I've always hated the dawn part of practice, even though the class was my favorite. Like the name, practice started the moment the sun was visible through the mountains. I have never been a morning person and this really did not help. Lying on the hard mats, taking deep breaths to keep myself conscious, is not an easy thing to do, when you are sleep deprived. Erik's face appeared in my vision and he extended a hand to help me up.
"Are you alright? You have never fallen like that before..." he asked.
"I'm ok. I just needed a second. Staying upright is difficult when you don't get enough sleep." I replied.
"Why did you not get enough sleep, Little Bird?" wondered an old, warm voice behind me.
It was Master Ginsing. He was a short, ancient little man, but he was extremely strong despite his age. His white-grey hair was cut in a military fashion, and he had a long grey beard and mustache that he kept in a ponytail down at his chest. He had broad shoulders, and small almond eyes. His nose was pointed, and his mouth was curved upwards in a perpetual little smile. He had thick eyebrows that seemed to always be furrowed down over his eyes. He wore a white kimono, and a red sash around his waist. His wrinkled hands were hard, from centuries of strenuous training, but still gentle when correcting a student's form. He had been my favorite teacher since the moment I met him. He was a happy man, and was warm and welcoming to everyone. He never taught a move more than once, training us to remember each detail precisely. He would always correct a mistake the moment it was made, so his students were always doing the steps perfectly. I loved that about him and his classes.
"I'm not sure. I had a fitful sleep last night I suppose." I sighed. I hated lying to him, but I didn't have an option. I couldn't let anyone know the real reason.
"Hmm. Did you try drinking that tea I mentioned last week during practice?" Master Ginsing replied.
"No, I didn't think of that. Thank you Master. I will try that tonight to see if it helps."
"Good. Now remember, keep your feet planted, one forward, the other out." he said as I got into a fighting stance. "Relax. Good, let's try a simple roundhouse. Shift your weight, knee up, higher, and pivot on the balls of your feet. Erik, block with your left arm. Channel her momentum to your feet, and use it to reflect her attack as she lands. Very good. Keep those fists up, girl and be ready for anything. Perfect. Well done my pets." Master Ginsing said, smiling as he continued his rounds, correcting other students as they practiced their sparring.
When training, we never wore protective gear aside from what was already sewn into our suits. This was done because we needed to feel what it was like to be hit in the face with a real fist, not a glove. We would never learn that way, and get taken down easily if we did. That was the Ginsing way. After 2 more hours of training in the small outdoor area, everyone went into one of the surrounding, two story buildings to clean up, and get ready for their next class. Roommates always had classes together, so both Erik and I had Chemistry next. Here at the Militär Akademi för de Begåvad Samhälle* or MABS, we have the normal classes you would find at any University, besides the combat training aspect. After I washed my face, patched up some cuts and scrapes, and changed out of my black suit, to a more comfortable oversized t-shirt, and jeans, I left the locker rooms, to find Erik standing outside, waiting for me in a hunter green sweatshirt and jeans, with a small, wrapped box in his hand.
"What's that for?" I asked.
"You think I would forget your birthday?" Erik responded.
"I was really hoping you would. You know I haven't liked birthdays since my parents' death."
"I know. I didn't throw a celebration or anything. I just have this."
I took the small package out of his outstretched hand, and unwrapped it. Inside the box was a necklace. It had a gold boxchain, and the gold charm was my parents emblem, but with a third, smaller bird flying with them. I stood there staring at the necklace for a while, looking at all the details. Each feather was carved out, so if you ran a finger along it you could feel each one, and the talons were so sharp that if you pressed hard enough against it, you could draw blood. The beaks, and eyes, the wings, and body, all of it was carved with an attention to detail I hadn't seen for 15 years, since my parents died.
"They made it. They asked me to give it to you on your 22nd birthday if they didn't live to see it." Erik explained quietly.
A tear rolled down my cheek, as I put the necklace on around my neck.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Thank you so much. This.... I can't explain how much this means. Thank you."
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Erik. He hugged me back, and we stayed like that till everyone else left the hallway. Only then did I let go and say,
"We should probably start heading to class."
"Yeah. Probably."
Erik reached up and wiped a tear from my face, and we both continued on to Chemistry.
*This directly translates from Swedish to "Military Academy for the Gifted Society"