While Saira and her parents sat in shock and confusion, the woman just stood there and stared back. She looked at Devon and cocked her head a little. Devon broke eye contact and looked away as though guilty. Saira started frantically glancing between her father and the strange woman, until it was her mother who broke the silence. Soleia’s eyes met the woman’s dead on, and her voice was crisp yet nostalgic. “My old friend, how lovely to see you again. Now why don't you stop standing there like a gangster and sit your ass down.” The tone of her voice shifted, and Soleia’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly as her head cocked to the left. Saira was amazed to see the woman move as though her mother had scolded her for putting a hand in the cookie jar. “Now Paulette, why don't you introduce yourself so my daughter doesn't have to be confused a minute longer.” 

Paulette quickly nodded and spoke, her voice deep and husky “Ma name’s Paulette.Ye can ca’ me Pawly. A trained yer da’s brother, an’ A was wi’ their group till Remiel’s..eh…death.” The last words were spoken in a whisper and she glanced carefully at Devon, who was still refusing to make eye contact or acknowledge her. “Ah no always train the ties o’ the sword spirit, but Remiel wis like a wee brither tae me as weel. He had some crackin’ talent, like.” Saira sat amazed by the woman across from her. Her general appearance was definitely aged, but there was an odd youthfulness about her. 

Ahhh Paulette. That wisecracking ass was always pleasant to have around. She has been a faithful companion for many millennia.

Wha-? What do you mean? 

Saira tried to get the sword spirit to respond back but Gabriel refused to answer. Turning toward Paulette, she asked “Soooo. Are you going to be my swordsmanship instructor then?” She hesitated as she spoke, but right as Paulette had opened her mouth Devon cut her off with a very abrupt “NO.” “Not now, not ever again. I don't want you here, get out.” Devon continued to pout and even while angrily talking did not even look at Paulette. She sighed and shook her head. Soleia raised and lowered her hand as though calming an angry puppy. “Now now, Devon. What happened to Remiel was a horrific tragedy, but it was not Paulette’s fault. She trained him as best she could in the time provided, the mudslide was an accident and a fault on the group's parts. If we had all been more vigilant, kept better watch, and maybe stepped in faster he would have not had to sacrifice his life to save a child. Don’t blame the woman I know you regard as like a sister.” 

There was a few minutes of silence, but after a few more minutes of soft and quiet crying, Devon finally raised his head. When Saira saw his eyes, they were full of tears and sadness and longing. He slowly uncurled his arms and reached out tentatively towards Paulette, like a little brother who wanted a hug from his big sister because he had a boo-boo. Soleia smiled and nodded, her eyes still red and puffy, as Paulette leaped into Devon’s arms. The two hugged tightly and cried together, and when they had exhausted their current supply of tears, Paulette ruffled Devon’s hair. The two roughhoused for a few more minutes before settling down, and after that it was smoother sailing. 

Saira got up to make some tea, and the four sat and chatted for hours. Saira asked them many questions, and the three recounted their many adventures. There were happy moments, sad ones, and lots of very silly pranks between Devon, Remiel, and Paulette. When the moon sat atop the sky, Saira sleepily left to go to sleep, and the three continued to quietly reminisce for a few more hours. Paulette was given the guest bedroom, and everybody slept soundly during that peaceful night. 

The next morning Saira helped her father make breakfast while her mother and Paulette worked in the vegetable garden. Before chores had commenced, Saira had spent some time talking with Gabriel, and she and her father had agreed farm work would come before sword practice. The Weizen family was well known for its winter wheat beer, and had been for at least five generations. While her mother had gone adventuring with her father as a healing mage, once Remiel had passed, the group had disbanded. Devon and Soleia returned to the family farm to take over, and Saira’s grandfather lived out his last few years in peace. Devon’s strength along with Soleia’s healing abilities and affinity to nature allowed the wheat farm to flourish even more than in previous generations. Saira helped her father cut down one of the three fields that was fully ripened, and with the two working together they completed the five acre plot in no time. Gabriel had been brought out to watch, and as they worked hard under the hot spring sun it shouted words of encouragement. Saira had to ask Gabriel to stop shouting in her head. 

Once the important farm chores had been completed, the four sat outside for a quick lunch, and after Saira changed into cleaner clothes. “Aye, before we start, we need tae stretch, so our muscles dinnae get sore.” Saira looked at Paulette confused, but followed along. After about fifteen minutes, the pair were ready to go. Saira moved so as to grab Gabriel but Paulette stopped her. “An’ whaur d’ye think yer gaun? Ye’ve got tae train yer body afore ye can haud a sword. An’ ye’ll be gripin’ a wooden yin first an’ foremost.” Saira frowned, but with one raised eyebrow from Paulette, she sighed and followed her instructor. Paulette had set up a small practice area of sorts in a nearby forest clearing, and Saira spent week after hellish week conditioning her body. Week after week, from the moment chores were finished until evening, Saira worked hard. Running, muscle training, endurance and the like. Paulette even gave her some martial arts training that was meant to help Saira train her ferocious aura. While it had been tamed a bit, not much had been done to it. Saira was confused by this training that did not seem to do much, and Paulette quickly realized that the training had stayed with the heroes she worked with, and had not left the hidden continent. 

Everyday, Saira ran five miles, did one hour of sprinting exercises, did one hundred of the basic muscle and body condition exercises, and every evening did a strength and endurance exercise with a very heavy rock. After one month, the winter wheat was fully collected and the spring wheat was steadily growing. With a good chunk of farm chores out of the way, Paulette moved training up to right after breakfast. All exercises and conditioning were started two hours earlier, and the remaining two hours before sunset were spent with a wooden sword. Saira exclaimed with happiness when she saw the wooden sword, and the first time she held it she felt as though all of her fatigue had melted away. Gripping the sword, she felt an interesting energy course through her. It was familiar yet new. 

That is your aura my child. Try relaxing and letting it run through your body and into the sword. 

Saira did exactly that. The electric sensation coursed through every inch of her body, and she felt incredible. When the aura reached the sword, it exploded. Paulette had to duck as a large splinter of wood flew at her. Chuck;ing as the bewildered Saira, she patted the girl on the head. “Well done, lassie! Ah'm dead proud o' ye. Now we kin properly train yer aura.” Saira's puzzled face grinned and she proudly looked back and forth between the sword, Paulette, and Gabriel.

That's right Saira, now you can not only channel your aura, but it is much easier to tame it once you've experienced it. Good job little one.

After the incident with the sword, Saira spent one hour after her basic training working to tame her ridiculously wild and stubborn aura, and the last hours she practiced her sword wings with a new and slightly sturdier wooden sword. Her parents and Paulette had built a small shield for this part of the practice, which Saira laughed and rolled her eyes at originally. After a few more swords exploded, Saira soon understood why it was there. Over the summer months, Paulette trained Saira hard, pushing her until she had reached her limits and then pushing her past those. As the hot summer days dwindled away, and fall started to breeze its way in, the Weinberg area experienced its last heatwave. The boiling summer sun was relentless, and even Paulette agreed it would be best to take a break from training. The four and Gabriel hiked to the top of the mountain. There was a mountain lake that fed into the spring and a river that zigzagged down the mountain. The large lake sparkled invitingly and the cold water was refreshing, drawing the other inhabitants to it. Saira nervously looked around at the others, and with a prod from Paulette ventured toward the water.

Saira’s wild aura was so potent that most people besides her parents and Paulette struggled to be near here, and would either keep their distance or recoil in fear or overwhelm when they sensed the aura. With Paulette's training, Saira had partially tamed her aura, and while she could barely use it, she could at least keep it restrained. This meant she could finally spend time with others. Saira hesitantly approached some kids around her age who were playing with a ball in the water. One of them raised a hand and Saira instinctively flinched away before realizing the girl was waving to her. She smiled in a goofy manner and made a big show of swatting some imaginary bug before bounding over. As she waded through the water she tripped in a rock and fell face first into the water and splashing everybody. 

When Saira had resurfaced the group was laughing merrily and Saira joined in. The kids spent many fun hours laying in the water, splashing and swimming and floating. Paulette, Devon, and Soleia watched with pride and joy as Saira had a wonderful time, unshackled from responsibility. Eventually the sun hung low in the sky and all the families and inhabitants happily eased their way down the mountain. Devon carried Saira in his arms as they headed back to their farm, the closest one to the lake. After putting her to sleep and kissing Soleia goodnight, he grabbed a bottle of wine and motioned to Paulette to follow him. Paulette recognized the somber look on his face and with a lamp they ventured into the firefly lit evening.