*kick*

I was awoken by an immediate impact on my body. Opening my eyes, I could see the old one standing over me with a severe look in isuls eye. With an ax in his hand?

"get up and follow me," he said

After finishing his words, he started walking towards the woods surrounding the clearing. I was significantly confused, but maybe he had a change of heart, so I got up momentarily, jogging to catch up to him.

" Sir, if you won't answer my questions, then maybe you can."

Before I could finish my sentence, he stopped and turned to face me, .then pushing the ax into my hands and chest. We were already deep into the woods as well. He didn't mean for me to do his lumber work, did he?

"you want answers, boy, prove you are worthy of them," he said

Afterward, he began to walk away back in the direction of the clearing. I was confused, proving myself worthy by doing what? Hard labor? Surely he jesting with me.

"by cutting down trees?" I asked

Looking back towards me, he seemed to be serious but also annoyed; however, he then proceeded to walk around up to me, looking earnestly into my eyes. As to show that he was not humoring in any way whatsoever.

"yes, by cutting down trees," he replied

Once more began to walk away. What was this man trying to pull? I would not spend my days chopping down trees, throwing the ax down. So I started to chase after the old one.

"if you won't give me the answers I want, then maybe you can train me your obviously skilled in combat, surely you-"

Once more, his gaze turned towards me, only this time, he was clearly annoyed and angered. Quickly he grabbed a knife hidden in his coat. I ducked quickly; out of instinct, I ducked right before he threw the knife.

"Are you mad!? You could have killed me!"

He did not reply, only lifting his hand, pointing at something behind me, turning my head to sate my curiosity. My eyes widened at what I saw. A flying bug pinned to a tree a reasonable distance away.

"prove your worth, and you might receive both. However, question me again, and you will get nothing."

As he left, I could only be amazed at the skill he displayed if there was a chance I could learn to do something like that. Then getting my vengeance would be possible.

*picks up the ax*

And like that, I spent the rest of that day cutting and chopping down trees, only stopping to eat and when my body couldn't move anymore. This went on for many days. Finally, Isul had made me drag all the trees I had cut down back to the clearing. It was gruesome. My body was constantly in pain, while isul only watched me do the work, not saying a word. he gave me food during the days, which was curious because I never saw him leave to get any and no one brought any. The reason as to why he assigned me such an uphill task still eluded me, but as the days came and went, the work began to get easier.

"I'm done, isul."

I said, walking up to isul. Sitting on a wooden chair along the front porch of the home. I would always report to him when I was finished, even though he never said a word back. Then, as I began to walk away back to my little fire spot, I heard isuls voice.

"how many did you cut down today?" he asked.

Surprise had gripped me as I began to walk back towards isul. Was I finally done with this slave labor? Would I finally start training?

"four sirs, I cut down four trees and put them in a pile," I replied

I had piled all the wood I cut down over the past weeks in the clearing, as I was instructed to do, but I never saw the purpose in it. I hoped he would make me fix his shabby home. He finally looked towards me to speak.

"good. cut some pieces off ten of the trees, each skinnier than the last, and stick them in the dirt."

He then handed me what looked like a saw, only smaller than what I had seen before. And only had one grip instead of two. This would make cutting lumber a job one man could even do. Was he making me build something, or was he only playing me for a fool?

"But sir, maybe it would be better if i-"

His solemn gaze now fixated on me as to remind me once again of his previous words. Warning me not to question the tasks he was giving me always irritated me, but I swallowed my pride. I would put up with it for now.

"yes, sir," I replied

isul pov

"he is stubborn and prideful. No, he's just impatient, so was I when I was his age. However, he is driven and persistent, but how long will his persistence last. I need to see with my own eyes that he has what it takes, to keep on going even when there is no direction."

*coughs repeatedly*

*looks down to see blood in hand*

"it seems I'm almost out of time; I probably only have two more winters left. Then, either he proves himself able to carry on the assassins, or we simply fade away into historThereere is so much resentment and anger in his heart. I can see it in his eyes the loss of the hate vengeance. vengeance can be a powerful drive, but when he has had it, what will drive him then."

*looks towards delias finishing putting the fifth stump into the ground*