As mother tried to explain to me that all things die, I couldn't help but cry. She grew ill one summer, and hasn't seemed to get any better. She wouldn't stop talking about how strong I'll grow up, and to make sure I tell my children all about her. No matter how much she hurt, she kept fighting for my sake.
I began to look into how to earn money, so my mother could rest. I stopped by the local library in town to get some books on the way to the market square. Once I reached the market square, I began to look around. The area was packed, and businesses lined the cobblestone street. The air seemed to bring about a cheery vibe, as if the atmosphere itself was enjoying the mood. Still, I couldn't help but think of my mother.
As I was looking around at the shops, i was planning on asking one of the shopkeepers for an apprenticeship. I needed coin badly, and I was willing to work for it.
I walked past a bakery, to see a stone building, with racks of blades in front of it. Instantly intrigued I walked over to the wooden door, and smelled smoke. The scent was a mix of Tobacco, and coal.
After a moment I knock loudly, only to hear a banging upon steel, that drowned out the noise of my own banging. After I realized that nobody would hear me, I opened the door.
The sight was magnificent. The walls were lined with armor and blades of the sort, all shapes, all sizes. The smell of the smoke was now overwhelming, and the sounds of banging were louder now. The otherwise dark hallway, was lit up by a faint orange glow coming from the doorway on the left, at the end of the hallway.
I walked into the room to see a single man labouring over a shield, hammering it into shape. I knocked loudly on the door frame. He hammered a few more times then paused, and turns around.
"You seem a little young to be buying gear." He stated, curious to why I'm here. "I'm Jakkar, how can i help you?"
"Can i have a job?" I asked quickly, without hesitation.
"Why did you come here looking for a job?" Jakkar asked, amused. "Why not the bakery next door? I'm sure you can eat cake at that job. Or the butchers, so you can eat meat and grow some more."
"I've always love swords. I've grown up hearing tales of my father who was a great warrior, from my now ill mother. I've practiced techniques repetitively with a close friend of mine, so i feel that this job would suit my interests." I told him, confidently.
"My my, you really are quite intelligent it seems. At this workplace, you would work for very low wages. If you're here for a big profit, you've come to the wrong place." He stated, now serious.
"That works for me, as long as you teach me how to smith. I then would like to sell my own pieces, if that's okay with you." I informed him.
He stared in the distance, thinking things through for a minute. "Materials for the gear you make would come out of your wages."
"So, do we have an arrangement?" I asked, hopefully.
"Yes we do, but you'll have to be here every day at the crack of dawn." He told me, amused again.
I was overcome with joy. I went and got a job quickly, without much effort. I would also be able to make real swords to spar with Ash. I returned home to find Ash waiting for me under the oak in the front yard of my place. In his hand, he clutched a charred 'bokken'. The one he's always sparred with.