Nine

I do not know how to feel about the fact that Clara is leaving. I guess I just always expected her to be there. Even though we did not get along, she was my comfort sometimes. I guess I enjoyed our bickering more than what I thought I did. I get dressed and then walk to the kitchen.

I can see that Clara is dressed in her best dress and it looks like she is putting on her hat which means she will soon be leaving. My mother must be somewhere in the house but right now it is just me and Clara.

"So...I guess you are going then?"

I swear I see something that looks like tears in her eyes.

"Yes, they will be here soon to pick me up"

Suddenly, I can not get out another word because there is a crack in my voice. I will not show her my tears or that her leaving has an effect on me. I have bigger things to think of. I do not have time for these petty thoughts.

I can see that she is waiting for me to say something to her. I guess that she is just looking for some sort of affection but I know if I show it to her I will no longer be a man in her eyes but I will be more like a coward.

"Well...good luck with that. I got to go"

I dare not look at her face because I know that she is in shock. I feel like a bastard but for some reason, I just can not get myself to express anything to her. There are so many emotions running around in my mind that I do not know if I should be angry or happy or sad. I grab an apple and then leave the house.

I start to run and when I am sure I am clear of the house I shout as loud as I can.

"Fuck!!"

I have to stand still first to feel this emotion that I am feeling. I guess for some reason I am angry at her. It feels like she is leaving me when I needed her the most. I just do not understand why I feel like this because she is not even my sister. Then it makes me wonder whether it is because she is not my sister?

I just do not have time for these kinds of feelings. I need to get to work so that I can meet Oliver after work with my trainer. I shake my head and then I start to run. I need to run to get my emotions in check. I run all the way to work. Then when I get to work I immediately walk to my sword. Today's the day that I am finishing it.

The day is finally finished and so is my sword. With pride, I take it with me and then wait for Oliver at our usual spot. Then I hear some people coming my way and as I turn around I see Oliver with a man.

As they walk closer I realized that I know this man. It is the man that I met in the woods that night. The man that told me that the dragon slayers do not exist.

"William, I would like you to meet Lucas. He has been with my father for many years and is considered one of his best swordsmen"

I stand up and walk closer to him. I see a smile on his face as if he did not think that we will meet again. I stretch out my hand to give him a handshake and then I say.

"Pleased to meet you, Lucas"

"Likewise"

We share a secret stare. Oliver does not know that we know each other but I think we will keep this a secret for now.

"Oliver tells me that you are looking for someone to train you and that you are willing to pay?"

"Yes, that is right. I guess the question is whether you can train me"

He laughs out of his stomach and then in a split second his sword is against my throat.

"Tell me, young sir. Why were you not aware of your surroundings? If you were you would have seen me coming?"

I realize that this man standing before me knows what he is talking about. I also realized that I can learn so much from him and that I need him to train me.

"It seems like you know what you are talking about...I need you to turn me into someone that is worthy to become a knight"

He removes the blade from my neck and then starts to walk around me.

"I do not know if you have the stamina. This is not going to be an easy fix. You are going to have to train hard, every day. You dare not in the miss a day? I will drive you to a level that you feel that you want to give up and that you would rather want to die. But if you decide to give up in the middle of this training, everything will be in vain...The question is whether you want to pursue this kind of training because you do not become a knight in one day?"

It is true that he sounds very intimidating but my desire to take revenge for my parents is more than my fear of being trained by him. I look him straight in the eyes and then I say.

"I am not someone that would give up"

Then he comes to a standstill and uses his sword as something to rest his hands on when he stands.

"Now comes the matter of the money. I do not know if you would be able to pay for my services"

I smile slightly and then I say.

"Money is not an object here. I need to be trained by the best. Just give me your price"

I can see him smiling as if he does not believe me. Then he says as if he is testing me.

"I need three gold coins upfront and then one gold coin before we start"

It is clear that he is taking me for a fool. I guess he can not believe me because my clothes are not that of a nobleman. When I look at the way that Oliver is dressed and the way that I am, I guess I can not blame him for doubting my worth.

I put my hand in my pocket and then take out three gold coins. I throw it to him and he catches it without even looking at where it will land. It is clear that his reflexes are extremely well developed. Then I say to him

"When are we starting?"

He smiles while he is stroking the gold coins against each other in his hand. He is still staring at me as if he is doubting my ability or maybe if I can pay for his courtesies. But then he tilts his head and says.

"Right now"

I walk to the nearest rock and take off my jacket. I get out my sword and I stand in the fight stance.

"I am ready"

He starts to laugh and then says.

"Hold your horses, young sir. We are definitely not starting with this kind of training. First, we need to test your reflexes and until all of the other requirements are not met. I can not teach you how to sword fight"

I do not understand why he can not just start to sword fight but then again at this second, I will do whatever it requires to become the man that I need to be.

"Okay, what do you need me to do?"

"Follow me"

I glance at Oliver and he just lifts his shoulders like he has no idea what is happening. I walk behind Lucas and then we get to the river.

"What are we doing here?"

"I need you to hit the water with your hand"

I start to laugh at his ridiculous request but I see that he is not laughing and he is waiting for me to do it.

"Are you trying to make a fool out of me?"

"If you are not ready for training. Then I will give you back your coins and leave you at once"

"Then, tell me this. What is the point of slapping the water?"

"It is for me to see at what force you can hit"

I just lift my eyebrows and then walk over to the river. I slap the water as hard as I can and then it splashes all over me. I realize that I am soaking wet and then I turn to him.

"Does this answer your question?"

"Yes. I realize I have a lot of work to do and this can take months. Are you sure you want to do this?"

I do not know what the water slapping has to do with my ability to sword fight but I do know that I need his help.

"Yes, yes I am ready"

"Good. I will see you tomorrow before sunrise. I will meet you right here"

Then he turns around and greets Oliver while he walks away.

"Before the sun comes up?!"

It feels like I have just sentenced myself to prison. But I realize what I need to do and if this is going to cost me to wake up early in the morning then I will do it.