Chapter Text
Grimacing at herself in the mirror, Salia reminded herself that, while she despised the way she looked with shorter hair, at least it was a lot faster to prep in the morning. The memories a few years back of when Flen made her pretend to be a boy weren’t her favorite, even amongst Flen memories. And it wasn’t like people would mistake her gender with the mauve headband, the better-than-average cosmetics, and the elegantly tailored gold and mauve dress she was wearing – one of several she’d recently purchased. Her cut of Vinnaeron’s purse of valuables had been exceedingly generous, despite her best attempts to bargain it down from Grevesh’s original offer of half.
Life had been very strange this last year, she reflected. Only last summer, if she’d turned down even a single coin offered to her, she wouldn’t have eaten for at least a day as punishment. Now, she was in the position to turn down enough money to feed a family for years, because it was the right thing to do. And she always made sure she kept a few silver coins on hand, to give to those she recognized were legitimately begging – after years of practice, she knew the difference.
It would still be a few minutes before she was needed downstairs behind the bar, and her gaze fell on the leatherbound journal by her bedside. She sat and flipped through a few pages.
Day One
Hey, Salia. It’s you.
She smiled.
You probably remember deciding to chronicle your combat training with Grevesh, for that day when you look back and ask “what was I thinking?” Has it happened yet? I mean, I’m kind of thinking it right now. That bit on the boat came out of nowhere. Does he really expect me to swing a sword around? He must know I’m not nearly as strong as most people. I mean, he thinks I weigh eighty pounds…or one fifty, maybe. Can there be a translation problem with numbers?
Or has he bulked you up yet? I can’t see us as a muscly, thumping warrior. Grr! Salia use sword now! RRRAH!
The rest of the page started rambling, so she skipped to the next one.
Day Two
She drew in air through clenched teeth. She’d almost forgotten about this one.
So, if my handwriting looks a bit off, it’s becuase I’m writing with my left hand. Stupid Grevesh tried to show me how to throw a punch again, and told me to hit him in the hand as hard as I possibly could. So now, I’m soaking it in a bucket of well water waiting for the sweling to go down, and he’s donstairs eating elk ribs like a meanie.
We did spend the rest of the day talking about dodging. He said it’s about reading body language of the person about to kill you. Now that I can get behind. He also said I need to know how weapons work so I can dodge them better, which made sense I guess. We’ll probably get to weapons when I HAVE TWO HANDS AGAIN
She flipped ahead a bit.
Day Seven
OW OW MY SHOULDER WHY A SLEDGEHAMMER WHY
Skip.
…right in the crotch and HE DIDN’T EVEN FLINCH! What is he made of, steel? Or is this a reptile thing? Is his magic armor that good, and if so, can I have some?
She smiled at that last bit, knowing what would come later. Another flip forwards.
Day Seventeen
So, it turns out throwing axes
No no no no no. Not reading that one. Skip.
AFTER I JUST TOLD HIM I WASN’T READY
She stopped flipping randomly and moved to the dog-eared page about a quarter of the way into the book.
Day Thirtyone
Kousa came! It turns out, Grevesh sent him a letter about three weeks back (yeah, apparently he can communicate, who knew?) basically begging for help. Thank the gods, and sure the Four Elements too why not, Kousa agreed to help. We spent today talking and catching up instead of training, because of the foot thing from yesterday.
Kousa was just as kind as I remember him. And he’s so amazed by the city! I showed him around some (I mean, slowly, but still) and you should have seen his face. I mean, you did see his face, but I hope you remember it! Oh that was adorable. And he went and bought about half a fruit stand just to give to the kids begging on the street! Even the ones I told him were scamming him! So, I guess that means half the kids in Varcraag are “his children” now, right?
So Kousa takes over training tomorrow. This should be an improvement, right? I mean, he’s good with kids. He’s got to be a better teacher than Grevesh. Right? Tell me I’m right.
She nodded, smiling. She had been right.
Day Thirtytwo
Okay this is soooooo much better. Kousa brought a bunch of weapons actually sized for children. Today we did the bow, which I’m not stellar with, and one of those curved knife thingies he has two of at all times. No really, all times. He took a nap with them on.
Anyhow the knife seems a lot more my style. I’m not a natural or anything, but at least I can slash and move at the same time so I won’t get clobbered. Kousa said I have potential, which I’m fairly sure is a nice way of saying it’s going to take a while before I can actually fight anything, but I’m actually going to sleep without a single bruise tonight. Just a couple of red welts on my wrist. Did I mention I’m not stellar with the bow?
Nodding to herself, Salia took a look at her open closet. In the back was a suit of leather armor Kousa had brought back, made from issren-ursa leather (giving it the same pinkish-red hue as his wrapped canteen) and enchanted by the shamen he knew. While it had been offered to Grevesh, Grevesh actually preferred his own magic armor, so Salia inherited the protection – thankfully, it would resize to fit whoever tried to wear it. It was flexible, tough, and Kousa claimed it would protect from the cold better than three layers of fur.
Salia closed the journal. Kousa had, in fact, been a much more appropriate teacher than Grevesh. He’d been training his village’s children for years and knew the limitations of someone Salia’s size and strength. The last month had felt a lot better, both physically and mentally, than the previous one. Bless Grevesh for trying, but a three hundred pound construction worker had a completely different view than a hunter and trapper.
She was sad it was about to end. The late spring here meant the early spring back in the Bhrainen Range, and his role as best hunter in Malkar’s Holdout was demanded again. The three of them would have a celebratory lunch before his boat left, and Grevesh would resume instruction. Hopefully, he’d been watching how Kousa did things, and would approach things more like that than his previous attempts.
Enough time reflecting for one day. She could smell the bread coming out of the oven a few pages ago, and it was time to go to work. Salia put the book back, straightened her short hair (ugh) one last time, and almost skipped downstairs.