"Come on Elise, why aren't you getting it?" This statement replayed in her mind. She has been doing a lot of training on her own. Elise preferred training as opposed to reading and writing. It also does not help that her tutor is an 80-year-old man who is extremely strict and boring.
She always tries to use that as an excuse why she does not enjoy his lessons. Her attempts at having a replacement remained futile.
Elise also hates it when she cannot perfect her technique of a new skill.
"How can I hit the bullseye with an arrow but not a dagger?"
"It's because you are using more of your wrist when throwing than shooting, that's one difference." Elise jumped at her father's words
"Dad, I didn't notice you standing there"
"I didn't want to distract you"
"I can't possibly be doing any worse"
"How about a break?" She nodded at Elijah's request
"How are you?'
"I'm okay"
"Are you sure?" Elise wore a confused look
"I know since granddad's passing you haven't seen much of me. I'm sorry"
"Why would you be sorry?"
"Because since the day he passed away until now, we haven't spoken to each other. What's even worse is that we see each other when we gather in the dining room. Don't think I didn't notice you staring at me."
"I don't stare. I observe"
Elijah suddenly let out a laugh, something he has not done in a while. Elise is also taken aback that she was able to make him a little happy.
"I expected you to say something like that and the fact that you did make me so happy"
"Why?"
"Because it shows the kind of relationship we have. Even though I have been emotionally distant during the last few days, my daughter can always make me smile"
Elise missed this side of him as well. He was the more jovial parent and she has grown accustomed to that
She embraces her father
"I missed you. I'm sorry that grandpa died I know you loved him so much."
"You did too"
"It's different"
"What do you mean?" Elise pulled back to look at him
"He was your father, I thought...I thought" Elise started to cry and was struggling to say the words.
"Elise, it's okay, you don't have to tell me"
"Yes, I do. I can't imagine my life without you or mom and my brothers. I don't want to feel that pain."
Elise began to grip Elijah's shoulders and continued to cry uncontrollably, squeezing her eyes shut. Elijah's tears started to fall
"My precious daughter, you have such love and compassion in your heart"
"I know it was not that long ago when you began your training we spoke about life and death. It happens and will continue to happen, but it doesn't make it any easier. I love your grandpa very much and he loves all of us. I would indeed be thrilled to have had more years with him, but I shouldn't dwell on that instead I have to look forward to the years I have with you and your mom and your brothers. Grandpa is looking down on us and we both know if he sees us not continue to be a family, he may bring the thunder"
Elijah began to tickle Elise making her laugh. It is true, her grandfather would not want to see them sad
"What do we do now?" She asked
"W will miss him and there will be times when we will be sad. But he will always be remembered and we will honour his life by continuing to live happily"
"Now, how about we try to perfect that dagger throwing technique of yours?"
"You're gonna teach me?"
"Yes, why do you sound so surprised?"
"Usually Alexi or mommy would teach me"
"And your mother hasn't started your lesson on this ye?"
"No, I wanted to learn it on my own and show it to her. But that's not working out so well"
"I understand, let me show you an effective technique. Now, it's gonna be a little difficult at first and it does take a lot of time. But once you practice, you can do in an instant"
Elise was looking forward to this, she has never been trained by her father before. The most interaction they had when it came to this topic was her telling him the progress she made. He would always see the results.
But he was not exaggerating when he said the process was very time-consuming. The technique is centred on focusing more on where you want the dagger to land rather than the force. The latter of which she was concentrating on.
"Your wrist technique is really good, once you focus on the target you should get it"
"I focus on the target when I'm shooting my arrows and it doesn't take this long"
"True, but arrows and daggers are different in both size and weight"
After her father had spoken he picked up the dagger and threw it effortlessly at the target. It happened so quickly, she went to the bullseye and saw the tip of the dagger had passed right through it.
Seeing her standing there in amazement, he took the dagger out
"Shall we try?" Elise just nodded with her mouth opened
She quickly understood that many things can be taught but different levels of focusing, you have to figure it out yourself
She stared at the target wondering so many things to the point where it was boring. She threw the dagger and although it did not land on the bullseye, it was the closest she had ever made it on the target.
"That was a huge improvement," Elijah said while clapping
"Yeah, I think I know what I have to do," she said retrieving the dagger and standing into position to throw it again.
She thought to herself "I have to throw it at the exact moment before I start losing focus. That is when it is at its highest, I think that makes sense. At least it does in my head"
She throws it and it hits the bullseye. Elise and her father started yelling at the top of their lings
"You did it, I knew you could. I just knew it"
"Thanks, dad, for the lesson. It was challenging but worth it"
"And you, my daughter, are outstanding
"I would like to do this again, if you're not busy, perhaps a swords match?"
"I'd like that"