"Good day to you Healer" smiled Uncle Mike
"Good day to you too Micheal"
"I brought my nephew, Jake. Come on Jake, say hello" he beckoned to Jake.
"Gooday Healer"
"Hmmm, this one doesn't sleep" she muttered to herself. Jake was surprised by the accuracy of her diagnosis.
More than six decades of healing experience had thought her a lot. She knew all the herbs needed in treatment by name and even named those that didn't have a name, the ones she didn't know had not been discovered. That was one of the reasons why she was known as 'THE HEALER'
"Yes, he had not been able to sleep due to nightmares" his Uncle, Mike chipped in
"Nightmares caused by trauma. Yes?" the healer continued while backing them, searching for something on the shelf
"Yes, h-" Mike was cut short mid sentence
"Trauma from the loss of a loved one"
"Yes, his father. He died a few weeks ago" Mike replied once again.
"Yes, this is it" she turned with a goofy grin and a bottle containing a blue liquid in one hand.
"He should drink this everyday before going to bed, this should calm the nerves"
"Thank you" Mike returned, collecting the bottle from her. "About what we discussed?"
"Yes, of course" the Healer turned to the cabinet with the arranged bottles and picked a bigger bottle than the previous from the middle shelf and handed it to Mike.
"Once again, Thank you. I guess that's it for now. We'll be on our way then"
The Healer simply nodded in reply.
After exiting the hut, Jake and Mike headed home. Jake resisted the urge to ask about the vial of greenish liquid the Healer gave to him.
Jake suddenly remembered his dad telling him about his Uncle's prowess with a sword.
"Uncle Mike?"
"Huh" he turned to look at Jake who sounded a bit serious by now.
"Can you teach me to fight" Jake asked him with a serious expression
"Yes, but if I may ask why do you wish to learn how to fight"
"I couldn't do a thing when my dad was brutally murdered before my eyes… If only I was stronger" he sniffled back the tears that were close to gushing out. "I'm the only one Liz has left. I've got to protect her no matter what" Jake was driven by the will to protect his sister, but strangely that will was fueled by his thirst for vengeance.
"Jake" his Uncle started, placing his hand on his shoulder.
"You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened. None of it was your fault, okay?"
"But, But, still I could've done something. I just stood there at the stairs frozen to the spot, unable to do a thing." The tears were now freely dropping from his cheeks.
"Come on bud, don't dwell on it. Just focus on the future. Take today as your starting point, train, get stronger and overcome all the obstacles that comes your way, don't dwell on the past. It won't help your healing. Alright?"
Jake nodded in response
"And don't say you've got no one. You've got us"
Jake nodded again and the rest of the journey was spent laughing and chatting.
Mike had promised to teach Jake a thing or two he knew about fighting. Another week yet had passed and it was the day Mike promised to train his nephew.
Jake woke up feeling pumped and eager to explore the day. He opened the curtain and let the morning sun bathe him for a moment before proceeding to wash his teeth.
"Good Morning, Aunt Hilda"
"Good morning Jake. I can see you're sleeping better these days"
"Yes, the potions prescribed by the healer are quite effective"
"That's nice"
"Do you need a hand" he offered
"Sure, you could get me the eggs from the cabinet and set the table. While I get the coffee ready."
"Okay"
Jake set time work immediately, he out in so much enthusiasm into his work, one would have thought he was being paid . Not so long after, everyone was up and gathered for breakfast.
They ate their food in silence.
"Jake and I will be going to Swan lake" Mike was the first to break the silence.
"Where?" Claire asked, like she hadn't heard well the first time.
"Swan lake" Uncle Mike replied
Claire smiled knowingly. Liz made a mental note to ask Claire what Swan Lake meant.
"So you'll be out for the whole day" Aunt Hilda chipped in.
"Most probably, depending on our progress" Mike concluded.
"That's fine… Have fun guys" she waved then as she left the table to prepare for the market.
They had finished eating. Uncle Mike slung a brown bag over his shoulder. Jake didn't feel get need to take anything besides himself.
Claire and Liz waved at them as they left. It was a long walk to Swan Lake and the sun was scorching in in it's full might.
Uncle Mike got two hats out of his bag and handed Jake the smaller one.
"Thanks" replied Jake who flipped it onto his head instantly.
"Huh, it's quite comfy and soft"
"Yeah, it's made if raffia and it's inside is clothed with cotton".
The streets were full of people, ranging from women who were off to the market to children playing along the road. And neb with a tool or weapon slung over their shoulders. The streets was bustling with activities.
Jake marveled at the sight of so many people going around their daily activities. As a child, he wasn't allowed to go about much, due to what his father termed as 'unknown dangers lurking around'. Thus, he had to stay indoors most of the time. He didn't even get to make friends. So seeing this much going about their daily activities seemed new to him.
Uncle Mike pointed out places to Jake as they walked towards Swan Lake. Jake noticed that so many people greeted his Uncle as they passed by. "He must be quite popular" Jake mused to himself.
In no time, they had gotten to Swan Lake. Amidst all the excitement and sightseeing Jake hadn't given much thought to how far they had walked.
Jake looked below at the clearing. Behind the clearing was a clear lake with over hundred swans floating in the water. The scenery was beautiful. The clearing highlighted the beauty of the Lake.
"This is where you're going to train"
"Alright. Let's get started" Jake replied with a serious look forming on his face.
"Hey, hold up. Not so fast" Uncle Mike replied as he put his bag on the floor and vent down to retrieve the contents. He picked out a brown tunic and tossed it to Jake.
"Put that on"
"What's this for?" Jake asked as he stripped off his clothing.
"You have to be free to move while training. The loose clothing allows free movement of your muscles".
Mike tied the bag and propped it at the base of a bamboo and proceeded to the clearing. Once there he made Jake do a little arms and legs stretching to free his stiff muscles.
Then their training began.