One.. two... and step back… one.. two... and step back… trying to increase the speed... one, two and I’m out of balance again... stumbling back, instead of the single steady step required. It is hard to practice the basic counter maneuver I learned all those years ago, with the left arm in a sling and broken ribs not fully healed. The throbbing headache is not helping either.
Returning to the opening stance I try again. One… two... and step back, keeping the sword between me and the imagined opponent. One… two... and step back, over and over again. I have been at it for hours now, sweat pouring in my face disrupting my vision and making the grip on the sword slippery. I should take a break, but that means my wandering mind will get the better of me again. No... it is better to work with the sword, its simple but graceful movements, clearing the mind in the process.
It is hard to focus though, the forest around me are beautiful, in full bloom with all its colors bright as a new day and teeming with birds singing their praise to the summer. I’m the only disturbance to the natural habitat around me. But I’m careful, so very very careful not to dominate the space around me more than necessary, with my moments and occasionally low grunts that escapes me, when I twist my ribcage too much.
Focus Dun… One… two… and step back and again… One.... there is Waelden… two... there is Yllfa… and step back… leave them alone… I stop. Where did that come from?
I toss the sword into the ground and ease myself down to sit and notice for the first time that I'm breathing heavily. Waelden and Yllfa… the two persons who knows more of me, than the rest of the world beside… Pah! do not go there Dun. I’m in great debt to both of them for finding me and saving my life, after my rash actions. Actions that could have cost them their life and left Walden's daughter a orphant. The days in their care, I learned something new about the pair. First I thought of them as old friends, but there seems to be more. They seem happy together and they both care for Waelden daughter, which seems to be a centerpiece that bonds them together. They are already building what I aim for, a place to call home, people to call a family. I should leave them alone, but I own them so much, even a story, which I’m still not ready to tell.
They certainly had raised my spirit during the days of healing and I looked forward to showing them my home and the summerfest celebration there. When we arrived we meet old acquaintances of Waelden, named Brynleigh and Gamferth and the unexpected meeting was joyful indeed. Sadly the rest of the villagers and other guest did not share the same joy, and the mode was sober instead of the spirited as expected of such events. I left early with a bad temper and barely missed saying goodbyes to Waelden and Yllfa before they left Fenmarch.
The days that followed was not easy either, me missing my companions and all the curious villagers probing me about my wounds, I packed some of my belongings and went into the forest, to gather my thoughts and regain my strength.
And here under the roof of the trees in Firienhold forest, I’m alone with my wandering mind again… Pah! Get up Dun and back to training. I pick up the sword and stand up slowly, getting into the initial stance again.
One… two… and step back… one… two… step back… Leave them alone… One.. there is Waelden… two... I’m interrupted by shadow pass overhead and I look up and see a owl dark in colors, disappear into the woods… that is a bad omen in these parts… somebody are in trouble.
