8 Chapter 8: Show & Tell

"Lady Coldblight... I am but a servant, I cannot be trusted." Nora said hesitantly as she gazed at the floor. Astrid sighed. "Is something wrong?" Nora asked.

"Oh, Nora... You do not even realize that responses like that are what make you trustworthy... You have so much to learn." Astrid said lightly.

"Lady Coldblight, I don't quite understand." Nora said.

"Do not worry about it for now." Astrid said as she walked over to a chair and stood in front of it. After a moment, Nora picked her up and placed her on the chair. Astrid motioned for Nora to sit in the chair across from her. Nora looked at Astrid, then the chair, then Astrid again.

"I-I couldn't, to sit across from you like that would be like saying we are equal!" Nora said as she waved her hands and became flustered.

"Fine, remain standing." Astrid said. "If you do not deem yourself worthy, I suppose telling you would only make you feel bad about yourself, so I will keep it to myself for now, but I do wish to tell you someday." Astrid said.

"I am thankful for your trust, Lady Coldblight." Nora said with a bow.

"Well, that matter aside, I should probably prepare a show of sorts for tomorrow's display..." Astrid said as she went into thought.

"What is it you are referring to?" Nora asked.

"I asked my father for a sparring partner as just practicing sword swings is rather boring, he said he would review my skill tomorrow, so I am thinking of something that would show the appropriate level of skill." Astrid explained.

"Knowing Lord Coldblight, he must be worried that you will be injured..." Nora said. Suddenly, Astrid came to a realization. "Is something the matter?" Nora asked as she leaned towards Astrid slightly.

"I see... I failed to factor that..." Astrid said as she stood up suddenly and began pacing back and forth in front of her seat. "Now that I think of it, Father is rather overprotective... Which would explain his hesitance, especially considering what happened a while back with the fever, then the magic overflow situation..." Astrid mumbled.

"Lady Coldblight?" Nora asked. Astrid suddenly stopped, cocked her head up, and looked at Nora.

"I see your point, Nora." Astrid said. Nora tilted her head. "Looking at my past, he would have reason to worry." Astrid said.

"I assume you are referring to the fever you had last year." Nora said. Astrid nodded.

"That, but more importantly, the mana issue." Astrid said. Nora nodded lightly. "Well, best not to dwell on that, it likely will not last for more than another few years." Astrid said.

"But that is quite a while, isn't it?" Nora asked.

"I suppose, but in the grand scheme of things, it is a rather inconsequential amount of time." Astrid said frankly. "Speaking of the grand scheme of things, I suppose there are certain parts of noble culture I should try to understand as that will be important to my... Well, we do not need to think that far for now..." Astrid thought aloud.

Nora clearly wanted to ask what Astrid was referring to, but refrained.

"Well, continuing on the prior subject, I need to decide upon what would be best to demonstrate my skill." Astrid said lightly.

"May I recommend something?" Nora asked. Astrid nodded. "Using a training dummy may be a good idea, you can show your ability to locate and aim for vitals as well as how precise you can be." Nora said with a helpful smile.

"That is a splendid idea. I can also demonstrate my own agility while I demonstrate my dexterity." Astrid added to Nora's earlier statement. "Well, I suppose all that is left is to wait until tomorrow." Astrid said lightly. "Ah, right, be sure to inform my father that I will need a training dummy for the presentation." Astrid added quickly.

Nora bowed, then walked to the door and informed another maid of the request. The maid nodded, then left to relay the message.

The next morning, Astrid was escorted to her lessons by Nora and presented with the training dummy she requested.

The dummy is rather basic, being just a pole with another pole intersecting it horizontally towards the top with a helmet laying on the tip of the first pole and a cloth tabard stuffed with hay laying where the chest would be.

At the bottom is a large round foundation where the vertical pole rests, rising from the center. Astrid was handed her practice sword and awaited her father's arrival. After only a few minutes, Athel had arrived.

He nodded at Kelvin and Kelvin quickly took a step towards Astrid. "Begin." Kelvin said. Without skipping a beat, Astrid began and showcased each of the sword strikes she had been taught as well as a simple sword jab she had learned from watching her brothers practice.

After only a few minutes, she had finished her demonstration and turned to look at both Kelvin and her father, awaiting the review.

"Okay, I did not teach her to thrust with the sword, my guess is she picked it up from watching others." Kelvin said as he raised his hands.

"I see." Athel said as he delved into thought for a few seconds. "Astrid." He said as he crouched down and motioned for her to come closer to him. She walked up in front of him. "I want you to know that the only people who will be able to match you will be older and bigger, are you sure you want a sparring partner?" He asked.

"Yes, after all, the only way to improve is if I have a challenge, otherwise I will stagnate and get bored." She said.

"Alright... I will see about finding you a sparring partner." Athel said.

"Thank you, father." Astrid said with a light curtsy.

"Just do not make me regret it, okay?" Athel asked.

"Of course, father!" Astrid said, clearly not wanting him to take away this opportunity.