Snow covered the streets of Gurdon, blanketing them like a traveler under blankets of wool. Heavy gray clouds hung in the sky blocking any light or heat gaining access to the frozen ground below. Light tracks of the few traveler's buggies, horse hooves, and boots painted the white canvas. Not many had been out or about and most of the time, the streets remained empty.
Inside the main home, Jex ventured out of his warm bed after a few more days of rest. He stood in the middle of the room, clothing himself in a fresh set of warm clothing, compliments from Alec and Serane. He was told to meet Nimer in the front of the house for his first sword lessons using a metal blade. Being inexperienced, this would be a new experience for him and excitement filled him to the brim. He glanced at his new blade lying on the bed next to him. Reaching out and retrieving it with care, he tied it to his belt with leather chords. It hung at his side, complementing his look well.
"But what to name it…" he thought to himself while exiting the room. Every stroke of his lip brought many names to mind, but none of them seemed to fit. A good blade deserved a good name. So, it had to be perfect.
Making his way into the main dining room, he passed by a small worship altar against the far wall. He stopped in front of it while he gathered his thoughts. Several candles stood about the table flickering as wax melted from the heat of their wicks. Small silver and gold coins had been tossed in a small grey saucer set atop the altar and decorated the dark wood around it. Small oil paintings of the gods had been nailed to the wall above it. He could point out each one, knowing by now they all belonged to the light council.
Talorak stood in his painting, prominently surrounded by his four raptors; the owl, the hawk, the eagle, and the falcon. Faelira stood with a deer standing behind her. She was adorned in furs from the hunt and an antlered headdress. Zarothar was adorned with the sun behind him and a large golden dragon in the middle of the sun. Cyanthar appeared as a snake with waves of water surrounding him. Thalbera stood as a bear with one large paw raised and holding a harvest basket. Lucine was represented as a wolf sitting under seven phases of the moon. The only painting not of the light council was one of Myrkatha, represented by a black cat and seven colored stones above her head.
Albranis was the most prominent painting, hung above all the other gods. He too had the zeven stones in his painting, though they surrounded him in a circle. There was something notibly different about the white tiger painting of Albranis. Paper seals with wax ink in a language the boy did not recognize had been pasted over the tiger while the others had broken paper seals that were no longer whole.
Jex had stopped mid step, curiosity drawing him nearer. "How peculiar," he thought out loud, reaching out to touch the paintings but was abruptly interrupted.
"Don't touch that," Nimer commanded, walking up next to him. He folded his arms and looked at the alter with distaste. "That's an alter to honor the gods. I'd advise againt disturbing it," he stated calmly.
"There's so many," Jex exclaimed.
"Yes, and I know every god on that shrine. Much like yourself and Ray will, nearly all have awakened to their power and seek the kings and queens to their kingdoms. I find their importance dignified, nothing more," he stated, shaking his head. "Nevertheless, you are late and needed outside. Your lesson was supposed to start an hour ago."
"I'm sorry," Jex remarked, glancing around at the wonders of the room. "The treasures in this place are beautiful."
"You find yourself in the house of Zarothar. You should expect nothing less from a god. Now come." Nimer headed abruptly for the door. The moment it opened, a cold draft drifted in.
Jex followed him, shielding his eyes from the white exterior. "It's cold," he stated.
"And I swear you expect a heat wave in whether like this," Nimer commented flatly. He slowly rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms while walking into the middle of the road. "Unsheathe your sword when ready."
Jex took hold of his sword, a smooth ring of metal reverberating as he unsheathed it from its sheath. Nimer followed suit, drawing both his cutlass and sliced the air with precision. The farm boy looked at the guide's swords, surveying their size.
"Your swords are rather short compared to mine," he said holding his own sword up for comparison.
Nimer raised his eyebrows in what appeared to be surprise. "Why yes, my swords are short and yours happens to be long. It should make little difference. Your vertical height makes you eligible for a long sword or perhaps a bastard sword down the line. I on the other hand take pleasure in speed with fast, agile attacks. Shorter swords suit me better."
Jex glanced from his sword to Nimer, gathering in the knowledge that he appeared vertically challenged. "Well, you are short-"
Jex was abruptly cut off from his words, the edge of Nimer's sword at his neck and the other at his side. Nimer's glare made him feel small. The man in the black coat remarked darkly, "Size plays no role in a sword fight."
Jex swallowed and nodded, Nimer withdrawing his swords and holding them at his sides. "Now, just like our practice with the wooden sword. Up, down, side to side."
Jex did as he was told, lifting his sword into the air. His wrists weakened under the new weight of the metal long blade. He grimaced a little as the tip wobbled in the air.
"Steady up," Nimer commanded. "Use your arm strength rather than your wrists. Swords like yours are based on strength, not dexterity or agility."
Both Jex's hands tightened around the handle of his blade and he shifted his weight to his shoulders. The sword became a little lighter after doing so. With fire in his eyes, he lifted the sword again, swinging it around with both hands. The cold air clung to his face and hands, but his movements kept him warm. Nimer instructed him as he went, adjusting Jex's posture with the flat edge of his swords. The rhythm came naturally, almost monotonously. He focused on the blade, slicing through the air, till the loud sound of metal clanging on metal caused him to snap to reality.
Nimer stood, one sword up blocking Jex's long sword from swinging. "Pay attention to your surroundings. Your enemy can come from any direction. Again."
Jex nodded lifting his sword and eyes shifting from side to side, keeping close watch on the guide and his movements. In a blink of his eyes, Nimer had vanished.
"Behind you!" came a loud cry and the novice whirled around, the edge of his sword meeting Nimer's. The force of the blades colliding sent Jex backwards and caused him to lose his footing and fall on his butt.
"Ow," he muttered, his rear now wet from the snow.
Nimer glowered down at him. "Watch your footing. If you fall prone, your enemy has the upper hand. Get up."
Jex sighed in frustration and stood up with a frown. "Why do you have to be so demanding?" he complained.
Nimer twirled his blades and smiled smugly. "I am your teacher. If I was easy on you, you wouldn't learn."
Jex wasn't satisfied with his answer then hatched a brilliant idea. He stood placing his blade over his shoulder. "Alright then. You aren't my teacher. You are my enemy."
Nimer beamed a little then readied his swords. "Where I don't believe you're ready for such antics, I will accept your challenge. This is no longer training. This is a duel." A cocky grin crossed his face. "And I won't go easy on you."