves.

Kyle knew I was talking to someone else and assumed it was Val. All squared away?

Yes Val just found out I was awake. I could feel he wanted to ask some questions but stopped himself. I only said one word Thanks. I feel his mind withdraw.

I'll tell those two vultures to stop circling you seem to have all you facilities. They really are sorry you know.

I just need a little time.

You take it easy there is still two weeks of break left. He stands up and pats my arm.

I hate this place sorry Patty but I really do. When can I get out of here?

Kyle smiles at me. That a girl. No herald worth their salt will stay one second longer than they make us.

Smacking him in the arm, don't say things like that to her. To answer your question dear if you look good to me I will release you tomorrow. We will let you rest she told me as she pushed Kyle out the door.

I'm holding my knifes as my tears flow. I held off crying I'm sick of being week. My host's grandpa would beat the sad out of her. After I get out of here I'm heading to the sally. Her memories are becoming part of me but I don't mind. I like that a part of her survived.

Patty let me out like she promised. I keep my silent pelage and went to the sally. Taking the long knife out of the sheath I start the knife dance that was drilled into my hoist. It was incredible I had extensive training with the knife but this new skill went way beyond that. I could see Supin the pet name I gave my brother helping me learn. Slowing down his movement so I could follow, Grampa would watch and not say anything till the end. He felt that after a certain point you only get better if you are teaching. It makes you examine all the moves in a different way. The last time we trained grandpa told me to work on my speed. That meant all the moves were correct. So that is what I did for the rest of the break I ran, danced with my knife, read books, and spent time with Val. It just so happened that Sansei walked in three days before classes were to start. I was spinning like a top the knife gliding through the air. I was lost in the dance so I did not notice him. Completing the last move with a lunge I hear clapping. I turn and see Sansei a big smile on his face. Halt had talked to him about what had happened but I did not know that.

Who taught you that?

Lowering my eyes and looking at my feet to fight the tears. I remember everything Sansei this is my grandfather's knife dance. He taught me. He walks out to me. Puts his arm around me and steers me toward his office.

We sit in two comfy chairs by the fire someone had thoughtfully lit. May I see the knife?

If it was anyone else I would have excused myself and left. Val had a front row seat to the workings of my brain he was keeping quite watching but silent. It made it better feeling his silent support. Halt and Del spoke to you. It was not a question just a statement.

Yes he tells me with his hand out waiting for the knife.

It's like handing over a piece of her soul. I slide it out and give it to him hilt first. We sit there in silence for a good half mark the fire the only sound as he looks and handles the knife. He hands it back without saying a word. The silence drags on I know he has questions. I just start talking, random thing, my three brothers hunting with dad, his plans for expanding the forge, the beautiful things mother made out of leather.

Finally a question breaks his silence. He made the knife?

I nod my head. You should have seen the things he shipped out with the trader just before the attack. In a detached voice I say, I have to contact him. He took them on commission. I might take them back if he hasn't sold them yet.

Where was he headed?

Haven he was excited to display them he was to bring back steel ingots for father. I will have to tell him not to bother.

What was his name? Geapol Bladerunner, a good man and friend to my father. He is of the traveling people we met him on the long journey here. We spent almost a year with him and his family waking or sleeping. One of the twins was sweet on his daughter. He was going to bring her out with the steel for a visit. I trail off it is amazing the amount I am remembering about her life as if a flood gate had open. Saroc would want me to tell her. Taroc was mad at him they did everything together and he thought they would go out like Supin in two years find brides and head back. Saroc just wanted to work the steel. He was happy he had found someone to share his life. I smile at Sansei. He was born with a hammer in his hand that's what dad said.

I have seen a few of your father's blades. The mark is very distinct. I know that they have been going for top prices. I will go and see if I can find him tomorrow.

Knowing I can't leave he has made the offer. All I say is thank you sansei.

A page finds me in my room reading. You have guest trainee. Herald Barth asks that you go to the gate.

I close the book and thank him. Put on my boots and head for the gate. I would know that wagon anywhere, at least now. Sansei is standing there looking at me. I nod. These people are the closes thing to blood family I have left. The guard lets them through. Gea I say and we embrace.

Tell me he lies he whispers in my ear. Essly tell me.

I look at him. She is dead also old friend I am Ra now. His daughter hears and starts to wail. I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her. Looking at Sansei I say, can we find somewhere more privet?

He calls over a groom. Care for the horse and wagon make sure nothing goes walking. We walk back to his nice cozy office. Jawel just cries and shakes the whole way. She sits with me on a sofa. Getting herself under control we all just wait.

I look at Gea. It is a gruesome tail I tell him.

Your father and I knew each other all our lives and you know Jawel was coming out to hand fess Saroc next fall. We have a right to know.

Taking Jawel's hand I tell the horrible story for I hope the last time. I spare them nothing. Nor me I live it all again my new body cringes with the remembered pain. I end by taking about Val the one good thing that came of this. I feel a burst of love from my soul brother.

With tears in his eyes he thanks me. Ever the trader he sits up strait. What would you like to do with your fathers blades?

Knowing this is how he copes I ask how many are left?

I sold most there are six long knifes three swords and four sets of thronging knifes. I would like them back.

Of course, there is also the profit for the sales after my cut and taxes you have two thousand five hundred and forty eight gold marks. l have it on deposit at the traders bank under a new account.

Sansei do you know any good blacksmiths in Haven looking for apprentices, He nods his head.

The Apprentice fee is steep not many are able to afford it.

I look him in the eye. How much?

One thousand gold is the standard fare for non-family.

Dad had promised to take on Geo's youngest son. May I borrow a piece of parchment and a quill? He waves to the desk. I sit down and start righting. I have Sansei witness it with his signature. Blotting and sanding the page I pick it up. Walking over to Gea I hand it to him.

He reads it over. No you can't do this.

Yes I can the money belongs to me and this is what my family would wish to do.

What does it say papa?

I Ellsy Knifemaker bequeath the following sums of money from my family account. To Geapol's youngest son Ned one thousand marks to only be used for his apprentice fee. To Jawel five hundred forty eight gold marks for a dowry a loving gift from Saroc. The last thousand gold marks to be given to Geapol Bladerunner for the many kindness he and his family extended to my family on the long journey to this new land. If Ned should not wish to be a blacksmith but follow a different trade the fee will be taken out of the thousand and the rest given to the alums house in Haven.

Singed Ellsy Knifemaker (Trainee Raven)

Witnessed By Herald Barth Trellic

That is the last thing I will ever do as Ellsy.

Gea wipes a tear off his face. We had such big plans your father and me.

I know I wish we could have lived them.

Let me get the steel. They were wrapped in a beautiful leather carrying case that you could wrap up into a compact bundle. He sets it on the desk it has some weight to it all that steel. Would you like to see them? He reaches to untie the throng holding it closed.

I put my hand on top of his. Please don't I would like to look at them in privet. I can tell Sansei is a little disappointed but this is just too personal to share with anyone yet.

I get them to my room. For the first time I lock the door. I unroll the case on my bed. All the swords are what are called short swords. Three feet long sharp on two edges. I spin it in my hand the balance is great they didn't sell because they are made for woman or small men. All three are identical with my father's mark by the hilt. I run my hand over the leather scabbard beautifully tooled in geometric designs. Six long knifes have matching scabbards. My long knife is slightly better the steel is harder it was the best father can make if sold at the same price as the other long knife it would be a loss. Most knifes are folded twenty or thirty times depending on the smith dad folded this blade fifty times. It is almost impossible to dull or nick this blade. People had asked if he was a mage smith. None the less these knifes were a cut above the highest quality you could buy in this country. I kept a sword, two long knifes, and a set of throwing knifes out with there sheaths then put the rest away rolling them up and put it in my wardrobe next to the small purse of 120 gold I had received on the first of the year. Kyle gave it to me, I was still not talking to Holt or Del. I knew what I was going to do with most of them. Tomorrow I would discuss it with Sansei.

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