After Venna left life went back to a routine. There were a lot of differences from the routine before my Ceremony, but it was still repetitive.
I would get up in the morning and have a supervised breakfast, followed by stretches with Healer Yumi. Then I'd go out to the gardens and walk around for an hour or so, before coming back to read, practice etiquette with Lizabeth, or do some more stretches.
After lunch it was more of the same, though I didn't have to go for a walk. I could choose dance practice, or I could go to our library to find books I hadn't read yet or that weren't part of my study curriculum.
Since my education was highly restricted before I often chose to pick up new books. Most of them were on history or magic, but sometimes I'd find one for leisure. My favorites were stories of adventure and mystery. Anything exciting to pass the time.
Near the end of the first month after Venna had left, Healer Yumi told me that my progress was even faster than she expected, and she hoped that I'd be at a healthier weight by the end of the following month. I was glad to hear it as having my food supervised was tiring and I was starting to grow to hate eating.
The only enjoyment I got was from eating a singular, small, different piece of cake after dinner every day so I could write down the ingredients and the flavors for Venna. I couldn't stomach any more than that small piece of cake, as it was too cloyingly sweet for me. I never knew it about myself, but I don't actually like anything overly sweet. Or maybe it's anything with strong flavors because I don't enjoy things that are greasy or spicy either. I like bitter things like coffee, tea, certain vegetables, and dark chocolate, but that's about it. Even then, if it's food, I don't have much desire for it. I'll eat to stay healthy, but I don't see much point otherwise.
The time I got to exercise was better though. I slowly incorporated running and physical strengthening into my routine as I wanted to eventually learn swordsmanship. Venna had said she enjoyed practicing with her father, so I thought it'd be nice if I could spar with her when she comes back. I quickly discovered that if I wanted to exercise, though, I had to eat enough food not to be exhausted. That encouraged me to maintain a healthy diet if for no other reason.
I waited until after Venna had been gone a week before writing my first letter as I knew she had a long travel time ahead of her, even with transportation circles being set up between our countries. Inter-Kingdom transportation circles are set far away from the capitals to prevent enemies from taking advantage of them to move large groups of troops during war. There are of course transportation circles that only the nobles and our Royalty can use to facilitate faster movement within our lands, but those are tightly controlled to prevent espionage and treason.
I'm not sure why people can't just set up their own transportation circles if they know the runes and the circle formation, but when I asked Lizabeth she said she didn't know, and she'd never heard of it being accomplished before.
Eventually I was called to my father's office. I knew this time would come, but I had hoped I could put it off until after Healer Yumi left.
When I approached the door to his office, I could feel my breathing quicken and my chest tighten. Recognizing the signs I immediately started meditating as any event that led to me avoiding this encounter would be taken as deliberate, and I'd probably face some form of punishment.
Gathering my courage, I knocked firmly.
"Enter."
After pushing open the heavy door to his study on his command, I situated myself in front of his desk and took a deep curtsy, waiting for his permission to speak.
"You've rested for a month now and Healer Yumi tells me your health has improved enough for you to take on an appropriate study schedule. Do you agree with her assessment?"
This wasn't a question so much as a test of my character. I might not have interacted with my father personally a lot, but I knew his methods from the demands and 'requests' he sent to me through the servants. It doesn't matter though, as I do agree with Healer Yumi's assessment.
"Yes father."
"I have arranged for a tutor for you for magic circles and runes, as well as ones for deeper and broader knowledge on history, war, economics, mathematics, and politics. They will be scheduled at two a day, two hours each, leaving you two days to choose extra lessons on any subject, or to request a subject you may be interested in."
This… is more than I could hope for. I know that I'll have to manage short lessons on etiquette and dance, but that's still a lot more free time than I was considering. I'm sure there's a catch.
"I would like at least one extra lesson on magic circles and runes, as well as an instructor for swordsmanship, if I could father."
"That can be arranged. If you fall behind on any subject I will arrange for those classes to occupy your extra free day. If you fall behind on more than that, then I will have to intrude on your rest days, and possibly add more hours to the regular lessons. Is that clear?"
"Yes father."
"Expect your tutors to arrive some time next week, starting with Mage Reginald as your magic circles and runes teacher. You are dismissed."
I maintained my calm while still hurriedly leaving my father's office.
This is so much more than I could have ever wanted. Two lessons on magic circles and runes, with my instructor being Mage Reginald? That's amazing. I won't even be greedy and hope that the remaining instructors are lenient.
I walked quickly back to my room to inform Lizabeth about my new schedule before taking my lunch. After lunch I had a moment of quiet, so I sat on my bed alone while holding a pillow to my face as I squealed happily into it.
I'm glad that I have some privacy again, but I still miss Venna. I can at least write to her regarding my new schedule. She replied to me each time, the letters taking only a day or two to reach me. I always have a letter ready to send out on the morning following the day I receive hers. I wish I could send this letter out sooner, but that's being selfish.
The next week Mage Reginald showed up first just as my father promised and went over his goals for my curriculum. It was simple enough, starting with the formation of circles, standard practices regarding rune arrangements, rune memorization and carving, and finally practical applications and theories. He said that he would adjust the speed of things as he got a better understanding of my ability to comprehend each subject.
The two following instructors didn't show up until the next day, with Professor Maxi covering history and war, and Professor James covering mathematics and economics. My final instructor, Professor Henry, will cover politics. He won't be available until next week, and his first class will be after Mage Reginald. Father still hasn't found a suitable sword instructor for me, so that will have to wait.
My new schedule was simple enough, with Monday being devoted to magic and politics, Tuesday to history and war, Wednesday to mathematics and economics, and Thursday to magic and swordsmanship. I could use Friday for self-study or to make up any courses that I'd fallen behind on. Saturday and Sunday I was to spend studying etiquette and dancing with Lizabeth, or I could request another hour of swordsmanship practice with my instructor as they would be chosen from our Knights.
And on that Saturday I was finally introduced to the Knight that would be my sword instructor. I was led out to the practice field that was situated in the northern part of the castle, not far from my part of the manor. The practice field was previously in disrepair, but it appears that father had some servants come out and fix it in the last week or so.
Standing in the center of the practice field, in a circle of even dirt, was a tall, sturdy man. He was wearing a leather jerkin on top of a high collared shirt, bracers, and high leather boots over black, cotton pants. His hair was black with half of it swept partially behind him and the other half lying across the left side of his face. I can't imagine it's easy for him to see out of that eye.
He spoke with an unnaturally gravelly voice, but not one that I would consider incredibly deep.
"I will be your instructor for swordsmanship, Young Lady Arkesh. You may call me Sir Verret."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Verret."
He paused a moment, as if in consideration, before continuing on.
"Today I will have you choose a weapon. If I think it won't fit you, I will tell you so, but I cannot go against your orders."
Was that a roundabout way of telling me he had no choice but to be here? Deciding I didn't care so long as he took instructing me seriously, I approached the rack of wooden practice weapons he pointed to.
There were any number of weapons to choose from, from daggers all the way up to a great hammer. I don't know what they'd expect a thirteen-year-old girl with no magic practice to do with a great hammer, but there it was. Taking a few moments to carefully pick up each weapon and test its weight, while also giving the few of them I could carry a test swing, I finally found a thin bladed sword that was long and looked light. Picking it up I took a test swing and found it a little awkward, but manageable.
"That sword is called a rapier and can be used for either a thrust or a slash, though it is better suited to thrusting. Many people mistakenly believe that it's a lighter sword because of its thin blade, but most rapiers weigh as much, or more than, a longsword. Given that it is a long blade, learning it might be a bit awkward at first, and will take a fair amount of strength to adjust to. The advantage of a rapier over other blades of similar weight or length, say a longsword, are minimal at best. Though a well-practiced wielder may often be capable of keeping other long blade users out of reach while using quicker, and oft times, more deadly thrusts."
I think he just summarized the blade completely in those short few sentences.
"If it weighs about the same as a longsword, what is the differences between them then?"
"The longsword would often be used two-handed, unless you're a fool or in close combat and need to grapple, and is more suited to strong slashes and shorter ranged thrusts. The rapier will be held in one hand, using the full arm's length, and extending the body to thrust and keep an enemy at a distance. Neither weapon would be used with a shield typically, though the rapier might have an advantage with guarding if you used a dagger or some other type of blade to parry with."
"Couldn't you overcome the weakness of the longsword if you blocked or parried with the blade?"
"Yes, and no. Blocking with the blade is typically done with the flat side as striking the sharpened edge would damage it, causing it to become dull in combat and even risking breaking the blade early. Therefore it requires practice and finesse to execute, and I don't recommend training with that until later. Even then, if you plan on blocking often it's recommended that you choose a shield and a short sword. With the rapier, if you chose a secondary blade specifically designed for blocking or parrying, then the damage to your primary blade is mitigated, which is especially important on such a thin blade."
"Then I would like to practice with a rapier and a parrying blade."
"The blade will be difficult to master especially with an off-hand, and it doesn't offer any advantages over most other long blades. Are you sure? We can change blades later if you find it uncomfortable to use but I don't recommend switching too late into your training."
"Thank you for your advice, Sir Verret. For now I will choose the rapier. If you find that I'm struggling with the blade more than should be typical, feel free to recommend that I switch."
He paused a bit longer this time, as if he were carefully considering my words. I thought I saw a slight smile cross his lips.
"It is my honor to train you, Young Lady Arkesh. On Thursday I will begin with a simple fitness regiment as jumping straight in to blade work, especially with a rapier, isn't recommended for new recruits. I will see you then."
"Thank you Sir Verret."
"And don't be late."
That sounded like a threat.