Mother served us food at the table and sat down herself.
"That's a really nice dress, Ellie."
"Thanks, Mother. I just got it today."
"Uncle Rodney gave you money?"
"I did. I completed a request and had some materials to sell as well. It was a decent sum, so I gave each of them four copper to spend however they pleased. Ellie, it seems, bought a beautiful dress."
"What did you get, Kam?" Father asked.
"I bought an inexpensive sword to train with. Uncle said he'd show me the basics while he's here and that you could help guide me after he left."
Mother looked a little surprised by my choice, but Father understood. Unlike my older brother, who valued his safety, I wanted to see the world, even if that meant facing my fears, and Father knew this.
"Alright. If I'm going to train you, you're going to have to work hard. I don't want you giving up half way."
"Yes, Father."
The rest of the meal passed swiftly. We talked about the adventurers' guild and many other topics before helping Mother clean up and heading to bed.
* * *
I woke up before dawn. Mother was already in the kitchen so I helped her prepare breakfast while I waited for Uncle Rodney.
After breakfast ended, Uncle Rodney and I went behind the house. Before we started, Father asked to see the sword. He took it from its sheath and swung it.
"It's perfect for a training weapon and would be useful when starting out as an adventurer, though I'd replace it with something better balanced when you have the funds. You did well, Kam."
He gave me the sword back and I turned to face Uncle Rodney.
"Grip the sword in both hands," he told me.
I held the sword with both hands and faced him. He came over and corrected my stance. My feet were too close together, the angle that I held the blade was too shallow, and I squeezed the handle too hard.
"Now watch as I swing."
Uncle Rodney lifted his blade with both hands and swung it downwards in a hacking motion.
"Swing it like this at least one hundred times per day. It will help with your strength and it will help you get used to wielding a blade. Marsh will help you with actual combat when you're ready. I know this might seem a little slow, but trust me when I say that someone who can handle the blade well is much more dangerous than someone who swings wildly."
"I understand Uncle, thank you."
I didn't really understand what he had said, but I figured that he had experience, so he probably knew what he was talking about. I got to work imitating his swing. The first few hacks seemed easy, but the stress and strain of the repetitions on my arms made them feel like jelly after only thirty.
"It will take some time to get used to, as I said. Don't rush it. The foundation is the most important part. After you've had your breather, keep going until you've completed today's hundred."
I nodded. Cool, refreshing water poured into my mouth from a mug that Mother gave me. I thanked her and continued to swing.
It took me about an hour and a half to complete my task. When I had finished, I was exhausted. I didn't have the strength or stamina to fight yet, and it was a little disheartening. However, I would not give up. Even if magic didn't pan out, I would at least work hard to be a swordsman adventurer.
* * *
I continued to swing my sword daily during the rest of the week that Uncle Rodney was staying with us. The second day, I hurt in places I didn't know could hurt, but I pressed on nonetheless. The next few days, the swinging took longer than on the first day, but by the end of the week, it was nearly at parity with my first attempt.
The morning Uncle Rodney was set to leave, I got up early to get my swings in before he left. He also got up early to load his cart and make sure he had what he needed for his journey. He watched me swing and gave me some last minute pointers, which I appreciated.
Breakfast came and went, and before I knew it, it was time for him to depart.
"It was great seeing you, Rodney," Father said.
"Same, Marsh. You're always welcome to come see Kelly and me in Kingston with the kids."
"With my job being what it is, I'm afraid they will have to wait until the kids are old enough to go without us."
"That's a shame. Still, I look forward to seeing these munchkins in a couple of years!"
"Have a safe trip," Mother said.
"It was fun hanging with you," Ellie added.
"Thanks for the help," I said.
Uncle Rodney boarded his cart and waved goodbye to the four of us.
* * *
Four months passed with much of the same routine. I spent my mornings training with the sword and my afternoons helping Mother or playing with Ellie. I had gotten stronger to the point that I could do about fifty swings before needing a break I still had a way to go, but I finally felt like my hard work was paying off.
"Kam," Mother said one afternoon in late August.
"Hm?"
"Your Name Day is about two months away. I was thinking of teaching you some basic White magic. it will help to know it for the ceremony."
Magic! My heart fluttered. Even though it wasn't a specific kind of magic yet, it was still a start.
"Y-yes!"
"Someone's excited." she teased.
"I've been waiting for this ever since Ellie started learning two years ago."