Getting his First Sword !

After a couple of hours, They all had a scrumptious meal. Alan especially was curious to find what ingredients were used to get this taste. The cook showed him the spices used and gave him a detailed explanation of the tastes and properties of the spices.

After that, Helen and John went inside the hut to discuss a few things. Alan stayed behind with the Guards who came with John. Everyone sat down and chatted for a while. After the initial shock to know about Alan's extraordinary strength, the guards became comfortable around Alan and started considering him one among them. Alan just sat their enjoying this moment and listened to their conversations. He would occasionally answer any questions asked by someone and again would simply sit there, enjoy listening to their banter and their laughter.

This was a different type of feeling for Alan to sit around so many people. He felt somewhat emotional to know that he would not be alone in the future. He will have many friends.

Helen and John who were discussing about their departure inside the hut called Alan to come in after sometime.

Alan got up and went inside the hut.

John walked toward Alan with a smile. He was holding a thin and a long item wrapped wit clothe strips in his hand.

He brought his hand forward and presented it to Alan. " I wish to give you this gift on your 10th birth day Alan. It's not much, but I believe you will like it. Take it child." John said with a grandfatherly look in his eyes.

Alan was curious and eger to know what was inside the bundle, but he looked at his grandmother's direction first. He took the gift from John's hand only after she gave him a nod of approval.

"Thank you uncle John." Alan said with a wide smile. Eagerness visible in his eyes.

The present had some weight to it. Alan had a feeling that, there might be a weapon inside the bundle. He then started to open the cloth wrappings slowly.

Alan was stunned to see the present that was visible once the cloth strips were removed.

It was a Sword!!!

A simple sword handle could be seen wrapped in leather with a metal cross guard.

The sword body was resting inside a leather sheath. It was simple, look sutrdy and felt smooth to the touch.

He held it in his hands tightly and looked up at John with excitement. John smiled at his reaction." It's a short sword my boy However in your hands it will be a normal long sword. I asked to change the sword handle to give you a proper grip. Go on, take it out of its sheath." John urged him.

Alan held the handle and it felt good. The leather on the handle gave him a perfect grip. The thickness of the handle was also perfect..... He then unsheathed it in a single fluid motion and swung it a couple of times.

At this moment he understood that this is the weapon he will carry with him forever....!

The Sword.... !!!

Alan then excused himself from them and ran into a remote area to practice the basic sword movements which he had learnt from the skill manual he had received from his grandmother.

It hardly took him a few minutes to get familiar with the weapon in his hand. It felt perfect. An extension of himself. Even though he felt comfortable using Hunting Knife, The Axe and the Staff, he never felt this kind on oneness with his weapons.

He practiced the complete set of sword movements once.

There were few mistakes in his movement that he was able to indentify himself and remembered to correct them as soon as possible. Then he ran back to the hut, as he didn't want the others to notice his absence for too long. Besides, he knew he will have plenty of time to practice his sword's skills to perfection.

He went back toward the hut with a spring in his steps....

They all had a great time and soon it was the day before they would leave to Green city.