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"Teach me how to use that sword!" X'yahma practically screamed it. He bowed deeply, he was parallel to the ground, his eyes fixed straight to the ground. The wind howled through the towering outcrops, shaking the branches on the trees. Browning leaves fell to the ground below, but he stood as a statue.
"That's what this was about?" Gosetsu said. "And I thought it was something serious."
"The why is." X'yahma blinked. "When I went with Yugiri to-"
"Raise your head," Gosetsu commanded, "we are equals." X'yahma's ears flattened and his tail fell limp. He didn't want to see the look of disgust on Gosetsu's face, but he looked up anyway. But he saw a soft smile, a warm twinkle in his eye. "Rise, friend. A strong stance is the first thing you ought to learn. But first, I want to hear from you why you wish to learn from me."
X'yahma straightened as he looked in the direction of the river. "When I killed H'raha Tia, he was stronger than me. Even after opening my fourteenth chakra, his experience outweighed my strength. We knew what the other was capable of- how we fight." X'yahma closed his eyes, and the images of the aether being forcibly ripped from his mentor's body, and the bodies of H'raha's own pupils. He tensed his own hand, wishing to break H'raha's body again. "But Oboro's ninja arts gave me the advantage, and I fear it was barely enough."
His thoughts turned to Y'shtola. She was the greatest among them, and she fell to Zenos's blade. Clinging to life, the last he saw her. She was quite pale. And in his own weakness, he failed to stop Yugiri from going to what was nearly her death. "And that's why I want to learn your ways. You and that monster use the similar swords. I know we have little time, but something- anything- that can even the field could well mean the difference." He cannot fail again. The Shroud would fall first. And then Thanalan. He couldn't let the Imperials get his hands on Loonh. He didn't dare think of what would happen.
"Calm yourself." Gosetsu put a large hand on his shoulder. He hadn't even noticed he closed the distance between them. "A calm presence of mind is crucial. If you panic, if you hesitate, your strength is meaningless."
X'yahma took a deep breath and released it. And again. "It's funny. Oboro said the same thing, 'presence of mind.'"
"Most Doman martial arts emphasize control and decisive action. You would do well to remember that." The wind howled again, tearing more leaves from the trees to drift down below. "I may have to ask Lord Hien if he would be willing to lend you his sword for a time. Else, you need a katana of the proper size. I have no doubt you can wield mine, but it's far from a training weapon."
"I- thank you, Gosetsu."
"Go and rest. We begin at sunrise. If I can't find anything suitable, a mop would still suit our needs."
X'yahma chuckled and the two shook hands before returning to town. Next time, he vowed, he'd break his bones. Every. last. one.